Business Details
Your Trusted Legal Partner in Springfield, IL
Brown Hay + Stephens has provided smart, effective legal counsel since 1828, establishing itself as the oldest and most respected law firm in Illinois. Our team of passionate attorneys focuses on client success, integrity, and legal excellence while maintaining direct access to Illinois government branches through our Springfield headquarters. With a legacy spanning nearly two centuries, we combine historical expertise with modern legal strategies to serve diverse clients across multiple practice areas.Our firm cultivates strong client relationships and community involvement while upholding core values of honesty, collaboration, and practical legal solutions. We deliver ethical, efficient counsel aimed at developing long-term client partnerships through our hands-on approach to legal representation.
Services
Administrative Law
Agricultural Practice Group
Appellate Practice
Banking + Financial Institutions
Biometric Information Privacy Act
Business Law
Civil Litigation
Criminal Defense
Estate Planning
Real Estate Law
Highlights and features
- We offer 197 years of continuous legal expertise since 1828
- Our attorneys maintain direct access to Illinois government branches
- We provide comprehensive legal services across 20+ practice areas
- Our team includes specialized attorneys in niche legal fields
- We combine historical reputation with modern legal strategies
Services
Administrative Law
Our Administrative Law practice represents clients in state and federal regulatory matters, including agency investigations, rule making, and professional licensure. We assist with DCFS investigations, driver's license reinstatement, and environmental compliance before regulatory boards. Our attorneys provide strategic counsel for clients navigating complex government regulations and administrative appeals.
Agricultural Practice Group
The Agricultural Practice Group offers comprehensive legal solutions for farmers and agribusinesses, covering real estate transactions, estate planning, environmental compliance, and business mergers. We specialize in farmland leasing, utility easements, and family farm succession planning while representing clients in agricultural litigation and regulatory matters.
Appellate Practice
Our Appellate Practice focuses on effective advocacy before appellate courts, handling cases referred from trial attorneys across diverse legal issues. We provide rigorous legal analysis, draft persuasive briefs, and deliver strategic oral arguments to achieve favorable appellate outcomes for clients seeking to overturn or uphold lower court decisions.
Banking + Financial Institutions
The Banking and Finance Law group represents financial institutions in creditor rights, regulatory compliance, and financial transactions. We handle mergers, collections litigation, loan documentation, and state/federal tax issues while leveraging our reputation to protect banking interests and resolve complex financial legal matters efficiently.
Biometric Information Privacy Act
Our BIPA Practice Group specializes in biometric data privacy compliance and defense against Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act lawsuits. We help businesses develop compliant data policies and provide vigorous legal defense for companies facing claims related to biometric identifier collection and usage violations.
People
Charles Y. Davis
Managing Partner
With extensive experience in business law and banking regulations, Charles Y. Davis leads the firm's strategic direction while maintaining active client representation in complex commercial matters.
Brandon R. Clark
Partner
Specializing in business law and estate planning, Brandon R. Clark provides comprehensive legal solutions for corporate clients and individuals managing complex asset transitions.
Roland R. Cross
Partner
Education law specialist Roland R. Cross brings expertise in family law matters, combining practical legal knowledge with community-focused representation for clients across central Illinois.
Dylan P. Grady
Partner
Civil litigation expert Dylan P. Grady represents clients in complex legal disputes, applying strategic advocacy skills to achieve favorable outcomes in courtroom proceedings.
Harvey M. Stephens
Partner
Banking law authority Harvey M. Stephens provides specialized counsel on financial regulations and business transactions, drawing on decades of experience in commercial legal matters.
Questions
What practice areas does Brown Hay + Stephens specialize in?
We specialize in 20+ practice areas including administrative law, agricultural law, appellate practice, banking regulations, biometric privacy law, and real estate law.
How long has the firm been in operation?
Brown Hay + Stephens has provided legal services continuously since 1828, making us Illinois' oldest law firm.
How can I schedule a consultation with an attorney?
Contact our offices directly through our website or phone number to arrange an in-person appointment with our legal team.
What geographic areas do you serve?
We primarily serve clients in Springfield, Decatur, and Bloomington, Illinois from our three office locations.
What distinguishes your firm from other law practices?
Our unique combination of historical expertise, government accessibility, and specialized attorneys across multiple practice areas sets us apart as Illinois' most respected legal firm.
