About Craig Sandberg
As the primary trial lawyer here at Sandberg Law, I am deeply committed to achieving the best possible outcome for my clients – and to practicing law with honour, integrity, civility and compassion.
After receiving my Doctor of Law (JD) from The University of Illinois Chicago School of Law (formerly “The John Marshall Law School”) in 1998, I began my career in private practice, before moving on to work for several years as an Assistant State’s Attorney with the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office. Armed with this valuable experience, I returned to private practice in 2007.
I am proud to have “first-chaired” more than 40 complex civil cases through to jury and bench verdicts, and arbitrated more than 80 cases in various forums, including the American Arbitration Association and the Cook County Mandatory Arbitration programs. I have handled constitutional and appellate litigation in the Supreme Court of the United States, the Supreme Court of Illinois, and other courts throughout the country.
Those I’ve worked with describe me as friendly, personable and direct. I work hard to provide a calm, optimistic and reassuring presence amidst the chaos of what is often a vulnerable and stressful time for my clients.
In addition to practicing law, I’m an adjunct professor at Northwestern Pritzker School of Law, teaching trial advocacy. I have also instructed classes and programs through the John Marshall Law School, National Institute for Trial Advocacy (NITA), Chicago Bar Association College of Trial Advocacy and the Federal Trial Bar Training Course.
Bar Admissions
State of Illinois
Supreme Court of the United States
U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois
U.S. District Court Central District of Illinois
U.S. District Court Southern District of Illinois
U.S. District Court Northern District of Indiana
U.S. District Court Eastern District of Wisconsin
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky (pro hac vice)
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana (pro hac vice)
U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland (pro hac vice)
Superior Court of the State of Calif. (Los Angeles Cnty.) (pro hac vice)
Iowa District Court for Cerro Gordo County (pro hac vice)
Circuit Court for Prince George’s County, Maryland (pro hac vice)
Circuit Court for the County of Wayne, Michigan (pro hac vice)
Superior Court of Pitt County, North Carolina (pro hac vice)
Superior Court of New Jersey (Monmouth County) (pro hac vice)
Circuit Court of Sullivan County (Kingsport, TN) (pro hac vice)
Circuit Court of Knox County (Knoxville, TN) (pro hac vice)
Superior Court of Washington (King County) (pro hac vice)
Education
The John Marshall Law School, Chicago, Illinois, Juris Doctor. 1998
Staff Editor, Journal of Computer & Information Law
Student Bar Association
Externships: Honorable Ronald A. Guzman, United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois (1997) and the Honorable Allen A. Freeman, Circuit Court of Cook County, Law Division (1996).
Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, Bachelor of Arts, 1994
Awards/Recognitions
AV® Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell
The Society of Trial Lawyers - Member
The Best Lawyers in America©, 29th Edition (2023)
The Best Lawyers in America©, 28th Edition (2022)
The Best Lawyers in America©, 27th Edition (2021)
Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum
Million Dollar Advocates Forum
The Global Directory of Who’s Who (Top Lawyers)
Illinois Super Lawyers® – 2022
Illinois Super Lawyers® – 2021
Illinois Super Lawyers – 2020
Leading Lawyers Network – 2020
Illinois Super Lawyers – 2019
Leading Lawyers Network – 2019
Illinois Super Lawyers – 2018
Leading Lawyers Network – 2018
Illinois Super Lawyers – 2017
Leading Lawyers Network – 2017
Illinois Super Lawyers – 2016
Leading Lawyers Network – 2016
Illinois Super Lawyers – 2015
Leading Lawyers Network – 2015
Illinois Super Lawyers – 2014
Leading Lawyers Network – 2014
Illinois Super Lawyers – 2013
Leading Lawyers Network – 2013
Illinois Super Lawyers – 2012
Leading Lawyers Network – 2012
Illinois Super Lawyers and Rising Stars – 2011
Leading Lawyers Network – 2011
Illinois Super Lawyers and Rising Stars – 2010
Leading Lawyers Network – 2010
Illinois Super Lawyers and Rising Stars – 2009
Leading Lawyers Network – 2009
Illinois Super Lawyers and Rising Stars – 2008
Leading Lawyers Network – 2008
40 Illinois Attorneys Under Forty to Watch – 2007
Who’s Who in America®, 61st, 62nd, 63rd, and 69th Editions
Who’s Who in American Law®, 15th Edition – 2007
Young Lawyers’ Section of the Chicago Bar Association
Rising Star Award - 2005
United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
Excellence in Pro Bono and Public Interest Service Award – 2004
Illinois State Bar Association
John C. McAndrews Pro Bono Service Award Nominee – 2004
Who’s Who: American Law Students, 16th & 17th Editions
Professional Activities
Community
Chicago Bar Foundation
Past Member, Young Professionals Board of Directors
Gilda’s Club of Chicago
Past Member, Associate Board of Directors
Chicago Gateway Green
Past Member, Underwriting Committee
Service to the Bar
Chicago Bar Association
Past Member, 2006 Nominating Committee
Past Member, Strategic Planning Committee
Past Member, CBA Record Editorial Board
Past Chair, Medical-Legal Relations Committee
Past Chair, Federal Civil Practice Committee
Past Member, Judicial Evaluation Committee
Past Member, Young Lawyers’ Section Executive Council
Past Member, Young Lawyers’ Section Delegate to the ABA
Past Chair, Young Lawyers’ Section Bankruptcy Committee
Past Chair, Younger Lawyers’ Section Federal Trial Bar Training Course
Illinois State Bar Association
Past Member, Young Lawyers Division Council
American Bar Association
Past Member, Section of Litigation
Past Co-Chair, Jury Instructions Subcommittee of the Trial Evidence Committee
Federal Bar Association
Past Member, National Young Lawyers Division, Board of Directors
Past Member, National Young Lawyers Division Delegate to the ABA
Past Member, Board of Directors for the Chicago Chapter
Past Chair, Younger Lawyers for the Chicago Chapter
Cook County Mandatory Arbitration
Certified Arbitrator
Presentations
Panelist, “2nd Annual Chicago’s Top Attorneys Under 40 Share Tools for Success,” Chicago Bar Association (February 2009).
Moderator, “Avoiding a Communicable Disease Crisis: An Update on Isolation and Quarantine Issues in Illinois,” Chicago Bar Association (June 2007).
Panelist, “Civility in the Profession: How to Act Like a Professional and How to Benefit from Relationships with Opposing Counsel,” part of Life After Law School program by the Chicago Bar Association (October 2006).
Panelist, “Ethics/ARDC Issues,” part of Pleadings and Motions: A Symposium for Judges and Lawyers program by the Illinois State Bar Association (September 2006).
Host, “Federal Civil Practice: Civility and Professional Responsibility,” Chicago Bar Association (May 2006).
Panelist, “Making a Good Impression at the Interview: Interviewing Strategies Session,” part of Skills Programming Series at The John Marshall Law School (February 2006).
For further information, please see Mr. Sandberg’s Case Results page and Media page.