|
|
|
Attorney Eric Dirnbeck has had an opportunity to try cases in the courtrooms of some of the top judges in Southern Illinois.
On Monday afternoon, Dirnbeck announced his intention to run for a seat on the bench in the Second Judicial Circuit.
Dirnbeck, who has served as public defender in Franklin County and as a partner in the Hart & Hart Law Offices in Benton, will be running for the position currently held by the Honorable E. Kyle Vantrease.
Vantrease recently announced his retirement effective December 2012.
The position is referred to as an “at large” position and includes the 12 counties which comprise the Second Judicial Circuit, namely, Crawford, Edwards, Franklin, Gallatin, Hamilton, Hardin, Jefferson, Lawrence, Richland, Wabash, Wayne and White.
Dirnbeck was joined at the announcement by his wife, Christina, and their three children, Cameron, 19; Sam, 14; and Brett, 13, along with other friends, family members and colleagues.
“Judge Vantrease has been very supportive,” Dirnbeck said. “I have learned a lot about the right way to be a judge if I ever got that opportunity.”
He said if he is elected, “I will work hard every day to ensure that the courts in this circuit will serve the people.”
Dirnbeck, a Democrat, was raised in a working-class family. His father is a retired union tool and die maker and his mother, also retired, was a registered nurse.
“Both of my parents recognized the importance of education and encouraged me to attend college to attain my career goals.”
In May of 1992, Dirnbeck graduated from Eastern Illinois University with a Bachelor of Science in Business, majoring in accounting. He then entered Eastern’s Masters of Business Administration program, during which time he also studied for and passed the C.P.A. exam.
After receiving his M.B.A. in August of 1993, he then entered law school at Southern Illinois University.
Dirnbeck received his Juris Doctor degree in December of 1995. He passed the Bar Exam in the spring of 1996 and opened his law practice in Benton in May of 1996.
Dirnbeck has practiced law in Benton since May of 1996 as a solo practitioner before joining the law firm of Hart & Hart as a partner in April 2011.
As a general practitioner, he has extensive experience in many areas of the law, including family law, criminal, traffic, juvenile, collections, contracts, real estate, corporations, LLCs and partnerships, probate, wills, trusts and powers of attorney.
Dirnbeck is admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois, the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Illinois, and all Illinois State Courts.
He is a member of the Illinois and Franklin County Bar Associations, having formerly served as a member of the Assembly of the Illinois State Bar Association and as President of the Franklin County Bar Association.
He is also past president of the West Frankfort Rotary Club.
The Dirnbecks reside in West Frankfort with their children.
Christina Dirnbeck is a registered nurse, having worked in obstetrics at Carbondale Memorial Hospital for many years. She is currently employed as the school nurse for West Frankfort Intermediate and Junior High School.
Attorney Eric Dirnbeck has had an opportunity to try cases in the courtrooms of some of the top judges in Southern Illinois.
On Monday afternoon, Dirnbeck announced his intention to run for a seat on the bench in the Second Judicial Circuit.
Dirnbeck, who has served as public defender in Franklin County and as a partner in the Hart & Hart Law Offices in Benton, will be running for the position currently held by the Honorable E. Kyle Vantrease.
Vantrease recently announced his retirement effective December 2012.
The position is referred to as an “at large” position and includes the 12 counties which comprise the Second Judicial Circuit, namely, Crawford, Edwards, Franklin, Gallatin, Hamilton, Hardin, Jefferson, Lawrence, Richland, Wabash, Wayne and White.
Dirnbeck was joined at the announcement by his wife, Christina, and their three children, Cameron, 19; Sam, 14; and Brett, 13, along with other friends, family members and colleagues.
“Judge Vantrease has been very supportive,” Dirnbeck said. “I have learned a lot about the right way to be a judge if I ever got that opportunity.”
He said if he is elected, “I will work hard every day to ensure that the courts in this circuit will serve the people.”
Dirnbeck, a Democrat, was raised in a working-class family. His father is a retired union tool and die maker and his mother, also retired, was a registered nurse.
“Both of my parents recognized the importance of education and encouraged me to attend college to attain my career goals.”
In May of 1992, Dirnbeck graduated from Eastern Illinois University with a Bachelor of Science in Business, majoring in accounting. He then entered Eastern’s Masters of Business Administration program, during which time he also studied for and passed the C.P.A. exam.
After receiving his M.B.A. in August of 1993, he then entered law school at Southern Illinois University.
Dirnbeck received his Juris Doctor degree in December of 1995. He passed the Bar Exam in the spring of 1996 and opened his law practice in Benton in May of 1996.
Dirnbeck has practiced law in Benton since May of 1996 as a solo practitioner before joining the law firm of Hart & Hart as a partner in April 2011.
As a general practitioner, he has extensive experience in many areas of the law, including family law, criminal, traffic, juvenile, collections, contracts, real estate, corporations, LLCs and partnerships, probate, wills, trusts and powers of attorney.
Dirnbeck is admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois, the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Illinois, and all Illinois State Courts.
He is a member of the Illinois and Franklin County Bar Associations, having formerly served as a member of the Assembly of the Illinois State Bar Association and as President of the Franklin County Bar Association.
He is also past president of the West Frankfort Rotary Club.
The Dirnbecks reside in West Frankfort with their children.
Christina Dirnbeck is a registered nurse, having worked in obstetrics at Carbondale Memorial Hospital for many years. She is currently employed as the school nurse for West Frankfort Intermediate and Junior High School.
