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John William Callahan
also known as John W Callahan, John Callahan
About John
Biography
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John Callahan takes the practice of law very seriously. He gives every ounce of his work effort to defending those charged with crimes from felonies to DUI. Very often his finds himself representing clients at the Secretary of State to reinstate their driver's license in Illinois after a DUI revocation.
John gives every client his personal cell phone for 24 hour access whenever they have questions or concerns.
Practice Areas
6
Practice Areas
DUI and DWI
25%
29 years | 2,000 cases
Criminal Defense
20%
29 years | 3,000 cases
Sex Crime
15%
29 years | 200 cases
Fees and Rates
Cost
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Illinois for 28 years
State: Illinois
Acquired: 1997
No misconduct found
Location
John W. Callahan, Ltd.
1755 Park Street., Suite 200, Naperville, IL, 60563
John W. Callahan, Ltd
1701 E. Woodfield Road, Suite 1101, Schaumburg, IL, 60173
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John William Callahan's Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 52 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by anonymous | June 27, 2025 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
John Callahan is the best DUI lawyer
John is a true professional. In my case I needed to get my license reinstated. With all the information about your case he will make a workbook with questions and the appropriate answers. When you get to your hearing, these will be the exact questions and answers! The Best part is he asks the quest...
Posted by Christopher | July 19, 2022 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Thank you
John stood by my husband's side till his license were reinstated! It was 23 years since my husband has a license and John made the whole process simple! We highly recommend him as a lawyer to get you legal again!! Thank you John Christopher
Posted by John | October 20, 2021 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Permanent Revocation
John did an excellent job representing me. The process went smooth and he achieved everything I asked of him. He is excellent at handling these cases.
Posted by anonymous | June 17, 2020 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Money well spent
Getting a DUI is stressful, John is the lawyer you need on your side. He represented me for my 3rd DUI and also for my drivers license reinstatement hearing where I was granted full driving privileges again just 2 years later. I had a difficult case and he did an amazing job representing me. He is re...
Posted by anonymous | December 3, 2019 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Lawyer Review
John was overall a good lawyer. We were ultimately able to get the results we wanted. The one thing I would offer or suggest is to improve communication skills. Provide more detail when communicating, there were times I felt I was getting the run around and only offered vague responses to my questio...
John William Callahan's Lawyer Endorsements
"I endorse this lawyer. I have known John Callahan for over ten years as a lawyer. I refer all criminal matters to Mr. Callahan because I know my client's best interests will be served by him. Mr. Callahan is an excellent lawyer and extremely knowledgeable. The clients that I have referred to Mr. Callahan have faced very difficult situations and he has secured tremendous result for them, and they have been more than satisfied with his ability and most importantly, the end result."
"John is an outstanding criminal defense attorney. I regularly refer clients to him who sing his praises and have become repeat customers."
"John Callahan is a top notch attorney who is well respected by the entire legal community. This is an attorney that I would trust my family members and closest friends to, and whom I proudly endorse!"
"John Callahan is a great lawyer with formidable legal skills; strongly liked and respected by the lawyers and judges in the legal community. This is an attorney that I absolutely endorse!"
"I endorse this lawyer. I first encountered John when I was an Assistant Cook County Prosecutor. He was opposing counsel on many of my cases. John is was of the best defense attorneys I know. He is a tough-as-nails defense attorney, yet, he never alienated opposing counsel or the judge. He is well respected and that respect is well deserved."
"I endorse John. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. John Has an excellent reputation among his peers. He is respected by both defense attorneys and prosecutors because he zealously represents his clients with sincere concern. I would certainly recommend him."
"I have known John Callahan for several years and endorse him without hesitation. He is a knowledgeable and skilled attorney who will always work tirelessly for his clients."
"I worked on several complex DUI matters with John W. Callahan over the years. Whether it is your first or subsequent offense Mr. Callahan is very tough when it comes to winning your case. If you cannot afford to lose your driving privileges then you must afford an aggressive defense. I highly endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse Mr. Callahan. He is an experienced and well qualified practioner who is a strong advocate for his clients."
"Attorney Callahan is an excellent criminal defense attorney with whom I have had the pleasure to work in the past. He is competent, compassionate, extremely reliable and client-focused. John is also always willing to lend a hand and has assisted me with last-minute issues. I highly recommend John Callahan for DUI and Criminal Defense in DuPage, Cook and other Chicago-area counties."
"John is a top-notch criminal defense attorney to whom I have referred my corporate clients who are in in need of competent counsel. He is smart, service-oriented and a pleasure to work with. One of John's greatest strengths is his knowledge of local courts and local judges, a factor that allows him to get things done quickly and efficiently. I endorse him to anyone seeking quality representation."
"I have worked successfully with John on a number of multiple defendant cases. He is very skilled and is everything a client would want in a Criminal Defense Attorney. I fully endorse this lawyer's work."
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Experience
Honors
2018
Top 20 Criminal Defense Lawyers in Chicago, Expertise
2015
10 Best for Client Satisfaction, American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys
2015
10 Best Client Satisfaction, American Institute of DUI/DWI Attorneys
2015
Top 10 Criminal Defense Attorneys in Illinois, National Academy of Criminal Defense Attorneys
2014
10 Best for Client Satisfaction, American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys
2014
10 Best Client Satisfaction, American Institute of DUI/DWI Attorneys
2014
Top 10 Criminal Defense Attorneys in Illinois, National Academy of Criminal Defense Attorneys
2013
Excellent Rated, AVVO
2013
Superb Rated, Avvo
2013
Top 10 Criminal Defense Attorneys in Illinois, National Academy of Criminal Defense Attorneys
1992
National Scholarship Winner, Direct Marketing Education Foundation
1990
Scholarship Award Winner, Jones Intercable
Work Experience
2003 - Present
President, John W. Callahan, Ltd.
1998 - 2003
Attorney, Michael T. Norris, Ltd.
Associations
2009 - Present
Illinois State Bar AssociationMember
2006 - Present
National Association of Criminal Defense LawyersMember
2005 - Present
Will County Bar AssociationMember
2005 - Present
Northwest Suburban Bar AssociationMember
2003 - Present
Chicago Bar AssociationMember
2003 - Present
DuPage County Bar AssociationDCBA Brief Editorial Board Member 2004
2002 - Present
Federal Trial Bar for the Northern District of IllinoisLawyer
2002 - Present
United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois
2001 - Present
United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
1997 - Present
MENSA
Sample of Legal Cases
People v R.B.
Not Guilty Verdict
People v R.P.
Finding of Not Guilty
People v P.R.
Not Guilty
Secretary of State License Hearing
License Reinstated in Illinois
People v K.K.
Case Dismissed
Lake County 2nd DUI - Not Guilty
DUI Dismissed - Not Guilty
DuPage DUI Not Guilty
Not Guilty
Chicago DUI Not Guilty
Not Guilty
Will County DUI
DUI Not Guilty
DuPage DUI Not Guilty - People v. CB
Not Guilty of DUI
DuPage DUI Victory
Not Guilty
Kane County DUI Defendant Found Not Guilty - People v. JV
Not Guilty of DUI
License Reinstatement - Secretary of State Client P.C.
License Reinstated
Riverside DUI - not guilty
Not Guilty
People v. J.H. - DuPage County DUI Win
CLIENT FOUND NOT GUILTY
People v. T.N.
Defendant not guilty of DUI
People v J.R
Finding of Not Guilty
Education
1997
DePaul University College of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
1992
University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
BS - Bachelor of Science
Speaking Engagements
2005
Art Institute of Chicago
Constitutional Law
Publications
2013
Riverside Brookfield Landmark
RBHS lunch lady not guilty of theft
2012
Red Eye
When can you claim self defense?
2011
Articles Factory
Changes to Illinois DUI Laws: Consequences for Out-of-State Drivers
2004
Dupage County Bar Briefs
A Primer on Obtaining Driving Privileges through Formal Administrative Hearings
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Answers
Q&A
Should I get a lawyer to get my 20 year revoked Illinois driver's license back after two DUIs?
24 Jul 2012
Q&A
What happens if I run from a felony conviction?
08 Dec 2011
Q&A
Just arrested for DUI in Chicago. Blew 0.134. First offense. Can I get supervision with guilty plea/finding?
04 Nov 2011