Joseph M. Laraia - a Wheaton, Illinois (IL) Criminal Lawyer

Wheaton Criminal Lawyer

Updated: 02/28/2026

Areas of Practice

Criminal
Divorce
Property and Asset Division
Parenting Time
Allocation of Parental Responsibilities
Child Support
Spousal Maintenance
Complex and High Asset Divorce
Post Judgment Enforcement and Modifications
Family Law
Adoption
Guardianships
Parentage and Paternity
Domestic Violence and Orders of Protection
Civil Litigation
Business Litigation
Estate & Probate Litigation
Personal Injury Defense
Real Estate
Estate Planning

Attorney Information

Overview

A trusted and highly experienced attorney, Joseph M. Laraia is a representative in the courts of DuPage, Kane, and Will Counties in Illinois. Mr. Laraia has been a trial attorney for more than 48 years and takes pride in serving clients in both criminal and civil cases. When Mr. Laraia first started our law firm back in 1966, attorneys had to be versatile enough to represent clients in all types of legal cases. Because of this experience, he has been successful in cases ranging from traffic violations to capital murder, as well as in family law and business litigation.

Joseph M. Laraia has practiced in the Illinois State Courts in DuPage, Cook, Kane, and Will Counties, as well as the Federal District Court in Chicago for over 48 years. He is one of the most recognized and honored attorneys in DuPage County, having been recognized by his peers on the local, state, and national levels. He has been successful in cases that include both criminal litigation and civil litigation that range from capital murder cases to civil, family law, and business and public issue litigation.

Prior to starting our firm in 1966, Mr. Laraia was a prosecutor with the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office and became chief of the felony division, which prosecuted everything from felony theft to capital murder. After leaving the State's Attorney's Office, Mr. Laraia has taken pride in defending individuals charged with criminal offenses and has represented individuals and corporations in a wide variety of civil litigation that ranges from divorce and family law matters to business and other litigation. His experience and background is extensive and varied.

Joseph M. Laraia was chosen by the Illinois Supreme Court as chairman of the Capital Litigation Trial Bar Committee for the Second District Appellate Court, which screens applications of attorneys who wish to be certified to try capital cases. He has been the chairman from the committee's inception in 2002.

Mr. Laraia was also chosen as one of 92 Laureate Attorneys by the Academy of Illinois Lawyers as representing the highest principals of the profession demonstrated by his persuasive record, and he is the recipient of the 2010 Ralph A. Gabric Award for Professional Excellence awarded by the DuPage County Bar Association.

On a national level, Mr. Laraia is one of very few Fellows of the highly prestigious American College of Trial Lawyers, which includes lawyers from the United States and Canada.

Mr. Laraia was named as an "Illinois Super Lawyer" and holds a perfect 5.0 peer rating on Lawyers.com.

Mr. Laraia has achieved the highest rating in the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory and has held that rating for over 30 years.

Awards and Honors

Super Lawyers® Selectees

Joseph M. Laraia included in a Super Lawyers® list

Honors

Man of the Year, DuPage County Bar Association, 1981

Other Sources of Feedback About Joseph M. Laraia

Included on the 2022 Illinois Super Lawyers list

Past Lists

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
2012 Illinois Super Lawyers list
2011 Illinois Super Lawyers list
2010 Illinois Super Lawyers list
2009 Illinois Super Lawyers list
2008 Illinois Super Lawyers list
2007 Illinois Super Lawyers list
2006 Illinois Super Lawyers list
2005 Illinois Super Lawyers list

Education

Legal Education
- Northwestern University School of Law, Chicago, Illinois, 1962
  J.D., Doctor of Jurisprudence
Non Legal Education
- Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, 1959
  B.A., Bachelor of Arts

Current Employment Position(s)

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Founder, Retired
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Classes and Seminars

The United States Armed Forces Institute of Pathology in Washington, D.C.
The DuPage County Bar Association on criminal subjects and forensic matters
The Kane County Bar Association on criminal law subjects

Bar Admissions

Illinois, 1962
U.S. Federal Courts, 1963

Other Affiliations

DuPage County Bar Association (Past President (1979-1980), "Man of the Year Award" (1979-1980), Past Chairman of the Criminal Law, Judiciary, Entertainment Court Facilities Committees)
Illinois State Bar Association (Academy of Illinois Lawyers, Laureate Award, Past Member of the Criminal Law Committee)
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
Illinois Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
DuPage County Criminal Defense Lawyers Association (Past President)
Illinois Trial Lawyers Association
DuPage County Justinian Society of Lawyers (Founding Member, Past President)
DuPage County Inns of Court

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Contact

Wheaton, IL

1761 S. Naperville Rd.
Suite 203
Wheaton, IL 60187

Directions

Phone: (630)228-9984

Fax: (630) 690-0196

Email: Send a message

Websites:

Free Consultations
Virtual Appointments

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Joseph M. Laraia - Wheaton, IL