Michael D. Cheronis

PRO

Michael D. Cheronis

5.0
Rating: 8.8

Licensed for 22 years

Criminal defense Lawyer at Chicago, IL
Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, Education, Civil Rights

2502 N. Clark St., Chicago, IL

About Michael

Biography

Mr. Cheronis has nearly twenty years of experience representing citizens of Illinois charged with criminal offenses. He has the litigation experience and temerity to successfully defends good people facing tough situations.

Mr. Cheronis has represented more than one hundred undergraduate and post-graduate students and professors in Title IX and other misconduct proceedings at a major universities across the midwest. He is one of the most experienced and successful Title IX attorneys in Illinois.

Practice Areas

3

Practice Areas

Criminal Defense 70%

22 years

70%
Education 20%

Title IX Defense

12 years

20%
Civil Rights 10%

14 years

10%

Fees and Rates

We have not found any cost information for this lawyer

Licenses

Licensed in Illinois for 22 years

State: Illinois

Acquired: 2003

Active and Authorized to Practice Law

No misconduct found

Location

Law Office of Michael D. Cheronis

2502 N. Clark St., Chicago, IL, 60614

mdcchicagocriminaldefense.com

Online Presence

Other places you can find Michael online.

Michael D. Cheronis's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

5.0 /5.0

128 Client Reviews

Showing 1 - 5 of 18 reviews | Education

Posted by anonymous | October 06, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Education

Exceptional Defense Attorney

I worked with Michael Cheronis through an extremely complex and stressful school disciplinary process, and he was outstanding every step of the way. He combined strategic precision, calm confidence, and genuine care, making me feel protected and well guided throughout. Michael is sharp, honest, an...d deeply experienced. I couldn’t recommend him more highly to anyone facing a serious or sensitive case.

Posted by Abbey | April 17, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Education

Title IX case

I hired Michael to support my son in a Title IX complaint. He was very thorough and was able to show many holes in the investigation and point out flaws in the findings. I would recommend Michael to anyone who needs a specialized attorney in Title IX. He has a wealth of knowledge of the process and ...the rules/regulations of this particular Law.

Posted by anonymous | April 29, 2024 | Hired Attorney | Education

Excellent Title IX Defense Attorney

Faced with false allegations through a Title IX formal complaint at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, I was at a loss on what to do. Thankfully, I was able to get in contact with Michael and share the case and my story before he accepted becoming my advisor for the Title IX hearing. Michae...l was incredibly knowledgeable about the Title IX protocols and walked me through each step of the way, addressing all of my questions fully and ensuring that I have the confidence to fight these allegations. He was open in allowing me to email, text, or call him whenever I had questions or concerns. He was even willing to meet with me multiple times through Zoom to talk about the case and prepare me for the upcoming hearing sessions, being more than accommodating for my concerns. He was very professional and supportive in each meeting, decorum that was carried over to the hearing itself where he asked all of the necessary questions and intervened whenever appropriate and necessary to best support me. Ultimately, we won the case and beat the allegations! This very relieving outcome is something that I owe to Michael and his efforts, preparing me on the hearing process and what to expect, writing professional and effective opening and closing statements, and supporting me through a very stressful and uncertain period of time. I highly recommend Michael Cheronis to anybody who is found in a similar situation to myself. You can trust him to support you completely through the process and try his absolute best to fight for you.

Posted by anonymous | September 23, 2021 | Hired Attorney | Education

Title IX Success

I hired Mike to represent me for a Title IX case at the University of Illinois and I could have not asked for someone better to represent me. The case went to a full hearing that lasted multiple days. Mike's communication was phenomenal throughout the entire process and whenever I contacted him with ...anything he would respond quickly with a concise and efficient response. He helped me understand the process and guided me each step of the way, he was extremely knowledgeable on the procedures of Title IX. His ability to cross examine the complainant and witnesses were crucial to this case as he was able to bring to light the facts and ultimately lead the University to conclude that I was not in violation of the Title IX Student Code. I am so grateful to have worked with Mike and I would recommend his services to anyone in need of a Title IX case attorney.

Posted by Rob | July 22, 2021 | Hired Attorney | Education

Title IX Success

Retained Mike to represent me (a teacher) in a Title IX complaint against me in a high school district. Although it didn't happen instantly, the district eventually completely dropped the complaint and investigation with no further action. This was in large part due to Mike's clear and concise advi...ce and assistance at every step. From drafting the best e-mails and statement, to preparing me to be interviewed and advising me during the interview. Mike is responsive and always on top of things. He's kind, personable, and wants the best for you. He's also willing to ensure you understand and agree with the steps he recommends. He listens and is always ready to clarify or answer questions. I hope I never need to but if I do I'd hire Mike again.

See All Client Reviews

Michael D. Cheronis's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Michael
James Kassir headshot
James Kassir

Criminal defense lawyer | Feb 13

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"Mike is an aggressive and intelligent attorney. His knowledge of the law is second to none. His clients and fellow attorneys respect him."

Michael Patrick Schmiege headshot
Michael Schmiege

Criminal defense lawyer | Apr 25

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"Mr. Cheronis has the knowledge, the experience, and the wisdom to provide for his clients the best representation possible. He is a supremely skilled advocate - an extremely talented and well respected attorney in the legal community."

Matthew Paul Prengaman headshot
Matthew Prengaman

Criminal defense lawyer | Sep 09

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Michael is an excellent attorney who will work tirelessly for each and every one of his clients. He is extremely knowledgeable and willing to do whatever it takes for his clients and will achieve the best result possible for them."

Andrew Mark Weisberg headshot
Andrew Weisberg

Criminal defense lawyer | Aug 04

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I have know attorney Michael Cheronis for several years. He gained great experience as a Cook County prosecutor. These days he provides top level criminal defense for people in Cook County and elsewhere. Mike is one of the smarter and more talented lawyers I know. He fights hard, prepares well and gets great results. I would recommend Mike without hesitation."

Michael Gruszeczki headshot
Michael Gruszeczki

Unknown lawyer | May 02

Relationship: Co-worker

"Mr. Cheronis is a tireless advocate for his clients. His work ethic and legal knowledge achieves excellent results for his clients."

Timothy Joseph Fiscella headshot
Timothy Fiscella

Civil rights lawyer | May 02

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"Mike is an exceptional lawyer. He’s diligent, aggressive, and persistent and gets great results for his clients. He’s a great trial lawyer and someone I would highly recommend to anyone with a criminal defense or civil rights case."

Matthew W. Miller headshot
Matthew Miller

Criminal defense lawyer | May 01

Relationship: Friend

"My firm often calls on Mike when our clients are in need of a criminal defense attorney. He handles these matters with the utmost professionalism and the results have always been outstanding. His prior work experience at the States Attorneys Office serves our clients well. I would highly recommend retaining Mike for any criminal defense matter."

Thomas W. O'Brien headshot
Thomas O'Brien

Criminal defense lawyer | May 01

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I endorse this lawyer. Michael is, bar none, one of the best litigators that I have worked with in the past. He is professional, extremely organized and very adept in front of a judge or jury. His trial skills are well honed and I have seen the direct product as we pooled the jury post-trial. The jurors were showering Mike with praise. He is one of the best and I've learned plenty from him in a short time."

David L. Freidberg headshot
David Freidberg

Criminal defense lawyer | Mar 31

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Michael Cheronis is an excellent and experienced criminal defense attorney. He is respected not only by his colleagues but by the judiciary as well."

Dan M. Tsataros headshot
Dan Tsataros

Criminal defense lawyer | Jan 13

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Michael is an excellent lawyer?"

Kent Alan Delgado headshot
Kent Delgado

Family lawyer | Dec 05

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

View All Endorsements
James Kassir headshot
James Kassir

Criminal defense lawyer

Michael Patrick Schmiege headshot
Michael Schmiege

Criminal defense lawyer

Timothy Joseph Fiscella headshot
Timothy Fiscella

Civil rights lawyer

Matthew Paul Prengaman headshot
Matthew Prengaman

Criminal defense lawyer

James Edward Fabbrini headshot
James Fabbrini

DUI and DWI lawyer

Andrew Mark Weisberg headshot
Andrew Weisberg

Criminal defense lawyer

Richard Joseph Schroeder headshot
Richard Schroeder

Personal injury lawyer

Matthew W. Miller headshot
Matthew Miller

Personal injury lawyer

David L. Freidberg headshot
David Freidberg

Criminal defense lawyer

Experience

Rating:  8.8 (Excellent)

Work Experience

2010 - Present

Principal Attorney, Law Office of Micael D. Cheronis

2003 - 2010

Assistant State's Attorney, Cook County State's Attorneys Office

2002 - 2003

Law Clerk, Schueler, Dallavo & Casieri, LLC

2001 - 2003

Law Clerk, Cook County State's Attorneys Office

Associations

2010 - Present

Chicago Bar Association

Member

2010 - Present

Fenwick Bar Association

Member

Sample of Legal Cases

People v. D.B

Charges dismissed.

G.G v. City of Blue Island

Financial settlement

People v. S.H.

Not Guilty

People of Ilinois v. D.D.

Not guilty after trial

People of Illinois v. N.M.

Charges dismissed. License returned.

People of Illinois v. D.F

Not Guilty. Client awarded settlement for excessive force by police

See More Legal Cases

Education

2003

Loyola University School of Law

J.D.

1998

University of Illinois

BA - Bachelor of Arts

1994

Fenwick High School

Speaking Engagements

2013

Trial Team

Trial Advocacy

2012

Trial Team

The Grand Jury

2010

DUI Primer Conference

DUI and the Fourth Amendment

2009

DUI Primer Conference

DUI

Publications

2004

State's Attorney Memo DUI and the Fourth Amendment Overview

2002

Loyola Law Student's Magazine The Personal Injury Attorney

Languages

English

Avvo Rating

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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