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 - 3 of 3 reviews | Punctuality

Posted by Shereen Libra | September 19, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Expungement

Two Felony Expungements GRANTED!

I have nothing but good things to say about Melissa from the start to the beginning. She’s very comforting. I was nervous about expunging two felonies, but the process went so smooth and she was the first attorney to check in, although they messed up and started taking cases who checked in last, that... wasn’t her fault. She was promptly on time. And would always message me back. It was on Zoom, and it was very smooth and my expungements were granted!! They were two felonies!! Thank you Melissa!! I would highly recommend her!

Posted by Sai | October 22, 2015 | Speeding & Traffic Ticket

Awesome representation

I tend to dis-agree with the previous reviewer. She showed up at the court room 30 minutes before the judge showed up and explained to me what she was going to do. I was present in the court for less than 5 minutes after the judge showed up. She helped me avoid a conviction being entered into my driv...ing record

Melissa Smejkal

Replied last October 22, 2015

Thank you.

Posted by dgantikos74 | October 22, 2015 | Criminal Defense

100% Satisfied with Melissa, I'm so glad i found her!

I was so worried about my case because I had a prior record and wanted to avoid jail time, Melissa was very caring, on time, assured me that everything would be ok, and she was absolutely right. she showed up to court before I did and handled everything. she walked me through every step and what was... going to happen. I couldn't be more happy with the result. I had stumbled across her profile on Avvo by mistake and read all the positive reviews, I'm so glad I did! I would definitely use her services again if needed and would highly recommend her to anyone. In my opinion she is an excellent Lawyer, thank you Melissa for everything!

Melissa Smejkal

Replied last October 22, 2015

Thank you.

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

Workers compensation lawyer

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
  • Discipline Disciplinary information may not be comprehensive, or updated. We recommend that you always check a lawyer's disciplinary status with their respective state bar association before hiring them.
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