Atty. William “Bill” Wolf
William “Bill” Wolf has spent nearly 35 years defending individuals in Illinois and beyond. After earning his law degree from Chicago-Kent College of Law and a bachelor’s from the University of Illinois, he joined the Cook County Public Defender’s Office, first handling child abuse and neglect cases in family court before moving to felony trial work at 26th & California.
Criminal Defense & More Attorney · Serving Chicago, IL · 33+ Years Experience
Profile Summary
About William “Bill” Wolf at a Glance
William “Bill” Wolf is a Founding Attorney based in Chicago, Illinois, practicing at Wolf Criminal Law. They have 33+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1993. Their practice focuses on drug crimes, criminal defense, federal crimes, white collar, and sex crimes. Admitted to practice in Illinois (1993), U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois including Trial Bar (2017), United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit (2018), and U.S. Supreme Court (2018). Educated at IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law (J.D., 1993) and University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign B.A. (—). Active member of National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers Illiinois Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers Women's Criminal Defense Bar Association Chicago Bar Association. Serves clients in Chicago, IL and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About William “Bill” Wolf
- William “Bill” Wolf has spent nearly 35 years defending individuals in Illinois and beyond
- After earning his law degree from Chicago-Kent College of Law and a bachelor’s from the University of Illinois, he joined the Cook County Public Defender’s Office, first handling child abuse and neglect cases in family court before moving to felony trial work at 26th & California
- Over the next decade, he secured acquittals and reduced charges in everything from drug possession and carjacking to armed robbery and murder by exposing faulty eyewitness ID, false confessions, flawed forensics, and police misconduct
- In 2007 he partnered with the Innocence Project on the nation’s 200th exoneration
- For eleven years he served on the Public Defender’s Homicide Task Force, defending capital and non-capital first-degree murder cases before judges and juries
- In 2017, he founded a private practice that covers courts throughout Illinois—and even Iowa and Indiana
- A former president of the Illinois Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and a National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers board member, Bill regularly presents on cross-examination techniques and emerging forensic issues at conferences nationwide
Practice Areas Explained
William “Bill” Wolf's Areas of Legal Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases William “Bill” Wolf handles, with a practical overview of what that area of law involves and how it may apply to your situation in Chicago.
Drug Crimes in Chicago
William “Bill” Wolf is one of 6,914 drug crimes attorneys indexed nationally. Browse drug crimes attorneys in Illinois →
Criminal Defense in Chicago
A criminal defense attorney protects your rights from arrest through trial. Find experienced lawyers handling DUI, drug, federal, theft, and violent-crime charges.
William “Bill” Wolf is one of 212,605 criminal defense attorneys indexed nationally. Browse criminal defense attorneys in Illinois →
Federal Crimes in Chicago
William “Bill” Wolf is one of 6,716 federal crimes attorneys indexed nationally. Browse federal crimes attorneys in Illinois →
White Collar Crimes in Chicago
William “Bill” Wolf is one of 19,824 white collar attorneys indexed nationally. Browse white collar attorneys in Illinois →
Sex Crimes in Chicago
William “Bill” Wolf is one of 5,296 sex crimes attorneys indexed nationally. Browse sex crimes attorneys in Illinois →
Jurisdictional Context
Why Local Counsel Matters in Chicago
Practicing law in Illinois. Legal matters in Illinois are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Chicago are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Illinois state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Illinois brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this venue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Illinois courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Chicago Courts and Legal Process
Choosing a Chicago-based attorney means your counsel already knows the local docketing timelines, preferred filing formats, and how individual judges typically rule on procedural motions — details that only come from practicing in this jurisdiction day after day. That local familiarity can translate to better strategy, faster filings, and fewer costly surprises.
Looking for additional Illinois attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Chicago or all attorneys in Illinois.
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Professional Profile
Why Clients in Chicago Choose William “Bill” Wolf
Selecting an attorney is one of the most consequential decisions you can make when a legal matter arises. Below are the core qualities that distinguish William “Bill” Wolf's practice in the field of drug crimes, criminal defense, federal crimes, white collar, and sex crimes.
Decade-Tested Legal Experience
William “Bill” Wolf brings 33+ years of hands-on legal practice — enough to have navigated the recurring fact patterns, procedural traps, and negotiation dynamics that shape case outcomes.
Multi-State Bar Admission
Licensed in Illinois, U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois including Trial Bar, and United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, William “Bill” Wolf can represent clients in cases that span state lines or require counsel in multiple jurisdictions.
Broad Practice Area Coverage
Covering drug crimes, criminal defense, and federal crimes, William “Bill” Wolf can address the full spectrum of a client's legal needs without requiring referrals to separate specialists for each issue.
Local Presence in Chicago
A Chicago-based practice means William “Bill” Wolf attends hearings in the same courthouses, knows the local clerks, and understands the unwritten scheduling norms that affect every case filed here.
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William “Bill” Wolf's Practice Areas & Specializations
Education & Law School Background
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