Black, Ballard, McDonald P.C.

04/22/2026

We are seeking a dependable and organized, legal assistant for our Mount Vernon, Illinois office to support attorneys with scheduling, document preparation, file management, and client and public inquiries in a fast paced environment. Strong communication and organizational skills are essential. This is an on-site position, requiring professionalism, confidentiality, and the ability to manage multiple tasks. Legal administrative assistant experience is preferred, but not required. Pay commensurate with experience. Benefits include 401(k) and paid time off. Interested candidates may send a résumé or brief inquiry to [email protected].

09/04/2025

Our office was a proud sponsor of the Jefferson County Chamber's Student Scholarship Program. Happy to help Gracie Lowery pursue educational goals!

07/10/2025

The entrepreneurs outside our office on Tuesday were daughters of partners Matt Flanigan, Doug Hoffman, and Andrew Thomson. They raised $585 for the Restore Network -- An organization created to help respond to the needs of children in the foster care system. Thanks to all who came by and gave their support!

01/16/2025

The law firm of Black, Ballard, McDonald, P.C., located in Mt. Vernon, Illinois, is pleased to announce that Andrew D. Thomson has been named a partner and shareholder of the firm. Mr. Thomson has practiced law at the firm since becoming licensed in 2016. His practice concentrates in the areas of estate planning, probate administration, corporate and business transactions, and municipal law. Mr. Thomson values the opportunity to serve the legal needs of individuals and businesses, small and large, throughout the Southern Illinois region.

Andrew Thomson is a native of Edwards County, Illinois, and resides in Mt. Vernon with his wife Sydney, a teacher at Spring Garden Grade School, and their two young daughters. He received his bachelor’s degree, magna cm laude, from Southern Illinois University – Carbondale and his law degree at the Indiana University Maurer School of Law. Mr. Thomson is a past president of the Jefferson County Bar Association and past president and board member of the United Way of South Central Illinois.

The law firm of Black, Ballard, McDonald, P.C. consists of eight attorneys specializing in numerous areas of the law. The firm has served Southern Illinois since 1977, and originally began in 1938 as the Mt. Vernon office of a Central Illinois firm. It is located across from the Jefferson County Courthouse at 108 South Ninth Street.

01/06/2025

Our office is closed on Monday 1.6.2025 due to the weather. Stay Safe!

12/19/2023

12/08/2023

Our Firm welcomes our newest associate, Callah Wright. Callah graduated Magna Cum Laude from Southern Illinois University School of Law and was the editor in chief of the 2023 Summer Survey of Illinois Law for the SIU Law Journal. She also had her law journal note published in the winter 2023 edition of the journal. She is licensed in both Missouri and Illinois. Welcome Callah!

04/26/2023

Happy Administrative Professionals Day! Continued appreciation to our staff's efforts and hard work to keep this office running.

04/10/2023

Illinois 2nd Circuit new Rule 24 on Attending Court Remotely by Phone or Video.

Rule 1. Rules of CourtRule 2. Chief Judge Rule 3. Presiding Judges Rule 4. Judicial Meetings Rule 5. Appearances and Default Rule 6. Pleadings Rule 7. Matrimonial Cases Rule 8. Clerks of the Circuit Court Rule 9. Motions (amended 4/13/07 — previous amendment repealed)Rule 10. Assigned Criminal Cas...

07/06/2022

The law firm of Black, Ballard, McDonald, P.C., is pleased to announce that Douglas R. Hoffman has been named a partner at the firm effective July 1, 2022. Doug began his legal career as an associate at the firm in 2006. He left to serve as the Jefferson County State’s Attorney from 2012-2016, and then returned to private practice as an associate with the Mitchell Law Office in 2017. Doug returned to Black, Ballard, McDonald, P.C. in September 2018, where his practice areas include Creditor’s Rights, Banking Law, Creditor Bankruptcy and Municipal Law. The Black, Ballard, McDonald, P.C., law firm is based in Mt. Vernon, Illinois, and for decades has represented clients throughout Southern Illinois in most areas of civil practice. The other partners of the firm are Terry R. Black, Mark J. Ballard, Jerome E. McDonald, Aaron S. Carnine, Matthew B. Flanigan and Jarred R. Tynes. See www.illinoisfirm.com for more information about the firm.

04/05/2021

Wayne County Standing Order 2020-2 filed April 1, 2021, states that as of May 1, 2021, all Wayne County, Illinois Circuit Court hearings shall take place in person. Both civil and criminal jury trials may be scheduled to begin anytime after June 1, 2021.