Dave Carlson

Attorney

Print Profile

Practice Areas:

• Criminal Defense
• Personal Injury

Bar Admissions:

• Illinois 2001
• United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois 2002
• United States District Court, Northern District of Indiana 2003

Education:

• 2021 Judicial EDUCATION PROGRAM, George Mason University, ANTONIN SCALIA School of Law, law and economics CENTER
  • Extensive course study in various subjects, including corporate governance, ESG, economics, marketplace influence, corporate presence and responsibilities, and shareholder/stakeholder interests and conflicts.
• Law School – Northern Illinois University, College of Law 2001
  • Class Speaker for graduating College of Law class of 2001
• College/University – University of Arizona 1993
  • Major in Political Science
  • Member of Delta Tau Delta Fraternity
  • Paid college expenses through various employment, including United Parcel Service, public works, and construction jobs.

Memberships:

• Member of the Illinois State Bar Association
• Member of The Illinois Judges Association
• Associate Judge 2013 – 2014
• Circuit Judge 2014 – 2024 (Judge of the Felony Division)
  

Attorney Biographical Summary:

• 2014 – 2024 – Circuit judge, STATE OF ILLINOIS, 12TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, WILL COUNTY
  • Presiding judge of the felony/criminal division (2nd largest in the State of Illinois).
  • Leads a team of trial judges and staff, the daily administration of court calls, Grand Jury proceedings, and administrative functions associated with handling 8000+ cases per month.
  • Trial judge overseeing all courtroom proceedings from preliminary matters to trials and sentencing in criminal cases.
  • Judicial leader of the committee responsible for implementation of new technology in all aspects of the criminal system, including courtroom and virtual applications.
  • Retained in 2020 General Election with 214,996 "yes" votes (73.41%, 60% required).
• 2013 – 2014 – Associate judge, STATE OF ILLINOIS, 12TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, WILL COUNTY
  • Trial court judge handling a wide range of cases from family law to civil and criminal matters.
• 2005 – 2013 – founding partner, CARLSON, ZELAZO & O'DEKIRK, LLC., JOLIET, IL
  • Law practice focused on all aspects of litigation, including criminal, civil, and administrative matters, in both State and Federal District Court.
  • Personally tried numerous criminal and civil cases and participated in administrative proceedings.
  • Represented the local transportation agency (PACE) in trial and general litigation.
• 2001 – 2005 – ASSISTANT STATE'S ATTORNEY, OFFICE OF THE WILL COUNTY STATE'S ATTORNEY
  • Lead Gang Crimes Prosecutor in the Organized Crime Unit.
  • Prosecutor overseeing criminal prosecutions of virtually every kind of criminal matter including narcotics, organized crime, and homicide cases.
• 2002 – 2003 – ATTORNEY, BULLARO & CARTON, CHARTERED, CHICAGO, IL
  • Attorney in insurance defense and commercial litigation law firm.
  • Practice areas included transportation related tort litigation, asbestos/mesothelioma matters, federal diversity jurisdiction cases, and large – scale commercial construction cases.
• 2000 – 2001 – "711" ATTORNEY, CITY OF CHICAGO, DEPARTMENT OF LAW
  • Intern Attorney in the Municipal Prosecutions Division.
  • Responsible for the prosecution of a wide range of cases including railroad violations of the Municipal Code.
• 1998 – ADMINISTRATOR, STATE OF ILLINOIS, OFFICE OF THE COMPTROLLER
  • Coordinator of community outreach of the Programs and Planning Division of the Office.
  • Participated in the internal and external application of Office policies and public relations.
  • Oversaw the implementation of a new data base responsible for tracking all Cemetery and Funeral Home Trust Funds in the State of Illinois.
• 1994 – 1998 – PROBATION OFFICER, ADULT PROBATION DEPT., CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY
  • Armed Probation officer assigned to specialized units including Intensive Probation and Home Confinement Divisions.
  • Responsible for the community supervision of convicted felons.

Past Employment:

• Adult Probation Officer, Cook County
• City of Chicago, Law Department, Municipal Prosecutions
• Will County State's Attorney's Office – Lead Gang Crimes Prosecutor
• Bullaro and Carton, Chicago, Civil Litigation Attorney
• Carlson, Zelazo and O'Dekirk – Founder – Criminal and Civil Litigation Law Firm
• State of Illinois, Circuit Court of Will County, Circuit Judge