About Jason G. Schutte
Jason G. Schutte brings litigation Springfield experience to complex civil disputes and defense cases through Drake, Narup & Mead, P.C., a Sangamon County firm that has represented insurers, healthcare providers, and businesses across Central Illinois for over 30 years. The firm’s client roster includes physicians’ offices, hospitals, and major national personal lines carriers, with a litigation model that aims to deliver big-firm depth without the corresponding billing structure.
The Drake, Narup & Mead team — including partners Randall Mead, Christian Biswell, and Jeffrey Cocagne — handles a wide range of civil defense matters, with particular depth in medical malpractice defense, insurance defense, construction disputes, and dram shop liability. Jason Schutte’s individual listing reflects the firm’s focus on malpractice cases and personal lines casualty matters since 1989, providing Springfield-area clients with an attorney whose institutional knowledge of Central Illinois courts runs deep.
Litigation Springfield — Practice Areas & Services
Springfield is the Illinois state capital and home to the Sangamon County Circuit Court as well as the Illinois Appellate Court, Fourth District — making it a major litigation venue for Central Illinois civil disputes, state agency matters, and appellate proceedings. Healthcare litigation is a particular feature of the Springfield legal market given the presence of Memorial Medical Center, HSHS St. John’s Hospital, and multiple large medical practice groups, all of which require experienced defense counsel for malpractice and professional liability claims.
- Medical malpractice defense for physicians, hospitals, and healthcare organizations
- Insurance defense — auto, homeowners, and commercial liability
- Construction litigation and contractor disputes
- Workers’ compensation defense and subrogation recovery
What Springfield Clients Say
Institutional clients of Springfield defense litigation firms highlight the value of attorneys who understand the dynamics of the Sangamon County Circuit Court and who bring established relationships with expert witnesses and court personnel — qualities that directly affect how efficiently large-volume insurance and malpractice defense files are managed and resolved.
Serving: Springfield and Sangamon County
Practice Focus: Civil litigation, medical malpractice defense, insurance defense, construction disputes
Local Courts: Sangamon County Circuit Court, Illinois Appellate Court (4th District), US District Court for the Central District of Illinois
Key Resource: Sangamon County Circuit Court — Illinois Courts
Related Guide: Litigation Attorneys in Illinois
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the process for filing a civil lawsuit in Sangamon County Circuit Court?
Civil lawsuits in Sangamon County are filed in the Seventh Judicial Circuit Court, located at 200 S. 9th Street in Springfield. Cases with claims up to $10,000 proceed in small claims court; matters between $10,000 and $100,000 typically go through the Circuit Court’s Law Division; and larger or more complex civil matters including most contract disputes, personal injury cases, and commercial litigation proceed through full discovery and trial. Illinois Rule 222 requires mandatory arbitration for certain cases under $50,000. An experienced Springfield litigation attorney can advise on the correct filing venue, procedural track, and timeline for your specific dispute.
How long does civil litigation typically take in Sangamon County, Illinois?
The timeline for civil litigation in Sangamon County varies considerably by case type and complexity. Straightforward contract disputes with limited discovery may resolve in 12 to 18 months. Medical malpractice and complex commercial cases often require 24 to 48 months due to expert witness disclosure requirements (Illinois law requires written disclosures under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 213), deposition scheduling, and motion practice. Illinois has a two-year statute of limitations for most tort claims and five years for written contract claims (735 ILCS 5/13-205).
What is dram shop liability under Illinois law, and how does it affect litigation in Springfield?
Illinois’s Dram Shop Act (235 ILCS 5/6-21) creates a cause of action against bars, restaurants, and other liquor licensees that sell alcohol to an intoxicated person who then causes injury to a third party. The Act caps damages at set statutory amounts, which are periodically adjusted. Springfield, as a state capital with a substantial hospitality sector, generates dram shop litigation that typically involves insurance carriers and specialized defense firms familiar with the Act’s procedural requirements and damage caps. Defense of these cases requires both familiarity with Sangamon County Circuit Court practice and current knowledge of the statutory framework.
