Criminal Defense

Pre-Charging Phase

Sometimes a person learns that he or she is the subject of a criminal investigation long before prosecutors bring charges.  Having experienced counsel during this critical time can significantly influence the outcome of the government’s investigation. We will explain what’s happening, help you understand the way criminal investigations unfold, and advise you about the various ways you can respond or react to the investigation.

After Indictment

A prosecutor typically secures a criminal charge by asking the grand jury to return an indictment. Our practice focuses on representing criminal defendants in federal court—obtaining and evaluating the government’s evidence, advising clients about the strength of their position, seeking to negotiate a just resolution if that’s what the client wants, and—if a negotiated resolution isn’t in the cards—taking the case to trial.

Sentencing

Sentencing judges today typically have great discretion to impose whatever sentences they deem reasonable. For that reason, more than ever before, a criminal defendant facing sentencing requires a thoughtful, sensitive, passionate advocate who understands what is and isn’t important at a sentencing and who can focus the court on what matters. When we stand by the side of a client at a sentencing, we appreciate how high the stakes are. We work hard, before that day arrives, to best prepare and position the client.

Types of Cases

Although we may consider taking a case in state court, our expertise lies in federal criminal cases. Founding partner Julie Porter was a federal criminal prosecutor for over 12 years, specializing in financial crimes such as health-care fraud and bank fraud, as well as public corruption. From 2014 to 2016, Ms. Porter was Chief of the Chicago U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Criminal Division, supervising all criminal matters, including financial crimes (health-care fraud, fraud against the government, mail and wire fraud, securities and commodities fraud, bankruptcy fraud, and tax fraud), narcotics, violent crimes, public corruption and organized crime, national security, cybercrime, and criminal appeals.