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Cook County has over 40,000 practicing attorneys – more than in the rest of the United States combined. This number includes lawyers specializing in practically all imaginable types of law in a variety of settings. Below is a little more information about where and how these attorneys work and some of the largest practice areas.
leading position
Daly Center is the main courthouse in Cook County; It is also the court of the first district in the county. Most civil cases and traffic matters are held inside, along with many other lawsuits. Cook County has 5 other districts, each with its own court. Courthouses are 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 in Daly Center, especially most of those involving more than $100,000.
It is best to hire an attorney who has experience with your specific legal issue and familiarity with the court where your case is filed. In addition to understanding your case, this type of attorney may know some of the judges and attorneys you will be dealing with during your trial. 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 type of fees they charge for their services. Some lawyers work on contingency, which means you don’t have to pay the lawyer a fee until he or she makes a financial award or settlement for you. The attorney will then earn a percentage of the monetary amount, often 30%. Certain areas of law are not permitted to be taken on contingency, however, such as criminal and divorce matters. The attorney working on these cases will probably charge a retainer, which is the fee for officially hiring the attorney. You will most likely pay an hourly rate for the time the attorney works on your case, although sometimes you can negotiate to pay a flat fee for all legal work. . The amount of the retainer and the hourly fee will depend on the law firm the attorney works for and the type of case you have.
personal injury
Most lawsuits arising out of accidents, such as car accident or slip-and-fall cases, are personal injury lawsuits. These cases are also known as Tort cases. Misdemeanor 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 Department and are usually heard at the Delhi Center, although smaller cases may be heard in suburban district courts. Smaller 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.
criminal
In criminal matters, you will always oppose the government in your case, and if you lose, you may end up in jail. All 6 of the Cook County District Courts and additional Cook County Courts also hear criminal cases. For example, most felony cases (such as murder or weapons charges) take place at the courthouse located at 26th Street and California. These cases are the most serious and most likely to result in jail time. Lesser criminal charges are generally handled in the nearest district court. As with all practice areas, it is very important to try to avoid fines by hiring an attorney who has won cases involving the same crime you have been charged with in Cook County.
medical malpractice
Nearly all medical malpractice cases in Cook County are filed at the Daley Center. Most Cook County attorneys who specialize in medical malpractice are consequently based in Chicago, but will work with individuals from all over Illinois.
workers compensation
All workers’ compensation claims are heard at 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 were injured while working in Cook County, or you were injured while working outside Cook County but your company is located 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 for any clients who need their services.
Divorce and Family Law
Divorce cases can be heard in the courts in Chicago, Skokie, Rolling Meadows, Markham and Maywood. However, the Daly Center is the main divorce courthouse and hears the largest number of cases. The place of divorce proceedings is determined by the person who originally files the case; However, the other party can apply for transfer of the case to another court. Divorce and family law attorneys located throughout Cook County.
probate
The Daly Center hears all Cook County probate (will, trust and estate issues), including those who were residents of Cook County when they passed away, even if their family members do not live in the area . Many Cook County probate attorneys are based in Chicago, but some will practice out of suburban locations and travel to Daley Center if necessary.
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