B-N Law Firm Relocates To Larger Site

Friday Feb 10, 2012

B-N law firm relocates to larger site

By Karina Gonzalez, Pantagraph.com

NORMAL -- Wilber & Associates, a Twin City law firm, has relocated to larger offices that will allow for an expanded workforce.

President Ken Wilber said the new location at 210 Landmark Drive, Normal, is about three times bigger than the firm's former location at 816 Eldorado Road, Bloomington. The firm handles collections for insurance carriers nationwide, and also provides consulting, claims administration and legal services to businesses across the nation.

An estimated $250,000 was invested to renovate the building to accommodate the increased staff, said Wilber, adding an employee kitchen is new and a new lounge is under construction. 

Company officials already have begun the hiring process to add six new collections specialists this year, said Michael Cale, Wilber's general manager.

"We have a capacity of 90 to 98 and we intend to fill it," Cale said Tuesday. "Most of the hires would be from McLean County."

Company officials expect to reach full staffing capacity over the next few years, Cale said. The firm currently has 55 employees.

Wilber said the company, which began in 1991 with five employees, has seen a boom in business in recent years. The downturn in the economy has made collections work more valuable for insurance companies that handle auto accident claims, Wilber said.

"We were held back physically," he said. "We had no room. We turned every space, every closet into office space."

Raymond Vann, Wilber's production manager, said the new location also is a boost for employees, many of whom have been with the company for years. The management at Wilber has fostered an environment that promotes teamwork and shows appreciation for employees, he said.

"It's the Wilber atmosphere" that keeps people here, said Vann, who has worked in collections for 12 years. "It's almost unheard of in (traditional) collections agencies where they have 100 percent turnover."

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