Someone you should know: Paige Reed

Describing the balancing act between career and family as challenging is an understatement. Paige Reed, City Attorney for the City of Carbondale, sums up her philosophy in one word: perspective. If a parent believes in her work in the community, children learn from that, making time away from them less of a burden. Paige would know, as she is the mother of three-month-old twins, a two-year-old daughter, and a 14-year-old stepson.

Paige's attitude is that success at work and success at home don't have to be mutually exclusive. When you are successful and fulfilled in your work, your attitude at home is improved, allowing you to give more to your children.

Paige Reed graduated from Southern Illinois University School of Law in Carbondale in 1994, after receiving her B.S. in Administration of Justice from SIU. Paige was hired as the Assistant City Attorney for the City of Carbondale in May 1995. She became the City Attorney in April 1997.

She is a southern Illinois native, having grown up in the small town of DuQuoin. She became interested in working for the FBI during her undergraduate studies and was in the final stages of interviewing with the agency when she was offered the position with the City of Carbondale. The choice of remaining in southern Illinois outweighed her desire to relocate and join the Bureau. Thus, her career in government law began.

Some say variety is the spice of life. Criminal law, civil law, labor law, employment law, contract law, real estate law, zoning, legislation, and administration are all included in Paige's weekly workload. As the City Attorney, along with the Assistant City Attorney, she is responsible for prosecuting city ordinance violations. She provides litigation support and assistance for civil liability and eminent domain actions filed on behalf of, or against the city. She also assists in negotiations with four labor unions that represent the city's employees. She is the legal counsel for management on personnel and employment issues. She drafts and reviews contracts, leases, licenses and general operation documents for the city. Paige also prepares all of the city's real estate transaction documents. She serves as the chief legal advisor to the City Council, City Manager and staff, including advising on proposed changes and additions to the city's code.

"I used to tell potential student interns that the only type of law you won't see in this job is family law and trusts and estates," Paige noted. However, she was corrected when she was called upon to advise the city's police chief on an issue involving an order of protection and its effect on a child custody arrangement. Paige has no complaints about the diversity and need to stay abreast on the vast array of topics saying, "It keeps me sharp." And that she is.

For anyone who thinks that being legal counsel for a city of 27,000 in the southern part of the state may be mundane, think again. Paige recently filed an injunction on behalf of the city against the State of Illinois after a dispute over the 2000 census figures arose, a disagreement that could detrimentally affect Carbondale. If the dispute is not settled, it could reach the Illinois Supreme Court as a case of first impression. On the other end of the spectrum, Paige also has had to apply the city's adult use ordinance to deal with an "adult" Internet site operating in Carbondale.

Paige says she has no regrets after choosing the City Attorney's office. She speaks highly of her experiences with the city, and says that she enjoys advising city officials on legal issues that affect the community. The priority she places on community involvement is also evidenced by her service on the Board of Directors for both the Carbondale Crime Stoppers and for the D.A.R.E. Program. Paige and her husband, Dan, live in Carbondale with their daughters Payton, Ashton, and Morgan, their son Matt and their yellow Labrador, Copper. Paige has made a difference to the community of Carbondale. She is someone you should know.

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*Judith Hahn and Polly Hampton are 1st year students at the Southern Illinois University School of Law.