The American Institute of Family Law Attorneys (AIOFLA) has named Deborah A. Hawkins as one of the lawyers listed under Two Years 10 Best Family Law Attorney for Client Satisfaction.
Hawkins is the sole practitioner at Hawkins Law Office, P.C., which is based in Edwardsville.
Hawkins’ career as a lawyer primarily centers on Family Law. Throughout her years in the legal profession, she has handled cases linked to this area such as Adoption Law, Child Custody, Visitation Rights, Premarital and Postnuptial Agreements, Guardian Ad Litem, Annulment, Alimony, Divorce, Marital Property Law, and Domestic Relations.
“Seventy percent of my practice is family law. I like family law,” Hawkins told The Illinois Business Journal.
“Probably 20 percent is civil litigation, such as personal injury, negligence and medical malpractice,” she added.
Hawkins’ expertise covers areas outside family law as well. She has handled cases involving Landlord and Tenant Law, Federal Civil Practice, Consumer Fraud and Breach of Contract. She has also worked on matters linked to Real Estate Contracts, Property Tax, and DUI/DWI.
Regardless of her clients, Hawkins has been known to carefully prepare and study every case she handles. Moreover, she has been open about her practice of informing potential clients of easier and more convenient ways to handle their issues such as simply consulting self-help libraries located in courthouses.
“I do get a good mix of cases, but I choose the ones I take pretty carefully,” Hawkins told the Illinois Business Journal.
“I listen to the client and advise them of the strengths of the case," she added. "The client makes the decision within reason. I try not to impose my personal feelings on the case. I have to be open minded and not judgmental.”
Hawkins, who was born in Alton, obtained her bachelor degree and graduated cum laude at the Millikin University in 1978. She then completed a master’s degree at the University of Iowa in 1982. She completed her juris doctor at the St. Louis University School of Law in 2000, where she was also a cum laude.
She was admitted to the Missouri Bar in 2000, then to the Illinois Bar in 2001. She was also permitted to practice by the U.S. District Court of the Southern District of Illinois. She is a member of the Chicago, Madison County, Illinois State and American Bar Associations; Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis.
The AIOFLA recognizes lawyers who stand out in their craft. The organization’s lists include attorneys from different states and practice areas in an effort to assist potential clients in choosing the lawyer to handle their concerns. The criteria used to select the lawyers include their reputation and relationships with their clients as well as their standing among their peers. The attorneys who made the list are those identified to have achieved the highest Client Satisfaction standards.