About Eric William
Eric William Arnquist studied law at the University of Dayton School of Law, entering in 2006 and earning his J.D. in 2009. He arrived at the profession after a straightforward course of study and a clear intent to practice in Illinois. The classroom and the courtroom were separate worlds, but he moved from one to the other quickly.
He began his legal career in public defense. In 2010 he joined the Winnebago County Public Defender’s office as a felony trial lawyer. That role put him in court early and often. He handled trials, supervised case preparation, and worked directly with clients facing serious charges. Those years established a practical base in criminal procedure and trial practice.
After nearly a decade of trial work, Arnquist shifted to private practice. In 2017 he became an associate at Barrick, Switzer, Long, Balsley & Van Evera. The change brought different responsibilities and a broader docket. He continued to appear in court, but he also took on matters that required extended pretrial work and client counseling.
Two years later his career took another step. In 2019 he became a partner at Tess, Crull & Arnquist. As a partner he shares oversight of cases and contributes to firm decisions. He remains an active courtroom lawyer while handling the administrative and client-facing duties that come with partnership.
Arnquist has maintained bar memberships since 2010. He is a member of the Winnebago County Bar Association and the Ogle County Bar Association, and he belongs to the Illinois State Bar Association. Those memberships reflect ongoing ties to local and statewide legal communities.
His background is anchored in trial experience. Years as a felony trial lawyer inform how he approaches cases now. He takes a practical approach to litigation, preparing cases to be heard by judges and juries and attending to the detail work that precedes trial.
Today Arnquist practices at Tess, Crull & Arnquist. He continues to handle courtroom matters and litigation, drawing on long experience in criminal defense and related litigation areas. He practices law in Illinois and maintains active involvement in local bar organizations.
