David Winer

Before entering private practice in 1993, David Winer had a successful and varied legal career. While working toward his undergraduate degree at the University of Iowa, David was aware that criminal law was his passion when he interned with the Coralville Police Department. In this capacity, David rode along daily with the patrol division and saw first-hand the criminal justice system, where he witnessed crime investigation, execution of warrants, arrests, interrogation, and trial. This invaluable experience continued while in law school where, under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 711, he interned for the Cook County State’s Attorney and was assigned to the felony trial division at 26^th and California, and assisted in major felony cases. 

 

Upon graduation from law school in 1988, David was hired by at the Lake County Public Defender’s Office where he was involved in every aspect of the Lake County criminal system.  In a very brief period of time, he was soon recognized as a leading local trial attorney and built a reputation for successful litigation. David worked in all divisions of the Lake County Courthouse in Waukegan, Illinois, including:

 

         ·Felony Trial Division assigned to the Chief Judge’s Courtroom

         ·Felony Preliminary Hearing Division

         ·Misdemeanor and Domestic Violence Trial Division

         ·DUI and Traffic Trial Division

         ·Juvenile Trial Division

 

During his assignment at the Felony Trial Division, David participated in every type of felony case, from simple possession of drugs to complex murder trials. Frequently, these high profile cases were reported in the news where David has been covered or quoted in the Daily Herald, the News Sun, the Chicago Sun-Times, and the Chicago Tribune. His cases have also been covered by major television networks, including ABC, CBS, NBC, CLTV, Fox, Telemundo, and Univision. As a result David grew intimately familiar with the inner workings of the Lake County, Illinois courthouse, its personnel, and procedures.

 

Following his experience at the Lake County Public Defender’s office, David moved to South Africa where he was hired as a legal consultant to assist in the development of South Africa's first Public Defender’s Office locatedin Johannesburg.  In addition, he worked in Pretoria for the human rights public law office, the Legal Resource Centre. David also provided guest lectures on Comparative Criminal Law at the Law School of the University of Pretoria. South Africa was under apartheid during one year of David’s stay, and he was given the unique opportunity to experience first-hand the inequities of an unjust legal system. This invaluable experience only strengthened his desire and resolve to fight for his client’s rights.

 

Upon returning from South Africa in 1993, David entered private practice with his father Harold, and brother Evan. The Winer name has been a presence in Lake County since 1961 where Harold Winer has been a fixture in the Lake County legal community.  Often called the “Dean of Lake County,” in 2007 Harold Winer was awarded , “The President’s Award” which is the most prestigious honorary by the Lake County Bar Association.

 

It was this partnership that created the finest and most respected law firms in Lake County that solely practice Criminal Defense, Traffic-DUI Defense and Secretary of State License Hearings.  From the outset David J. Winer became active in the local legal community where he was a member the Editorial Board and Contributing Author of the Lake County legal publication, The Docket, past Chairman of the Juvenile Law Committee, current active member of the Criminal Law and Traffic Law committees of the Lake County and Illinois Bar Associations and is the current chairman of the Lake County Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service.

 

David has lectured other practicing attorneys about Secretary of State Hearings for driver’s license permits and reinstatement through an Illinois Continuing Legal Education lecture.  David has also given legal related guest lectures and speeches to the Lake County Criminal Law Seminar. College of Lake County, Columbia-Missouri College, Rotary Club and WCBR Radio.   In addition to speaking and lectures, David has written numerous legal related articles concerning Secretary of State driver license, criminal and traffic related.

 

In the over twenty years of litigation practice combined with his local legal activities David has established highly respected and strong relationships with all members of the legal community from fellow attorneys, Prosecutors, Judges, Courtroom Clerks and Courthouse Personnel.  David has proven to be a tireless and strategic trial attorney who will, if it necessary, fight to the end.  However, David is fully aware that the majority of criminal and traffic case do not result in a trial, but are rather resolved in a pre-trial negotiation.   But, David looks carefully at every aspect or angle to obtain the best possible deal or negotiation for all his clients.  The respect he has earned and the relationships he has established in his over twenty years of practice pays off for all his current and future clients.   The best advertisement a satisfied client!!!!