Introduction
Operating from the historic Monadnock Building in Chicago’s legal corridor, Breen & Pugh Attorneys at Law has built a reputation for defending high-profile criminal cases in both federal and state courts. The firm’s client roster has included judicial officers, political organizations, corporations, and public officials alongside ordinary citizens facing charges that range from drug possession to white collar fraud. With a team of seven attorneys, the practice maintains the depth of a mid-size firm while concentrating exclusively on criminal defense and related constitutional matters. Their location at 53 West Jackson Boulevard places them steps from the federal courthouse and the Cook County criminal courts, a geographic advantage that reflects the firm’s singular focus on trial advocacy.
Practice Areas
Criminal defense is the defining mission of Breen & Pugh. The firm handles the full spectrum of criminal charges, from misdemeanor offenses to serious felonies carrying substantial prison time. White collar crime representation covers financial fraud, embezzlement, corruption charges, and regulatory violations that often involve complex document review and forensic accounting analysis. Drug possession and trafficking cases require a different set of skills, including knowledge of search and seizure law, forensic evidence challenges, and mandatory sentencing frameworks.
Criminal investigations and grand jury proceedings represent an area where early legal intervention can shape the outcome of a case before charges are ever filed. The firm represents individuals and entities under investigation, providing counsel during grand jury subpoena responses, witness preparation, and negotiations with prosecutors. This pre-indictment work can sometimes prevent charges altogether or narrow the scope of an eventual prosecution.
Professional discipline cases involve attorneys, physicians, and other licensed professionals who face regulatory proceedings that threaten their careers. These matters run parallel to, or sometimes in place of, criminal prosecutions and require an understanding of both the regulatory framework and the intersection between professional standards and criminal law.
Civil and criminal asset forfeiture defense protects clients whose property has been seized by government authorities. Forfeiture cases carry their own procedural rules and evidentiary standards, and the consequences of losing can be as devastating as a criminal conviction itself. Post-conviction representation and appeals provide options for clients who have been convicted, whether through direct appeal, post-conviction petitions, or motions challenging sentences. Civil rights violations round out the practice, addressing cases where government actors have overstepped their constitutional authority.
Criminal sentencing representation ensures that clients receive advocacy not only at trial but also during the critical sentencing phase, where the difference between an effective argument and an inadequate one can mean years of additional incarceration.
Attorney Profiles
Thomas M. Breen serves as a name partner of the firm. His experience in high-profile criminal defense has earned recognition among Chicago’s legal community, where he has tried cases involving public officials, corporate executives, and individuals facing the most serious criminal allegations.
Todd S. Pugh, the firm’s other name partner, brings a complementary set of trial skills to the practice. Together, Breen and Pugh have established a firm culture that prioritizes aggressive defense and thorough case preparation.
Jonathan M. Brayman, Robert W. Stanley, Telly Stefaneas, Chelsy L. Van Overmeiren, and Christopher W. Dallas comprise the remaining members of the trial team. This seven-attorney structure allows the firm to assign resources based on the complexity and demands of each case. A white collar investigation requiring months of document review can receive multiple attorneys, while a straightforward misdemeanor defense can be handled efficiently by a single practitioner. The breadth of the team also means that the firm can manage multiple active trial schedules simultaneously without sacrificing preparation quality on any individual case.
Location and Service Area
Breen & Pugh operates from Suite 1550 in the Monadnock Building at 53 West Jackson Boulevard, Chicago, IL 60604. The Monadnock Building, a landmark in Chicago’s South Loop, sits within the cluster of government buildings, courthouses, and law offices that define the city’s legal district. The Dirksen Federal Building, the Metropolitan Correctional Center, and the Cook County courts are all within walking distance, making the firm’s location operationally efficient for attorneys who spend substantial time in courtrooms.
The firm practices in both federal and state courts, meaning its geographic reach extends beyond Cook County. Federal cases can originate in any of the districts within Illinois, and the firm’s representation of clients facing charges at the federal level takes attorneys across the state and, in some cases, to courts in other jurisdictions. The nature of criminal defense work, particularly at the federal level, means that the firm is not confined to a single courthouse or county.
Contact the firm at (312) 360-1001 or by email at [email protected].
Client Focus
The firm’s client base reflects the breadth of criminal defense work. Public officials facing corruption charges require a defense that accounts for media scrutiny, political dynamics, and the particular procedural rules that apply to government employees. Corporations under criminal investigation need attorneys who can coordinate defense strategies across multiple individuals, manage document preservation and production, and negotiate with prosecutors who have extensive resources. Everyday citizens facing drug charges, assault allegations, or other criminal matters need representation that takes their cases as seriously as any headline-grabbing prosecution.
Breen & Pugh describes its philosophy as working tirelessly to provide the best legal representation possible. The attorneys understand that criminal charges represent some of the most serious and challenging events in a person’s life, a recognition that shapes how the firm approaches client communication, case strategy, and trial preparation. The firm’s willingness to take cases involving civil rights violations and constitutional challenges suggests an orientation toward clients whose cases raise systemic legal questions, more than individual factual disputes.
The firm’s approach to forceful defense of liberties and reputations indicates a willingness to pursue aggressive strategies when the facts support them. This includes challenging evidence through suppression motions, contesting the legal basis for charges, and taking cases to trial when plea offers do not serve the client’s interests.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of criminal cases does Breen & Pugh handle?
The firm handles the full range of criminal matters, from misdemeanor charges to serious felonies. Specific areas include white collar crime, drug offenses, criminal investigations, grand jury proceedings, asset forfeiture defense, post-conviction representation, appeals, civil rights violations, and constitutional law matters.
Does the firm practice in federal court?
Yes. The firm defends clients in both federal and state courts, handling cases that range from federal criminal investigations to state-level felony prosecutions.
How many attorneys are at the firm?
Seven attorneys practice at the firm: Thomas M. Breen, Todd S. Pugh, Jonathan M. Brayman, Robert W. Stanley, Telly Stefaneas, Chelsy L. Van Overmeiren, and Christopher W. Dallas.
Where is the office located?
The firm is in the Monadnock Building at 53 West Jackson Boulevard, Suite 1550, Chicago, IL 60604, in Chicago’s legal district near the federal courthouse.
How can I contact the firm?
Call (312) 360-1001 or email [email protected].
Closing
From its base in the Monadnock Building, Breen & Pugh brings seven experienced trial attorneys to criminal cases that range from street-level charges to federal investigations involving public figures. The firm’s track record with judicial officers, political organizations, and corporations speaks to a level of trust earned through courtroom results, not marketing. Reach the firm at (312) 360-1001, at [email protected], or through breenpughlaw.com/ to discuss representation.