Jennifer Callahan

Democrat For Cook County Judge

From Mother McAuley To The Cook County State's Attorney's Office, Special Prosecutions Bureau

Oak Lawn, Illinois

Jennifer grew up in Oak Lawn, IL with her parents and five siblings. She graduated from Mother McAuley High School in Chicago, IL and earned her B.S. in Business Administration from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. Jennifer then attended The John Marshall Law School in Chicago, IL where she participated in Moot Court as a two time best brief award recipient, served as a council member of the Trial Advocacy and Dispute Resolution Honors Board, and twice received the Edward Rosenberg Memorial Scholarship.

She’s worked as a law clerk for the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office in the Gang and Auto Theft Units of the Special Prosecutions Bureau. Immediately following her graduation from John Marshall Law School, Jennifer was hired as an Assistant State’s Attorney for the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office. Her first assignment was in the First Municipal Division prosecuting a variety of misdemeanor cases and litigating motions, bench and jury trials.

Jennifer also assisted in the Community Prosecutions division where she worked directly with CAPS and active community members to fight neighborhood crime. Jennifer was then promoted to the Narcotics Prosecutions Bureau where she handled hundreds of complex felony cases. She litigated hundreds of felony motions, bench trials and jury trials. Jennifer then served in the Alternative Prosecutions Unit of the State’s Attorney’s Office handling cases in the Drug Treatment Court, Mental Health Treatment Court and Veteran’s Treatment Court.

She worked on teams consisting of judges, public defenders, probation officers, treatment providers, social services and other professionals who worked together to provide treatment, employment opportunities and housing so non-violent offenders could work to better their lives and avoid jail.

Jennifer currently manages her solo practice where she represents clients on a variety of legal matters, including criminal defense and transactional work. In addition, she works as retained council for an in-house insurance defense firm defending employment claims. Jennifer also handles Administrative Hearings as an ALJ for a state agency. In her civil practice, Jennifer has represented clients in agency matters, administrative matters and in civil court proceedings.

Community Service and Family Values

Jennifer remains committed to giving back to the legal profession. She has volunteered at Chicago Volunteer Legal Services handling pro bono cases as a GAL, at Wills for Heroes providing pro bono legal counsel to first responders, and at Mother McAuley High School coaching mock trial for the Mother McAuley Law Society.

Jennifer and her husband, Joe Cook, are committed to community service. They are proud supporters of the Henry Schueler 41&9 Foundation, the Claddagh Foundation, and the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis. They serve on the host committee for the Danny Did Foundation’s annual Evening of Hearts & Hugs Chicago Benefit. Jennifer and Joe are also very active in their community coaching their daughters’ sports teams and volunteering at their school. Jennifer currently lives on the Northwest side of Chicago with her husband and five young daughters.

Professional Credentials

Certifications & Endorsements

“Recommended” Or “Qualified” By All Evaluating Bar Associations.
The Chicago Bar Association
The Chicago Council Of Lawyers
Illinois State Bar Association(ISBA)
Chicago Federation Of Labor

education background

Mother McAuley High School
John Marshall Law School

Professional Experience

Diverse Legal Experience Includes Criminal Prosecution, Criminal Defense, Civil Defense, Transactional Law, Administrative Law
Narcotics Prosecutions Bureau
Private practice includes criminal defense and transactional work
Serves As An Administrative Law Judge, Previously Served As An Assistant State’s Attorney
Chicago Volunteer Legal Services handling pro bono cases as a GAL, at Wills for Heroes providing pro bono legal counsel to first responders.