The human side
of practicing law.

My work sits at the intersection of law, mental health, and the lives behind the case files.

I’m Adam Stivers, an Assistant Public Defender in Winnebago County, Illinois. I joined the office in 2019 and have served in Drug Court, Mental Health Court, and Veterans Court since January 2021. I began practicing law in 2011, initially in private practice focused on estate and trust planning and administration.

Before becoming an attorney, I taught high school English. I hold a B.A. in English with a secondary education minor from Rockford University, an M.A. in British and American Literature from Northern Illinois University, and a J.D. from Northern Illinois University.

As a trained Illinois Lawyers’ Assistance Program peer supporter, I speak and write about attorney mental health, suicide prevention, and the human demands of legal practice. My speaking combines research, guided reflection, and conversation practice to help colleagues recognize distress and connect with support.

I’ve presented my CLE for multiple county bar associations, authored “Building Resilience and Well-Being” in the State Bar of Wisconsin’s 2023 book Reduce Your Risk, and appeared as a featured presenter in the Illinois State Bar Association’s attorney-suicide Quick Takes video.

Outside my legal work, I enjoy traveling, walking, hiking, and exploring good food with my wife, Amanda, a yoga teacher. In my home pottery studio, I create functional and decorative work. I value pottery’s connection between physical work and mental focus, along with the satisfaction of making something tangible.