 By
STEWART WARREN
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JOLIET -- August-29-2008 -- A former prosecutor in the Will County State's Attorney's
office has opened his own shop.
Neil Adams, 40, will be practicing criminal law, doing real estate
work and handling adoptions in his new office, 310 N. Hammes Ave., Suite
302 B, Joliet. Although he has had a private practice in the past, Adams
has spent the past four years in the state's attorney's office as chief
felony prosecutor.
"I was able to help a lot of people and try big cases," Adams said.
"But the time had come for me to return to the private sector, and I'm
really looking forward to working hard for my clients and building a law
practice."
Joliet attorney Neil J. Adams has opened
a private practice at 310 N. Hammes Ave., Suite 302 B,
Joliet, after four year's with the Will County
prosecutor's office.
Liz Wilkinson
Allen/staff photographer
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While in that position at the state's attorney's office, Adams was
responsible for the day-to-day supervision of more than 30 felony
prosecutors while disposing of nearly 3,000 cases each year. He also
was the lead counsel on several complicated and high-profile cases.
'A complex prosecution'
In late 2006, he successfully prosecuted Brent Saltzman, then 26, for
murder and attempted murder. Six years before, Saltzman, who has a
history of mental illness, argued with his stepfather, former Will
County Treasurer Jack Weber. Saltzman attacked the older man, and Weber
died two years later.
"It was a complex prosecution. I had to prove that he was guilty of
attempted murder, having the specific intent to kill, even though Weber
didn't die right away from the beating," Adams said. "Then I had to
prove that he was guilty of murder, and Weber didn't die because of
medical negligence on the part of the nursing home ... (I've been told)
it is the only case in Illinois history where a defendant was convicted
of attempted murder and murder of the same victim."
While in private practice, Adams also successfully defended Ronald
Rice, then 26, a Crest Hill man who was accused of murder in a road rage
case. In November 2002, Rice was on Interstate 55 traveling to work.
Gary Walton, 28, of Joliet, and Rice had some sort of altercation while
in traffic. Walton later was found inside his truck with two knife
wounds to his side. During the three-day bench trial in 2003, Adams
argued that his client acted in self-defense.
"I got the case dismissed and secured an outright acquittal for my
client," Adams said.
Born and raised in Will County, Adams graduated from Joliet Junior
College, earned a bachelor's degree from Northern Illinois University
and also went to law school there. He's been practicing law since
admitted to the bar in 1993.
"I've been a prosecutor, and I've been a defense attorney," he said.
"No matter which side I represent, I fight hard."
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