Originally from Berwyn, Illinois, I graduated from Fenwick High School in Oak Park and the College (now University) of St. Francis in Joliet, Illinois.  At St. Francis I earned a B.A. in Journalism/Communications and worked as a radio announcer for a number of local stations.

After graduating St. Francis I was accepted into the Notre Dame Law School Class of 1998, earning my J.D. while working for a South Bend law firm.

I began my criminal law career as an Assistant State’s Attorney in the Office of the Will County State’s Attorney, primarily prosecuting DUI cases.  Eventually, I was appointed to the federally funded Cold Case Task Force in conjunction with the Joliet Police Department and the Will County Coroners Office, investigating and prosecuting cold case homicides.  In 2008 I was a candidate for Circuit Judge of the 4th Sub-Circuit.

Using the skills I developed and honed as a prosecutor, I have practiced as a criminal defense attorney since 2008, primarily defending the very types of cases I used to prosecute.