Joseph A. Cervantez
Associate

Joseph A. Cervantez is an associate in our Worker’s Compensation Department.
Joe Cervantez is a former prosecutor and defense attorney in Southern Illinois. As a seasoned trial attorney, Joe has prosecuted or defended thousands of cases in Illinois from case intake to disposition. He has experience with both civil and criminal law in state and federal court, including the investigation and prosecution of over twenty murder cases.
Joe earned a Bachelor of Arts in Administration of Justice from Southern Illinois University Carbondale in 2006 and his Juris Doctor at Southern Illinois University School of law in 2012. While enrolled in law school, Joe worked as a legal intern for Land of Lincoln Legal Aid, representing indigent clients in a variety of civil litigation matters, including social security disability claims, family law matters, and orders of protection.
After graduation Joe worked as an Assistant State’s Attorney with the Williamson County State’s Attorney’s Office and the Saline County State’s Attorney’s Office where he gained valuable experience managing thousands of misdemeanors and felony cases.
Joe was a partner at a general practice law firm, where he focused on civil and criminal defense. He left the law firm after being elected to serve as the Jackson County State’s Attorney from 2020 to 2024.
Prior to law school State’s Attorney Cervantez served as a Squad Leader, Platoon Sergeant, and Platoon Commander in the United States Marine Corps and Marine Corps Reserve. He deployed and served in combat in the Al Anbar Province of Iraq in 2003, 2004 and 2007, 2008.
Joe is admitted to practice in Illinois and the Southern District Court of Illinois. He is a court-approved mediator, adjunct law professor for a trial advocacy course, and holds memberships with the Illinois State Bar Association, the American Bar Association, and the Williamson County Bar Association.
Education
B.A., Administration of Justice, Southern Illinois University, 2006.
J.D., Southern Illinois University School of Law, 2012.
Admissions
Illinois, 2013
Southern District of Illinois, 2016
Memberships
Illinois State Bar Association
American Bar Association