Michelle B. Buckwalter-Schurman

 

PRACTICE AREAS

Divorce, Paternity, Adoption, Guardianships, Wills, Probate, and Estate Planning

 

Email: mschurman@nelsonkilgus.com

 

Education

• Northern Illinois University, J.D., with high distinction, 1995
• Illinois State University, B.S., 1992

 

Admitted to the Bar

• Illinois, 1995
• Arbitrator for Fourteenth Judicial Circuit
• Guardian ad Litem for Fourteenth and Fifteenth Judicial Circuits

 

Memberships/Professional Associations

• Illinois State Bar Association
• Whiteside County Bar Association
• Carroll County Bar Association
• Counsel for Department of Children and Family Services Adoption and Guardianship Unit

 

Honors and Awards

• 2003 Prairie State Legal Services Volunteer of the Year
• Whiteside County Bar Association Volunteer Lawyer Project 2003 Volunteer of the Year
• 1994 Twelfth Annual Prize Moot Court Competition Award for Best Brief
• 1994 Twelfth Annual Prize Moot Court Competition Award for Best Oral Advocate Final Argument
• 1994 Twelfth Annual Prize Moot Court Competition Carl W. Cicero Award Winning Team
• 1994-1995 National Moot Court Team Member
• 1995 Northern Illinois University Award for Outstanding Woman Student

 

Significant Cases:

• Argued before the Appellate Court

              In re Custody of K.P.L., 304 Ill.App.3d 481, 710 N.E.2d 87 (Ill. App.3 Dist.1999).

              In re Marriage of Engelkens, 354 Ill.App.3d 790, 821 N.E.2d 799 (Ill. App. 3 Dist. 2004)