Top Rated Civil Rights Attorney in Chicago, IL

Attorney Jon F. Erickson is a partner with Erickson & Oppenheimer, Ltd., in Chicago, Illinois. A highly accomplished and award-winning trial lawyer, Mr. Erickson has more than 29 years of legal experience, and he provides unmatched representation and support to clients throughout the greater Chicago metro and surrounding areas who experienced a serious violation of their civil rights, as well as those who stand accused of DUI and other felonies and misdemeanors.

As a civil rights advocate, Mr. Erickson has achieved significant success fighting for the rights and entitlements of clients in state and federal courts across his region. A veteran of more than 100 federal civil rights cases, he has helped secure millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts for those he has served, and he helped overturn a wrongful conviction in a high-profile case involving a man accused of the rape and murder of a young girl.

Equally successful as a criminal defense attorney, Mr. Erickson has achieved a long record of acquittals, dismissals and reductions of charges for the accused, and he has earned a reputation as a leader in DUI defense. Among his most notable cases, he won a not guilty verdict on behalf of a national boxing champion in a first-degree murder case, and he has successfully represented other high-profile clients in first-degree murder trials, federal drug conspiracy trials and other major felony proceedings.

Recognized for his outstanding professionalism and exceptional trial abilities, Mr. Erickson has received consistent designation from The National Trial Lawyers as among the Top 100 Trial Lawyers in the county. In addition, the American Society of Legal Advocates named him one of the Top 100 Criminal Defense Lawyers in Illinois, and The National Advocacy for DUI Defense voted him among the Top 100 DUI Attorneys in Chicagoland Area. He has also earned "Superb," 10 out of 10 client ratings on Avvo, as well as many other honors and awards.

A 1985 graduate of Northern Illinois University, Mr. Erickson obtained his Juris Doctor from John Marshall Law School, Chicago, in 1990. He is admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court for the Northern and Central Districts of Illinois and the Western District of Michigan, as well as the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit.

Early in his legal career, Mr. Erickson served as assistant public defender with the Cook County Public Defender's Office for 12 years before establishing his own private practice. He has also served as legislative aide to State Representative Larry McKeon, as well as adviser and transition team member for Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan.

An authority in his legal areas, Mr. Erickson has several publications to his credit, and he has conducted numerous lectures and continuing legal education seminars across his region on a variety of legal topics. He is also actively involved with several local, state and national legal organizations, including the American Society of Legal Advocates, the Illinois Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago, and the National Police Accountability Project, among others.