Justin Schwartz

Client Reviews

Reviewed by Pini G. June 27, 2020

Do not hire this lawyer !!! Be aware !!!

I filed a complaint at the court house by myself on 11/20/2019 as a Pro Se. It was accepted ,received a hearing date 01/06/2020. I went to court by myself and Judge moved the court date to 01/22/2020 due to filed for motion to dismiss complaint by defendant and his attorney. The same day 01/06/2020 I called attorney at law Justin Schwartz ,explained everything and he agreed to take over my case. I signed the contract $2500 + 50% of any recovery as we agreed. I paid him $2500 the same day as we agreed I called him a day before hearing date , to make sure that is all good. He said yes, all good and I do not need to go ,he will go himself. My lawyer had to file his appearance and show up in court on 01/22/2020. Which never happened. He did not go to court or file an appearance that day. The next day I called him to see how it went. He told me he could not make it ,because he got sick. I was all upset about the situation, but he promised me to fix it. After many messages, excuses ( running errands , out of town, in court, on the phone support or simply not home ) finally Justin Schwartz submitted the documents to the court and he chose a date 02/19/2020. I called him a day before to see if its all good, he told me I'm out of town, I will nail it down tomorrow. Again, after plenty of messages , excuses he finally got the hearing date on 03/09/2020 at 1:30 pm. I told him that I will go too. He said that he is just appearing. The motion is up but should be granted as of right. On 03/09/2020 I went to hearing and I was waiting for my attorney to show up. The court closed, Judge left. And my attorney did not show up on time. By the time he arrived 45 minutes late , the court room was empty. I fired him immediately . And asked him for a full $2500 refund.He wanted to charge me for the job he did not do. After long battling he agreed to refund me in full. I could not believe, I got myself in this unfortunate situation. I lost my money, my complaint was dismissed, because, of my attorneys negligent and malpractice toward me. He sent me a half money $1250 the next day and other half of $1250 i was expecting in April as he promised. It is May and I'm still waiting for the other $1250 . When I text him , he always find an excuse. I hope That attention will be paid to the misconduct of Justin Schwartz , So that other people or future clients will not be victims of his neglecting actions and malpractice . I will get to the bottom of this, until I get all answers. I do not recommend Justin Schwartz as attorney to anyone. Be aware ! Very unprofessional !

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Claimed Lawyer Profile

Summary

“Justice for all” is my philosophy. I have worked as a big firm lawyer, law professor, and judicial law clerk on the Chicago federal trial and appeals courts. I have been a lawyer since 1999. I also have a PhD from Michigan and advanced degrees from Cambridge and Princeton, as well as my J.D. (summa) from Ohio State Law. I think ordinary people, under-served populations, and small businesses deserve the quality of representation, at a reasonable price, that I gave my former corporate clients. That's why I started the Law Office of Justin Schwartz. A police officer in a criminal matter once described me as "relentless." I saw that as a compliment. I gave him my card, and he took it. I don't stop. If there is a viable avenue by which I can get you relief, I will find it and pursue it. I give my clients the time and attention they need and treat them with respect and consideration. I deliver results, not excuses. I will give you my best. If you can find a better lawyer at a comparable price, hire him or her. I'm certain you can't find a more dedicated, creative, and, in fact, relentless, lawyer, at any price. I am here to fight for you. I provide top-quality representation in criminal defense, civil rights, personal injury, business matters, discrimination cases, family law, and appeals (civil and criminal). I also provide first rank general legal services in a variety of personal and business issues—litigation, negotiation, and transactions—contracts, wills, incorporation, and the like.

Practice Areas

Criminal Law: Criminal Appeals, Drug Crimes, Expungement, Fraud, Gun Crimes, Internet Crimes, Sex Crimes, Theft, Violent Crimes

Civil Rights: Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Discrimination, Employment, Fair Housing, Police Misconduct, Privacy Law

Employment Law: Employee Benefits, Employment Contracts, Employment Discrimination, ERISA, Overtime & Unpaid Wages, Sexual Harassment, Whistleblower, Wrongful Termination

Personal Injury: Animal & Dog Bites, Brain Injury, Car Accidents, Construction Accidents, Motorcycle Accidents, Premises Liability, Truck Accidents, Wrongful Death

Fees

Free Consultation
One hour free consultation.
Contingent Fees
I accept standard contingent fees in areas where they are used: civil rights, employment and other discrimination cases, personal injury.
Rates, Retainers and Additional Information
I accept payment plans in criminal defense and other non-contingent fee arrangements.

Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice

Illinois
Since 1999

Languages

English: Spoken, Written

Professional Experience

Solo Practice: LAW OFFICE OF JUSTIN SCHWARTZ; 2006 - Current; Represented and advised clients in criminal defense, civil rights, clemency and record-clearing, employment and employment discrimination law, housing discrimination, insurance and personal injury matters, landlord-tenant disputes, child support, criminal and civil appeals Won substantial settlements, six-figure judgments, excellent results in criminal cases, including outright dismissals leading to civil rights lawsuits Represented pro bono client in clemency petition matter

Assistant Professor of Law: The John Marshall Law School; 2006 - 2012

Litigation Associate: Kirkland & Ellis LLP; 2004 - 2006; Coauthored brief to state appeals and Illinois Supreme Courts appealing denial of postconviction relief Wrote cert petition to U.S. Supreme Court in habeas corpus case Drafted Answer and part of Motion to Dismiss for auto trade association in environmental case against State Drafted mediation brief, Motion to Compel Arbitration in $2 million case for REIT Assisted in document collection and review and witness interviews in federal investigation of major auto parts suppliers. Wrote memoranda on intersection of bankruptcy and criminal law Drafted motions on expert evidence in airline company bankruptcy and in class action against oil company Researched and drafted factual part of preemption motion in toxic tort class action for major oil company Represented large agricultural client in FCT investigation

Litigation Associate: Jones Day; 2002 - 2004; Drafted motion to dismiss in novel Sarbanes-Oxley whistleblower case (a matter of first impression), resulting in dismissal of several claims against client Drafted part of summary judgment motion in multi-billion dollar antitrust case, defeating Sherman Act claims Drafted detailed advisory memorandum to municipal client in complex civil rights class action Wrote client memorandum opposing enforcement of judgment under state law. Wrote memorandum on standing and injunctions for motion to dismiss in patent/antitrust case Wrote Amicus brief for ACLU in pro bono school desegregation case (client’s position vindicated) Drafted habeas corpus petitions in two complex pro bono cases. Won Certificate of Appealability from Seventh Circuit, briefed appeal to Seventh Circuit. Argued groundbreaking pro bono habeas discovery case to federal District Court as lead counsel

Judicial Law Clerk: US District Court, N.D. Ill.; 1999 - 2002

Judicial Law Clerk: US Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit; 1998 - 1998; Judicial Law Clerk

Education

Ohio State University - Columbus: J.D. (1998) | Law; 1995 - 1998; CALI Awards: 14th Amendment — Labor Law; Employment Law — White Collar Crime — Legal Theory — Justice — Federal Courts Corpus Juris Secundum Awards: Criminal Law — Torts — John E. Hallen Mem. Award: Torts; Honors: Order of the Coif — Outstanding Achievement Award — ABA-BNA Award for Excellence in Employment and Labor Law — OSU Scholarship in Law — 1997-98 Best Brief (of 230), Appellate Advocacy; Activities: Public Interest Law Foundation, 1995-96