Nrupa Patel, Bolen Robinson & Ellis, LLP, Decatur
217-429-4296 | Email Nrupa Patel
Our March 2025 FLASHPOINTS Author Spotlight recognizes Nrupa Patel, who most recently worked on CHILD WELFARE LAW: NEGLECTED, ABUSED, AND DEPENDENT MINORS (IICLE®, 2024) as a contributing author. Patel has also served as an author for ELEMENTS OF ILLINOIS LAW: DOMESTIC RELATIONS AND JUVENILE LAW (IICLE®, 2023) and as a speaker for IICLE programs and the IICLE podcast Cornered: Out of Court.
Patel is passionate about juvenile law and found the opportunity to help educate others on the subject through IICLE. “I filled out a form online . . . that I was interested in writing or presenting CLE materials. A couple months later, I got an email from IICLE indicating that they needed someone to help with updates on a book pertaining to juvenile law, so I jumped right in.”
IICLE’s commitment to furthering the professional development of Illinois attorneys aligned with Patel’s own values as well. “[E]ducating other professionals is important to me. I was a juvenile prosecutor at my previous job, so I lived and breathed juvenile law full time and got pretty good at it. I found out that not many private attorneys are well-versed in juvenile law. Even seasoned public defenders end up running across some new and unusual situations in juvenile court. I have always had some role in my life as a teacher. Before I became an attorney, I worked as a private tutor for kids for several years. I have trained other attorneys and legal assistants after I became an attorney myself, and I don't think I could ever stop teaching others.”
“I use IICLE resources frequently in my juvenile, divorce, and criminal defense practice. I also enjoy writing . . . as I end up learning something new with each publication and it keeps me informed of any changes in the statutes or caselaw.”
Patel is a Partner at Bolen Robinson & Ellis, LLP, in Decatur and focuses her practice on family law, criminal defense, DCFS administrative appeals, and orders of protection. Patel is a 2019 recipient of the Russel D. Hoerbert Pro Bono Award and a member of the Decatur and Illinois State Bar Associations. She graduated cum laude from Northern Illinois University College of Law and magna cum laude from Bradley University.