In a criminal case, the decisions a client makes will have long-lasting effects on their life. I believe it is imperative for clients to understand all aspects of their case, including the legal issues being presented. Without this understanding, it would be impossible to expect the client to make a decision that is in their best interest.

Clients in most, if not all cases, know more about the facts surrounding their case than I do when first retained to represent them. I always ask my clients to provide me with all of the information they know and all of the documents pertaining to their cases. By learning everything my clients know, it puts me in the best position to defend them and obtain the best result possible.

Mediation and arbitration do not exist in criminal law. Many cases, however, require working closely with the prosecutor and negotiation a resolution that is favorable for the client. I pride myself in the results I have been able to obtain for my clients through negotiations, when going to trial is simply not a viable option.

Because of the high stakes a client faces when being accused of committing a crime, I do not recommend individuals represent themselves. It is always important to hire an attorney who is well-versed in criminal defense and is able to properly advise the client.

Every single case is different, and every single case requires a unique approach. I am aggressive when I need to be, and I am amicable when the situation requires such an approach. Through my ability to adapt my style to each individual case, I have been successful in obtaining not guilty verdicts in both federal and state jury trials, as well as lenient sentences when it was not in the client’s best interest to go to trial.

Pro bono cases are accepted on a case-by-case basis.

Again, every case is different and requires a different approach. I am always willing to do whatever it takes to help a client obtained the best result possible. If that requires me to only work on a portion of the case and the circumstances will allow for me to do so, I am more than happy to help.

I have support staff and other attorneys that I work with so that each client has all of the needs of their case met. That being said, because the client hires me, it will always be me who meets directly with the client and it will always be me who handles all substantive aspects of the case including communicating with prosecutors, arguing motions, trying the case, and arguing at sentencing. The pendency of a criminal case is many times the most stressful time of a person’s life and I do not want my clients to worry about whether the attorney that they hired is actually the one who is representing them.

A client’s case is not just another file. I will work with a client every step of the way to ensure they are comfortable and understanding of every decision being made. At the end of the day, I will do whatever it takes to obtain the best results possible for my clients.

I was fortunate enough to begin my career working for and learning from one of the most prominent criminal defense attorneys to ever work in Chicago, Ed Genson. Through him, I was also able to work with more of Chicago’s best trial lawyers and experts in federal sentencing. These learning experiences were something that very few lawyers have had the opportunity to experience and have put me in a position to provide the best and most effective defense for my clients going forward.

Sometimes, you just know what you were meant to do. For me, that was criminal defense.