Melissa I. Smejkal

Melissa I. Smejkal

4.8
Rating: 8.3

Licensed for 27 years

Criminal defense Lawyer at Chicago, IL
Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, DUI & DWI, Domestic Violence ... +2 more

1328 W 18th Street, Chicago, IL

About Melissa

Biography

Practice Areas

5

Practice Areas

Criminal Defense 75%

27 years | 1,000 cases

75%
DUI and DWI 10%

27 years | 500 cases

10%
Domestic Violence 5%

27 years | 400 cases

5%
Speeding and Traffic Ticket 5%

27 years | 1,000 cases

5%
Violent Crime 5%

27 years | 500 cases

5%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Free Consultation

$0 first 20 minutes


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Credit Card

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Licenses

Licensed in Illinois for 27 years

State: Illinois

Acquired: 1998

Active and Authorized to Practice Law

No misconduct found

Location

Law Office of Melissa Smejkal

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

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Melissa I. Smejkal's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.8 /5.0

42 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (42) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 1 - 5 of 14 reviews | Practice Area Knowledge

Posted by Thomas | December 06, 2024 | Hired Attorney | Gun Law

Amazing Attorney

Melissa Smejkal advised me on a case pertaining to legal firearm no ccl. Not only was she very knowledgeable and thorough thru this entire process. She also takes into account that we are not lawyers and understands we have questions. We'll Melissa will always take in account any question you have an...d will accommodate you with the answers you are looking for truly an amazing Attorney and would absolutely recommend her. Thank you again Melissa Smejkal

Posted by William | April 14, 2023 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense

An Exceptional Defense Attorney!

Melissa Smejkal is honest to her word. If you require legal representation, whether it is Criminal Defense or Expungement issues, Ms Smejkal expedites your case as reliably as you would ever imagine. Melissa Smejkal expedited my case within 24 hours. You cannot beat that for due diligence. I am... impressed and Melissa exceeded my expectations with super fast filings and results. You cannot do beter than Melissa Smejkal

Posted by Peter Z | March 13, 2023 | Hired Attorney | DUI & DWI

Peter Z

Melissa is a very professional defense lawyer. She answered all my questions and was very respectful. I would highly recommend her if you need assistance defending your case. I was charged with a DUI and all the charges against me were dropped and my case was dismissed. I could not be happier wit...h the services she provided me.

Posted by anonymous | November 01, 2022 | Hired Attorney | DUI & DWI

Communicative, timely and resourceful

I hired Melissa for an out-of-state petitioner application for an informal hearing for reinstatement of a revoked license due to two previous DUIs in Cook County, Illinois. Melissa responded to all my messages in a timely manner via email and adjusted to my schedule by responding on the weekends incl...uding Sunday nights. She never went longer than an hour or two without a response and answered any and all questions I had regarding this matter. She also sent in all my paperwork at the earliest time possible as time was of the essence with my case. She checked in on me with follow-ups regarding the status of my application. With her assistance, I was granted full reinstatement of my driving privileges after our first attempt. I highly recommend her services for DUIs, driver’s license reinstatement and anything else she specializes in as she was professional, communicative, timely, empathetic and resourceful.

Posted by Robert W. | May 06, 2022 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense

Gets the job done!

Within 24 hours of hiring Melissa, she had my case records pulled and a court date set within a week. She knows the criminal court system and gets to know her client, as well, in order to fight for you and the best possible outcome. She's a good advisor and negotiator. My case, which haunted me for 5... years was closed by the end of the week. Awesome Lawyer!!

See All Client Reviews

Melissa I. Smejkal's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Melissa
Mark V. Clay headshot
Mark Clay

Criminal defense lawyer | Sep 10

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 Vladimir Deters headshot
Robert Deters

Criminal defense lawyer | Aug 20

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 M Lewis headshot
Howard Lewis

Domestic violence lawyer | Jun 21

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

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

David Milton Dastrup headshot
David Dastrup

Criminal defense lawyer | Mar 09

Relationship: Other

"I endorse this lawyer."

John B. Elbert headshot
John Elbert

Criminal defense lawyer | Mar 09

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 Justin Richardson headshot
John Richardson

Criminal defense lawyer | Nov 19

Relationship: Other

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

Michael Paul LeMond headshot
Michael LeMond

Criminal defense lawyer | Oct 26

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 M O'Brien headshot
John O'Brien

Criminal defense lawyer | Oct 02

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 headshot
Janaan Hashim

Criminal defense lawyer | Sep 21

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 headshot
Hovanes Margarian

Criminal defense lawyer | Jul 09

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Gina M. Famularo headshot
Gina Famularo

Domestic violence lawyer | Jun 11

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

John Michael Phillips headshot
John Phillips

Unknown lawyer | Jun 09

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"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 Brian Thompson headshot
Daryl Thompson

DUI and DWI lawyer | Jan 19

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

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

Aaron Christopher Harper headshot
Aaron Harper

Criminal defense lawyer | Oct 04

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

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

Taylor House headshot
Taylor House

Criminal defense lawyer | Aug 31

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Harold L. Wallin headshot
Harold Wallin

Criminal defense lawyer | Aug 30

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 Joseph Meyer headshot
Louis Meyer

Unknown lawyer | Aug 30

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"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 Scott Sexner headshot
Mitchell Sexner

Criminal defense lawyer | Aug 29

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 J. Dvorak headshot
Richard Dvorak

Criminal defense lawyer | Jul 25

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 J Palumbo headshot
Michael Palumbo

Criminal defense lawyer | Jun 04

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

View All Endorsements
Daniel Warren Thomann headshot
Daniel Thomann

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Marc Bennett Stookal headshot
Marc Stookal

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Mitchell Scott Sexner headshot
Mitchell Sexner

Criminal defense lawyer

Stacey Annette McCullough headshot
Stacey McCullough

Criminal defense lawyer

Jeffrey Michael Moskowitz headshot
Jeffrey Moskowitz

Criminal defense lawyer

Matthew R. Gebhardt headshot
Matthew Gebhardt

Criminal defense lawyer

Experience

Rating:  8.3 (Excellent)

Honors

2018

Best Criminal Defense Attorneys in Chicago, Expertise

Work Experience

1998 - 2005

Public Defender, Cook County Public Defender's Office

Associations

2011 - Present

Cook County Bar Association

In Court Bar Member

2005 - Present

Chicago Bar Association

In Court Bar Member

2005 - Present

Northwest Suburban Bar Association

In Court Bar Member

Sample of Legal Cases

Not guilty all charges

Not guilty

See More Legal Cases

Education

1998

Chicago-Kent College of Law Illinois Institute of Technology

JD - Juris Doctor

1995

Loyola University Chicago

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Speaking Engagements

2015

Career Day

Attorney

Publications

N/A

Cook County Not Guilty Weeds

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
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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