Edward M. Farmer

About Edward M. Farmer

I was born in Park Ridge, Illinois, and spent my early years in the small town of Crete, Illinois during grade school and high school. In my senior year of high school, I enlisted with the Illinois Army National Guard as a field artillery cannon crewmember. Following that, I underwent basic and advanced individual training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, coinciding with the tragic events of the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.

Upon completing my training, I returned to Illinois and soon began my education at Illinois State University in Normal, Illinois. In 2004, during my senior year I received orders for activation by the Federal government to support Operation Iraqi Freedom. Prior to deployment to Iraq, my National Guard unit was cross-trained as infantry mortar men. In Iraq, I took part in a wide range of tasks, including both offensive and defensive combat operations.

My service in Iraq was marked by receiving the Army's Combat Infantry Badge for engaging with enemy and insurgent forces, as well as an Army Commendation Medal for my contributions to training the Iraqi Army. Upon returning home in May 2005, I completed my bachelor's degree at Illinois State University. Following this, I pursued a law degree at Valparaiso School of Law in Valparaiso, Indiana. During my time at Valparaiso, I established the Military Veterans Law Association, the law school's first group dedicated to veterans' issues. My legal career has largely revolved around assisting veterans with their legal matters, in both the public and private sectors.

As an attorney with the IL Armed Forces Legal Aid Network, I provided pro bono legal counsel to veterans, active-duty personnel, and their families on a wide array of legal issues. At present, I am the owner of the Law Offices of Edward M. Farmer. Due to my extensive experience, I am frequently invited to present on topics related to veterans and military service by various bar associations.