Jennifer Bunker Skerston

Jennifer Bunker Skerston is an Ottawa, Illinois attorney whose practice focuses on family law, civil litigation, and estate planning and administration. Her family work includes divorce, paternity, guardianships, and adoption, while her estate practice includes wills, trusts, probate, and trust administration. She has worked in both private and public sectors, giving her experience with contested legal matters as well as planning and administration for individuals and families.

Jennifer earned a J.D. from Michigan State University, graduating cum laude with a concentration in Environmental and Natural Resources Law. She received a full-tuition merit scholarship, served as managing editor of the Journal of Animal Law, and earned jurisprudence awards. She also earned an undergraduate degree from DePaul University, where her studies included American Literature and History and Professional Writing. Her academic background supports legal research, writing, and analysis across litigation and estate matters.

Jennifer has developed will- and trust-based estate plans and administered probate and trust estates. Her civil litigation and family law work includes disputes involving divorce, paternity, guardianship, and adoption. She has also taught an advanced LL.M. class in Estate Planning and Tax Law at The John Marshall Law School. Through the Illinois State Bar Association Trusts and Estates Section Council, she has contributed to continuing legal education and review of legislative proposals affecting wills, trusts, and estates.

Jennifer Bunker Skerston serves as Secretary of the LaSalle County Bar Association and participates in the Illinois State Bar Association Trusts and Estates Section Council and Women and the Law Committee. She has received professional and community recognition, including Super Lawyers selections in family law and a regional Forty under 40 recognition. Her practice combines litigation, family law, and estate planning with professional leadership focused on trust and estate law developments.

Law Office Affiliations

• Attorney, Law Offices of Reilly & Skerston, LLC
• Member, Illinois State Bar Association
• Secretary, LaSalle County Bar Association
• Editor, Illinois State Bar Association Trusts and Estates Section Council
• Member, Illinois State Bar Association Women and the Law Committee
• Former President, Board of Directors, Streator Area Chamber of Commerce
• Member, OSF HealthCare Community Council
• Member, Zonta Club of the LaSalle-Peru Area

Licensed State

• Illinois

Education

• Michigan State University
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• DePaul University
  Bachelor of Arts and Science

Awards & Badges