John Gilbert

Practicing law since 1975, John Gilbert brings a wealth of experiences representing small and mid-size companies to the firm's Edwardsville office. John is a member of the Business, Business Litigation and Health Law practice groups and focuses his practice on labor and employment, commercial and higher education law, as well as civil rights defense and correctional medicine.

John serves as the Team Leader of the Correctional Medicine Industry Team at Sandberg Phoenix.

When working with clients, John dives in head first, getting to know all about the client, their businesses and the environment in which they operate. He is dedicated to first listening to his clients and working with them collaboratively to achieve their goals.

John’s favorite hobby is reading, especially mystery novels and academic publications about ethics in business.

John began his career as Assistant General Counsel and then Acting General Counsel at the office of the General Counsel of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville before moving into private practice. During this time, he advised clients and tried cases that included First Amendment claims, civil rights and employment law claims, unfair labor practice charges, arbitrations, probate, commercial litigation and other matters relating to his areas of practice. Since 1983, John has held an appointment as an Assistant State’s Attorney for Madison County, Illinois.

A former member of the Illinois Civil Service Commission from 1978 to 1991, John served as a lecturer in Management and Marketing at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, a position he held from 1985-2020, teaching courses in business ethics, business law, cyberlaw and labor and employment law.

John is certified as a sexual harassment prevention trainer.