Highly experienced Criminal Attorney providing two decades of litigation experience to individuals needing a skilled and impassioned courtroom advocate.
Since passing the Illinois Bar in 1996, I have tried 66 jury trials to verdict, including 43 criminal jury trials. This extensive experience is the culmination of seven years service as an assistant public defender in Cook County, nine years as an assistant corporation counsel for the City of Chicago, and a year and a half as a Cook County assistant state’s attorney. Over this time, I have served as an exemplary advocate for criminal defendants, Chicago Police officers, Cook County Sheriff’s Department officers, and municipal defendants.
Acting as defense counsel for such diverse clientele has afforded me a deep understanding of both criminal and civil law in Illinois, as well as federal civil law in the Northern District of Illinois. In combining this knowledge with my unique abilities in the courtroom, I have won the vast majority of the cases I have brought to trial.
This twenty year trial record is critical to me as a private attorney. My career thus far has brought me into the state and federal courthouses thousands of times, enabling me to build a strong reputation as a trial attorney within the Chicago legal market. Having handled many cases of note, it is difficult to select a few to discuss in brevity, but I feel that the following cases best represent my versatility as a litigator:
• People of the State of Illinois v. Robert Patrick, 01 CR 4645: Client charged with first-degree murder; successfully closed case for a jury verdict of second-degree murder.
• Magnum v. City of Chicago, 02 L 5254: Plaintiff injured in a car accident that occurred while client Chicago police offers were executing and enforcing the law. Successfully first chaired, tried, closed and secured a verdict of Not Liable.
• Christmas v. City of Chicago et al., 08 CV 4675: Plaintiff filed suit against client Chicago police officers alleging false arrest, malicious prosecution, battery, and excessive force. Successfully closed the case and secured a verdict of not liable for all six defendant police officers.
• Wilson v. City of Chicago et al., 07 CV 1682, Case involved claims of wrongful death, failure to intervene and excessive force. Successfully opened the case and assisted in securing a verdict of not liable for all three defendant police officers.
While this is by no means a comprehensive refection of my experiences in the courtroom, these cases do demonstrate the quality of representation my clients receive. Having won against such challenging circumstances speaks volumes regarding my ability to work under pressure, as well as my willingness to advocate for even the most unpopular clients. As a private practitioner, I utilize the skills and strategies I have honed in government service, ensuring that my clients benefit from the breadth of my successful trial record.
