criminal defense

The heart and soul of our practice is our commitment to top-tier, comprehensive federal criminal defense, especially for those who may not be able to otherwise afford it.

• Drug crimes

• Gun crimes

• Racketeering

• Child pornography

• Medicare fraud

• Wire fraud

• Embezzlement

• Money laundering

• Public corruption

sentencing mitigation

A conviction at trial or through a guilty plea isn’t the end of the road for a criminal case. At sentencing, our job is provide the Court a complete understanding of our client as a person. Presenting a comprehensive mitigation package to the sentencing judge is essential to obtaining a just sentence for our clients.

During our thorough sentencing investigations, we interview our client and collateral contacts, obtain important historical records, and create a written narrative explaining their life experience and the social, biological and environmental factors that have influenced them.

Our team is experienced in recognizing the difficulties that impact functioning such as addiction, poverty, mental illness, trauma, and developmental disabilities. We also work with psychiatrists and social workers to identify mitigating factors and create release plans, which are critical tools when a client is facing incarceration.

Appeals

Lost at trial and want to take your case to a higher court? We handle both civil and criminal appeals.

• Illinois Appellate Court

• Illinois Supreme Court

• U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit

• U.S. Supreme Court

Professional discipline

Each year, thousands of Illinois lawyers find themselves facing a disciplinary inquiry from the ARDC which requires them to submit a written response to what may be an unfocused, angry grievance from a client, or an incomplete account of a litigation dispute.

It’s tempting to avoid seeking legal advice when these kinds of problems arise. But your career is worth seeking out what you give your clients every day: informed, objective risk assessments, rigorous investigations, thoughtful strategies, and meticulous advocacy.

civil rights

Have your constitutional or civil rights been violated? We can help you seek justice in a civil lawsuit or administrative complaint in state or federal court.

• Wrongful convictions

• Police brutality

• Unlawful arrests

• Unlawful searches and seizures

• Free speech

• Prisoner rights

• Employment discrimination

Criminal records

A criminal conviction can have lifelong consequences. While a conviction can lead to fines, probation, or incarceration, it can also have serious long-term consequences to your ability to keep or obtain a job, find affordable housing, and a host of other collateral consequences including with immigration. Depending on your circumstances, there are several different ways to wipe your record clean and give you a fresh start.

• Sealing

• Expungement

• Executive Clemency

Post-Conviction Petitions

Even after the direct appeal process is exhausted, you can still challenge your conviction through the post-conviction relief process.

• State post-conviction petitions

• Federal habeas corpus petitions