Stephen L. Richards

Stephen L. Richards leads the Law Office of Stephen L. Richards in Chicago, Illinois, where he focuses on a broad range of criminal defense areas, including:

• Burglary appeals
• Post-conviction relief
• Drug charges
• Federal crimes
• Expungements
• Murder defense
• Wrongful convictions
• Civil rights cases
• White collar crimes
• Fraud

His practice extends throughout Chicago and the broader Illinois area.

With over 40 years of experience, Mr. Richards has a notable background in criminal defense and civil rights litigation, having participated in over 125 felony jury trials, numerous bench trials and countless negotiations that have favorably resolved for his clients. He is particularly recognized for his involvement in high-profile capital murder cases, appeals and legal reform efforts.

Mr. Richards is an honors graduate from the University of Chicago and Brooklyn Law School. His early career included nearly two decades of public service, starting as an assistant public defender in Cook County, followed by a role as a deputy defender in the Office of the Appellate Defender. His contributions to public defense were acknowledged in 2003 when he received the prestigious Kutak-Dodds Award from the National Legal Aid & Defender Association.

In addition to his practice, Mr. Richards has been actively involved in legal education, having presented seminars on jury selection for the Illinois Public Defender Association and the Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education in 2007. His previous positions include serving as president and board member of the Illinois Public Defender Association.

Mr. Richards' legal writings have been published in respected journals, and he holds a certification as lead counsel in capital litigation from the Illinois Supreme Court. He is admitted to practice in Illinois and the U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois. His commitment to legal excellence is also reflected in his "Superb" Avvo rating.