Thomas More Leinenweber

Thomas More Leinenweber is a highly experienced and respected trial lawyer with a long and successful track record. He has been recognized by his peers as a top-rated lawyer in the areas of white-collar criminal defense, securities law, and general litigation. Mr. Leinenweber has tried over 50 jury trials and hundreds of bench trials.

Here are some of Mr. Leinenweber’s notable accomplishments:

  • Voted by his peers as a White-Collar Criminal Law and General Litigation Super Lawyer and to the National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Trial Lawyers, every year since 2012.
  • Rated AV, the Highest Legal Ability Rating by Martindale Hubble Peer Review Rating System, which is only given to less than 5% of the attorneys in the United States, every year since 2003.
  • Won the only acquittal ever in the Northern District of Illinois in a criminal insider trading trial.
  • Served on the Board of St. Athanasius School as well as the Juvenile Protective Association
  • Member of the Chicago Inns of Court, the Celtic Legal Society, and the author of Illinois Apprendi Case Law: Two and a Half Years of Broad Application and Rapid Evolution
  • In addition to his trial practice, Mr. Leinenweber regularly represents attorneys before the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission and the Illinois Supreme Court Committee on Character and Fitness as well as judges before the Judicial Inquiry Board.

If you are facing a criminal or civil legal matter, Mr. Leinenweber is an experienced and skilled lawyer who can help you get the best possible outcome. He is dedicated to his clients and will fight tirelessly to protect their rights.

  • Miami University, B.A., History
  • John Marshall Law School, J.D.
  • Admitted to Illinois Bar

Criminal Trials

U.S. v. A.W. – Bank robbery involving an alleged insider– successful suppression motion of a statement given by the defendant admitting participation in the robbery and the acquisition of thousands of dollars in evidence by the Government.

U.S. v. S.J. – Mortgage fraud case against an attorney.  Successfully argued the defendant had not obstructed justice after he testified denying that he defrauded a bank.

U.S. v. P.G – Finding of not guilty in a criminal insider trading case in which was alleged that client, a broker at Credit Suisse First Boston, had traded on inside information and made over $250,000 in profits.  This case is the only finding of not guilty in a criminal insider trading case in the history of the Northern District of Illinois.

U.S. v. G.T. – represented a City of Chicago Building Inspector accused of accepting bribes to ignore building code violations.

People v. M.W.­ – Find of not guilty in an embezzlement case where an executive was accused of embezzlement from his former employer.

People v. B.B. – Find of not guilty in a case where a company executive was accused of indecent exposure for allegedly exposing himself at a female victim.

Civil Trials

O.G. v. City of Chicago, et al. – successfully defended at trial three City of Chicago Police Officers from the Gang Unit accused of excessive use of force, unlawful search and seizure and malicious prosecution.

Chicago Fire Fighters, et al. v. City of Chicago – successfully represented at trial a class of Chicago Fire Fighters in a reverse discrimination claim.

A.L. v. Jon Burge and City of Chicago – successfully represented a City of Chicago Police Detective in the Jon Burge litigation accused of torturing a criminal defendant.

R.W. v. City of Chicago – successfully represented at trial a City of Chicago Police Officer accused of excessive use of force.

CFC v Optimum Card Services – successfully represented at trial an executive accused of misappropriation of trade secrets and breach of fiduciary duty.

R.S. v. M.Y. – successfully represented at trial an attorney accused of fraud and legal malpractice.

United States Securities and Exchange Commission v. P.T.I.L. ­– successfully persuaded a court to release in excess of $30 million dollars in frozen assets in an alleged insider trading case.

SENTENCINGS

United States v. A.Y.  – Client, who owned an art gallery in Florida, plead guilty to Mail Fraud in a case involving the sale of counterfeit paintings.  The recommended sentencing guideline range was 21-27 months in prison and pursuant to negotiated plea agreement, the Government requested 11 months in prison. After a sentencing hearing, the client received only 45 days in jail.

United States v. D.B. – Client was convicted at trial of Theft of Government Funds and Mail Fraud.  The Government sought a sentence between 24-30 months in prison.  After a sentencing hearing, the client received 24 months probation,

United States v. E.K. – Client, a Cook County Sheriff, plead guilty to Bribery of a Public Official.  The Government sought a sentence of 46-57 months in prison.  After a sentencing hearing, the client received 18 months in prison.

United States v. B.L. – Client was convicted at trial of making telephonic death threats.  The Government sought a sentence of between 33-41 months in prison.  After a sentencing hearing, the client received 24 months in prison.

United States v. M.M. – after a trial in which the client was convicted of gun and drug charges and sentenced to five years in prison.  The case was reversed on appeal and remanded.  After client plead guilty, he was sentenced to time served.

United v. J.S. ­ – Client was a salesman who attempted to violate the United States embargo of Iran by attempting to trade goods.  Client plead guilty to 50 U.S.C. §1702 and §1705(b).  The Government sought a sentence of 63-78 months in prison. After a sentencing hearing, the client received 5 years probation.

United States v. M.A. –Client was a police officer who plead guilty to conspiracy to possess stolen merchandise.  The Government sought a sentence of between 33-41 months in prison.  After a sentencing hearing, the client received 18 months in prison.

United States v. J.A. – Client plead guilty in a mortgage fraud case in which the Government sought a sentence between 63-78 months with a loss amount of over 5 million dollars.  After a sentencing hearing, the client received 21 months in prison.

United States v. D.B. – Client plead guilty to Bribery of a Public Official. The Government sought a sentence of 41-51 months.  After a sentencing hearing, the client received 5 years probation.

United States v. R.B. – Client plead guilty to embezzling over 2 million dollars from her employer, a Fortune 500 company based in Chicago.  The Government sought a sentence of 41-51 months.  After a sentencing hearing, the client received 27 months in prison.

United States v. D.D. – Client plead guilty to bank robbery.  The Government sought a sentence of 41-51 months.  After a sentencing hearing, the client received 20 months in prison.

People v. J.S. – Client plead guilty to reckless homicide after killing a pedestrian in a drunk driving accident.  After substantial negotiations, client received a sentence of 30 days in jail.

NEGOTIATED DISPOSITIONS

People v. J.S. – represented a client on felony probation who was arrested and charged with six burglaries and a one charge of unlawful use of a weapon.  Negotiations with the Cook County State’s Attorney and the judge resulted in a sentence of six months in drug treatment after the State initially asked for 6 years in prison.

People v. E.F. – represented a factory worker and veteran who was charged with stealing firearms.  Negotiations with the Lake County State’s Attorney resulted in the charges being reduced from a felony to a misdemeanor and the client being sentenced to probation.

People v. T.W. – represented a college student arrested for burglary to several automobiles.  Negotiations with the Will County State’s Attorney resulted in the charges being reduced to a misdemeanor and the client being sentenced to probation and avoiding jail time and the stigma of a felony conviction.

U.S. v. J.M. – represented a client accused of making and detonating a pipe bomb.  Through intensive negotiations with the United States’ Attorney’s Office, we were able to get the Government to agree to a Deferred Prosecution, which called for the client to perform community service, attend counseling sessions and make restitution in exchange for the eventual dismissal of all charges.

U.S. v. V.K.P. –  represented a small business owner who was charged with conducting an unlicensed money transmitting business sending money to the Middle East.  Negotiations with the U.S. Attorney’s Office resulted in an agreement to Defer Prosecution calling for the client to perform community service.  All charges were eventually dismissed.

U.S. v. R.S. – Client was charged with Mortgage Fraud. After extensive negotiation with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, all charges were dropped.

People v. I.H. – Client was charged with felony impersonation of a police officer. After extensive negotiations with the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, the charges were reduced to a misdemeanor and the client received supervision with no jail time.