Evelyn C. Lewis

A Message from Evelyn Lewis I am the senior attorney and founder of the Law Office of Evelyn C. Lewis, LLC. I grew up in Centreville, Illinois in a working class family and was the first member of my immediate family to complete college. Fortunately, I excelled academically and was awarded academic scholarships to both college and law school. In 1991, I graduated with a Bachelors Degree from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville and, in 1994, I graduated with a Juris Doctorate Degree from Saint Louis University School of Law. After graduating from law school, I decided to accept a position at Bryan Cave, a very prestigious corporate law firm in downtown St. Louis . In fact, Bryan Cave was one of the most prestigious law firms in the state of Missouri, as well as the country. I had a beautiful office overlooking the St. Louis Arch and a large salary, but something was missing-my passion. Although corporate litigation was very impressive and paid well, it simply was not what I am called to do. It was not my passion. I had a voice. I had fight within me and I wanted to use that fight to help real people, the underdogs in life--not big corporate entities. So in 1995, I made the decision to leave the corporate world to follow my heart. I wanted to pursue criminal defense work and I wanted to do it in the trenches-the Public Defenders Office. So I took a position with the Missouri Public Defenders Office in St. Louis City. It was one of the best experiences of my life. I worked everyday defending indigent clients in criminal cases and I loved it. Nevertheless, in the spring of 1999, I decided it was time to expand my reach. So I left the public sector to pursue defense work in the private sector, outside the confines of a government office. Back in law school, I knew I wanted to one day open a law firm. So, thats was I did. In 1999, I founded the Law Office of Evelyn C. Lewis, LLC. Unlike some law firms that do a little bit of everything, I wanted to make sure that my firm focused its energy and resources on criminal defense work. The work that I am called to do in life. The work that I know the community needs. As an African-American attorney, I am personally disturbed about the disproportionate numbers of African-Americans who are impacted by the criminal justice system. I am well aware that too many young men get into the system and cant find their way out of it. I have witnessed too many families being torn apart by prison incarcerations and cycles of court proceedings that seem to never end. To that end, I have committed my career to making a difference in the lives of those who find themselves being prosecuted in the criminal courts. I believe that we, as defense attorneys, must fight for these people-the accused, the underdogs, the people that society sometimes overlooks. I also believe the criminal justice system is imperfect and that people can be falsely accused. I also believe that some people make mistakes in life-they are still good people, even though they may have committed a bad act. What I know for sure is that whether they are guilty or innocent, they still need help. I believe by helping individuals get out of the criminal justice system, we help the community at large. The commitment my firm makes is a serious one. We will zealously fight for each and every client that comes into the firm. Every client is important-no matter what race, age, status, or class. Every client deserves excellent, aggressive representation. If you are in trouble, we want to help you get out of trouble. I believe in second chances-and even third and fourth chances. I believe people do better when they are taught better. And I am proud to report that over the years, many of my clients have overcome their legal problems and have moved on to have positive, successful lives. I want you to have the opportunity to rebuild your life-free from incarceration and without the stigma of criminal convictions. If we give you that opportunity, my hope is that you will take it and run with it. I am Evelyn Lewis. Keeping People Out of Jail Since 1995.