Isabelle Abbott - a Chicago, United States Criminal Defense Lawyer

Chicago Criminal Defense Lawyer

Updated: 02/28/2026

Areas of Practice

Criminal Defense 70%
Civil Litigation 15%
Employment/Labor 15%

Litigation: 100%

Attorney Information

Overview

Isabelle Abbott is a Chicago-based trial attorney whose practice is grounded in zealous advocacy, strategic litigation, and a steadfast commitment to protecting individual rights. She brings a disciplined, trial-focused approach to every case, informed by her experience in criminal practice and complex administrative litigation.

Isabelle began her career in public defense, representing clients in misdemeanor and traffic cases with the Cook County Public Defender’s Office. She later joined the Illinois Commerce Commission, serving as a Staff Attorney in the Office of General Counsel’s Trial Section and as a Policy Advisor to a sitting Commissioner. In these roles, she litigated contested matters before the Commission, collaborated on complex rate cases, including Illinois’s largest gas rate increase in history, and represented the Commission in utility-related litigation. Her regulatory and trial experience provides her experience in cross-examining experts, navigating technical records, and litigating under intense scrutiny - skills she now brings directly into the courtroom on behalf of LTL clients.

Isabelle earned her Juris Doctor from Chicago-Kent College of Law, where she received numerous honors, including the CALI Excellence for the Future Award for Ethics and Advocacy, the Dean’s Distinguished Public Service Award, and Dean’s List recognition. While in law school, she served as a Submissions Editor for the Journal of Environmental and Energy Law, was a Teaching Assistant for Evidence, competed on the Trial Team, and served as Research Assistant focusing on criminal law and legal ethics.

Isabelle approaches every case with thorough preparation, clear communication, and enthusiastic courtroom advocacy, bringing a practical and principled perspective to criminal defense representation.

Awards and Honors

Honors

Class of 2020 Institute of Environmental Sustainability Commencement Speaker, 2020
Spirit of Laudato Si Sustainability Award - Sustainability in Service, 2020
CALI Excellence of the Future Award, Highest Grade in Ethics and Advocacy, 2022
Dean’s Distinguished Public Service Award for over 300 hours of Pro Bono work, 2023

Education

Legal Education
- Chicago-Kent College of Law, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, Illinois, 2023
  J.D.
  Honors: Dean’s List
  Law Journal: Journal of Environmental and Energy Law, Submissions Editor, 2021 - 2023
Non Legal Education
- Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, 2020
  B.A.
  Honors: cum laude
  Honors: Dean’s List
  Major: Environmental Policy, Global and International Studies/Theology

Current Employment Position(s)

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Associate Attorney
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Past Positions

Illinois Commerce Commission, Staff Attorney, 2024 - 2025
Cook County Public Defender, Pre-Licensed Attorney, 2023 - 2024

Languages

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English
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Pro Bono Activities

National Lawyers Guild, 2023 - Present

Bar Admissions

Illinois, 2024

Other Affiliations

American Bar Association (Leadership Development Program Co-hort Member - Present)

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Contact

Chicago, IL

120 North LaSalle Street
Suite 2000
Chicago, IL 60602

Directions

Phone: 312-815-6572

Fax: 312-264-0671

Email: Send a message

Website: https://www.leonardtriallawyers.com

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Isabelle Abbott - Chicago, IL