Michael I. Leonard

Michael I. Leonard stands out as a leading criminal defense attorney in the Chicago area, recognized for his skill in securing not guilty verdicts in both state and federal courts. Practicing at Leonard Trial Lawyers, he has successfully defended clients against serious felony charges in Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, Winnebago, LaSalle, and McLean counties. His expertise spans a broad spectrum of state criminal charges, including murder, attempted murder, unlawful use of a weapon, gun crimes, drug offenses, carjacking, assault, battery, sex crimes, and 'White Collar' offenses.

In federal criminal cases, Michael is noted for being possibly the only practicing attorney to achieve seven or more not guilty verdicts in prosecutions by the United States Attorneys' Office in Chicago. His firm handles a comprehensive range of federal charges such as health care fraud, Medicare fraud, bank fraud, tax fraud, mortgage fraud, securities fraud, Ponzi schemes, embezzlement, mail fraud, wire fraud, various conspiracies, drug and gun charges, bank robbery, carjacking, sex crimes, pornography, theft of government services/property, assault on federal officers, and illegal lobbying or acting as an agent of a foreign government.

Michael has appeared in courts across Illinois and beyond, including Indiana, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Kansas, South Dakota, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, California, Virginia, Oregon, and Texas. His reputation is built on his formidable cross-examinations, strong rapport with juries, and persuasive closing arguments.

He has been involved in numerous high-profile cases, gaining significant media attention both locally and nationally.