Firm History

Mattoon, Illinois Law Office

In May of 1868, Craig & Craig was founded by James E. Craig, Sr., who was shortly thereafter joined by his brother, Issac B. Craig.  Other Partner in the Craig family included Judge James W. Craig, 1907 to 1909; and brothers Donald B. Craig, Edward C. Craig and James W. Craig, Jr. in the early part of the 20th Century.  The last former Partner from the “Craig family” was Craig Van Meter, who passed away in 1981.

The Law Firm of Craig & Craig opened its office in Mattoon, Illinois in  what was then known as the Farmers & Merchants Bank Building. The Firm has remained in the same location with the same name since that time, and is understood to be the oldest law firm in the United States that has the same name and is operating out of the same building.  Many remarkable events and inventions have occurred since, and throughout the years one constant has been the law firm of Craig & Craig. With its main office today located in the same building in which the firm was founded, for the last 150 years the firm has provided quality legal services to clients throughout central and southern Illinois. The members of the firm extend their gratitude to all attorneys and staff who came before them and especially to our clients, past and present, for their confidence in allowing Craig & Craig to provide for their legal needs.

The Craig & Craig, LLC practice has its focus on civil defense litigation, insurance coverage law, banking and regulatory work, commercial transactions and lease agreements, commercial and residential real property, Trusts and Estates and corporate matters. The Firm also handles employment law matters, intellectual property protection and litigation, and, to a limited extent, family law and criminal defense litigation.

John F. Watson, R. Sean Hocking and J. Patrick Lee are Members in the Mattoon office.  Robert G. Grierson, John L. Barger are serving as  Of Counsel attorneys with the Firm.

Mt. Vernon, Illinois Law Office

The Mt. Vernon Craig & Craig office was opened in 1986 at the request of a number of clients for the Firm to have a presence in southern Illinois. Julie A. Webb is the Member in Mt. Vernon with the recent retirement of Kenneth F. Werts.