Alumni Highlights | Simmons Law School | SIU

Alumni Highlights

Featured Alumni Profiles

SIU Simmons Law Alumni pursue diverse careers and personal endeavors, guided by our rich academic offerings and leadership experiences. Their journeys—marked by professional accomplishments and personal passions—are as varied as the individuals themselves. We would like to feature some of our alumni below to showcase their diverse careers!

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Caylie Carter, '25

"I graduated from SIU in 2021 with my Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice and minor in Economics. I then began Law School at SIU in 2022. I served as a Taylor Mattis Fellow from 2023-2024 during my 2L year. I then served as Co-President of Taylor Mattis Fellows in 2024-2025 during my 3L year. I took the bar in July 2025, and found out I passed in October 2025, to be sworn in November 5, 2025. I will be working as an attorney at a family law firm in Bloomington, IL."

Bruce Beard, '84

"Clerked for Illinois Supreme Court, 3 years litigation at Thompson Mitchell, 12 years at SBC Corp, 8 years as General Counsel at Cable TV/Broadband Company. Currently managing partner at boutique telecommunications law firm where I’ve been for last 17 years!"

Bruce Zywiec, '10

"Attended law school after retiring from the Illinois State Police Department. Post graduation, I had the honor of working at the McLean County State’s Attorney’s Office (2010 - 2016), then went off on my own doing guardian ad litem work almost exclusively in juvenile abuse, neglect, and dependency cases."

Mark Jaeger, '84

"Practiced in-house from 1984 - 2020, including 25 years as General Counsel at Jockey International. Currently working in a non-legal role as SVP for a non-profit."

Rheann Lucas, '24

"Working at a firm in Edwardsville. Primarily practice focuses on workers compensation and personal injury."

Sandra Hicks, '17

"I am a solo practitioner and have been since 2019. I practice in criminal law, family law, estate planning, and municipal law."

Michelle Sanders, '07

"After graduation in 2007, I became an assistant public defender (felony division) in Macon County, Illinois. I remained there until 2013, at which time I became a judicial law clerk to Justice Lisa Holder White as she transitioned from the trial court to the appellate court. I returned to the Macon County Public Defender's Office in 2018 as the First Assistant. In 2021, I was appointed as the first female chief public defender of Macon County, a position I still hold."

Joshua Chumbley, '12

"I grew up in a small town in central Illinois before attending Southern Illinois for my undergraduate studies. After receiving a degree in public relations, I worked for a few years before deciding to return to Southern Illinois for law school. After graduating law school in 2012, I moved to St. Louis and have been living in the area ever since. I worked for a year at a small insurance defense firm before moving on to practicing asbestos defense work, which I am still doing."

Thomas Carrasco, '17

"I spent two years after law school taking care of my mother, who was recovering from severe pancreatitis. Then, in 2019, I joined the financial field. In 2021, I finally decided to put my law degree to use and passed the bar. I spent the first two years in my own practice, mainly doing transactional law. I was bored. In the fall of 2023, I joined the Will County States' Attorney’s Office."