About Michael

Senior Attorney

I was born and raised in Chicago, I went to Chicago Public Schools, attended college and law school in Chicago. I have found my life’s experiences to be invaluable throughout my 32 years practicing law and trying cases before juries. I have used the knowledge I gained not just through my studies, but from the streets of Chicago, to select juries that I can relate to  and acquit my clients in even the most difficult cases. 

I completed my studies at UIC in 3 years , receiving my B.A. in Criminal justice, so that I could pursue my dream of going to law school and becoming trial  attorney. I attended John Marshall Law School in the afternoons and evenings so that I could work during the day. In 1980, I began my legal training as a clerk under one of the brightest and most respected trial attorneys in the country. His name was Howard Gilman and he mentored me for the next several years until I received my license in 1982. During the time I was clerking, I attended court every day learning from some of the greatest trial attorneys of their time. I hit the ground running as soon as I was sworn in I tried my first jury and gained an acquittal on behalf of my client charged with Armed  Robbery. Howard and I became partners in 1982 and tried over a dozen murder cases together.  Howard passed away unexpectedly in January of 1985, leaving me with fond memories, a world of knowledge and clients that came to us based on his reputation. I feared that many of the client’s would move on to older, more experienced attorneys, but almost all remained. I quickly gained a reputation as a hard working litigator, not afraid to take on the most complex cases.

In 1985, I became licensed by the 7th Circuit, I also received my license to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court. In 1995, I received my license to practice in the State of Minnesota, and have been Of Counsel to the firm of Halunen & Associates in Minneapolis, handling litigation in both Minnesota and Illinois on their behalf. I have been an active member of the N.A.C.D.L. ( National Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys), since my clerking days in 1980 and have attended on a regular basis seminars throughout the country, learning from the best and brightest defense attorneys. I am a panel attorney for the Illinois Rifle Association(I.R.A.) and the U.S. Conceal and Carry Association (USCCA ) and consult with gun owners about their rights under the new conceal and carry laws in Illinois.

I was never a prosecutor, either State or Federal. I have stayed true to my beliefs that ALL citizens accused of a crime deserve the benefit of ALL our laws no matter the nature or seriousness of the charges. 

Education and Bar Admissions

  • B.A. at U.I.C. -1978
  • J.D. at John Marshall- 1982
  • Illinois Bar- 1982
  • Federal Trial Bar- 1986
  • Federal Trial Bar- 1986
  • U.S. Supreme Court-1987
  • Minnesota Bar-1995
  • N.A.C.D.L.- 1980
  • National Trial Lawyers Association- Top 100 trial Lawyers
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