Business Details
Trusted Criminal Defense Attorneys in Chicago
Breen & Pugh has built a reputation as a premier criminal defense and constitutional law firm in Chicago, with decades of collective experience handling complex cases in federal and state courts. Our team of seasoned trial lawyers represents individuals and corporations facing serious criminal charges, civil rights violations, and professional disciplinary actions. We prioritize direct client engagement, ensuring transparent communication and tailored legal strategies throughout every phase of representation. Our attorneys are recognized for their expertise in high-stakes litigation, including white-collar crime, drug offenses, asset forfeiture, and post-conviction relief. We maintain a small-firm structure to provide personalized attention while leveraging extensive resources to protect clients' liberties, reputations, and futures.Our philosophy centers on rigorous preparation, ethical advocacy, and a commitment to justice, whether negotiating plea agreements or litigating in court. We serve diverse clients, from public officials to everyday citizens, and have earned the trust of peers who refer complex cases to our firm. Our track record includes notable acquittals and successful interventions during criminal investigations, emphasizing proactive defense strategies. We also advocate for clients in appellate courts, challenging unjust verdicts and preserving legal rights. The firm's contributions to legal discourse are reflected in media appearances, published case studies, and involvement in landmark cases that shaped criminal justice reforms.
Services
Criminal Defense
Civil Rights Law
Legal Appeals
Professional Discipline
Asset Forfeiture
Post-Conviction Relief
Criminal Investigations
Grand Jury Proceedings
Highlights and features
- We offer decades of experience in federal and state criminal defense litigation.
- Our team includes recognized trial lawyers with a track record of high-profile acquittals.
- We provide transparent, client-focused representation with no junior staff handling cases.
- We advocate in both trial and appellate courts for comprehensive legal protection.
- Our firm is trusted by attorney colleagues for complex case referrals.
Services
Criminal Defense
Our criminal defense practice represents clients facing felony and misdemeanor charges in state and federal courts. We handle cases ranging from drug possession to white-collar crime, employing strategic pre-trial negotiations and aggressive courtroom advocacy. Our attorneys work directly with clients to develop defense strategies tailored to their unique circumstances.
Civil Rights Law
We advocate for individuals whose constitutional rights have been violated through unlawful search and seizure, police misconduct, or discriminatory practices. Our firm challenges government overreach and prosecutorial misconduct while seeking damages for civil liberties violations in both criminal and civil contexts.
Legal Appeals
Our appellate practice focuses on overturning unjust convictions and sentences through meticulous case review and legal argumentation. We analyze trial records for procedural errors, constitutional violations, and evidentiary issues while presenting compelling briefs and oral arguments before appellate courts.
Professional Discipline
We defend professionals facing disciplinary actions before licensing boards for allegations of misconduct or ethical violations. Our representation includes attorneys, physicians, and public officials, protecting their careers and reputations through negotiated settlements or formal hearings.
Asset Forfeiture
We represent clients contesting civil and criminal asset forfeiture proceedings where law enforcement seeks to seize property allegedly connected to criminal activity. Our defense strategies challenge the legal basis for seizures and work to recover unlawfully confiscated assets.
People
Thomas M. Breen
Principal
Thomas M. Breen co-founded the firm and specializes in criminal defense and constitutional law. With decades of trial experience, he has secured acquittals in complex federal cases and represented clients in high-profile investigations.
Todd S. Pugh
Managing Partner
Todd S. Pugh leads the firm's appellate practice and handles white-collar criminal defense cases. He has argued before multiple federal circuit courts and is recognized for challenging prosecutorial misconduct and constitutional violations.
Jonathan M. Brayman
Partner
Jonathan M. Brayman focuses on criminal investigations and grand jury proceedings. He represents corporate clients and professionals in regulatory matters, emphasizing proactive defense strategies to prevent formal charges.
Robert W. Stanley
Partner
Robert W. Stanley specializes in post-conviction relief and sentencing advocacy. He has successfully overturned wrongful convictions through DNA evidence analysis and demonstrated judicial procedural errors.
Telly Stefaneas
Of Counsel
Telly Stefaneas provides strategic counsel in professional discipline cases and civil rights litigation. His expertise includes defending attorneys before bar associations and challenging unlawful government surveillance practices.
Questions
What areas of law does Breen & Pugh specialize in?
We focus on criminal defense, civil rights violations, appellate law, professional discipline defense, and asset forfeiture cases in both federal and state courts.
How does the firm handle initial client consultations?
We offer free initial consultations to evaluate case details, discuss legal options, and determine the best defense strategy tailored to the client's specific circumstances.
Can the firm represent clients outside Illinois?
While based in Chicago, our attorneys regularly handle cases in federal jurisdictions across the United States and collaborate with local counsel when necessary.
What distinguishes Breen & Pugh from other law firms?
Our trial-focused approach combines direct attorney-client communication, absence of junior staff handling cases, and decades of experience in complex criminal and constitutional matters.
How does the firm approach appellate cases?
We conduct comprehensive reviews of trial records, identify constitutional and procedural errors, and present targeted legal arguments to overturn unjust verdicts in appellate courts.
