Robert J. Hanauer

Rob Hanauer has been interviewed by the broadcast news media for his representation of various high-profile clients, including affiliates for ABC, NBC, CBS, and Fox news. His cases have been covered in various blogs and print news outlets throughout the state, including the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, Illinois State Bar Association, Peoria Journal Star, Quad-City Times, and Herald-Whig, to name just a few. Rob has also been a commentator, offering legal opinions on various issues of public concern, for affiliates of CBS and Fox news. When it comes to courtroom experience, Rob has the experience it takes to succeed. Rob has appeared thousands of times in state and federal trial and appellate courtrooms throughout Illinois. He has conducted countless motion hearings; bench trials; and jury trials, securing favorable rulings and outcomes; the dismissal of charges; and "not guilty" verdicts in many cases. Rob has argued before various state and federal appellate courts, including the Illinois Supreme Court, Illinois Appellate Court, and U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. Rob has also argued before the Department of the Army; Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission; Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation; Illinois Department of Human Rights; Illinois Liquor Control Commission; Illinois Department of Public Health; Peoria County Election Commission; arbitrators on behalf of labor unions; various other local administrative agencies; and he has filed a Petition for Writ of Certiorari in the Supreme Court of the United States. When you need someone with experience and success, hire Hanauer.

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Robert Hanauer helping a client at his desk.

Education

  • Northern Illinois University College of Law, DeKalb, Illinois
    • Juris Doctor
    • Honors: cum laude
    • Honors: Top 25% of Graduating Class
    • Research Assistant to Professor Guadalupe Luna (Property rights)
    • Reasearch Assistant to Professor Marc Falkoff (Criminal procedure)
  • Augustana College, Rock Island, Illinois
    • B.A., Bachelor of Arts
    • Major: Political Science
    • Major: Communication Studies
  • Illinois Central College, East Peoria, Illinois 
    • Major: Political Science
    • Honors: Member of Phi Theta Kappa, 2004
    • Honors: NJCCA Academic All-American, 2003

Pro-Bono Activities

  • Volunteer Youth Baseball Coach
  • Youth leader in Boy Scouts of America
  • Volunteer Coach for Youth Running Club
  • Accepts Appointments to Represent Indigent Defendants under the Federal Criminal Justice Act

Languages

  • English

Professional Associations

  • Illinois State Bar Association
  • Peoria County Bar Association
  • Illinois Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (Life Member)
  • National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (Life Member)

Representative Cases

  • Edwards v. Atterberry, 2019 IL 123370
  • Wisam 1, Inc. d/b/a Sheridan Liquors v. Illinois Liquor Control Commission, et al., 2014 IL 116173
  • Pagel v. TIN, Inc., 695 F.3d 622 (7th Cir. 2012)

Practice Areas

  • Criminal Law/DUI/Traffic Defense 40%
  • Divorce/Child Custody/Child Support/Family Matters 40%
  • Civil Litigation 15%
  • Appeals 5%

Bar Admissions

  • Illinois, 2011
  • U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois, 2012
  • U.S. District Court Central District of Illinois, 2011
  • United States Supreme Court, 2019

Honors

  • Super Lawyers, 2025
  • Super Lawyers Rising Star, 2021 – 2024
  • Leading Lawyers Emerging Lawyers, 2017 – 2023
  • Leading Lawyers, 2024
  • National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Criminal Defense, 2021 – 2022
  • American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys 10 Best Attorneys for Client Service, 2021 – 2022
  • Attorney & Practice Magazine’s Top 10 Criminal Defense Attorney, 2021 – 2022
  • Lawyers of Distiction, 2023

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