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Melissa I. Smejkal

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Avvo Rating8.3
  • Chicago, IL
  • Licensed for 22 years
  • Free consultation
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About Melissa

Attorney Mellisa Smejkal is a leading criminal defense lawyer based in Chicago. She has been practicing law since 1998 and opened her current law firm in 2005. The firm largely serves clients in Cook County and the surrounding areas. Its specialty areas include DUI cases, traffic offenses and a nig range of criminal offenses (assault and battery, homicides, prostitution, sexual assault, murder, gun charges and theft among others). Attorney Melissa Smejkal is also good in getting her clients’ criminal history expunged.

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Practice areas

OtherSpeeding and traffic ticketDomestic violenceDUI and DWICriminal defense
  1. Criminal defense: 75%

    22 years, 1,000 cases

  2. DUI and DWI: 10%

    22 years, 500 cases

  3. Domestic violence: 5%

    22 years, 400 cases

  4. Speeding and traffic ticket: 5%

    22 years, 1,000 cases

  1. Violent crime: 5%

    22 years, 500 cases

Languages spoken

English

Photos and videos

1083170 1607704384

Contact

1328 W 18th Street
address map

Law Office of Melissa Smejkal

1328 W 18th Street
Chicago, IL, 60608-3148

Resume

License
StateStatusAcquiredUpdated
ILActive And Authorized To Practice Law199803/13/2021
We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.
Avvo Contributions
Legal answers3566
Legal guides0
Awards
Award nameGrantorDate granted
Best Criminal Defense Attorneys in ChicagoExpertise2018
Work Experience
TitleCompany nameDuration
Public DefenderCook County Public Defender's Office1998 - 2005
Associations
Association namePosition nameDuration
Cook County Bar AssociationIn Court Bar Member2011 - Present
Chicago Bar AssociationIn Court Bar Member2005 - Present
Northwest Suburban Bar AssociationIn Court Bar Member2005 - Present
Publications
Publication nameTitleDate
Cook County Not GuiltyWeedsN/A
Education
School nameDegreeGraduated
Chicago-Kent College of Law Illinois Institute of TechnologyJD - Juris Doctor1998
Loyola University ChicagoBA - Bachelor of Arts1995
Speaking Engagements
Conference nameTitleDate
Career DayAttorney2015
Legal cases
Case nameOutcome
Not guilty all chargesNot guilty

Reviews

(19)
5 Star
95%
4 Star
0%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
5%
Review Melissa Smejkal

Excellent expungement lawyer

Posted by

Melissa was very professional and always responded to my emails promptly. She got my record expunged and kept me up to date at each step of the process. I would 100% recommend her services.
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Great service

Posted by

Melissa Smejkal was professional, responsive and provided good quality and value on a traffic violation case.
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Excellent representation!

Posted by

Attorney Smejkal is an attentive and caring person who will listen to your concerns, she helped me with two cases in Cook County. Highly recommended!
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Just Awesome Representation

Posted by

My name is Robert Henry and I had the pleasure of having Melissa Smejkal representing me as my Lawyer for my 2nd DUI case. She is very knowledgeable about all the steps and procedures that the City of Chicago and the State of Illinois has in place for you to earn your driving privileges again. She is very professional and well organized. She is very sympathetic to the needs of her clients. She works hard and is always on time with all appointments and all court hearings. She worked very diligently and was very passionate about making sure we followed all the steps for me to regain my driving privileges. In my Court Hearings, she knew exactly how to answer the Courts potential questions and what type of questions they would ask. She helped me, step by meticulous step, to give great, accurate and confident answers to any and all questions. She makes sure you are well equipped to handle any questions that may suddenly arise. I went into my hearing full of confidence and a real understanding of why I lost my driving privileges and what I needed to do to regain them back. Without her knowledge and true expertise in not only the law and the many procedures, she also understands the "human" element in we all make mistakes. I fully support Melissa and would recommend her to any one who needs representation or any one who is tired of "spinning their wheels" with other representation.
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Best attorney to fight for your rights!!!

Posted by

Melissa is very understanding and Will work with you to get you the fastest results you need for any criminal cases. She takes the time to listen to you and will do what is best for you and your long-term situation.I highly recommend her and she has also worked on helping me expunge my record. Definitely appreciate her one on one approach. I did feel like she cared and understood my frustration. She’s a GEM!
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

She was great!

Posted by

I had a great experience with Melissa. She explained things very thoroughly and straight to the point. Melissa also made my expungement process very smooth! I would highly recommend her.
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Excellent Criminal Defense Lawyer

Posted by

Melissa was extremely professional with me, as I knew nothing about the court system. I would highly recommend Melissa, she is THAT lawyer you would want in your corner during a difficult situation.
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Great for aggressive driving defense

Posted by

Got a speeding ticket 26-32 over which is a class A misdemeanor in Chicago. Possible 6 months in jail or 1500 fine- she got it down to regular speeding ticket and a 214 fine. 10/10 recommend.
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Responsive, concise and comfortable

Posted by

Melissa helped my family to take care one of the traffic accident case that involved with kid driving without license, as parents, it was hard to figure out what to do to get ourselves ready for the court. We got a friend who highly recommended Melissa to us, we exchanged a lot of questions and concerns over email. She normally replied her clear and easy to understand answer within 30 minutes, most importantly, she explained to us what we need to do and provide to her to make our case strong. On the court day, she took care the case by working closely with the prosecutor and present all of our evidences. Melissa is the person you can trust.
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Thank you!

Posted by

Melissa was very professional, knew what she was doing, and defended me to a good end result. It was the best experience I could have asked for working with her. Thank you again!
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney
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Attorney endorsements

(28)
Are you an attorney? Endorse this lawyer

Mark Clay, Criminal defense Attorney on Sep 10, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I highly endorse Mrs. Smejkal. Very knowledgeable and caring attorney who produces great results in representing clients! I want all people with legal problems to contact her first.

Robert Deters, Criminal defense Attorney on Aug 20, 2015
Relationship: Worked together on matter

Melissa is an outstanding attorney and one who you will get along with smashingly. I find her to be very responsive to her clients' needs and someone who will go out of her way to deliver quality service. I very much endorse Melissa!

Howard Lewis, Domestic violence Attorney on Jun 21, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer. Attorney smejkal is a wonderful attorney whom I highly recommend.

David Dastrup, Criminal defense Attorney on Mar 9, 2015
Relationship: Other

I endorse this lawyer.

John Elbert, Criminal defense Attorney on Mar 9, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer.Melissa is an excellent attorney who exhibits all the attributes of a fine advocate and is truly dedicated to his clients and the profession.

John Richardson, Criminal defense Attorney on Nov 19, 2014
Relationship: Other

Melissa's legal advice is professional and well-reasoned.

Michael LeMond, Criminal defense Attorney on Oct 26, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer. She answers questions on avvo with a clear understanding of the law. He is an asset to the legal community.

John O'Brien, Criminal defense Attorney on Oct 2, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

An extremely talented and well respected attorney in the legal community, I wholeheartedly recommend her to anyone looking for a lawyer who knows the law and truly cares about protecting the rights of her clients and getting them the most favorable result possible.

Janaan Hashim, Criminal defense Attorney on Sep 21, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Atty. Smejkal is an intelligent and highly respected attorney in her field and dedicated to her clients. I endorse her.

Hovanes Margarian, Criminal defense Attorney on Jul 9, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer.

Gina Famularo, Domestic violence Attorney on Jun 11, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer.

John Phillips

Ms. Smejkal is one of the most giving lawyers in Avvo history. Her record of providing help to people is beyond elite. It's rare that lawyers spend so much valuable time helping the community, for free. Kudos. I endorse this lawyer.

Daryl Thompson, DUI and DWI Attorney on Jan 19, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse Melissa Smejkal for her skills and experience in defending DUI/DWI cases.

Aaron Harper, Criminal defense Attorney on Oct 4, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer. Her responses to questions are spot on.

Taylor House, Criminal defense Attorney on Aug 31, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer.

Harold Wallin, Criminal defense Attorney on Aug 30, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I am a fellow criminal defense attorney and I have known and seen Ms. Smejkal in various courthouses since the late 1990s. She is a very aggressive defense attorney, and fights hard for her clients to get the best possible outcome. She is very knowledgeable about the law and has top-notch trial skills. I strongly endorse this attorney.

Louis Meyer

I endorse this lawyer. Melissa is an experienced Criminal Defense Attorney who truly cares about her clients. She has handled every type of criminal matter there is. I highly recommend her to anyone who needs a Criminal Defense Attorney

Mitchell Sexner, Criminal defense Attorney on Aug 29, 2013
Relationship: Worked together on matter

I endorse this lawyer. We have had the pleasure of working together on several criminal defense matters and I am always impressed by the high degree of professionalism, knowledge care with which handles clients' matters are handled.

Richard Dvorak, Criminal defense Attorney on Jul 25, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Melissa fights for the best possible outcome for her clients. She treats them with dignity and respect, and is very knowledgeable about criminal defense.

Michael Palumbo, Criminal defense Attorney on Jun 4, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer.

Cost

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      20 minutes