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Thomas Gerard Cosgrove
About Thomas
Biography
From a legal standpoint, I have done it all. Starting as a Chicago Police Officer in the Cabrini Green Housing Project and ending up here, at the Cosgrove Law Firm LLC, I have an unmatchable range of experience.
As a Cook County prosecutor, I gained the trial skills necessary to assist my clients with their cases, sometimes conducting up to five trials a day for a period of two years.
As a Cook County Public Defender, I led the way in the fight against wrongful convictions, gaining the first DNA exoneration in the history of the Office and only the third in the history of Illinois.
In the Capital Trial Unit of the State Appellate Defender of Illinois, I led the fight against capital punishment. As a member of a team of attorneys, I convinced the Governor of Illinois to clear death row because of the staggering amount of wrongful convictions. I also represented more than 75 clients facing capital punishment and never saw a client sent to death row.
I then traveled to Puerto Rico where I lived for two years representing clients facing Federal capital punishment and training my fellow Federal Defenders in capital representation.
I have now returned to Chicago and have focused my skills and experience on providing the best defense available here, at home.
I can help you.
Practice Areas
4
Practice Areas
DUI and DWI
40%
35 years
Criminal Defense
30%
35 years
Family
15%
31 years
Federal Crime
15%
16 years
Fees and Rates
Cost
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Credit Card
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Illinois for 34 years
State: Illinois
Acquired: 1991
Lawyer disciplined by state licensing authority in 2004
Location
The Cosgrove Law Firm L.L.C.
53 W. Jackson, Ste. 862, Chicago, IL, 60604
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Thomas Gerard Cosgrove's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
6 Client Reviews
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Practice Areas
Showing 1 - 1 of 1 review | Practice Area Knowledge
Posted by Mike | May 13, 2015 | Guardianship
Great Representation for a Guardianship Case
Mr. Cosgrove represented me in a "Termination of Guardianship" case. He was professional, responsive, and a fantastic representative. The case was continued many times and I was not able to attend each session. Mr. Cosgrove represented me in my absence in a professional manner and then kept me abreas...
Thomas Gerard Cosgrove's Lawyer Endorsements
"I endorse this lawyer. I contacted Tom's firm regarding how to handle a misdemeanor B for a client. I was given great advice and we got the results we wanted. Thanks a lot!"
"Tom Cosgrove is one of the premier criminal trial lawyers in Illinois."
"I endorse this lawyer with out reservation. Tom is simply the most talented criminal defense attorney I have ever observed. All of his clients love him."
Vincent Leung
Employment and labor lawyer
Geneva Penson
Criminal defense lawyer
Audrey Cosgrove
Criminal defense lawyer
Experience
Professional misconduct
This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2004.
Censure issued in IL, 2004
updated on 03/14/2010Censure means the attorney did something wrong but may still practice law. Typically in this case the lawyer's poor behavior is exposed to the public in hopes that he or she will not repeat the behavior.
Honors
2013
Appreciation of Service, The Federal Defender of Puerto Rico
2000
Attorney of the Month, The Cook County Public Defender
Work Experience
2016 - Present
Attorney, The Cosgrove Law Firm, LLC
2014 - 2015
Adjunct Professor, Maccormac College
2011 - 2013
Assistant Federal Defender, Federal Defender of Puerto Rico
2000 - 2011
Attorney, OSAD Capital Trial Unit
1994 - 2000
Assistant PD, Cook County Public Defender's Office
1991 - 1993
Assistant State's Attorney, Cook County State Attorney's Office
1983 - 1991
Police Officer, Chicago Police Department
Associations
2015 - Present
Illinois Association of Criminal Defense LawyersBoard of Directors
2013 - Present
Boy Scouts of AmericaCubmaster
2010 - Present
Federal Trial Bar for the Northern District of Illinois
Sample of Legal Cases
City of Chicago v Braun
Client found not liable, case dismissed
City of Chicago v Jackson
Client found not liable, case dismissed
IDES v Beiner
Decision reversed, client's benefits reinstated
People v Robbie Jones et al
Clemency granted sentence commuted to Natural Life
People v Richard Johnson
Client exonerated
Education
1991
John Marshall Law School, Chicago
JD - Juris Doctor
1982
Western Illinois University
BS - Bachelor of Science
Speaking Engagements
2009
Defending Death Penalty Cases
Capital Case Discovery
2008
Defending Death Penalty Cases
Capital Case Experts
2007
Defending Death Penalty Cases
Opening Statements/Closing Arguments
Languages
Spanish
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Answers
Q&A
Why is the judge in my cousin's case ordering a PSI BEFORE her bond hearing?
11 Aug 2016
Q&A
Can I own a gun if my husband is a felon?
30 Nov 2015
Q&A
Future medical student diagnosed with ADHD (Vyvanse) arrested for DUI. What are the chances of winning this case outright?
18 Nov 2015