About Jerry Francis Costello
Jerry Francis Costello III earned his law degree from Southern Illinois University School of Law in 2018 after completing a Bachelor of Science at Southern Illinois University — Carbondale in 2015. He completed a traditional law school course of study and entered practice soon after graduation. The sequence of degrees and the choice to remain within the Southern Illinois University system suggest an early grounding in legal education tied to the region he serves.
He began his professional legal career in 2019 as an attorney with Bonifield & Rosenstengel, P.C. That role marked his transition from classroom to courtroom and office. At the firm he assumed the day-to-day responsibilities typical of a practicing lawyer: advising clients, preparing pleadings, conducting legal research, and working on case strategy alongside more senior attorneys. Colleagues and firm records note his arrival at Bonifield & Rosenstengel in the year after he completed law school.
Costello is licensed to practice in Illinois and carries the responsibilities that come with state admission. Practicing in a single jurisdiction shapes how an attorney approaches client matters, ensuring familiarity with state courts, statutes, and local rules. His educational timeline and swift move into firm practice indicate an early concentration on building practical skills and courtroom familiarity.
In the course of his work at Bonifield & Rosenstengel, Costello has handled the sorts of litigation and transactional tasks common at regional law firms. His work involves drafting motions and briefs, negotiating on behalf of clients, and managing case files from intake through resolution. He collaborates with firm partners and staff to develop case plans and to meet procedural deadlines. Those day-to-day responsibilities form the bulk of his professional activity.
Outside the office, Costello’s academic background links him to the Southern Illinois legal community. His path — an undergraduate degree followed by a J.D. at the same university system — kept him connected to local networks of practitioners and alumni. That continuity can be useful for attorneys establishing their practice in a particular state.
Today he continues to practice at Bonifield & Rosenstengel, P.C., representing clients in matters arising in Illinois and handling litigation and legal work on their behalf.
