Attorney Magen Mertes Appointed Associate Judge of Illinois' 14th Judicial Circuit

Sterling, IL - On December 17, 2024, Magen J. Mertes, long-time attorney and partner of the Law Firm of Mertes & Mertes, P.C., was named Associate Judge of Illinois’ Fourteenth Judicial Circuit. Magen Mertes is expected to take the bench in mid-January, 2025.

“I am incredibly honored by the confidence placed in me by our Circuit Judges,” Magen Mertes said. “I look forward to working closely with my fellow judges and court personnel to ensure a smooth transition to the bench,” she added.

Magen Mertes graduated with high honors from American University Washington College of Law in Washington, D.C. She became an attorney in 2004.

Magen Mertes’s law practice has been based in Whiteside County for all 20 years of her legal career. “During my 20 years of legal practice, I have appeared in courtrooms throughout the State of Illinois,” Mertes said. “I will bring all of those experiences to bear in the operation of my own courtroom,” she added. “I look forward to the opportunity to serve our justice system,” she said, “and I am deeply humbled by this incredible honor.”

"This is just an incredibly wonderful moment," said Attorney James Mertes, Managing Partner of the Law Firm of Mertes & Mertes, P.C. "I am so proud of Magen," James Mertes added. "All of us are," he said.

"Our mission, each day, is to meet the high expectations that stem from our reputation for excellence," James Mertes said. "Every member of our law firm is dedicated to that mission," Mertes added. "It's one of the many great reasons why we keep experiencing such high honors," he added.

The Law Firm of Mertes & Mertes has certainly had its share of prestigious honors over the years. "Our history is really quite spectacular," James Mertes said.

"Ten years ago, long-time State's Attorney Gary Spencer joined our firm," Mertes said. "One of our many great associate attorneys, Matthew Klahn, became a judge in the 15th Judicial Circuit," Mertes said. "Then, we were joined by longtime retired Circuit Judge John Hauptman, who was appointed from our law firm to the Appellate Court of the State of Illinois," Mertes said. "Earlier this year, we were honored to be joined by Judge Stanley B. Steines, a highly respected retired Circuit Judge of the 14th Judicial Circuit." Mertes said. "And now, Magen is departing the law firm to assume her own judgeship," he said.

"There is simply no higher honor for a law firm than this," James Mertes remarked.

As a result of Magen Mertes's departure from the law firm to assume a judgeship, the Law Firm of Mertes & Mertes, P.C. will now be changing its name. "Of course, a judge cannot hold any interest in a law firm," Mertes said. "Even though we are thrilled by this incredible honor, we are saddened that Magen can no longer be a partner in the law firm" Mertes explained.

"Everyone else, of course, is staying right here," Mertes said. The Law Firm of Mertes & Mertes, P.C. is comprised of several attorneys, including Attorneys James Mertes, Cristina Buskohl, Gary Spencer, Derek Bushman, Mitchel Johnston and Stanley Steines. The law firm also has a large staff comprised of highly-skilled litigation assistants. "All of us will continue to work tirelessly for our clients, just as we always have," he said. "Our clients will not be impacted, other than they too will undoubtedly miss Magen's presence in the law firm," he added.

"By mid-January of 2025, we will be changing our law firm name," Mertes said. "We have narrowed it down to two options: 'Mertes & Associates' and 'Mertes Trial Lawyers,'" he explained. "We have decided to let our clients and the public help us decide." he added. "We will be conducting a social media poll to get a sense of which of these two options our clients like the most," he added.

The law firm continues to represent victims in wrongful death, personal injury and medical negligence cases. It also handles criminal and domestic matters, and has an established reputation for excellence in all of its practice concentrations.