Dawn M. Brewer

Dawn M. Brewer met her partner, both at home and in law, Tom, at Illinois State University in 1989.  Dawn graduated Cum Laude from Illinois State University in 1990 from the Honor's Department with a degree of Distinction in Political Science.  Dawn was very active in many honorary fraternities while at Illinois State, participated in numerous law related activities, received many honors and awards, and was a member of Red Tassel Mortar Board.  Dawn and Tom married in 1991 after Dawn's first year of law school at Drake University School of Law and two weeks before Tom started his first year of law school at Creighton University!  Dawn transferred to Creighton to finish the remainder of her law school education.  She thought it would be a good idea to actually live with her husband.

Dawn graduated from Creighton University School of Law in Omaha, Nebraska in May of 1993.  She was admitted to the bar of the State of Illinois on December 20,  1993.  Dawn is an active member of the Illinois State Bar Association and the Tazewell County Bar Association and was formerly a member of the Child Death Review Team.  She began as an Assistant State's Attorney in and for the County of Tazewell on January 3, 1994.  During her tenure with the State's Attorney's Office, Dawn first practiced in Juvenile Court until November of 1994, at which time she was appointed Special Prosecutor in the area of Domestic Violence.  For the next 5 1/2 years Dawn prosecuted violent offenses within families and against children, with an occasional burglary thrown in to keep her sane.  Dawn was responsible for charging decisions in family violence cases and supervised the attorney handling these cases in misdemeanor court.  Dawn also supervised the Juvenile Division of the State's Attorney's Office for a period of time after her assignment to felony court.

During this time, Dawn and Tom started the Tazewell County House of Hope, Carol Home, which is the only shelter in Tazewell County for victims of domestic violence and their children.  This endeavor was a humbling experience.  Carol Home opened in May of 1999 and continues to provide a safe haven for abused women and children in Tazewell County.  Dawn also taught training classes for police officers in the Tenth Judicial Circuit through the Illinois State Police Mobile Training program, as well as held seminars for Tazewell County officers to address changes in the laws, and report writing and evidentiary issues officers faced during the course of an investigation.

In August of 1999, Dawn left the State's Attorney's Office and has been in private practice ever since. Dawn and her husband Tom have finally realized their dream of opening their own firm and being able to spend more time together and with their children.

Thomas K. Brewer

I grew up in Tremont, so it’s great to be back in my hometown assisting those that I have always known with their legal needs. After graduating from Tremont High School I attended Illinois Central College and earned an Associates Degree in Arts and Science. I then earned my Bachelor of Science Degree from Illinois State University, and was accepted into Creighton University School of Law in Omaha, Nebraska. My third year of Law School was spent attending classes at the University of Illinois. I earned my Juris Doctor Degree in 1994 and was admitted to practice in the State of Illinois and the Federal Courts that same year.

In 1992 I began as a law clerk for the firm that is now known as Moehle, Swearingen & Umholtz, LTD., in Pekin, Illinois. I began as a title searcher and title insurance policy preparer while continuing my legal studies. I stayed with the firm once I was licensed to practice, and became a shareholder/owner of the firm in 1997.

In 1996 I was appointed by Illinois Governor Jim Edgar as the Tazewell County Public Administrator and Public Guardian, a position I continue to hold.

I was elected to the Tremont Community Unit #702 Board of Education in 1995, and continue to serve in that capacity. After serving as the Board President from 1997 to 2006, I steps down for a one year period, and have had the privledge of once again being elected President in April of this year.  I assisted my wife in the founding of the Tazewell County House of Hope, a not-for-profit entity which provides emergency and transitional housing for women and their children who are victims of domestic violence. I am a member of the Knights of Columbus, Pekin Chapter #3507, we have become members of the Tremont Commerce Association, and I have joined the newly form Kiwanis Club in Tremont. I am a member of the Tazewell County Bar Association and served in various officer positions over the years and was its president in 1999-2000. I am also currently a member of the Illinois State Bar Association.  Several months ago we began offering Tremont Turk Gear out of the Tanning Salon next door.  It has been my first venture into the world of sewing and embroidery, and I am finding it quite relaxing.  Its a great hobby to have because I can set in front of the T.V. and catch the Cardinal game at the same time.  Guess I am going to have to find a favorite football or hockey team for this winter.

In my spare time I enjoy playing with our children, construction and remodeling projects around the house, and my annual Appalachian Trail Hike with my father. The year 2007 brought with it my fifth year as the Grounds Chairman of the Tremont Turkey Festival (which is a fancy way of stating that I am in charge of the garbage for the festival).  Thank you to all of those that have stopped in to visit the new place, and I extend an offer for everybody else to stop in, say hello, and get the tour.  We are pretty proud of our new building.