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Justin Schwartz

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Avvo Rating9.6
  • Chicago, IL
  • Licensed for 21 years
  • Free consultation
Justin Schwartz
Justin Schwartz
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About Justin

Aggressive. Experienced. Resourceful.

“Justice for all” is my philosophy. I have worked as a big firm lawyer, law professor, and judicial law clerk on the Chicago federal trial and appeals courts. I have been a lawyer since 1999. I also have a PhD from Michigan and advanced degrees from Cambridge and Princeton, as well as my J.D. (summa) from Ohio State Law. I think ordinary people, under-served populations, and small businesses deserve the quality of representation, at a reasonable price, that I gave my former corporate clients. That's why I started the Law Office of Justin Schwartz.

A police officer in a criminal matter once described me as "relentless." I saw that as a compliment. I gave him my card, and he took it. I don't stop.  If there is a viable avenue by which I can get you relief, I will find it and pursue it. I give my clients the time and attention they need and treat them with respect and consideration. I deliver results, not excuses.  I will give you my best.  If you can find a better lawyer at a comparable price, hire him or her.  I'm certain you can't find a more dedicated, creative, and, in fact, relentless, lawyer, at any price. I am here to fight for you.  

I provide top-quality representation in criminal defense, civil rights, personal injury, business matters, discrimination cases, family law, and appeals (civil and criminal).  I also provide first rank general legal services in a variety of personal and business issues—litigation, negotiation, and transactions—contracts, wills, incorporation, and the like.

 

 

Practice areas

OtherAppealsDiscriminationPersonal injuryCriminal defense
  1. Criminal defense: 30%

    21 years

  2. Personal injury: 20%

    8 years

  3. Discrimination: 20%

    21 years

  4. Appeals: 20%

    21 years

  1. Civil rights: 10%

    21 years

Languages spoken

English

Client's Choice 2018
Client's Choice 2016

Photos and videos

1133668 1458747321

Contact

1723 W. Devon Ave.
address map

Law Office of Justin Schwartz

1723 W. Devon Ave.
#607882
Chicago, IL, 60660

Website
https://www.justinschwartzlaw.net/

Webpage

Resume

License
StateStatusAcquiredUpdated
ILActive And Authorized To Practice Law199909/12/2020
We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.
Avvo Contributions
Legal answers117
Legal guides0
Awards
Award nameGrantorDate granted
Berger Prize for Best Published Paper in Philosophy of LawAmerican Philosophical Association1999
JD Summa cum LaudeOhio State University Moritz College of Law1998
Order of the CoifOhio State University Moritz College of Law1998
Work Experience
TitleCompany nameDuration
PrincipalLaw Office of Justin Schwartz2012 - Present
Assistant ProfessorJohn Marshall Law School2006 - 2012
Litigation AssociateKirkland & Ellis2004 - 2006
Litigation AssociateJones Day2002 - 2004
Judicial Law ClerkUnited States District Court ND Ill.1999 - 2002
Judicial Law ClerkUnited States Court Of Appeals 7th Circuit1998 - 1999
Associations
Association namePosition nameDuration
National Coalition for Sexual FreedomCooperating Attorney2013 - Present
Illinois State Bar AssociationMember2012 - Present
Chicago Bar AssociationMember2006 - Present
American Civil Liberties Union of IllinoisCooperating Attorney2002 - Present
Amertican Bar AssociationMember1995 - Present
National Lawyers GuildMember1995 - Present
Publications
Publication nameTitleDate
18 FORDHAM J. CORP. & FIN. L. 960-1020Voice Without Say: Why Capital-Managed Firms Aren’t (Genuinely) Participatory, 18 FORDHAM J. CORP. & FIN. L. 960-1020 (2013).2013
22 NEW LAB. FORUM 71-77Neoliberalism and the Law: How Historical Materialism Can Illuminate Recent Governmental and Judicial Decision Making2013
73 OHIO STATE L.J. 219Where Did Mill Go Wrong? Why The Capital-Managed rather than the Labor-Managed Enterprise Is the Predominant Organizational Form in Market Economies2013
21 TEX. J. WOMEN & L. 187It Ain’t Necessarily So: The Misuse of “Human Nature” in Law and Social Policy and Bankruptcy of the “Nature-Nurture” Debate2012
38 HASTINGS CONST. L. QUART. 259-37Less Than Meets The Eye: Anti-Discrimination and the Development of Section 5 Enforcement and Eleventh Amendment Abrogation Law Since City of Boerne v. Flores2010
Education
School nameDegreeGraduated
Ohio State University Moritz College of LawJD - Juris Doctor1998
University of Michigan, Ann ArborPhD - DoctorateN/A
University of CambridgeM.Phil.N/A
Princeton UniversityABN/A
Speaking Engagements
Conference nameTitleDate
Law Student Arbitration CompetitionThe Sharing Economy - Competition Judge2017
Presentation at Kennedy-King College, ChicagoKnow Your Rights - Invoke Your Right to Remain Silent and Ask for a Lawyer. Repeat as Necessary. Say NOTHING Else.2016
Developments in the Law of Consent (Panel)Consent to Harm2016
APEX CLE -- On-LineFederal Mail Fraud and Honest Services Mail Fraud2016
Conference on Alternative SexualityIs Consent a Defense?2015
Univ. of Wisconsin Roundtable in CooperativesIf Cooperatives Are so Wonderful, Why Aren't there more of Them?2012
, Nat’l Legal Aid and Defender Ass’n ConferenceElectronic Evidence: Finding Evidence Using Alternative Means of Discovery2010
Legal cases
Case nameOutcome
Six-Figure Settlement in Civil Rights CaseSettled well.
Total VictoryClient Aquitted-PO Lifted
Sentence reducedTook two years off a 14 year sentence
Child Custody VictoryWon complete 100% custody of children for parent.
Jaw dropping pleaAmazingly low sentence in the circumstances.
Nice Settlement, No LitigationClient and I both both a lot of money in a very short time with a minimum of fuss.
Charge to be Dismissed. No pleaCharge dismissed.
Beat the most serious charge, low sentenceDeadlock on most serious charge, conviction on least. With time served less than a year on a possible 10 year sentence.
A far, far better pleaAvoided disastrous conviction, negotiated short sentence
Case revived.Default judgment vacated well after 30 days.
Everybody was happy.Agreed order entered to vacate eviction order.
A clean win in a small caseCharges dropped.
Six figure judgment$120k child support award. Vacated due to sheriff's defective service. Currently being relitigated for with even more at stake.
A good settlement.Case settled, client pleased.
FreedomClient freed after over 30 years in prison.

Reviews

(28)
5 Star
93%
4 Star
4%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
4%
Review Justin Schwartz

Mr.Schwartz is dedicated and gets the job done

Posted by

Mf Schwartz has been an absalute blessing to our family. His determination to help us was wonderful. Without his help im certain that my husband would have been convicted and sent away for a long long time. He saw that it was clearly a situation that he was being singled out by the authorities.. Thank you mr. Schwartz
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Awesome

Posted by

Justin is the most honest attorney that I have ever met he's there for me anytime day or night and he is one of the best friends that I have ever met as being an attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

The under rated lawyer

Posted by

At first I was leery about going to trial with a lawyer with a speech impediment .. let alone hiring him to represent me.. But I must say he’s a wonderful ,talented lawyer..not only that he’s a good person .. He help me more than he knows and I’m thankful his card fell in my possession.. If your looking for a lawyer i recommend giving him a chance at bat
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Justin Schwartz - Danville, IL

Posted by

Mr. Schwartz is a professional and active criminal lawyer. He helped guide me through the legal system and handled my case with ease. I highly recommend him if your seeking legal advocacy.
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Got Great Results in a Very Difficult Case

Posted by

I hired Justin to represent a client who was confined indefinitely to a state mental facility after being found not guilty by reason of insanity.. The facility was lying about her mental state and opposing her release. Justin devoted an extraordinary amount of time to her case despite the low fee we were able to pay and he secured the best possible outcome, a conditional release.
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Client

Posted by

Without Justin my parental rights would have been terminated. Without Justin I would still be incarcerated without bail. The court appointed attorney I had in Vermilion County requested a quack Dr Coleman find me unfit for trial and had never even met me. I fired that public pretender and hired Justin who took me into that courtroom and asked all the pertinent questions to prove my fitness for trial that the friend of the court Dr Coleman had never even asked me before submitting false diagnosis. Without Justin, I would have been sent away to the State hospital until becoming "fit" for trial. One is not even permitted to post bail when the Dr Coleman submits his false reports of unfitness. Justin saved me by having me brought in so we could prove the corrupt public defender and the lying shrink were wrong. We did prove them wrong!! Justin also stopped a termination of my parental rights when the public defenders office had actually assisted the State in leading up to that devastation. The judge was determined that day to terminate but Justins defense and arguments were so respectfully, intellectually persistant and patient and the judge miraculously decided that Justins arguments had merit. The corrupt public defenders office has left a horrible mess of my case & the State has resisted providing full disclosure to Justin so he could defend me properly. Despite the many obstacles he prevails. I am eternally grateful for his skills and his character.
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Best in the business

Posted by

Mr. Schwartz took total charge in the courtroom in my criminal case and I was able to go home the very next day! I would recommend MR.Schwartz to ANYONE that wants an honest attorney to represent them in any kind of case that he is capable of handling within his vast range of the law !!!!!
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

One of the best liitgators in illinois. Great consultant.

Posted by

I was referred to Justin through a legal help site online. Justin was very helpful and courteous. I explained my case involves a family member in a different state. Although Justin could not represent my relative, he recommended a colleague of his in the state where my relative is in need of representation. Im truly grateful for his assistance.
This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.
Consulted attorney

Hire him

Posted by

Justin was my fiancé attorney my fiancé was fasing 30 years he got it reduced to two years he worked long hours and does a great job
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

God Is Good

Posted by

When hiring Mr Schwartz for my son that was being charged with crimes he didn't commit totaling over 50 years in prison. Mr Schwartz believed in him and his representation of fighting the system worked. My son got off with a very light sentence, major charges dropped. Financially he was willing to work out an agreement that fit my needs. Communication was excellent when needed. I am very grateful to have retained him. I know who to Call!
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney
See all reviews

Attorney endorsements

(7)
Are you an attorney? Endorse this lawyer

Michael Johnson, White collar crime Attorney on Apr 23, 2018
Relationship: Worked together on matter

I endorse this lawyer. I have had the privilege of working with Justin on a very complex Federal Fraud case. Justin wrote a brilliant Motion and handled himself like a pro in court. I look forward to handling cases with or consulting Justin in the future.

Elizabeth Wilson, Criminal defense Attorney on Apr 23, 2018
Relationship: Worked together on matter

Justin is an exceptional legal thinker who can craft a winning argument in cases where most lawyers would see none. In addition to his brilliance, he is endlessly dedicated to his clients and fights fiercely on their behalf. Someone facing criminal charges or a violation of their civil rights would be very lucky to have Justin in their corner.

Lisa Clay, Criminal defense Attorney on Oct 17, 2016
Relationship: Worked together on matter

I endorse this lawyer. I've known Justin for many years. He is about as bright as they come. More importantly, he believes profoundly in what he is doing. He has my respect and my admiration, in addition to my endorsement.

Huma Rashid, Criminal defense Attorney on Jul 6, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Justin Schwartz is an excellent attorney. He is thorough, thoughtful, and creative. He feels very deeply for his clients, fighting the injustices they face as if these were injustices he suffered himself. He leaves no stone unturned and is committed to doing the best he can for criminal defendants.

Jason Macke, Criminal defense Attorney on Mar 29, 2016
Relationship: Friend

Justin is one of the brightest, most-committed, and hardest-working attorneys that I know. I'd certainly choose him to represent me if I needed help, and given the number of attorneys that I've encountered in my 17 years of practice, that is the highest praise I can give.

Eugene Goryunov, Appeals Attorney on Mar 24, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Justin is a rare breed of attorney. He is incredibly smart, very hard working, and an excellent trial lawyer, all while caring for his clients on both a professional and personal level. This combination allows Justin to represent his clients on a superior level.

Karyn Justice, Criminal defense Attorney on Feb 26, 2014
Relationship: Other

Justin is one of the most thoughtful and intelligent people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. He is a credit to the profession. His commitment to the pursuit of justice is commendable. He is thorough and dedicated. I cannot think of a better colleague to handle a legal matter.

Cost

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