Pete Cavanagh was born in Springfield, Illinois and is the youngest of C. Joseph and Sandy Cavanagh’s seven (7) children.  Pete attended Blessed Sacrament Grade School and Griffin High School.   

Pete is a graduate of Illinois State University where he majored in History.  There he participated in varsity soccer, was named to the student athletic honor roll, and was nominated by faculty for the Tasher Award for Most Outstanding Senior History Student.  He also participated on the I.S.U. Mock Trial Team. 

While enrolled at the John Marshall Law School in Chicago, Illinois, Pete worked for the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office.  Upon graduation, he was awarded the John Marshall Elmer C. Kissane Public Service Award for service to the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office as a law student.  After graduation, Pete remained with the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office working as an Assistant State’s Attorney.  In May of 1998 Pete and his wife Kristin (Walton) Cavanagh moved back to their home town of Springfield and Pete went to work with the law firm of Londrigan, Potter & Randle, P.C.  There Pete practiced as an Associate Attorney participating in all aspects of general practice litigation in state and federal court.  In August of 1998, Pete joined the Sangamon County State’s Attorney’s Office as an Assistant State’s Attorney.  For three years he handled all aspects of criminal prosecution.

In September of 2002 Pete and fellow Assistant State’s Attorney, John “Mo” Madonia, left the State’s Attorney’s Office to form the law firm of Cavanagh & Madonia.  The firm is a general practice law firm equipped to handle both simple and complex litigation of any fashion.  Pete also served as an Assistant Sangamon and Logan County Public Defender handling Felony trial work for clients adjudged by the court to be indigent.  Pete is a Member of the Illinois Capital Litigation Trial Bar.

Pete has been involved in many worthy causes. He has served as a board member for the Springfield Junior Football League, was the President of the Washington Park Home Owner’s Improvement Association, is a member of the American Business Club and the Knight’s of Columbus, and sits on the Board of Trustees of UCP of Central Illinois.  Pete is also an active participant of the Springfield Men’s Soccer League and 2010 President of the Sangamon County Bar Association and past President of the Young Lawyer’s Division.