Shelley B. Ballard P.C. Introduce
Shelley B. Ballard P.C.: Guiding Illinois Families Through the Joy of Adoption
The journey to grow a family through adoption is a deeply personal and often emotional process. Navigating the legal complexities involved can be a significant source of stress. For residents of Evanston and the wider Illinois area, Shelley B. Ballard P.C. provides a rare combination of legal expertise and genuine empathy. As a women-owned firm, they are exclusively dedicated to adoption law, a focus that has allowed them to become one of the most respected practices in the state. What truly sets Shelley B. Ballard P.C. apart is the fact that attorney Shelley Ballard is an adoptive parent herself. This personal experience provides her with a unique understanding of the emotional and financial commitment of adoption, and she works tirelessly to ensure a smooth, efficient, and successful process for her clients. As a client review states, "Her kindness, empathy, and expertise made a huge difference in our experience." This dedication is the foundation of her practice.
With over three decades of experience, Shelley B. Ballard has not only assisted thousands of families but has also been a key figure in shaping adoption legislation in Illinois. She has been recognized by the Illinois House of Representatives for her legislative work and is a frequent author and lecturer on adoption law. This level of professional involvement means that her clients benefit from a lawyer who is not only up-to-date on the latest laws and best practices but who has also played a role in creating them. Her firm is committed to simplifying the process, reducing stress, and allowing families to focus on the joy of incorporating a new member into their family. For anyone in Illinois considering adoption, working with a firm that offers this level of professional competence and personal understanding is an invaluable asset.
Location and Accessibility
Shelley B. Ballard P.C. is located at 1500 Oak Ave APT 4E, Evanston, IL 60201, USA. This central location makes the office easily accessible for clients throughout Evanston and the greater Chicago metropolitan area. The firm is committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for everyone. The office building features a wheelchair-accessible entrance and a wheelchair-accessible parking lot, ensuring that all clients can visit comfortably. The restroom is also accessible. Recognizing the sensitive and detailed nature of adoption cases, the firm operates on an appointment-required basis. This ensures that attorney Ballard can provide a dedicated, unhurried consultation to discuss your specific needs and questions in a confidential setting. The firm also offers online appointments and onsite services, providing flexibility and convenience for clients no matter their location or schedule.
Services Offered
Shelley B. Ballard P.C. is exclusively dedicated to adoption law, providing expert legal counsel for a variety of adoption processes. Her practice is focused on helping a wide range of families, from traditional to non-traditional structures, navigate their legal journeys with confidence.
- Domestic Adoption Attorney: The firm handles all aspects of domestic adoption, including agency adoptions, birth parent representation, and adoptive parent representation.
- Same-Sex Couples and LGBTQ+ Adoptions: The firm is proudly LGBTQ+ friendly and offers a safe space for transgender individuals, providing expert legal assistance for same-sex couples and other LGBTQ+ individuals seeking to adopt.
- Stepparent and Relative Adoptions: Shelley B. Ballard provides dedicated services for stepparent and other family-related adoptions, guiding families through this important process.
- Foster System Adoptions: The firm has extensive experience with adoptions through the foster system and is a "known commodity across the litany of stakeholders and government entities involved" as noted in a review, making them a strong advocate for clients in these cases.
- Immigration Services: The firm also provides legal assistance with immigration services related to adoption, ensuring a smooth process for international and interstate adoptions.
Features and Highlights
Several key features make Shelley B. Ballard P.C. a leading choice for adoption law in Illinois. These highlights demonstrate the firm's unique value and deep commitment to its clients.
- Personal Experience and Empathy: As an adoptive parent herself, Shelley Ballard brings a unique level of personal understanding and compassion to her work, which is invaluable to clients.
- Women-Owned and LGBTQ+ Friendly: The firm identifies as women-owned and provides a welcoming and safe space for all individuals, including the LGBTQ+ community, which ensures a supportive and inclusive legal environment.
- Deep Professional Expertise: With over 30 years of experience and a track record of legislative involvement, Shelley Ballard is a highly knowledgeable and influential professional in the field of adoption law.
- Exceptional Communication: Clients consistently praise the firm for being "incredibly responsive and communicative," ensuring that all questions are answered and clients are kept informed every step of the way.
- Strong Advocate for Clients: As noted in a review, Shelley Ballard is a "great advocate" who works tirelessly to ensure a successful adoption, providing a strong voice for her clients' needs and goals.
Contact Information
To schedule a consultation or to learn more about how Shelley B. Ballard P.C. can assist with your adoption journey, you can reach them using the following contact details:
Address: 1500 Oak Ave APT 4E, Evanston, IL 60201, USA
Phone: (312) 316-0912
What is Worth Choosing Shelley B. Ballard P.C.
When you are ready to begin or are in the midst of an adoption journey, choosing the right legal partner is paramount. For residents of Illinois, Shelley B. Ballard P.C. is an excellent choice for a number of compelling reasons. The most significant advantage is the firm's exclusive focus on adoption law. This specialization means that clients benefit from an attorney who is not only an expert but also a respected figure in the field. Shelley Ballard's long history of legislative work and her role as an advocate within the adoption community provide a level of insight and influence that is hard to find elsewhere.
Beyond her professional credentials, her personal experience as an adoptive parent makes her an empathetic and understanding partner. She genuinely knows what her clients are going through, which fosters a deep sense of trust and reassurance. This is reflected in the numerous positive reviews that highlight her kindness, diligence, and tireless advocacy. For same-sex couples, step-parents, and all families, the firm’s inclusive and welcoming environment is a key factor in making it a safe and comfortable place to handle such a sensitive legal process. For a legal professional who combines top-tier expertise, influential advocacy, and heartfelt compassion to help you build your family, Shelley B. Ballard P.C. is a truly worthwhile and deserving choice in Illinois.
Shelley B. Ballard P.C. Services
Family Law Attorney
- Adoption Adoption
- Adoption Attorney
- Adoption Processes
- Adoptive Parent Representation
- Agency Adoptions
- Agency Representation
- Birth Parent Representation
- Domestic Adoption Attorney
- Family Adoption
- Immigration Services
- Kids Adoption
- Legal Assistance For
- Same-Sex Couples
- Step-Parent Adoption
Shelley B. Ballard P.C. Details
From the business
- Identifies as women-owned
Service options
- Online appointments
- Onsite services
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Amenities
- Restroom
Crowd
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Transgender safespace
Planning
- Appointment required
- Appointments recommended
Shelley B. Ballard P.C. Photos

Shelley B. Ballard P.C. Location
Shelley B. Ballard P.C.
1500 Oak Ave APT 4E, Evanston, IL 60201, USA
Shelley B. Ballard P.C. Reviews
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★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1Shelley Ballard was incredibly responsive and communicative throughout the adoption process. She answered all our questions and kept us informed every step of the way. Her professionalism and expertise were impressive. We highly recommend her to anyone looking to adopt."Shelley Ballard showed a genuine interest in our family's well-being and worked tirelessly to ensure a successful adoption. Her kindness, empathy, and expertise made a huge difference in our experience. We're so thankful for her help."
June 02 · tangi singletonWe are truly grateful to Shelly for her assistance in our adoption journey through the foster system. She is extremely knowledgeable, a known commodity across the litany of stakeholders and government entities involved, and very diligent and thorough. She was a great advocate for us and took the time to work through details and issues with us. We recommend her without reservation.
August 25 · Sid BaleWe came to Shelley with a complicated and deeply personal case. My now daughter was my wife’s cousin’s child, and the custody situation crossed state lines. From the beginning, Shelley stepped in with confidence and care. She took the time to understand the full picture and met with us right away. She approached the entire situation with thoughtfulness and compassion.Shelley handled the opposing party with professionalism and kindness. She ensured we were legally protected while also keeping the process respectful and constructive. She was strategic, clear, and made sure everyone involved could walk away with dignity.Her communication was excellent. She responded to questions quickly, usually the same day, and never left us guessing. We always felt informed and supported.Shelley’s expertise in family law was clear at every step. She moved things along efficiently and made sure we were in the strongest possible position. Because of her, we were able to bring our daughter home.We are so grateful to have found her. We always felt like we were in good hands. I would recommend her to anyone.
June 16 · Max PartainShelley B. Ballard was absolutely incredible in helping us finalize our son King’s adoption from foster care in Cook County, Illinois. From start to finish, she was thorough, knowledgeable, and genuinely invested in making the process smooth and stress-free for our family.Her attention to detail was impeccable—every piece of paperwork was handled with precision, ensuring that nothing was overlooked. She took the time to walk us through every step, explaining complex legal processes in a way that was easy to understand. We felt completely at ease knowing that King’s future was in such capable hands.Beyond her expertise, Shelley was also kind, professional, and truly excited for us. She went above and beyond by providing essential information on Social Security, name changes, tax considerations, and other post-adoption steps that many families might not even realize they need to address. Her guidance made all the difference in ensuring a seamless transition for our son.Adoption can be overwhelming, but Shelley made it a joyful and reassuring experience. If you’re adopting—especially through the foster care system—she is the attorney you want by your side. We cannot recommend her highly enough!
March 18 · Christian ClarkeIf you're reading this - it's safe to assume that you are in need of an adoption lawyer! Rest assured that you are in great hands when working with Shelley. Shelley expertly guided us through adoption. She was quick, clear, professional, and kind throughout the complicated process.Shelley was a pleasure to work with and kept us grounded as we slogged through classes, paperwork, and caring for a newborn! We cannot recommend Shelley enough!
March 19 · Peter Olszowka
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