Waukegan, IL Criminal Defense Attorney

Theodore S. Potkonjak is a seasoned trial lawyer with over four decades of legal experience, distinguished by a broad career spanning public service, private practice, and the judiciary. After earning his J.D. from California Western School of Law and gaining admission to the Illinois Bar in 1982, Ted began his career in the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office before building a robust criminal defense practice, including serving as a Special Public Defender and handling complex felony, misdemeanor, DUI, and traffic matters. He was appointed Associate Judge of the 19th Judicial Circuit in 2002 and served with distinction on the bench for more than 22 years, presiding over a wide array of criminal and civil matters and earning a reputation for fairness and deep legal insight. Following his retirement from the judiciary in 2024, he returned to private practice where he applies his extensive trial and judicial experience to criminal defense cases. Ted is committed to zealous advocacy and delivering practical solutions tailored to each client’s needs.

Education

• California Western School of Law, J.D., 1982
• MacMurray College, B.A., 1978

Bar Associations

• Illinois State Bar Association
• Lake County Bar Association
• McHenry County Bar Association

Associations

• MDR LAW LLC, Of Counsel
• Illinois Judges Association
• Serbian National Federation Dispute Resolution Committee
• State of Illinois 19th Judicial Circuit, Former Associate Judge
• Serbian Attorney Association

Practice Areas

• Criminal Defense
• DUI and DWI
• Federal and White Collar Crimes
• Drug Crimes
• Sex Crimes

HONORS & AWARDS

• Leading Lawyers, Leading Lawyer, 2025
• Top Criminal Defense Lawyers, Chicago Lawyer Selected By Peer Recognition, 2025
• Czar Dushan Award, 2020

LOCATIONS