Courtney R. Anderson - Attorney at Law

03/11/2026

I realized earlier that it has been quite some time since I have posted on this page! As most of you know, last November, my brother and I opened up our own law office called 217 Law LLC in Decatur. It has been an exciting (and very busy) process getting everything up and running.

I'm happy to say that I am still handling the same areas of law that many of you have reached out to me about over the years, including injury law, criminal defense, and family law. I am regularly taking cases throughout central Illinois, along with my colleagues.

If you are a past or current client, or someone that has reached out that I have helped otherwise, please consider leaving a Google review for me at the new office! Google reviews are typically how new potential clients find our office.

Thank you to everyone who has continued to refer friends and family and support my practice. I truly appreciate it. If you ever need help or have questions about a legal issue, please feel free to reach out. If it's not an area of law that I handle, I can likely point you in the right direction. Please follow our 217 Law page, as we post weekly updates there.

📞 217-217-0217
📧 [email protected]
🌐 www.217law.com

07/11/2025

I will be out of the office until Monday, July 21st! If you need to schedule an appointment, please call 217-383-0039 and Hannah will take care of you! 😊

07/04/2025

We are out of the office until Monday, July 7th at 8:30 AM. Please celebrate safely this weekend!

06/30/2025

The more ya know! Did you all know that Nike’s slogan was inspired by a convicted murder’s last words prior to ex*****on? 👟

06/12/2025

Thank you to everyone who voted for me!

We’re thrilled to share that both Drew and Courtney have been named as Decatur’s Top Attorneys in this year’s Readers' Choice Awards! Their hard work, compassion, and dedication to every client truly reflect the values we hold at BRE Law.

We're also proud to be recognized as one of Decatur’s Favorite Law Firms, an honor that belongs to our entire team and the community that trusts us every day.

Thank you to everyone who voted and continues to support the work we do!

05/05/2025

9 years ago today I took an oath and was sworn in as an attorney in Illinois! Within hours of this ceremony, I took and defended my first of many depositions and start handling the contested daily court call in Chicago. Now, I’m a Partner at my hometown law firm in Decatur and get to do what I love every single day. Time flies when you’re having fun! 👩‍💼⚖️

04/21/2025

This morning I was able to start my week off by closing out an adoption case in Logan County, which is easily the best part of my job! Courtrooms usually come with a certain amount of stress, but today it was all smiles as a little girl now has her forever family. 💕

04/18/2025

I just found out I’ve been nominated in the Best Lawyer category for the Herald & Review Choice Awards, and I want to give a big THANK YOU to whoever nominated me. I had no idea this was even happening, so I’m incredibly honored and grateful!

If you would like to support me, you can vote once per day by texting “122” to 217-833-8120. Every vote counts, and I truly appreciate all the support from clients, colleagues, friends, and the community.

Congratulations to my friends and colleagues who were also nominated! 🎉

03/26/2025

✨ Need a Fresh Start? Illinois' Expungement Law Might Help ✨

Did you know that certain criminal records in Illinois can be expunged or sealed? Yes, that means they can be erased or hidden from public view, giving you a second chance at a clean slate!

🔹 What Can Be Expunged? Offenses like low-level drug possession, non-violent felonies, or misdemeanors may be eligible for expungement.

🔹 Sealed vs. Expunged: Sealing means the record still exists but isn’t accessible to the public, while expunging wipes it off the record entirely.

🔹 Eligibility Requirements: It’s not a free-for-all, and you may need to wait a certain period after completing your sentence before applying.

If you're looking to clear your record and move forward, it's not as complicated as it seems! Let’s chat about your options.

☎️ 217-383-0039
📧 [email protected]

03/24/2025

🐶 Bitten? Illinois Holds Dog Owners Strictly Liable! 🐶

Dog bites aren’t just painful—they can lead to serious injuries, medical bills, and lasting trauma. In Illinois, the law is on your side if you’ve been bitten.

🔹 Strict Liability: Unlike some states that require proof of negligence, Illinois follows a strict liability rule. If a dog bites you without provocation and you were lawfully on the property, the owner is automatically responsible—no need to prove they were careless.

🔹 What You Can Recover: Medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and even emotional distress.

🔹 What If the Owner Says “My Dog’s Never Bitten Anyone Before”? That doesn’t matter under Illinois law! There’s no “one free bite” rule here.

If you or someone you love has been injured by a dog, let’s talk about your options. You shouldn’t have to deal with the aftermath alone!

☎️ 217-383-0039
📧 [email protected]

03/21/2025

📱 "Texting Threats: When Does It Become a Crime?"

That angry text you sent in the heat of the moment? It could be a crime under Illinois law. Threats, even in texts or DMs, can lead to criminal charges.

Moral of the story: Vent to a friend, not over text. And if you’re facing charges? Call us ASAP.

☎️ 217-383-0039
📧 [email protected]

03/20/2025

Courtroom News: Fiction with a Side of Facts

If you’ve ever read a courtroom news article about a case you actually know, you’ve probably thought, “I was there and that's NOT what happened."

Legal proceedings aren’t nearly as exciting as the headlines make them seem, but that doesn’t stop reporters from adding a little spice to the story. After all, “Judge Reviews Motion” doesn’t get clicks like “Explosive Courtroom Battle!”

Reporters aren’t paid to tell the whole story—they’re paid to get people reading, commenting, and creating their own version of a story. I can't even begin to tell you how many news articles I have read regarding cases I have personally handled that aren't factually accurate or that recite something that happened in court incorrectly.

So, next time you see a shocking legal headline, just remember: the real story is usually less exciting—and way less dramatic.