SHELBYVILLE, IL. — For the past six years the Illini Radio Group has sponsored the “Outstanding Women You Should Know” annual awards.  This award and publication highlights 20 women of Central Illinois  who make a difference with their professions and contributions to society.

This year a lady born and bred in Shelbyville was chosen for this honor.  Elizabeth (Liz) Eberspacher Nohren was one of the women selected for this award.

“I am honored and excited to be recognized with this group of women, mostly from the Champaign - Urbana area,” said Eberspacher.  “I am pleased that it brings positive attention to our small rural community, which has many people who are often overlooked for their positive contributions to society.”

Eberspacher is the daughter of E. C. (Chris) and Jacqueline Eberspacher.  She resides in Shelbyville with her husband, Jeffrey, who was also born and raised in Shelby County, and their son, William.

Eberspacher said her biggest influence in life was her mother.

“I am very proud of Liz’s successful career and the fact that she is being recognized for all of her hard work,” said Jacqueline Eberspacher.  “She has always taken her work very seriously, both as an student and as an adult.  Liz is one of those people who gives all she has to whatever the task is at hand.”

Eberspacher is an attorney and partner with the law firm of Dove & Dove where she is engaged in the general practice of law in 25 counties in Central and Southern Illinois.  She has concentrations in civil litigation, including divorce, family law, adoption, contract law, real estate, personal injury and probate.

Eberspacher graduated from Shelbyville High School after attending Culver Summer and Winter Naval School.  She began her post-high school education at the United States Naval Academy in Maryland.  She transferred her sophomore  year to Illinois Wesleyan University to graduate Cum Laude in 1998.  During her last semester of her undergraduate work, she attended the University of Nottingham, England.  She then attended Southern Illinois University School of Law, where she acted as editor of the Law Review and received honorable mention for extensive research on a piece authored for the Harvard Negotiation Law Review on arbitration.  During her last year of Law School she attended Northwestern School of Law to complete her legal training in Chicago.  Eberspacher graduated Cum Laude from SIU Law School.

Eberspacher was admitted to the Illinois Supreme Court Bar in 2001 and began working as a clerk for the Chief Judge of the Chancery Division of Cook County.  While in Chicago, she accepted a position with the law firm of Field & Golan and served on the Chicago Council of Lawyer’s Board of Managers for approximately 4 years before returning to Shelbyville and working for Dove & Dove.

“Although I loved practicing law in Chicago, I didn’t prefer living there,” Eberspacher said.  “I am truly a small town girl.”

Eberspacher said she has never looked back since returning to Shelbyville.  She married a local boy who was an Eagle Scout in her brother and father’s Boyscout troop.  Her son William is now 2 years old and she and her husband and son are able to spend quality time with her parents, friends and Jeff’s family  She and her husband have just finished restoration of their 150 year old home.  She now has the opportunity to work with her father who is a partner in Dove & Dove.

Eberspacher is involved in many philanthropic activities including, but not limited to her work as a board member on the Illinois Wesleyan University Council for Women. 

“This is a group of alums who are appointed through an anonymous nomination process to work with students making career choices.”

She also works with the Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance Foundation to provide pro bono paternity and divorce legal services for members of the public who qualify.  Eberspacher speaks at local public schools each year regarding the law on sexual abuse and sexual assault.  She also acts as an appointed Guardian Ad Litem to represent minors and disabled adults in pending litigation.

“I am very lucky to have my father as a mentor and my uncle David Eberspacher next door ( David is a partner at a law firm in Mattoon) for advice at any time,” continued Eberspacher.  “Everything happens for a reason.”