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Justin Schwartz
About Justin
Biography
“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
5
Practice Areas
Criminal Defense
30%
27 years
Appeals
20%
27 years
Discrimination
20%
27 years
Personal Injury
20%
14 years
Fees and Rates
Cost
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Illinois for 26 years
State: Illinois
Acquired: 1999
Lawyer disciplined by state licensing authority in 2023
Location
Law Office of Justin Schwartz
1723 W. Devon Ave., #607882, Chicago, IL, 60660
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Justin Schwartz's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
32 Client Reviews
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Practice Areas
What Clients Mention
Showing 1 - 4 of 4 reviews | Practice Area Knowledge
Posted by Joshua | March 31, 2022 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense
Best Lawyer Around
Justin Schwartz is indeed the best lawyer around. He has helped me tremendously with my criminal case and helping me with my civil rights lawsuit. If you need representation you’ve came to the right place.
Posted by Shane M. Webb | November 19, 2020 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense
Justin Schwartz - Danville, IL
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.
Posted by Tom | November 11, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Probate
Recommendation
Justin was a good and attentive lawyer who kept me informed, revived a case over a default judgment, showed resourcefulness and creativity, coming up with approaches few other lawyers would have known about. He defended the estate as fiercely as he did with my cousin (the original client who passed a...
Posted by anonymous | August 19, 2014 | Employment & Labor
Great lawyer!
I needed help dealing with harassment and intimidation by my employer when I resigned. Mr Schwartz addressed the issue and communicated with my employer to cease and desist, which they did. He is an expert in employment law, contracts, and health care law. Mr Schwartz listens and cares about winning ...
Justin Schwartz's Lawyer Endorsements
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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."
Brandi Pratt
Family lawyer
Michael Johnson
Criminal defense lawyer
Huma Rashid
Criminal defense lawyer
Jason Macke
Appeals lawyer
Experience
Professional misconduct
This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2023.
Suspension for a time certain/ Court order required issued in IL, 2023
updated on 07/19/2023This type of suspension means an attorney lost his or her license to practice law for a period of time. Once the suspension expires, the attorney must show the Court that he or she has reformed and should be allowed to return to the practice of law.
Honors
2018
Client's Choice, Avvo
2016
Client's Choice, Avvo
1999
Berger Prize for Best Published Paper in Philosophy of Law, American Philosophical Association
1998
JD Summa cum Laude, Ohio State University Moritz College of Law
1998
Order of the Coif, Ohio State University Moritz College of Law
Work Experience
2012 - Present
Principal, Law Office of Justin Schwartz
2006 - 2012
Assistant Professor, John Marshall Law School
2004 - 2006
Litigation Associate, Kirkland & Ellis
2002 - 2004
Litigation Associate, Jones Day
1999 - 2002
Judicial Law Clerk, United States District Court ND Ill.
1998 - 1999
Judicial Law Clerk, United States Court Of Appeals 7th Circuit
Associations
2013 - Present
National Coalition for Sexual FreedomCooperating Attorney
2012 - Present
Illinois State Bar AssociationMember
2006 - Present
Chicago Bar AssociationMember
2002 - Present
American Civil Liberties Union of IllinoisCooperating Attorney
1995 - Present
Amertican Bar AssociationMember
1995 - Present
National Lawyers GuildMember
Sample of Legal Cases
Six-Figure Settlement in Civil Rights Case
Settled well.
Total Victory
Client Aquitted-PO Lifted
Sentence reduced
Took two years off a 14 year sentence
Child Custody Victory
Won complete 100% custody of children for parent.
Jaw dropping plea
Amazingly low sentence in the circumstances.
Nice Settlement, No Litigation
Client and I both both a lot of money in a very short time with a minimum of fuss.
Charge to be Dismissed. No plea
Charge dismissed.
Beat the most serious charge, low sentence
Deadlock on most serious charge, conviction on least. With time served less than a year on a possible 10 year sentence.
A far, far better plea
Avoided 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 case
Charges 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.
Freedom
Client freed after over 30 years in prison.
Education
1998
Ohio State University Moritz College of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
1988
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
PhD - Doctorate
1982
University of Cambridge
MA - Masters
1979
Princeton University
AB - Applied Baccalaureate
Speaking Engagements
2017
Law Student Arbitration Competition
The Sharing Economy - Competition Judge
2016
Presentation at Kennedy-King College, Chicago
Know 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 Harm
2016
APEX CLE -- On-Line
Federal Mail Fraud and Honest Services Mail Fraud
2015
Conference on Alternative Sexuality
Is Consent a Defense?
2012
Univ. of Wisconsin Roundtable in Cooperatives
If Cooperatives Are so Wonderful, Why Aren't there more of Them?
2010
National Legal Aid and Defender Association
Electronic Evidence: Finding Evidence Using Alternative Means of Discovery
Publications
2013
18 FORDHAM J. CORP. & FIN. L. 960-1020
Voice Without Say: Why Capital-Managed Firms Aren’t (Genuinely) Participatory, 18 FORDHAM J. CORP. & FIN. L. 960-1020 (2013).
2013
2013
2012
2010
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Answers
Q&A
What would happen if I would cut my ankle bracelet off and went to a different state
19 May 2018
Q&A
Can an officer use his/her past run-ins with a driver to establish probable cause for a search?
18 Mar 2018
Q&A
How do you get a class 4 felony if it was the first offense?
17 Apr 2017