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.
- 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
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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.
- Illinois
- Supreme Court of Illinois
- ID Number: 6207335
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- English: Spoken, Written
- Spanish: Spoken, Written
- 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
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- 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
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- 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
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- Worked as an Associate at one of Chicago's then premiere litigation firms.
- Loyola University Chicago School of Law
- J.D. (1991) | Law
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- 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.
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- University of Iowa
- B.A. (1988) | Political Science
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- Honors: Dean's List.
- Activities: intramural sports, fraternity, work, and service organization.
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- 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.
- State Bar of Illinois
- Member
- Current
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- 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
- 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
About Leonard Trial Lawyers | Michael Leonard
- Q. I made a complaint with employer about race discrimination and they say I’m just making an excuse! Should I go to eeoc?
- A: You can always file a Charge of Discrimination with either or both the Illinois Department of Human Rights or the Federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. However, keep in mind that, in general, you need to be able to show that you have suffered an "adverse employment" action. This can be such things as a denial of a promotion or termination. In addition, a racially hostile work environment can be the subject of a Charge as well, regardless of whether you have been fired, demoted, etc.
- Q. I lease a tractor trailer in Illinois and worked for them. They have not paid me. Do I need a lawyer from Il.?
- A: You do not have to retain a lawyer, but from the sounds of it, you may not get very far without one. You might also reach out the Illinois Department of Labor, or go to its website. You can file a Charge on-line for unpaid wages under certain circumstances.
- Q. Can Attorney Waiver Of A Conflict Of Interest Be Vaild If The Attorney Only Disclosed 2 names but it was 4 witnesses?
- A: Meaning that the attorney previously represented 4 of the witnesses in the case against you? All potential conflicts must be disclosed.
