The primary focus of McCollum Hodgkinson & Nikitas, LLC is on the
criminal defense of Felony, Misdemeanor, Juvenile, DUI, and related matters. If you or someone you care about has a Criminal,
Juvenile, DUI, or other case, it can be difficult to choose between the many attorneys that claim to have the competence and
expertise necessary to successfully defend the case. It is vital that you look at the background and experience of the lawyer
you are considering hiring. There is no worse feeling than the realization in the middle of your case that your lawyer didn't
have the experience necessary to competently defend you.
Steve
McCollum has been an attorney since 1978 and has practiced law as both a prosecutor and a defense attorney in Waukegan, Illinois,
the county seat of Lake County, Illinois. Steve was the Chief Deputy State's Attorney for the Lake County State's Attorney's
Office in Waukegan, Illinois. In that capacity he was in charge of all criminal prosecutors and prosecutions in Lake County,
while also handling many of the most serious cases. He tried many cases, including trials of persons charged with First Degree
Murder (including Death Penalty cases), Aggravated Criminal Sexual Assault, Reckless Homicide, Drug Delivery and Possession
Cases, and Financial Crime cases.
Other positions held
by Steve McCollum in the Lake County State's Attorney's Office included being the Chief of the Felony Review Division, Chief
of the Misdemeanor and Traffic Division, and Chief of the Juvenile Trial Division. In those positions Steve handled Grand
Jury matters, Reckless Homicide and serious accident cases, DUI and related charges, and all types of juvenile delinquency,
neglect and abuse cases.
After being a prosecutor in
the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office for 16 years, including 12 years as a supervisor, Steve became a criminal
defense lawyer. As a criminal defense lawyer for the past 20+ years, he has handled all types of serious criminal Felony cases,
Misdemeanor cases, Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol (DUI) and Reckless Homicide cases, and Traffic matters. He has also
handled the appeals of indicated findings of abuse or neglect made by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services
(DCFS).
As a criminal defense lawyer Steve has successfully
defended people charged with First Degree Murder, Aggravated Criminal Sexual Assault and Abuse, Reckless Homicide, Child Pornography,
large-scale white collar financial crimes (embezzlement and other financial fraud cases), drug charges (methamphetamine, cocaine,
and other controlled substance delivery and possessio and cannabis / marijuana cases), Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol
(DUI) and Aggravated DUI, Domestic Battery, Violation of Order of Protection, Burglary, Criminal Damage to Property, Robbery
and many other types of cases.
Steve is the past Chairman
of the Criminal Trials and Appeals Committee of the Lake County Bar Association. He is currently a Board Member
of the Lake County Bar Foundation and was previously the President of the Lake County Bar Association. He is a member of the Illinois
State Bar Association. Steve was appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court three times as a member of the 19th Judicial
Circuit (Lake and McHenry Counties) Death Penalty Attorney Qualification Screening Committee. This committee determined which
Lake and McHenry County attorneys met the qualifications necessary to defend death penalty cases.
Steve was also appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court to serve on a committee of lawyers
and Judges from throughout the State of Illinois to write new Rules of the Supreme Court concerning local ordinance violation
prosecutions.
Steve was a founding member
of the Lake County Domestic Violence Council which set up procedures for Lake County police departments, prosecutors and the
courts for domestic battery and order of protection cases. He was a member of the Lake County Major Crimes Task Force which
investigated homicide and other serious felony cases throughout Lake County. He has been a speaker at several seminars concerning
Criminal Law, Juvenile Law, Domestic Violence, Order of Protection, and family law issues on behalf of the Lake County Bar
Association.
Since joining the firm, Daniel Hodgkinson has been instrumental
in the defense of the felony, misdemeanor, juvenile, DUI and traffic cases defended by McCollum Hodgkinson, PC.
Dan was selected to join the firm based upon his reputation, skills and years of experience in the Lake County State's Attorney's
office. In that office Dan was extremely well regarded due to his ability to handle all types of cases including Felony,
Misdemeanor, DUI and Juvenile cases. He conducted trials of many felony, misdemeanor and DUI cases including 18 felony
trials in a relatively short period of time. His relationships with the other prosecutors in that office, the judges
he appeared before, and the court staff and police have been an added bonus to the clients being represented by McCollum Hodgkinson & Nikitas since he joined the firm.
Dan
Hodgkinson is the current the Vice President of the Lake County Bar Association and is slated to become the President of the
Bar Association. He previously was Secretary of the Lake County Bar Association and served as the Chairperson of the
Criminal Trials and Appeals Committee for the Bar Association. He has developed programs for the Bar Association and was the
first Chairperson of the Criminal Trials Committee to fully develop a remedial program currently used by the Lake County Courts.
He also works with all of the criminal and traffic court judges in this capacity and has gained enormous respect for his abilities
as a lawyer.
Greg Nikitas is a well-known and regarded defense attorney
who was a felony trial attorney in the Lake County State's Attorney's Office where he prosecuted 12 First Degree Murder Trials.
As a defense attorney, Greg has successfully defended many First Degree Murder cases including two trials which resulted in
Not Guilty jury verdicts. He has defended large-scale White Collar Crime cases which has resulted in voluntary dismissals
of charges against his clients on several occasions.
Greg Nikitas was
previously the President of the American Inns of Court - Jefferson Inn, which is an organization of well-regarded Judges and
attorneys in Lake County that is committed to helping attorneys and judges to maintain ethical, competent representation of
clients. In this capacity, Greg has mentored younger attorneys, worked with the judges of Lake County. Greg is
extremely well-respected by the Bar and Judges in Lake County and brings a particular insight into the defense of clients
charged with serious crimes.
It is important to
know that the experience of these three attorneys working together for our clients translates into great results. They have
repeatedly convinced prosecutors to reduce or dismiss charges. They have filed appropriate motions and convinced Judges
to suppress evidence resulting in his client's criminal charges being dismissed. Their experience in using and cross-examining
expert and other professional witnesses, such as police officers, doctors, and laboratory personnel, has resulted in repeated
findings of "not guilty" in trials in the Lake County court system. Even in cases where there has been substantial
evidence against a client, Steve, Dan, and Greg have convinced prosecutors to reduce charges so that the result was a disposition
of the case that didn't affect his clients' lives on a long-term basis.
All clients of McCollum Hodgkinson & Nikitas are treated in a courteous,
professional manner. We truly care about what happens to our clients and do our best to help them solve their problems.
To do that, the attorneys and staff use a combination of experience, training, and compassion.
In addition to criminal and juvenile matters, attorneys affiliated with McCollum
Hodgkinson & Nikitas also handle selected civil litigation cases, including personal injury, divorce,
and other legal matters. If you have any type of legal matter, we urge you to call for an appointment. There is no charge
for the initial consultation. If we are unable to handle your case, we will refer you to an attorney who has the experience
and expertise necessary for your needs.
