G.F. Taylor began practicing law in Effingham, Illinois, in 1883. He began his legal career by reading the law under Mr. Benson Wood, one of the first graduates of the University of Chicago Law School. Mr. Wood was a former mayor of Effingham, a U.S. congressman, and a veteran of the American Civil War. His law school diploma – dated June 30, 1864 – hangs in the Benson Wood Conference Room in our Effingham office.
G.F. Taylor’s son, Harold J. Taylor, graduated from the University of Illinois College of Law in 1925. He joined his father in the practice of law in Effingham, Illinois, under the firm name of Taylor & Taylor. G.F. Taylor died in 1945. Under the leadership of Harold J. Taylor, the law firm of Taylor & Taylor grew to a four-lawyer firm, which included A. Leonard Anderson, George Dehn, and Carl Becker, who later became circuit judge in the Twentieth Judicial Circuit, Chester, Illinois.
In 1961, Harold J. Taylor’s son, Thomas F. Taylor, a graduate of the University of Illinois College of Law, joined the firm. In 1974, Michael R. Weber joined the firm of Taylor & Taylor. Harold J. Taylor died in 1975. In 1983, Mr. Weber was appointed Judge of the Fourth Judicial Circuit.
Dale F. Wolff, Bruce A. Burkey, and James J. Eder – practicing under the firm name of Dale F. Wolff & Associates, P.C. – merged with Taylor & Taylor in 1983 following the untimely death of Thomas F. Taylor at the age of 48. The new firm was incorporated as Taylor and Wolff P.C., and later changed its name to Taylor, Wolff, Burkey & Eder P.C. The firm added Lou J. Viverito in 1985 and Henry J. Stephens in 1987. Thereafter, the firm has been known as Taylor Law Offices, P.C.
Matthew R. Hortenstine and Christopher A. Koester became affiliated with the firm in 1995 and 2001, respectively. In 2001, James J. Eder was appointed as Associate Judge for the Fourth Judicial Circuit. Henry J. Stephens retired in 2003. Tracy A. Willenborg joined the firm in 2003. Aaron C. Jones and Aaron K. Leonard were hired as associates in 2009 and 2010, respectively. Aaron K. Leonard is a partner at the firm and Aaron C. Jones was appointed Effingham County State’s Attorney in 2022. Kara J. Wade joined the firm in 2017 and is currently a partner. Andrew T. Koester joined the firm in 2022 after leaving the position of Clay County State’s Attorney and is currently a partner. Joel A. Slater joined the firm in 2023 and is currently a partner. Lauren Ozenkoski, previously a summer associate at the firm, joined Taylor Law as a full-time associate attorney in 2024.
