David Martin Carlson
Joliet Personal Injury Attorney
Dave Carlson is a seasoned attorney based in Illinois, with practice areas encompassing Personal Injury and Criminal Defense. He was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 2001 and subsequently admitted to practice before the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois in 2002 and the Northern District of Indiana in 2003.
Dave's educational journey reflects his deep dedication to the legal field. He graduated from the University of Arizona in 1993, where he majored in Political Science and was an active member of Delta Tau Delta Fraternity. Demonstrating a strong work ethic from the outset, Dave paid for his college expenses through various jobs, including roles at United Parcel Service, public works, and construction sites. He earned his law degree from Northern Illinois University, College of Law in 2001, where he was notably the class speaker at his graduation.
Continuing his commitment to legal excellence, Dave participated in the 2021 Judicial Education Program at George Mason University’s Antonin Scalia School of Law. This intensive program covered a broad spectrum of topics such as corporate governance, marketplace influence, and the economic aspects of law, enhancing his expertise and breadth of knowledge.
Professionally, Dave has held significant judicial appointments. From 2013 to 2014, he served as an Associate Judge in the State of Illinois, 12th Judicial Circuit, Will County. His responsibilities expanded significantly from 2014 to 2024 when he was appointed as a Circuit Judge for the same circuit. During his tenure, Dave presided over the felony/criminal division, handling a substantial caseload and leading a team in the daily administrative operations of the courts. His role also included overseeing the integration of new technologies across all aspects of the criminal justice system.
- Personal Injury
- Car Accidents, Premises Liability, Truck Accidents, Wrongful Death
- Medical Malpractice
- Birth Injury, Medical Misdiagnosis, Pharmacy Errors, Surgical Errors
- Products Liability
- Drugs & Medical Devices, Motor Vehicle Defects
- Criminal Law
- Drug Crimes, Expungement, Fraud, Sex Crimes, Theft, Violent Crimes
- DUI & DWI
- Credit Cards Accepted
- Contingent Fees
- Illinois
- Supreme Court of Illinois
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- English: Spoken, Written
- Circuit Judge
- State Of Illinois, 12th Judicial Circuit, Will County
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- - Presiding judge of the felony/criminal division (2nd largest in the State of Illinois). - Led a team of trial judges and staff, the daily administration of court calls, Grand Jury proceedings, and administrative functions associated with handling 8000+ cases per month. - Trial judge overseeing all courtroom proceedings from preliminary matters to trials and sentencing in criminal cases. - Judicial leader of the committee responsible for implementation of new technology in all aspects of the criminal system, including courtroom and virtual applications. - Retained in 2020 General Election with 214,996 "yes" votes (73.41%, 60% required).
- Associate Judge
- State Of Illinois, 12th Judicial Circuit, Will County
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- - Trial court judge handling a wide range of cases from family law to civil and criminal matters.
- Founding Partner
- Carlson, Zelazo & O'Dekirk, LLC., Joliet, IL
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- - Law practice focused on all aspects of litigation, including criminal, civil, and administrative matters, in both State and Federal District Court. - Personally tried numerous criminal and civil cases and participated in administrative proceedings. - Represented the local transportation agency (PACE) in trial and general litigation.
- Assistant State's Attorney
- Office Of The Will County State's Attorney
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- - Lead Gang Crimes Prosecutor in the Organized Crime Unit. - Prosecutor overseeing criminal prosecutions of virtually every kind of criminal matter including narcotics, organized crime, and homicide cases.
- Attorney
- Bullary & Carton, Chartered, Chicago, IL
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- - Attorney in insurance defense and commercial litigation law firm. - Practice areas included transportation related tort litigation, asbestos/mesothelioma matters, federal diversity jurisdiction cases, and large – scale commercial construction cases.
- "711" Attorney
- City of Chicago, Department of Law
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- - Intern Attorney in the Municipal Prosecutions Division. - Responsible for the prosecution of a wide range of cases including railroad violations of the Municipal Code.
- Administrator
- State of Illinois, Office of the Comptroller
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- - Coordinator of community outreach of the Programs and Planning Division of the Office. - Participated in the internal and external application of Office policies and public relations. - Oversaw the implementation of a new data base responsible for tracking all Cemetery and Funeral Home Trust Funds in the State of Illinois.
- Probation Officer
- Adult Probation Dept, Circuit Court of Cook County
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- - Armed Probation officer assigned to specialized units including Intensive Probation and Home Confinement Divisions. - Responsible for the community supervision of convicted felons.
- George Mason University School of Law
- Judicial Education Program
- Extensive course study in various subjects, including corporate governance, ESG, economics, marketplace influence, corporate presence and responsibilities, and shareholder/stakeholder interests and conflicts.
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- Northern Illinois University College of Law
- J.D. | Juris Doctor
- Class Speaker for graduating College of Law Class of 2001
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- University of Arizona
- B.A. | Political Science
- - Member of Delta Tau Delta Fraternity - Paid college expenses through various employment, including United Parcel Service, public works, and construction jobs.
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- Illinois State Bar Association
- Member
- Current
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- The Illinois Judges Association
- Member
- Current
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