William E. Bazarek
About William
William is an accomplished trial lawyer with extensive experience in federal and state courts. He handles complex legal challenges and crisis management, with deep knowledge of governmental policies and the issues facing governmental entities.
Prior to entering private practice, William spent nearly 30 years in the public sector, notably serving as a leading trial attorney in the Federal Civil Rights Litigation Division of the City of Chicago Law Department and later as the First Assistant General Counsel for the Chicago Police Department. In these roles, he defended the City, the police department and its members against civil rights claims, prosecuted cases for the Mayor’s License Commission, and provided legal counsel on high-profile matters.
Areas of Focus
Industries:
Experience
- Lead defense counsel in coordinated pretrial proceedings in federal lawsuits involving over 180 plaintiffs alleging that a tactical team led by a former police sergeant fabricated drug and gun charges, resulting in wrongful convictions.
- Effectively defended a case concerning a police-involved shooting, where two off-duty officers confronted an armed assailant in a busy commercial area. The officers were later cleared of any wrongdoing in their use of force.
- Achieved a successful defense outcome on behalf of the City and its officers in a case involving a plaintiff who spent nearly 30 years in prison and alleged he was wrongfully convicted due to police and prosecutorial misconduct in a fatal arson case.
Credentials
Education
- University of Illinois Chicago School of Law (formerly The John Marshall Law School), JD
- Southern Illinois University, BS
Bar Admissions
- Illinois
Court Admissions
- Federal Trial Bar
- US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
Interests
Did you know...
Outside of work, William enjoys hiking, biking, and traveling.
