Women of NCDD: Ava George Stewart (Illinois)

Ava George Stewart is a rising rock star in the world of DUI defense.  Her practice is located in Chicago and she currently serves as the Illinois State Delegate for NCDD.  I have heard nothing but praise regarding Ava so if you're charged with a DUI in or around Chicago, you should give her a call.  

From her website:

Professional Memberships

• Illinois State Bar Association, Assembly Member
• Illinois State Bar Association’s Traffic Laws and Court Section
• National College for DUI Defense, State Delegate
• Founding Member, Women’s Criminal Defense Bar Association
• Former board member, Minority Legal Education Resources

Education

• BA, Northwestern University
• MSC, Northwestern University
• JD, University of Illinois

 

Publications/Presentations

• Panelist, “Immigration Consequences in Traffic Law,” Illinois State Bar Association; March 2006
• Panelist, “Statutory Summary Suspensions, Commercial Driver’s License Issues,” Illinois State Bar Association; October 2006
• Panelist, “Questions and Answers with Experts on Traffic Matters,” Illinois State Bar Association; March 2007
• Panelist, “Nuts and Bolts for the Young Lawyer: Basic Traffic Law and Other Issues Facing the Young Lawyer,” Illinois State Bar Association, Young Lawyers Committee; April 2007
• Panelist, “The Study of Illinois DUI & Traffic Related Issues; Sentencing Issues of the Illinois Motor Vehicle Code; DUI/Statutory Summary Suspension, Zero Tolerance, Alcohol; Potpourri Traffic Related Issues,” Illinois State Bar Association, Civil Practice & Procedures and Traffic Laws & Courts Sections; May 2007
• Speaker, “DUI Issues: General and Specific,” CAN TV-21, Chicago; originally aired January 2007
• Featured in Chicago Daily Law Bulletin; 2007
• DUI, Statutory Summary Suspension, Zero Tolerance Nuts & Bolts Panel Discussion at theTraffic Laws: Issues, Updates and Hot Topics – 2008
  Presented by the ISBA Traffic Laws and Courts Section

A DUI arrest and conviction in Chicago and surrounding Cook County willmean that you face life-altering consequences, including serious penalties such as jail time, loss of driving privileges, large fines, expensive alcohol awareness classes, and burdensome community service. A DUI conviction may also lead to increased insurance costs, significant employment difficulties, the possibility of lost income, and other financial penalties and restrictions, as well as considerable personal embarrassment.

If you are serious about defending your freedom, protecting your driving privileges, and reducing the negative financial impacts of your DUI arrest, you need a skilled, experienced and responsive DUI lawyer. If the proper paperwork is not immediately filed on your behalf, you will automatically lose your license 46 days after your DUI arrest. Immediate action is required for both felony DUI and misdemeanor charges.

When you retain the Law Office of Ava George Stewart, your case will be personally handled by Ava, a former prosecutor, and the Illinois State Delegate for The National College of DUI Defense. Ava will aggressively investigate all the legal, technical, biological, and social aspects (and more) of your arrest. From correct police procedure and probable cause, to racial profiling; from Intoxilyzer to interrogation; every aspect of your felony or misdemeanor DUI case will be rigorously examined and reviewed in order to prepare the strongest legal defense to both the criminal and civil charges you face.

 

With Ava standing next to you at the bench, fighting to defend your privileges, freedom, and finances, you'll see first-hand the considerable respect she has earned among Cook County judges and prosecutors. You’ll be kept informed about the status of your case, and will always know what to expect, every step along the way; you'll be provided with easy-to-follow written instructions for your specific case. Ava will never hand off your case to 'substitute' attorneys who know nothing about you, and are ignorant about the details of your case. You'll also receive an explanation about how the charges may continue to affect you, even after your case is closed.

The Women of AACDL

One of the great things about traveling around the country teaching at seminars is the opportunity to meet wonderful new people.  


As readers of this blog know, I am constantly seeking out talented women lawyers to spotlight.  Having spent so many years as an observer and a victim of the outrageous sex discrimination that is a part of the culture of the National College for DUI Defense, it is particularly rewarding to discover new female trial warriors in every city that I visit.  


This weekend I had the honor to present at the Arkansas Association of Criminal Defense Lawyer's Betting on Justice Seminar.  There were over 100 attorneys in attendance and the speaker lineup was outstanding.  Attorneys had flown in from as far away as San Francisco and Miami.  I learned quite a bit about police interrogation tactics and DNA.


I was particularly pleased to see three female lawyers on the faculty for this seminar, as well as the largest female audience I've ever encountered.  I've often asked the question, "Where are the women?".  Well, apparently, a great many of them are practicing criminal defense in Arkansas!


Kudos to AACDL for an outstanding learning experience!  Y'all did a great job. 


I want to give a special shout out to attorneys Shannon Blatt (Arkansas), Brandi Collins (Arkansas) and Lisa Kirsch Satawa (Michigan).  You are a credit to our profession and it was wonderful to meet you.