James T. Reilly, experienced civil and criminal litigator

EDUCATION:
Loyola School of Law; Juris Doctor 1979.
Activities: 1979 Leadership and Service Award; Speaker at commencement; President, Student Bar Association 1978-1979; Representative 1978-1979 Loyola Law School Alumni Board.

University of Illinois; Bachelor of Arts and Science 1976
Joint majors in Economics and Finance. Honors and activities: Illinois State Scholar; National Merit Commendation; Dean’s List; Sigma Iota Lambda Honorary Fraternity; Big Brother Program, Political Campaign Worker, intramural athletics.

Click here to view my Curriculum Vitae James T. Reilly has been practicing since 1979. He is an experienced trial lawyer with over fifty jury cases tried to verdict. He concentrates his practice in both civil and criminal litigation. Jury awards include medical malpractice, wrongful death, fraud prosecution and various types of personal injuries. He has defended cases in criminal courts ranging from fitness trials in murder cases to DUI’s. In addition to these, he has successfully defended persons charged with arson, aggravated battery, drug offenses and other felonies and misdemeanors. Reilly has served as a LaSalle County Assistant Public Defender since 2000. He represents clients before the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission. He has an extensive Social Security Disability practice obtaining permanent disability awards for over 200 clients. He is also the LaSalle County Guardian Ad Litem for abused and neglected children. He represents virtually all minors charged in LaSalle County for adjudication of wardship under the Juvenile Court Act. Reilly is a graduate of Loyola School of Law in Chicago. He received his undergraduate degree with double majors in Economics and Finance from the University of Illinois. Reilly practiced in the Chicago area in private practice and with the National District Attorney Association before moving to LaSalle County. With NDAA he served as editor in chief of its magazine, “The Prosecutor”, and project manager for Victim/Witness Assistance Project, Child Support Enforcement Project and Alternatives to Incarceration Project. He was the Association Staff Attorney. Reilly has served the Illinois State Bar Association as a member of the Marketing and Communications Committee since 2004 and is a member of the Assembly, the governing body of the Illinois State Bar Association. He is also a member of the Illinois State Bar Association Bench and Bar Section Counci. He is past present and present treasurer of the LaSalle County Bar Association. He is active in the United Way (especially their Labor of Love repair project for the poor and elderly). He is a member of the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Child Welfare Team. He is the Foundation Chairman of the Big Brother/Big Sister Program of the Mississippi Valley. He is a member of the Ottawa’s Special Events Committee; Dayton Bluffs Preserve Volunteer; Reddick Mansion Association; Ottawa Avenue Cemetery Board; and a 4th Degree Knight of Columbus. He and his wife, Debby, have two sons, Damian and Phillip.

Jennifer Bunker Skerston

EDUCATION:

Michigan State University; Juris Doctor 2009.
Concentration in Environmental and Natural Resources Law. Honors and activities: Graduated cum laude; Dean’s List; Full-Tuition Merit Scholarship Recipient; Jurisprudence Awards for International Environmental Law and Professional Responsibility; Journal of Animal Law Managing Editor.

DePaul University; Bachelor of Arts and Science 2006.
Major in American Literature and History; Minor in Professional Writing. Honors and activities: Graduate With Highest Honor; Dean’s List; Richard deCordova Prize for American Studies Scholars Writing Competition; Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity.

Jennifer Bunker Skerston is a native of Oglesby, Illinois and has practiced in both private and public sectors over the past fifteen years. Her practice focuses on family law (divorce, paternity, guardianships, and adoption), civil litigation, and estate planning/administration.

Jennifer Bunker Skerston is Secretary of the LaSalle County Bar Association and is actively involved in the Illinois State Bar Association Trusts and Estates Section Council. She is the Editor of the Council’s monthly publication distributed to members throughout Illinois. She also assists the Council in providing continuing legal education to attorneys, determining the need for new legislation, and reviewing and suggesting changes to current legislative proposals affecting wills, trusts and estates. She has developed and drafted will and trust-based estate plans and administered probate and trust estates. Jennifer Bunker Skerston is also a member of the Illinois State Bar Association Women and the Law Committee. Jennifer Bunker Skerston has taught an advanced Master of Laws (LL.M) class at The John Marshall Law School in Estate Planning and Tax Law. She has been nominated by her peers as a “Super Lawyer” in the area of Family Law every year since 2019.

Jennifer Bunker Skerston was recognized as an outstanding young professional and a member of the “Forty under 40” class for Bureau, LaSalle, Marshall and Putnam counties. She also received the 2018 Streator Area Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Young Leader Award. These  recognitions are based on nominations by her peers. She has been actively involved in the Zonta Club of the LaSalle-Peru Area and is a member of the OSF Healthcare Community Council. Jennifer Bunker Skerston and her husband Scott Skerston of Tonica, have one daughter, Lydia.

Jack G. Schuler, Attorney and Advocate for Justice

Education and Legal Foundation

Jack earned his Juris Doctor from Drake University Law School in Des Moines, Iowa, where he distinguished himself academically, making the Dean’s List and earning CALI Awards for Excellence in Business Associations and Sales. At Drake, he co-founded the Drake Law Food Pantry, underscoring his commitment to both legal advocacy and community welfare. As a leader, Jack served as President of the National Lawyers Guild chapter and represented his peers as Faculty Representative to the Student Bar Association, further developing his leadership and organizational skills.

Prior to law school, Jack attended Briar Cliff University in Sioux City, Iowa, where, in 2014, he earned a degree in Secondary Education with a focus on English and History. He also received a degree in 2005 from the same institution in Theatre, with minors in Mass Communications/New Media, and Writing. Jack was recognized for his outstanding undergraduate history research and served as editor for the Briar Cliff Review, demonstrating his long-standing passion for research, writing, and communication.

Jack G. Schuler is a dedicated and detail-oriented attorney based in Ottawa, Illinois, licensed to practice law in the state of Illinois since 2024.  He primarily serves LaSalle and Livingston Counties. He has a robust background in legal research, writing, and advocacy, with a proven ability to analyze complex legal issues and draft persuasive briefs. Jack’s commitment to justice is evident not only through his legal practice but also through his service to underserved clients and his extensive community engagement. Legal Experience: Since graduating from law school, Jack has served as an Associate Attorney at the Law Offices of Reilly & Skerston in Ottawa, Illinois, where he specializes in drafting briefs, motions, and legal memoranda for both civil and criminal cases.  He also has courtroom experience in both civil and criminal cases. His work has involved conducting in-depth legal research and providing strategic insights on established and novel issues of law. During law school, Jack also gained hands-on experience through various clerkships. At Iowa Legal Aid, he worked in the Poverty Law Internship Program, where he independently resolved cases involving housing and public benefits law. Jack’s role as a law clerk at Line 3 Legal Support focused on Indigenous sovereignty and environmental law, while his time at Marquess Law Office involved, building and repair contract analysis for homeowners, drafting appellate briefs, and assisting with case management. Military Service and Leadership: Jack’s dedication to service extends beyond his legal career. He is a veteran of both the United States Marine Corps and the U.S. Army Reserves, where he developed strong leadership and mentorship skills. As a Cryptologic Linguist in the Marine Corps, Jack supervised intelligence operations and managed data collection for the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and for joint service operations in South Korea. He later earned two Army Achievement Medals while serving as a CBRN Non-Commissioned Officer and Observer/Controller-Trainer in the U.S. Army Reserves, where he was recognized for his excellence in training and leadership. Community Engagement: A committed member of his community, Jack is an trustee for the Streator Public Library, where he has organized fundraising events and championed the expansion of inclusivity, including the establishment of a Banned Books Collection. As a board member of the Engle Lane Theater, Jack advises on by-laws and production matters along with facility management. Skills and Recognition: With familiarity of multiple languages, including Farsi, German, Japanese, and Arabic, Jack brings a unique set of skills to his legal practice. Jack G. Schuler’s multifaceted background, encompassing legal expertise, military experience, and community involvement, positions him as a compassionate and skilled advocate for his clients. He remains committed to advancing justice through thoughtful legal practice and meaningful contributions to society.

Call Law Offices of Reilly & Skerston, LLC for your legal needs. Reputation Matters.

Law Offices of Reilly & Skerston, LLC attorneys have represented clients throughout north central Illinois for more than 50 years combined. Law Offices of Reilly and Skerston, LLC is a full service general practice firm that handles Social Security disability, family, divorce, custody, criminal, DUI, traffic, personal injury, closely held businesses, local government, estate planning, wills, trusts, probate, and estate administration cases.