Jon Forrest Erickson

     Jon F. Erickson has been a successful lead trial attorney in some of Chicago’s most challenging courtrooms for the past 24 years. As an author, litigator and advisor, Jon F. Erickson has developed an expertise in criminal defense and civil rights law and is considered a leader in DUI defense. 

     Jon F. Erickson has handled over 127 federal civil rights cases, 42 USC Sec. 1983, in the in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois and has secured millions of dollars in damage awards for his civil rights clients.

     Jon F. Erickson has obtained not-guilty verdicts in hundreds of criminal criminal cases -- many high profile cases. In November of 2010, Erickson & Oppenheimer, Ltd. obtained a Not Guilty on 1st Degree Murder for U.S.A. National Boxing Champion, Semajay Thomas and has since won a Not Guilty Jury Verdicts  in an “unheard-of” 3 consecutive 1st Degree Murder trials. 

     Jon F. Erickson has represented thousands of criminal defendants and has served as lead trial cousnel in thousands of bench and jury trials. Jon F. Erickson has obtained not-guilty verdicts in hundreds of criminal defense cases -- many high profile cases. In November of 2010, Erickson & Oppenheimer, Ltd. obtained a Not Guilty on 1st Degree Murder for U.S.A. National Boxing Champion, Semajay Thomas and has since won a Not Guilty Jury Verdicts  in an “unheard-of” 3 consecutive 1st Degree Murder trials. 

     Erickson honed his DUI trial skills as a lawyer with the Cook County Public Defender's Office where from 1991 to 1993 he handled thousands of DUI cases.     Since then, he has successfully defended hundreds of people accused of DUI, including the high-profile federal Section 1983 civil suit for false DUI arrest against Chicago DUI cop Richard Fiorito.  Erickson's work resulted the removal of the officer from the street, the mass dismissal of over 134 DUI cases in 2009, and a settlement of $450,000.

      In a federal drug conspiracy trial in Western Michigan, Erickson represented a man who a United States Federal District Judge Gordon J. Quist called “… probably the biggest drug dealer in the United States of America.” 

    Erickson served as a legislative aide to Illinois State Representative Larry McKeon, specializing in criminal and civil rights legislation and in 2003, served on Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s Transition Team and advised General Madigan on civil rights and domestic violence issues. He has guest-lectured on Illinois’ Hate Crime laws at the annual Illinois Victim’s Assistance Academy.  

     Erickson served on an advisory committee on civil rights issues to then Congressman Rahm Emanuel and from 2009 to the present, has served Congressman Mike Quigley in the same capacity.

     Erickson is currently working with state legislators to eliminate the iniequities in Illiniois's TASC and Drug Probation statutes.