After many successful years of practicing law at a local firm, Charles C. Hughes helped establish the law firm in 1997.  In 1998, Carl J. Tenney joined the firm as a partner and subsequently in 2017 R. Samuel Postlewait joined the firm as a partner after being a partner in another firm for many years.   In 2013, Bret P. Coale joined the firm as an associate attorney and in 2018 became a partner. 

The law firm of Hughes Tenney Postlewait Coale,  L.L.C. provides a wide range of services to its diverse clientele, but they concentrate in the defense of insured clients.

Mr. Hughes has extensive experience in litigation relating to defense of physicians and other various health care providers, commercial litigation, and personal injury. He is licensed to practice in Illinois and to practice before the U.S. District Court of Central and Southern Illinois as well as the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals. He has appeared pro hac vice in several jurisdictions.

Mr. Hughes has been acknowledged for his accomplishments by a variety of civic and professional organizations which include being recognized as an AV peer rated attorney by Martindale-Hubbell and an Advisory Committee member of the Illinois Leading Lawyers. In addition to those accomplishments, he is a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and Litigation Counsel of America, a member of Illinois Defense Council (I.D.C.) and the International Association of Defense Counsel (I.A.D.C.). Mr. Hughes has also received the Chicago Lawyer "Top Lawyers in Illinois" designation for a number of years and recognized as an "Illinois Superlawyer."

Mr. Tenney has extensive experience with insurance defense, corporate matters and estate planning.  Over the past ten years, he has frequently acted as an arbitrator most commonly in the resolution of motor vehicle claims.  He is licensed to practice in Illinois.

Mr. R. Samuel Postlewait’s practice is primarily insurance and business litigation.  He is an AV peer rated attorney by Martindale-Hubbell. He is licensed in the state of Illinois and has been admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court Central District, U.S. Court of Appeals, and U.S. District of Michigan. 

Mr. Bret P. Coale joined the firm in 2013 bringing with him vast experience in the title insurance industry.  Since joining the firm his primary focus is medical malpractice defense and defense of personal injury claims.  Mr. Coale is an AV peer rated attorney by Martindale-Hubbell, and he has been designated an emerging lawyer by Leading Lawyers.  He is licensed in the state of Illinois and has also been admitted to practice law in the Northern District of Illinois.  Mr. Coale has served on the board of directors and as president of the Decatur Bar Association.  He also serves as a downstate representative for the Illinois Lawyer Assistance Program.

In 2021, shortly after his retirement from service as Presiding Judge of the Macon County Circuit Court, A.G. Webber IV joined Hughes Tenney Postlewait Coale, L.L.C., as counsel.  Judge Webber regularly shares his insight with members of the firm.

About Us

(217) 428 - 5383

101 South Main Street, Suite 300 - Decatur, Illinois 62523