Bio

Mark Wertz Biography

Mark Wertz began his career in 1983 with the Law Office of Moehle, Smith & Day. He was associated with the Janssen Law Center for 7 ½ years. Wertz joined Vonachen, Lawless, Trager and Slevin in 1995 where he represents clients in civil and criminal litigation matters. Wertz’s law practice focuses on personal injury, workers compensation and both federal and state criminal law. He is a former special prosecutor for the City of Pekin. Wertz has represented individuals in every division of the Circuit Courts including family law, civil litigation and all aspects of criminal practice during his lengthy career.

During his legal career Wertz has argued cases at each level of the Illinois court system including appearances before the Illinois Supreme Court. He has appeared before the United States Circuit Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. He frequently appears before the United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois.

Wertz is a 1983 graduate of Drake University Law School and a 1979 graduate of Bradley University. He is a former Illinois Central College Adjunct Professor. He has lectured for the Peoria Bar Association Continuing Legal Education programs.

Wertz has a long history of civic involvement. He currently serves on the Executive Board of the W.D. Boyce Council of the Boy Scouts of America and Pekin Civic Chorus. He is a past President of the Abraham Lincoln Inn of the American Inns of Court and past State Chairman of Illinois Ducks Unlimited. He is a past member of the Pekin United Way Board of Directors and Executive Committee of the Pekin Marigold Festival. He is a member of St Joseph Catholic Church of Pekin.

He and his wife Kris are the parents of two daughters.

Areas of Practice

Personal Injury Litigation
Workers Compensation
Criminal Litigation – Federal and State

Admissions

Admitted to Illinois Bar, 1983
Admitted to United States District Court Central District of Illinois, 1983
Admitted to United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, 1999
Admitted to United States Tax Court, 1983

Education

Drake University – Des Moines, IA ( J.D. 1983)
Bradley University – Peoria, IL ( B.S. 1979)
Illinois Central College – Peoria, IL ( A.A.S. 1978)

Community Involvement

Boy Scouts of America – W.D. Boyce Executive Board 2007-Present, District Chairman 2007-11;
Pekin Civic Chorus, 2019 - present
Inns of Court, President, 2007-08
Pekin United Way Board of Directors, 2005-07
Pekin Civic Chorus, 1985-89; and 2006-present
Pekin Marigold Festival Executive Committee, 1990-99
Illinois Ducks Unlimited State Chair, 2000-01

Awards

President’s Award, Drake University Law School
Dean’s List in college and law school
Scholarship recipient while enrolled in college and law school

Professional Affiliations

Abraham Lincoln Inns of Court
Peoria County Bar Association
Tazewell County Bar Association
Illinois State Bar Association
American Association for Justice
Illinois Trial Lawyers Association

Notable Cases:

McCuen v. Peoria Park District #150, 163 Ill.2d 125, 1994 Ill. LEXIS 118 (1994)
U.S. v. Duricoo Johnson, U.S. Court of Appeals, (7th Cir. 2009)
Schweigert v. Schweigert, 201 Ill.2d 42, 2002 LEXIS 329 (2002)
U.S. v. Wiggins, 2000 U.S. App. LEXIS 1934 (7TH Cir. 2000)
Freeman v. Estate of Myers, 191 Ill. App. 3d 223 (4th Dist. 1989); Appeal Denied, 129 Ill.2d 563
Law Course Faculty:

Federal Defenders CLE Program – November 2018, Speaker
Peoria Bar Association CLE Program, January 2014, Criminal Law, Speaker
Illinois Central College, Fall, 2009, Criminal Law, Adjunct Professor
Illinois Central College, 1993-96, Introduction to Paralegal Studies, Adjunct Professor
Peoria Bar Association CLE Program, Approx. 1996-98, Civil Practice, Speaker
Peoria Bar Association CLE Program, Approx. 1996, Appellate Practice, Chair/Speaker

Law Related Speaking Engagements:

Don’t Shoot Campaign, January, 2013, Federal Criminal Law

Mark E. Wertz

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