Experience
Education1993 J. D., University of Notre Dame Law School
After my second year at Notre Dame, I worked as a Barrister's Pupil in the Chancery Courts, Chambers of 10 Old Square, Lincoln's Inn, London.
1989 B.A. in Economics, Duke University I completed an upper level seminar program in International Economics at Duke University in the Netherlands.
Professional
Present Member, Capital Litigation Trial Bar, Lead Counsel
1996 - present Attorney, Cook County Public Defender's Office
1999 - present Felony Trial Division, 2650 S. California Ave., Chicago
I represent clients charged with felonies in all phases of criminal litigation from arraignment through sentencing or acquittal. I have been involved with over 40 jury trials, and have acted as lead counsel in more than 30 juries. Over 15 of these jury trials involved murder charges, 3 of which involved two defendants tried at the same time. I have tried capital eligible cases as lead counsel and have acted as second counsel in capital cases where the State actively sought the death penalty at trial. I have also tried approximately 250 felony bench trials. My litigation work has included hundreds of pretrial motions involving constitutional matters, but is mostly focused on issues involving the 4th, 5th, and 6th amendments.
1996-1999 Civil Division, Child Protection, 1100 S. Hamilton Ave., Chicago
My clients were parents of children involved with pending abuse and neglect cases. My representation included hundreds of cases involving pretrial litigation, civil trials, and post trial litigation. I frequently examined expert witnesses including psychologists, psychiatrists, pediatricians and other physician specialists.
1994-1996 Attorney, Law Offices of James A. Stamos
I represented clients in all facets of civil proceedings including Chancery, Personal Injury, Medical Malpractice, Commercial Litigation, Collections, and Family Relations. My work involved drafting complaints, pretrial motions, discovery and depositions, trials and arbitration proceedings, and appeals.
Personal
I am a married father of two children ages 8 and 5. I am a regional coordinator for the Oak Park Democratic Party. I coach for youth ice hockey and T-ball programs, and currently play in an adult hockey league.
