Mike Leonard - a Chicago, Madison (IL) Federal Criminal Lawyer

Chicago Federal Criminal Lawyer

Updated: 02/16/2026

Areas of Practice

Federal Criminal 50%
Employment 20%
Whistleblower 20%
Commercial Litigation 10%

Litigation: 100%

Attorney Information

Overview

Mike Leonard is a nationally recognized “go to” trial lawyer. His trial practice concentrates in the areas of Federal and State criminal matters, in addition to civil employment, whistleblower, retaliation, qui tam (False Claims Act), commercial and business, and injury matters. He has successfully tried to verdict dozens and dozens of cases in the Federal and State courts, including in Illinois and across the country. Mike has spent his entire thirty-year career as a courtroom trial attorney and litigator.

Mike is believed to be the only presently practicing attorney to have attained at least six or more complete not guilty jury verdicts on all counts and charges in favor of his clients in Federal criminal prosecutions brought by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois. Mike’s recent Federal criminal jury trials include four not guilty verdicts on all counts and charges, a dismissal of all charges during trial, and a mistrial. This includes one of the very few Federal criminal not guilty jury verdicts in the Northern District of Illinois in 2020.

Mike’s results have been equally impressive in civil trials in the Illinois State courts, including in Cook, Kane, DuPage, and Lake Counties, as well as in Federal courts throughout the country - ranging from Illinois, Indiana, Kansas and Virginia. Mike’s clients have prevailed before juries in those jurisdictions in cases involving employment discrimination, retaliation/whistleblowing, securities fraud, civil rights violations, breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, and a variety of other commercial claims.

Mike has been repeatedly recognized as an outstanding trial lawyer by, among others, Super Lawyers, Leading Lawyers, American’s Top Criminal Defense Lawyers, Top 100 Trial Lawyers, and America’s Top High Stakes Litigators.

Mike has litigated or tried to verdict Federal and State cases in at least the following Federal or State jurisdictions outside of Illinois: Indiana, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Kansas, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Virginia, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Florida, California, and Oregon.

Mike has appeared, briefed, or argued numerous appeals, including before the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit; the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit; the United States Court of Appeals for Ninth Circuit; the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit; and the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit; numerous Illinois State Appellate Courts; the California Court of Appeals; and the Idaho Supreme Court.

Mike also regularly represents and advises clients on employment-related matters, ranging from discrimination of all types, retaliatory discharge, False Claims Act/qui tam matters, employment contracts and separation agreements.

Mike is a long-serving Adjunct Professor of Trial Practice at the prestigious Northwestern Pritzker School of Law.

He regularly lectures and instructs on the art and science of trial practice.

Mike is a 1991 graduate of Loyola (Chicago) School of Law, where he was a member of the Trial Team and the Law Journal. Mike completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Iowa.

Awards and Honors

Super Lawyers® Selectees

Mike Leonard included in a Super Lawyers® list

Honors

International Human Rights Law Group Pro Bono Service Award
Super Lawyers
Leading Lawyers
America's Top Trial Lawyers
Criminal Defense Top 10

Other Sources of Feedback About Mike Leonard

Included on the 2026 Illinois Super Lawyers list

Past Lists

2025 Illinois Super Lawyers list
2024 Illinois Super Lawyers list
2023 Illinois Super Lawyers list
2022 Illinois Super Lawyers list
2021 Illinois Super Lawyers list
2020 Illinois Super Lawyers list
2019 Illinois Super Lawyers list
2018 Illinois Super Lawyers list
2017 Illinois Super Lawyers list
2016 Illinois Super Lawyers list
2015 Illinois Super Lawyers list
2014 Illinois Super Lawyers list
2013 Illinois Super Lawyers list

Education

Legal Education
- Loyola University Chicago School of Law, Chicago, Illinois, 1991
  J.D.
  Honors: National Mock Trial Team
  Law Review: Loyola Law Journal, Member/Writer, 1989 - 1991
Non Legal Education
- University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, 1988
  B.A.
  Honors: Dean's List
  Major: Political Science

Current Employment Position(s)

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Partner
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Past Positions

Phelan Pope & John/Pope & John, Associate, 1991 - 1994
Meckler Bulger & Tilson, Partner/Associate, 1994 - 2013

Classes and Seminars

Trial Practice, Northwestern Pritzker School of Law, 2008- Present
Federal Trial Bar Training Program
Pincus Education Programs

Bar Admissions

Illinois, 1991
U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois
U.S. Court of Appeals 10th Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals 7th Circuit
U.S. Supreme Court
U.S. Court of Appeals 3rd Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals 6th Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals 9th Circuit

Other Affiliations

American Bar Association (Member)
National Association Criminal Defense Lawyers (Member)

Fraternities and Sororities

Pi Kappa Alpha

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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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Mike Leonard - Chicago, IL