Résumé

CAREER EXPERIENCE

Civil Mediator (Certified) — Judge Mark A. Schuering (Ret.) Civil Mediation
August 2010 – Present

• Skilled and impartial mediator of civil disputes (excluding family law)
• Focus: Personal Injury, Medical/Accounting Malpractice, Contract Disputes
• Offers Zoom and in-person mediations across IL, MO, IA, and IN

Author — Thomson Reuters
2012 – Present

• Co-Author, Hunter’s Trial Handbook for Illinois Lawyers – Civil (9th Edition)

State Court Judge — Eighth Judicial Circuit of Illinois
1986 – 2010

• Circuit Judge (Elected 1990; Retained 1996, 2002, 2008)
• Associate Circuit Judge (Appointed 1986)
• Presided over thousands of civil and criminal matters, jury and bench trials

Attorney & Partner — Goehl & Schuering Law Firm
1978 – 1986

• Specialized in civil litigation, criminal defense, and public service law

Adams County Public Defender —
1980 – 1984

BAR ADMISSIONS (All Retired)

• Illinois (1978)
• Federal – Central District of Illinois (1981)
• Missouri (1982)

EDUCATION

Juris Doctor, cum laude
Saint Louis University School of Law — May 1978

Bachelor of Arts, Political Science
Quincy University — May 1975

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

National Judicial College Training

• Civil Mediation (Certified, 40-hour training), 2007
• Co-Occurring Mental and Substance Abuse Disorders, 2004
• Conducting the Trial, 1998
• Dispute Resolution Skills, 1996
• Effective Sentencing and Probation Management, 1993
• Traffic Court Proceedings, 1988
• Alcohol, Drugs & the Courts, 1987

Illinois Supreme Court Appointments

• Judicial Performance Evaluation Committee (2016–2021)
• Seminar Faculty & Chair: Evidence, Civil Law, Sentencing, Trial Management
• Mentor & Faculty, New Judge Seminar
• Certified for Capital Litigation Cases

ACADEMIC ROLES

Adjunct Lecturer — Quincy University 1989–2016; 2022–2024

• Courses: American Judicial Process, Victimology, Business Law
• Mentor to pre-law students; mock trial team supporter
• Instructor & Chaperone, “The London Experience” (Study Abroad)
  - Taught comparative U.S./UK legal systems, led court and Parliament visits

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

Illinois Judges Association (IJA)

• Member (1986–Present)     Past President (2007–2008)
• Former Ethics Committee & Foundation Board Member

Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA)

• Member (1978–Present)
• Former Chair: Committee on Corrections & Sentencing
• Former Member: ADR Section & Law-Related Education

Adams County Bar Association

• Member (1978–Present)

ADDITIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS

• Inductee, Quincy University Legal Hall of Fame (2025)
• Inductee, Quincy University Sports Hall of Fame (Tennis)
• Inductee, Quincy Notre Dame Sports Hall of Fame (Tennis & Basketball Team – 1971)
• Head Coach, Quincy University Men’s & Women’s Tennis Teams (2017–2019)