Jerald Novak

Jerald Novak

4.9
Rating: 9.8

Licensed for 38 years

Family Lawyer at Grayslake, IL
Practice Areas: Family, Criminal Defense, DUI & DWI ... +2 more

352 Center Street, Grayslake, IL

About Jerald

Biography

Practice Areas

5

Practice Areas

Administrative Law 10%

Secretary of State Reinstatement Hearings

10%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Free Consultation

$0 first 15 minutes


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

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Licenses

Licensed in Illinois for 38 years

State: Illinois

Acquired: 1987

Active and Authorized to Practice Law

No misconduct found

Licensed in Texas for 5 years

State: Texas

Acquired: 2020

Inactive

No misconduct found

Location

Novak Jerald Associates Attorney's At Law

352 Center Street, Grayslake, IL, 60030

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Jerald Novak's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.9 /5.0

134 Client Reviews

Showing 111 - 115 of 134 reviews

Posted by Fred | January 17, 2016 | Hired Attorney | DUI & DWI

My story

I came to Mr. Novak's office with 2 DUIs and 2 driving on the revoked list on my record. I hadn't driven in many years and wanted to give getting my license back a shot so I could really get on with my life. I had serious doubts if this was possible but when I explained my case to Jerry he didn't eve...n blink an eye and said " let's get your drivers license back." I am now days away from my first Secretary of States hearing and Jerry has me thoroughly prepared and I'm confident that we will be successful in obtaining my restricted driving permit! After that, I hope to move onto full reinstatement of my driving privileges with Jerry's help! If you have a tough case, Jerry Novak is the attorney you want on your side, he's the best!

Posted by Manuel Ramirez | December 03, 2015

5 star attorney

I was referenced to Mr. Novak by a friend and right from the beginning, when I stepped into his office felt it was a great decision. His assistant Nicole was welcoming and very helpful gathering all of my information. First impression of Mr. Novak is "Finally a man that genuinely cares for the best o...utcome." and will not settle. Works very quickly and uses his 28 years of practice for the best outcome. I highly recommend Mr, Novak to everyone

Posted by Colleen | October 04, 2015 | Hired Attorney | DUI & DWI

A wonderfully talented attorney

Jerry helped me my drivers license back after getting 2 DUIs within 2 months of each other. Jerry is extremely thorough and well thought out. He sat me down, explained his plan of action and told me what he not only hoped the outcome would be but what he expected it to be. Jerry took me piece by piec...e through his process, held my hand, so to speak through it all. He backed up and slowed down when I needed extra time or extra work on something and even moved set my first hearing date back when he noticed how panicked I was. Jerry is perfectly capable of delivering exactly what he says he can deliver. All I had to do was follow his directions and trust in him. My first hearing I received my restricted driving permit , 9 months later we started working on the next hearing and that date I received my drivers license back free and clear. Jerry took a very frightening process and broke it into pieces not allowing me to move the n to the next piece until he saw strong confidence in current piece. Jerry truly can do exactly what he says he can, as long you follow directions. I am so very grateful to have had Jerry Novak placed in my life. You can not go wrong in hiring him.

Posted by mark | September 22, 2015 | Hired Attorney | Administrative Law

Amazing!!

Excellent!!! Was recommended to give Jerry a try. Finally someone who listened and went to bat for me. Within minutes of reviewing my case , Jerry had found where a clerical error was made and was on top of it immediately. Along with regular updates and options he kept me informed of the status at a...ll times. The most impressive thing was that when he said he was going to call , he did. I never had to call him. That's huge!! Within a matter of weeks everything was resolved! I have finally found someone , that I felt , was working for me and trying to do everything possible to get my license back. I cannot thank him enough for everything that he has done for me on this matter. Hats off to both Jerry and Nicole!!!!

Jerald Novak

Replied last September 22, 2015

Mark's came to me after his IL drivers license had been revoked for a WI DUI conviction. He hired an IL lawyer who took him for a hearing at the IL Secretary of State's Office to seek a Restricted Drivers Permit. I obtained all of Mark's case documents and reviewed them. It was clear to me that Mark's driver's license should never have been revoked. I contacted the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Wiscionsin Dells, WI, the Dept. of Motor Vehicles in Madison, WI & the IL Secretary of State. I identified the error, verified our position and proved that the error was their fault. I convinced them that our position was correct. I then coordinated with each agenciy to remove the WI DUI conviction from Mark's WI and IL driving records. Mark's IL drivers license was reinstated without any need for a hearing of any type.

Posted by anonymous | July 27, 2015 | DUI & DWI

The Best Attorney!

He is the best! He got my license suspension thrown out so I don't have to drive with a breath machine in my car! He also got my DUI reduced to Reckless Driving! On top off all that, it will not even show up on my public driving record. I was lucky to have him on my side! He knows DUI law inside and... out. You know you have the best attorney when you see other attorneys in the court house asking yours for advice!

See All Client Reviews

Jerald Novak's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Jerald
Jeremy Wang headshot
Jeremy Wang

Criminal defense lawyer | Feb 10

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I highly recommend and endorse Jerald Novak for DUI and criminal defense in Lake County, Illinois. I have written answers alongside Mr. Novak for several years and can vouch for his work ethic, dedication and professionalism. His responses reflect a thoughtful conscientious hard working attorney who vigorously fights for his clients. Any client would be well served by having Jerry Novak represent them."

Darren L. Weiss headshot
Darren Weiss

DUI and DWI lawyer | Jan 23

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Jerry is one of those rare guys that’s tough as nails in the courtroom but has a heart of gold outside. He smart, honest and highly experienced. As a DUI attorney of nearly 20 years, I still turn to Jerry for advice on tough cases. I wholeheartedly recommend him."

William P. Wolf headshot
William Wolf

Criminal defense lawyer | Oct 01

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. I have found Jerry to give great, common sense advice that's stripped of legalese so it's straightforward and easy to understand. One of the reasons to get a lawyer is to get good advice. You'll get that from Mr. Novak."

Evan Elliott Randall headshot
Evan Randall

Criminal defense lawyer | Sep 16

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Mr. Novak consistently provides an insightful analysis of legal issues. His breadth of knowledge is impressive and he is able to impart information in a understandable manner."

Joshua Sachs headshot
Joshua Sachs

DUI and DWI lawyer | May 06

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I am consistently impressed by Mr. Novak's thorough knowledge and understanding of Illinois Vehicle Code, traffic and DUI issues."

Daniel Loring Hodgkinson headshot
Daniel Hodgkinson

Criminal defense lawyer | Dec 28

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. I have known Jerry for a long time and he does a wonderful job advocating and defending his clients."

Omar Farooq Khan headshot
Omar Khan

DUI and DWI lawyer | Nov 07

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Jerald is very knowledgeable about DUI(s) and Criminal Matters."

Anthony Bettencourt Cameron headshot
Anthony Cameron

DUI and DWI lawyer | Sep 02

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Mr. Novak does what I do. He is a true professional at it. The Lawyer who is good at both DUI defense and Administrative License Reinstatement is rare but that's exactly what and who this fine lawyer is. He is also very supportive and encouraging to recovering people, the very folks we see every day. He is not just a technocrat he is both skilled advocate and humanistic advocate. I'd be proud to have him represent anyone close to me..and he practices in a tough neighborhood. Court in Lake County is no joke. You won't go wrong with this fine lawyer."

Alan E. Jones headshot
Alan Jones

DUI and DWI lawyer | Apr 10

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. I've known him many years. He's very knowledgeable and gives each client a vigorous defense."

Judith Harriet Young headshot
Judith Young

Unknown lawyer | Mar 21

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Down to earth and a knowledgeable attorney."

Judy A. Goldstein headshot
Judy Goldstein

DUI and DWI lawyer | Jan 10

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Although I do not know Mr. Novak personally, I have been very impressed with the knowledge and skills he demonstrates when answering questions on Avvo. It is clear that he has a strong command of his areas of law and is a compassionate and zealous advocate for his clients. I would not hesitate to refer clients to him."

Bruce Douglas Schottland headshot
Bruce Schottland

DUI and DWI lawyer | Nov 17

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Jerry is a great lawyer who I can easily endorse. He is very knowledgeable in his practice areas and does a very nice job for his clients. Furthermore, he is well known and respected in the legal community."

Alan Karl Lenczycki headshot
Alan Lenczycki

DUI and DWI lawyer | Sep 30

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Jerry is a leader in his community. He is trustworthy and very knowledgeable. I endorse him."

Steven H. Fagan headshot
Steven Fagan

DUI and DWI lawyer | Aug 27

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I've know Jerry since my earliest days as an attorney. He is hard-working, knowledgable in the law, skilled in the arts of the courtroom, and a zealous advocate for his clients. I am happy to know him, proud to call him a colleague, and pleased to endorse this lawyer."

Christopher Daniel Leroi headshot
Christopher Leroi

Criminal defense lawyer | Sep 02

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Mr. Novak is an exemplary attorney. I would refer anyone and everyone to him on a regular basis. Despite the fact that I have been a judge, magistrate, prosecutor, and private attorney for over 24 years, I continue to learn from him daily from his Avvo posts. I would recommend that you hire him in an instant."

John Lawrence Buckley headshot
John Buckley

DUI and DWI lawyer | Feb 08

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Jerry Novak is a leader in the DUI defense industry and an amazing advocate for his clients. I had the pleasure of meeting him at a recent DUI conference and learned a great deal from his input."

View All Endorsements
Darren L. Weiss headshot
Darren Weiss

DUI and DWI lawyer

Evan Elliott Randall headshot
Evan Randall

Criminal defense lawyer

William P. Wolf headshot
William Wolf

Criminal defense lawyer

Daniel Loring Hodgkinson headshot
Daniel Hodgkinson

Criminal defense lawyer

Anthony Bettencourt Cameron headshot
Anthony Cameron

DUI and DWI lawyer

Robert James Kritzmire headshot
Robert Kritzmire

Divorce and separation lawyer

Alan E. Jones headshot
Alan Jones

Criminal defense lawyer

Judith Harriet Young headshot
Judith Young

Criminal defense lawyer

Steven H. Fagan headshot
Steven Fagan

Criminal defense lawyer

Alan Karl Lenczycki headshot
Alan Lenczycki

Criminal defense lawyer

Jeremiah Steven Harter headshot
Jeremiah Harter

Criminal defense lawyer

Bruce Douglas Schottland headshot
Bruce Schottland

DUI and DWI lawyer

Experience

Rating:  9.8 (Superb)

Honors

2023

Client's Choice, Avvo

2019

Top Contributor, Avvo

2017

Top Lawyer, Avvo

2017

Top Attorney, National Association For DUI Defense

2014

Top 100 DUI Attorney's in IL, National Advocacy for DUI Defense

2012

Top Leading DUI Attorneys in IL, Newsweek Magazine

Work Experience

1987 - Present

Attorney, Jerald Novak & Associates

1987 - 1987

Assistant State's Attorney, Kane County State's Attorney's Office

Associations

2016 - Present

DUI Defense Lawyers Association

2010 - Present

National College of DUI Defense

1987 - Present

Illinois Bar Association

Lake County Bar Association

Cook County Bar Association

DuPage County Bar Association

National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

Education

1987

John Marshall Law School, Chicago

JD - Juris Doctor

1980

Northeastern Illinois University, Chicago, Illinois

BS - Bachelor of Science

Speaking Engagements

2019

Illinois State Bar Association

DUI Conference

2017

NRA

Legal Responsibilty When Lawfully Carrying a Firearm

Publications

2015

IL Cops Magazine The Best Witness Isn't

2015

IL Cops Magazine Open Range

2015

IL Cops Magazine Its Not a Perfect System but this time it Worked

2014

IL Cops Magazine A Sunday Drive

2014

IL Cops magazine Laying Down the Law for IL Cops

2013

Concealed Carry Magazine Are You Ready?

2013

Illinois Shooter Are YOU Ready to Carry?

Languages

English

Activity

Avvo Rating

Our Rating is calculated using information the lawyer has included on their profile in addition to the information we collect from state bar associations and other organizations that license legal professionals. Attorneys who claim their profiles and provide Avvo with more information tend to have a higher rating than those who do not.

What determines Avvo Rating?
  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
  • Legal thought leadership Publications, speaking engagements
  • Discipline Disciplinary information may not be comprehensive, or updated. We recommend that you always check a lawyer's disciplinary status with their respective state bar association before hiring them.
Avvo Rating Levels
10.0 - 9.0 Superb8.9 - 8.0 Excellent7.9 - 7.0 Very Good6.9 - 6.0 Good5.9 - 5.0 Average4.9 - 4.0 Concern3.9 - 3.0 Caution2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution