Michael O. Kurtz

Phone: 312.526.3928

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Michael's career has been defined by hard work and stubborn perfectionism. At the Ohio State University Honors College, he pursued studies in Japanese, Computer Science Engineering and English, studies which provided him with strong writing and public speaking skills as well as technical know-how that is invaluable in our modern, Internet-driven world.

After admittance to the prestigious Intellectual Property program at DePaul University's College of Law, Michael busied himself with studies of patents, copyrights and trademarks, but also branched out into antitrust law and criminal law. He had the opportunity to study under renowned experts in their fields such as Roberta Kwall, Michael Jacobs and John Decker. Michael served as a research assistant for Prof. Emeritus Decker, preparing material for various articles on criminal law and supervising junior research assistants. During this time, Prof. Decker was a member of the CLEAR Initiative, a systematic recodification of the Illinois Criminal Code. Michael assisted the professor's work for this commission by assisting with the legislative commentaries and preparing the new edition of Prof. Decker's Illinois Criminal Law for the new code.

Michael worked as a student clerk in the Felony Trial Division of the Cook County State's Attorney's Office for nearly two years, providing research support for the Assistant State's Attorneys assigned to the courtroom of Judge Stanley Sacks. Michael received a license to practice under supervision under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 711, and from there went on to lead the prosecution on dozens of felony bench trials and assist with the prosecution of many more.

Michael also served as a clerk in the chambers of now-retired Justice Calvin C. Campbell, assisting the Justice in preparing opinions and orders and drafting questions for oral argument.

Before co-founding Kurtz & Augenlicht LLP, Michael maintained a successful solo practice on the north side of Chicago.

Michael is a classical trombonist who often plays with the Chicago Bar Association Symphony Orchestra. He is also an avid football fan, licensed Illinois high school football official, and writer for Football Outsiders, Inc, the authors of the critically acclaimed Football Outsiders Almanac.