Attorney James Bock, Jr., of Glen Carbon, is the new director of the Office for Legal Services and Policy Development for the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois.

Most recently, Bock was a litigation associate with Greensfelder, Hemker and Gale, P.C. in their Belleville office from 2015 to 2019, where he practiced in Madison and St. Clair counties. Prior to that firm, Bock was an assistant public defender with the Madison County Public Defender’s Office from 2013 to 2015.

As director of the Office for Legal Services and Policy Development, Bock will serve in the capacity of legal advisor for Bishop Thomas John Paprocki and other officials of the diocesan Curia in matters of civil law regarding routine diocesan activities. He will also guide the development of diocesan policies of procedures.

Bock received his undergraduate degree (bachelor’s) from Lindenwood University, St. Charles, Mo., in 2007 in non-profit administration with a minor in communications. He received his law degree (J.D.) from Ave Maria School of Law, Naples, Fla., in 2012, graduating Magna Cum Laude. Bock is admitted to the Illinois, Missouri, U.S. District Court-Southern District of Illinois, and the U.S. Supreme Court bars. 

The Diocese of Springfield in Illinois covers 28 counties in central Illinois, serves 125,999 Catholics, and contains 129 parishes, 38 elementary schools, seven secondary schools, and more than 90 Catholic cemeteries.