There are more than 40,000 practicing attorneys in Cook County, more than the rest of the state combined. This number includes attorneys who specialize in virtually every type of law imaginable, in a variety of settings. Below is a bit more information about where and how these attorneys operate and some of the major practice areas.

key locations

The Daley Center is the main courthouse for Cook County; it is also the courthouse for the county’s 1st district. Most civil and traffic cases are heard inside, along with many other lawsuits. There are 5 other Cook County districts, each with their own courthouse. Courthouses are located in the following locations: Skokie (2nd District), Rolling Meadows (3rd District), Maywood (4th District), Bridgeview (5th District), and Markham (6th District). If you live in the suburbs, your case may be heard in your local district court, but many claims are still heard at the Daley Center, particularly most involving more than $100,000.

It is best to hire an attorney who has experience with your specific legal problem and is familiar with the court where your case was filed. In addition to understanding your case, this type of lawyer may know some of the judges and lawyers he will have to deal with during your lawsuit. This attorney will be best equipped to present your case in a way that gives you the best chance of winning.

payment

Attorneys in Cook County vary widely in the amount and types of fees they charge for their services. Some attorneys work on a contingency basis, which means you do not have to pay the attorney any fees unless he or she obtains financial compensation or a settlement for you. The attorney will then earn a percentage of the monetary amount, often 30%. However, certain areas of the law are not allowed to be taken on contingency, such as criminal and divorce cases. The attorneys working on these cases will likely charge a retainer, which is the fee to officially retain the attorney. You will most likely also pay an hourly rate for the time the attorney spends working on your case, although you can sometimes negotiate to pay a flat fee for all legal work up front. The amount of the advance and the hourly rate will depend on the law firm the attorney works for and the type of case you have.

personal injuries

Most lawsuits that arise from accidents, such as car accidents or slip and fall cases, are personal injury lawsuits. These cases are also known as incorrect cases. Tort cases are assigned to two divisions in Cook County, the Legal Division and the Civil Division. Tort cases over $30,000 are assigned to the Law Division and are generally heard at the Daley Center, although smaller cases may be heard in suburban district courts. Minor cases are assigned to the Civil Division. These smaller cases usually end up in arbitration where the parties try to reach an agreement that works for both parties.

Offender

In criminal cases, you will always oppose the government in your case, and you may face jail time if you lose. Criminal cases are heard in all 6 Cook County District Courts and additional Cook County Courthouses as well. For example, most felony cases (such as murder or weapons charges) occur in the courthouse located at 26th Street and California. These cases are the most serious and the most likely to end up in jail. Misdemeanor criminal charges are generally heard in the nearest district court. As with all practice areas, it is very important to retain an attorney who has won cases involving the same crime you are charged with in Cook County, to try to avoid penalties.

Medical negligence

Nearly all medical malpractice cases in Cook County are filed at the Daley Center. As a result, most Cook County medical malpractice attorneys are located in Chicago, but will work with people from all over Illinois.

worker’s compensation

All workers’ compensation claims are heard by the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission, located in the Thompson Center. The Thompson Center is located in downtown Chicago, near the Daley Center. This is true if you are injured on the job in Cook County, or if you are injured working outside of Cook County, but your business is headquartered here or you were hired here. Again, most of the attorneys in this area practice out of Chicago due to its proximity to the Thompson Center, but they will work with all clients who need their services.

Divorce and Family Law

Divorce cases can be heard in courthouses in Chicago, Skokie, Rolling Meadows, Markham, and Maywood. However, the Daley Center is the main divorce court and hears most cases. The location of the divorce proceeding is determined by the person originally filing the case; however, the other party may request that the case be transferred to another court. Divorce and family law attorneys are located throughout Cook County.

Probate

All Cook County probate (wills, trusts and estate matters) are heard at the Daley Center, this includes people who were Cook County residents when they died, even if their family members do not live in the area. Many Cook County probate attorneys are located in Chicago, but some will practice outside of the suburbs and travel to the Daley Center when necessary.