Kimberly G. Koester grew up in Effingham, Illinois. Her father, grandfather and great grandfather all were local attorneys in the area. She attended Effingham High School and graduated in 1981. After graduating from high school, she attended college at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. Kimberly received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science in 1985. While at Miami University, she was a member of the Alpha Omicron Pi Sorority.
Kimberly was accepted to and attended law school at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. She graduated from there in 1988 with her Juris Doctor degree. She became a member of the Illinois Bar in October of 1988.
Immediately out of law school, Koester was hired by Craig DeArmond, the Vermilion County, Illinois State’s Attorney. During her employment as an Assistant State’s Attorney, Koester was able to appear in front of Rita Garman who was the Chief Judge of the Fifth Judicial Circuit who later became the Chief Judge of the Illinois Supreme Court. Koester joined the firm of Sebat, Swanson, Banks, Garman and Townsley in Danville, Illinois and gained experience in civil law.
In April of 1991, Koester returned to the Effingham area and opened her sole practice along with serving as the Conflicts Public Defender of Effingham County. She was also asked to handle the Public Defender position in Jasper County. After serving in this position, she was asked to run for the position of Jasper County State’s Attorney. She was elected in November of 1996 and served in this position until 2004. During her tenure as State’s Attorney, she handled all types of criminal cases and was advisor to the Jasper County Board.
At the conclusion of her second term in Jasper County, Koester returned to Effingham to again resume private practice. Upon the retirement of the Resident Circuit Judge of Effingham County, she ran for the position and was elected in November of 2006. She served on the bench until her retirement in 2020. During her term as the Resident Circuit Judge of Effingham County, she conducted jury trials and civil trials, and also handled daily calls in both criminal and civil matters. Kimberly was also selected by her peers to serve as the Chief Judge of the Fourth Judicial Circuit in 2017 and she served in this capacity until her retirement.
Since her retirement, Koester has provided mediation services in the State of Illinois. She also joined the Orr Law Firm in 2023 in private practice.
