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Michael I. Leonard

Michael I. Leonard

Chicago's Top Criminal Defense and Trial Lawyers
  • Criminal Law, White Collar Crime, Domestic Violence ...
  • Illinois
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Biography

Michael Leonard has a well-earned reputation as one of Chicago's best criminal defense and trial lawyers. Michael is known for obtaining not guilty jury verdicts for his clients in State and Federal criminal prosecutions. He and his Firm, Leonard Trial Lawyers, regularly represent clients facing serious felony charges in Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, Winnebago, LaSalle, and McLean counties. They have obtained successful outcomes for their clients in virtually every type of State criminal charge, ranging from murder and attempted murder, to UUW and gun crimes, to drug crimes, to car jacking, assault and battery and sex crimes, to "White Collar" offenses.

With regard to Federal criminal cases, Michael is believed to be the only presently practicing attorney to have attained 7 or more not guilty jury verdicts in Federal criminal prosecutions brought by the United States Attorneys' Office in Chicago.

Michael and the Firm have successfully handled virtually every type of Federal criminal charge, including health care fraud, Medicare fraud, bank fraud, tax fraud, mortgage fraud, securities fraud, Ponzi schemes, embezzlement, mail fraud, wire fraud, conspiracies of all kinds, all types of federal drug charges and gun charges, bank robbery, car jacking, sex crimes, pornography, theft of government services/property, assault upon federal officers, illegal lobbying/serving as an agent of a foreign government.

Michael has appeared in State and Federal courts throughout the country, including in Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Kansas, South Dakota, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, California, Virginia, Oregon, and Texas.

Michael is known for his aggressive cross-examinations, his ability to relate to juries, and his captivating and compelling closing arguments. He has been called upon to provide the defense in numerous high-profile and media cases, and his cases have been the subject of extensive coverage locally and nationally.

Practice Areas
Criminal Law
Criminal Appeals, Drug Crimes, Fraud, Gun Crimes, Internet Crimes, Sex Crimes, Theft, Violent Crimes
White Collar Crime
Domestic Violence
Domestic Violence Criminal Defense, Domestic Violence Restraining Orders, Victims Rights
Employment Law
Employment Contracts, Employment Discrimination, Overtime & Unpaid Wages, Sexual Harassment, Whistleblower, Wrongful Termination
Appeals & Appellate
Civil Appeals, Federal Appeals
Arbitration & Mediation
Fees
  • Free Consultation
    No fee for initial consultation.
  • Credit Cards Accepted
    Yes.
  • Contingent Fees
    We consider contingency fee agreements for civil litigation matters.
  • Rates, Retainers and Additional Information
    We use LawPay, which accepts all major credit cards.
Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
Illinois
Supreme Court of Illinois
ID Number: 6207335
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Languages
  • English: Spoken, Written
  • Spanish: Spoken, Written
Professional Experience
Partner
Leonard Trial Lawyers LLC
- Current
(Firm formerly known as LeonardMeyer LLP). I am Partner and founder, handling criminal and civil cases in State and Federal Courts across the country.
Partner
Mecker Bulger & Tilson
-
Worked as an Partner in 100 lawyer firm, litigating and trying to verdict criminal and civil cases in State and Federal Courts across the country.
Associate
Meckler Bulger & Tilson
-
Worked as an Associate in 100 lawyer firm, litigating and trying to verdict criminal and civil cases in State and Federal Courts across the country.
Associate
Phelan Pope & John
-
Worked as an Associate at one of Chicago's then premiere litigation firms.
Education
Loyola University Chicago School of Law
J.D. (1991) | Law
-
Honors: Selected as Member of National Mock Trial Team; Law Review; AmJur Award (Civil Procedure); Dean's List; Leadership and Service Award.
Activities: Member of National Mock Trial Team; Law Review; Member of Consumer Law Reporter; AmJur Award (Civil Procedure); Dean's List; Leadership and Service Award.
Loyola University Chicago School of Law Logo
University of Iowa
B.A. (1988) | Political Science
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Honors: Dean's List.
Activities: intramural sports, fraternity, work, and service organization.
University of Iowa Logo
Awards
Lifetime Achievement Award
America's Top 100 Attorneys
Super Lawyer
Super Lawyers
2013-2024
Top 100 Trial Lawyers
The National Trial Lawyers
Service Award
International Human Rights Law Group
For participating as an Instructor teaching legal and criminal defense concepts to Defenders in Phnom Pehn, Cambodia.
40 Under 40
Chicago Daily Law Bulletin
Part of class of 40 lawyers recognized as Lawyers to Watch.
Professional Associations
State Bar of Illinois
Member
Current
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Publications
Articles & Publications
Civil Cases versus Criminal Cases
WGN Radio 720 - "Let's Get Legal" with Jon Hanse
Michael Leonard and Jon Hansen talk to Chief Judge Rebecca Pallmeyer of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
WGN Radio 720 - "Let's Get Legal" with Jon Hansen
Michael Leonard appears on the "Mincing Rascals" podcast
WGN Mincing Rascals
Michael Leonard breaks down the case against Highland Park shooter's father
WGN Radio 720 - "Let's Get Legal" with Jon Hansen
Michael Leonard breaks down the Elijah McClain case
WGN Radio 720 News
Michael Leonard discussed ComEd 4 federal trial
WGN Radio 720 - "Let's Get Legal" with Jon Hansen
Michael Leonard discussed Jury stories
WGN Radio 720 - "Let's Get Legal" with Jon Hansen
Michael Leonard discussed the Eddie Johnson case
WGN Radio 720 News
Michael Leonard discusses AI and the Law
WGN Radio 720 - "Let's Get Legal" with Jon Hansen
Michael Leonard discusses appointment of Special Counsel in Trump matter
WGN Radio 720 - "Let's Get Legal" with Jon Hansen
Michael Leonard discusses bench trials and current cases in the news
WGN Radio 720 - "Let's Get Legal" with Jon Hansen
Michael Leonard discusses cell tower evidence and its application to highly publicized Idaho Murder case
WGN Radio 720 - "Let's Get Legal" with Jon Hansen
Michael Leonard discusses consequences of fleeing ahead of sentencing
WGN Radio 720 - "Let's Get Legal" with Jon Hansen
Michael Leonard discusses Federal Criminal cases
WGN Radio 720 - "Let's Get Legal" with Jon Hansen
Michael Leonard discusses Grand Juror speaking out in Trump Georgia case
WGN Radio 720 - "Let's Get Legal" with Jon Hansen
Michael Leonard discusses Grand Jurors and updates on Trump cases
WGN Radio 720 with prime time host John Williams
Michael Leonard discusses Grand Jurors and updates on Trump cases
WGN Radio 720 - "Let's Get Legal" with Jon Hansen
Michael Leonard discusses high profile trials and what goes into defending the client
WGN Radio 720 - "Let's Get Legal" with Jon Hansen
Michael Leonard discusses his representation of a "Spammer" in a Federal Criminal prosecution
WGN Radio 720 - "Let's Get Legal" with Jon Hansen
Michael Leonard discusses his representation of the so-called "Joker' in Chicago Federal Criminal prosecution
WGN Radio 720 - "Let's Get Legal" with Jon Hansen
Michael Leonard discusses how tv crime shows have influenced the courtroom and juries
WGN Radio 720 - "Let's Get Legal" with Jon Hansen
Michael Leonard discusses how tv crime shows have influenced the courtroom and juries
WGN Radio 720 - "Let's Get Legal" with Jon Hansen
Michael Leonard discusses Judges' potential biases
WGN Radio 720 - "Let's Get Legal" with Jon Hansen
Michael Leonard discusses Juries and their application of Beyond a Reasonable Doubt
WGN Radio 720 - "Let's Get Legal" with Jon Hansen
Michael Leonard discusses jury selection
WGN Radio 720 - "Let's Get Legal" with Jon Hansen
Michael Leonard discusses new Federal Judges in Chicago
WGN Radio 720 - "Let's Get Legal" with Jon Hansen
Michael Leonard discusses potential charges against former President Trump
WGN Radio 720 - "Let's Get Legal" with Jon Hansen
Michael Leonard discusses preparing for trial in criminal cases
WGN Radio 720 - "Let's Get Legal" with Jon Hansen
Michael Leonard discusses President Biden's pardon of marijuana users
WGN Radio 720 - "Let's Get Legal" with Jon Hansen
Michael Leonard discusses the "Alaskan Avenger" case
Apple podcasts - "One Minute Remaining" with Jack Laurence
Michael Leonard discusses the Anthony Tony Duke case
Apple podcasts - "One Minute Remaining" with Jack Laurence
Michael Leonard discusses the Cain Brothers case
Apple podcasts - "One Minute Remaining" with Jack Laurence
Michael Leonard discusses the Damian Skinner case
Apple podcasts - "One Minute Remaining" with Jack Laurence
Michael Leonard discusses the Dandre Lane case
Apple podcasts - "One Minute Remaining" with Jack Laurence
Michael Leonard discusses the David Bomber case
Apple podcasts - "One Minute Remaining" with Jack Laurence
Michael Leonard discusses the David Talley case
Apple podcasts - "One Minute Remaining" with Jack Laurence
Michael Leonard discusses the Dorice Moore case
Apple podcasts - "One Minute Remaining" with Jack Laurence
Michael Leonard discusses the Evaristo Salas Jr. case
Apple podcasts - "One Minute Remaining" with Jack Laurence
Michael Leonard discusses the Harvey Weinstein NY Appellate Court reversal and the NY Trump Trial
WGN Radio 720 News
Michael Leonard discusses the Heather Mack case
WGN Radio 720 - "Let's Get Legal" with Jon Hansen
Michael Leonard discusses the Heather Mack sentence
WGN Radio 720 News
Michael Leonard discusses the Jim Harbaugh scandal
WGN Radio 720 - "Let's Get Legal" with Jon Hansen
Michael Leonard discusses the Karin Newell case
Apple podcasts - "One Minute Remaining" with Jack Laurence
Michael Leonard discusses the Kimberly Boone case
Apple podcasts - "One Minute Remaining" with Jack Laurence
Michael Leonard discusses the Luis Arroyo Federal Criminal Case
WGN Radio 720 - "Let's Get Legal" with Jon Hansen
Michael Leonard discusses the Michael Madigan Federal Prosecution
WGN Radio 720 - "Let's Get Legal" with Jon Hansen
Michael Leonard discusses the public voting for Judges
WGN Radio 720 - "Let's Get Legal" with Jon Hansen
Michael Leonard discusses the relationship between prosecutors and defense lawyers
WGN Radio 720 - "Let's Get Legal" with Jon Hansen
Michael Leonard discusses the Saul Contreras case
Apple podcasts - "One Minute Remaining" with Jack Laurence
Michael Leonard discusses the Stephen Lawrence case
Apple podcasts - "One Minute Remaining" with Jack Laurence
Michael Leonard discusses the Temujin Kenzu case
Apple podcasts - "One Minute Remaining" with Jack Laurence
Michael Leonard discusses trending trials
WGN Radio 720 - "Let's Get Legal" with Jon Hansen
Michael Leonard discusses Trump Affidavit issue
WGN Radio 720 - "Let's Get Legal" with Jon Hansen
Michael Leonard discusses White Collar crimes and Jury Selection
WGN Radio 720 - "Let's Get Legal" with Jon Hansen
What the Lawyer Thinks about the Deandre Lane Case
One Minute Remaining Podcast hosted by Jack Laurence
Speaking Engagements
Ask the Trial Lawyer! with Michael Leonard, WGN Radio 720
How can Illinois’ star basketball player keep playing after felony charges?, WGN Radio 720
Trial lawyer Michael Leonard talks about the Heather Mack case, Let’s Get Legal
Websites & Blogs
Website
Legal Answers
18 Questions Answered
Q. Can I sue my employer for dismissal based on false information?
A: The mere fact that the information underlying the restructuring or RIF is inaccurate does not, by itself, create a legal claim for you. You would need to demonstrate that the restructuring was done in a discriminatory manner. So, the false information might still be relevant to a potential discrimination claim - ie the idea being that they made up information in order to justify or to cover up what was actually decision-making based upon discriminatory motives.
Q. Hi there,I was wondering if somehody could determine the likely outcome for this scenario.
A: In the context of a civil lawsuit, a Subpoena for the production of documents is only needed if the intended recipient of the Subpoena is NOT a party to the lawsuit. Otherwise, if the documents are being sought from a party to the case, then a Request for Production of Documents would instead be issued. Either way, the request would generally be viewed as follows - are the documents sought to be produced potentially relevant to any claim or defense in the case, or otherwise reasonably calculated to lead to the discovery of evidence admissible at trial.
Q. I hired a company to do pest control. The tech they sent to my house stole my wallet. I have it on camera.
A: You should make sure that you file an actual police report. Except in the most unusual of circumstances, his Probation Officer will be notified or find out.
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Contact & Map
Leonard Trial Lawyers
120 N. LaSalle Street
20th Floor
Chicago, IL 60602
Telephone: (312) 363-7895