Presented his Classification Talk. Dan is currently a Cook County Public Defender, a job he is dedicated to and loves. He provided some background about his large Cuban family who lived in Miami after leaving Cuba.
Dan went to under grad school at University of Illinois where he met his wife Otilia; and, subsequently, he attended law school in Florida studying criminal justice and defense. He returned to Illinois with Otilia to raise a family of four. He currently works with a legal group that has offices in Rolling Meadows and Markham. His case load can include custody, misdemeanor/felony, appeals and juvenile cases.
The remainder of Dan’s presentation was meant to help the audience gain a better understanding of the position of a Public Defender, and how this work could be so engaging and rewarding. Dan focuses on seeing that justice is done in the interest of his individual clients AND in the interest of all citizens that should anticipate a fair judicial system. He feels he is protecting the fundamental rights of everyone.
Key take aways from Dan’s perspective:
- it is vital that the public defender gain the client’s trust, whether the client be guilty or innocent
- it is often the case this may be the first time anyone cared enough to see the client treated fairly
- the jury system DOES work
- bail reform has both positive and negative aspects
- as the lawyer, you definitely gain an appreciation for what you have to go home to.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
