About Us – Bates Law Office – 501 Jackson Avenue – Charleston, IL – Call 217-512-1847

Born in Papillion, Nebraska, Carolyn R. Bates grew up the town of Belleville, Illinois. She graduated with honors from Belleville High School East before continuing her education at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston. While attending EIU, Carolyn worked as a judicial intern at the Coles County Courthouse. She graduated Manga Cum Laude with Departmental Honors in 2008, earning a B.A. in Political Science with minors in Pre-Law Studies and History.

After graduation, Carolyn attended Southern Illinois University School of Law in Carbondale, where she earned the distinction of being named to Dean’s List. She volunteered at Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance Foundation and worked with the Southern Illinois University Civil Practice Clinic providing free legal services to southern Illinois residents over the age of 60. She graduated with her J.D. in May 2011.

After being admitted to the Illinois Bar in November 2011, Carolyn moved back to Charleston and began her career in Mattoon, focusing on civil defense litigation before moving her focus to estate planning and commercial law. Her practice is now located in downtown Charleston and has expanded to include family law.

Carolyn Bates is a member of the Illinois Bar Association and the Charleston Area Chamber of Commerce. She lives in Charleston with her husband, Mark.

Bates Law Office serves clients from Charleston, Mattoon, Paris, Effingham, Champaign, Urbana and other communities throughout Coles County. Our law firm specializes in the practice areas of commercial real estate, residential real estate, probate, estate planning, estate administration, wills, trusts and family law.

Bates Law Office is committed to providing legal representation to our clients that protects their rights and interests. For a free and confidential consultation with attorney Carolyn R. Bates, contact our offices at 217-512-1847.