Liz
Nohren
Co-Founder & Mediator
Liz Nohren is a seasoned attorney, licensed mediator, and fifth-generation legal professional deeply rooted in Shelby County, Illinois. Known for her thoughtful approach and powerful advocacy, Liz has built a distinguished legal career focused on helping individuals and families navigate complex disputes with clarity, compassion, and structure. She brings over two decades of legal experience to her mediation practice, offering clients an exceptional blend of courtroom insight, negotiation skill, and deep respect for the human side of conflict resolution.
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A retired judge once remarked:
“As a retired judge who had hundreds of attorneys argue cases in front of me, I would have to say that Ms. Nohren was always one of the most prepared, most passionate, and the most productive attorney for her clients. It was an honor to have her in my courtroom.”
Legal and Mediation Experience
Liz began her career in Chicago after earning her law degree from Southern Illinois University School of Law, with additional study at Northwestern University School of Law. She clerked for the Chief Judge of the Chancery Division of the Circuit Court of Cook County before practicing commercial litigation, estate planning, banking, and real estate law at a prominent Chicago firm. In 2005, she returned home to Shelbyville to join her family’s law practice, Dove & Dove, where she currently serves as managing attorney.
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Over the past 20 years, Liz has built a diverse legal practice across 25 counties in Central and Southern Illinois, representing individuals, families, municipalities, and financial institutions in matters involving:
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Divorce and child custody
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Adoption and guardianship
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Real estate and contract law
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Civil litigation
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Estate planning and probate
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Licensed as a mediator since 2013, Liz focuses on both family and civil mediation. She regularly assists families with parental responsibilities, parenting time, and financial issues, while also mediating civil disputes involving real estate, construction litigation, business disagreements, and other contract matters. In 2018, she became a Collaborative Family Law Attorney under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 294, further reinforcing her commitment to resolving disputes outside of court whenever possible.
Personal Insight and Advocacy for Families
In addition to her professional experience, Liz brings a deeply personal perspective to her work as the parent of a child with disabilities. She has firsthand knowledge of navigating IEPs, 504 plans, and treatments for attention deficits and other diagnosed disabilities, which informs her ability to support families dealing with the challenges of education, care, and advocacy.
Leadership, Recognition, and Community Roots
Liz is widely recognized for her professionalism and service. She was named a Leading Lawyer in Illinois (2018-Present), a distinction awarded to fewer than 5% of attorneys in the state, and previously honored as an Emerging Lawyer (top 2% under age 40). She is a trusted Guardian ad Litem and has served as an adjunct professor of Paralegal Studies at Eastern Illinois University.
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Liz is an active member of:
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Illinois State Bar Association
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Shelby County Bar Association
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Women’s Bar Association of Illinois
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Shelbyville Greater Area Chamber of Commerce
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She volunteers regularly with Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance Foundation and presents to public school students on topics related to legal rights, safety, and abuse prevention.
Honors and Distictions
Liz’s work has been recognized by both legal peers and the broader community, including:
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Appointed by Illinois Governors Pat Quinn and Bruce Rauner as Shelby County Public Guardian and Administrator
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Featured among “Top Women Attorneys in Illinois” by Chicago Magazine — 2013 through 2025
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“Outstanding Women You Should Know” Award, Illini Radio Group — May 2010
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Leading Lawyers Network
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Emerging Lawyer (Top 2% under age 40) — 2015, 2016, 2017
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Leading Lawyer — 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
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Super Lawyers Magazine
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Rising Star — 2013 through 2018​
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- Nominated Top Attorney by the Mattoon Journal Gazette -- 2023, 2024, 2025
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Nominated ​Top Law Firm by the Mattoon Journal Gazette -- 2023, 2024, 2025
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In addition to her legal practice, Liz is a sought-after speaker and educator for Illinois attorneys, regularly presenting on family law, custody, mediation, and legal ethics through the Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education (IICLE) and other CLE programs.
Personal Background
Liz was born and raised in Shelby County and is proud to carry on a family tradition of legal service that began with her great-great grandfather, John W. Yantis. She is married to Jeffrey Nohren, and they reside in Shelbyville with their two sons, William and Benjamin. Liz is actively involved in philanthropic work, including serving on the Illinois Wesleyan University Council for Women.
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Together, Liz and fellow attorney Cari Rincker founded Illinois Mediation Clinic, LLC with a shared vision: to deliver high-quality mediation services that are neutral, affordable, professional, and rooted in respect. Their diverse legal backgrounds and complementary strengths allow them to serve families, businesses, courts, and communities throughout Illinois with excellence.
