Attorney Profiles
Wm. Kent Brandon
Senior Partner
Wm. Kent Brandon, born in Carbondale, Illinois, has strong connections to Southern Illinois. A Senior Partner at Brandon, Schmidt & Goffinet, Mr. Brandon practices insurance defense, litigation, workers' compensation, and personal injury law. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Southern Illinois University and earned his Juris Doctorate degree from Northwestern University School of Law.
Mr. Brandon has attained the highest possible rating from Martindale Hubbell, the national directory of attorneys, demonstrating preeminent legal ability and the highest standard of ethics. He is a former U.S. Magistrate of the Eastern District of Illinois, and is the author of "Magistrate Practice in Civil Matters," which was published in the Federal Civil Practice.
Mr. Brandon is admitted to practice in all state courts of Illinois, the U.S. District of the Southern District of Illinois, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, and the U.S. Supreme Court.
Education
- J.D., Northwestern University School of Law, 1964
- B.A., Southern Illinois University, 1961
Admissions
- Illinois State Bar
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of Illinois
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit
- U.S. Supreme Court
Previous Experience
- U.S. Magistrate, Eastern District of Illinois, 1971-75
Honors & Awards
- AV rated by Martindale Hubbell
Published Material
- Author, "Magistrate Practice in Civil Matters," Federal Civil Practice, 1974
Professional Associations & Memberships
- Jackson County Bar Association
- President, 1975
- Secretary, 1965-66
- Illinois State Bar Association
- American Judicature Society
- Mediation Association of Southern Illinois
- American College of Trial Lawyers
Charles E. Schmidt
Managing Partner
Charles E. Schmidt is a Managing Partner at Brandon, Schmidt & Goffinet, practicing insurance defense, medical malpractice defense, litigation, and personal injury law. Mr. Schmidt earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Southern Illinois University, and then received his Juris Doctorate degree, magna cum laude, from Southern Illinois University School of Law.
Mr. Schmidt has obtained the highest possible rating from Martindale Hubbell, the national directory of attorneys, demonstrating superior legal ability and the highest standard of ethics. In addition, he has authored two law review articles on medical malpractice and personal injury for the Southern Illinois University Law Journal.
Mr. Schmidt is admitted to practice in all state courts of Illinois, the U.S. District Court of the Southern District of Illinois, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, and the U.S. Supreme Court.
Education
- J.D., Southern Illinois University School of Law, magna cum laude, 1977
- Phi Alpha Delta, Member
- B.S., Southern Illinois University, 1974
Admissions
- Illinois State Bar
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of Illinois
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit
- U.S. Supreme Court
Honors & Awards
- AV rated by Martindale Hubbell
Published Material
- Author: "Survey of Illinois Law: Medical Malpractice," Southern Illinois University Law Journal, Vol. 22, 1998
- "Recovery for Loss of Society and Companionship in Wrongful Death and Personal Injury Actions," Southern Illinois University Law Journal, Vol. 13, P. 319, 1989.
Professional Associations & Memberships
- Jackson County Bar Association, Member
- Illinois State Bar Association, Member
- American Bar Association, Member
- American Bar Foundation, Member
- Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel, Member
- Defense Research Institute, Member
Jeffrey A. Goffinet
Partner
Jeffrey A. Goffinet is a native of Benton with close connections to Southern Illinois. A Partner at Brandon, Schmidt & Goffinet, Mr. Goffinet practices insurance defense, business transactions, litigation, and personal injury law. He graduated from Southern Illinois University with a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degree, and later attended Southern Illinois University School of Law, where he earned his Juris Doctorate degree, graduating cum laude.
Mr. Goffinet has taught as an Adjunct Professor of Law at the Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. He belongs to several professional law associations including the Franklin County State Bar Association, Jackson County State Bar Association, and Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel.
Mr. Goffinet is admitted to practice in all state courts of Illinois, the U.S. District Court of the Southern District of Illinois, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.
Education
- J.D., Southern Illinois University School of Law, cum laude, 1984
- Phi Alpha Delta, Member
- B.A., B.S., Southern Illinois University, 1981
- Phi Kappa Phi, Member
Admissions
- Illinois State Bar
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of Illinois
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit
Previous Experience
- Adjunct Professor of Law, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, 1992
Professional Associations & Memberships
- Franklin County Bar Association, Member
- Jackson County Bar Association, Member
- Illinois State Bar Association, Member
- Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel, Member
