Schaumburg, Illinois
Telephone: 847.577.8700
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Thomas T. Glasgow: A Proven Leader in High-Stakes Criminal Defense & Civil Litigation
When the stakes are highest, experience and expertise matter most. As the founder of Glasgow & Olsson, Thomas T. Glasgow is a highly respected legal authority in
criminal defense, administrative law, and civil litigation. His distinguished career spans over three decades, during which he has successfully handled some of the most complex and high-profile cases in Cook, McHenry, Lake, Kane, DuPage, and surrounding counties.
Mr. Glasgow’s reputation is built on results. He has secured settlements exceeding $8 million for his clients and has repeatedly delivered victories in cases involving murder,
self-defense,
drug trafficking,
aggravated felony DUI, and
DUI defense. His name is synonymous with strategic, aggressive advocacy, and he is the attorney other lawyers turn to when the outcome is non-negotiable.
Unmatched Credentials & National Recognition
Mr. Glasgow earned his Juris Doctor from Chicago-Kent College of Law, Illinois Institute of Technology, on scholarship in 1994, after completing his Bachelor of Arts at The University of Mississippi. A Dean’s List honoree and member of a nationally ranked trial advocacy team, he began refining his litigation skills early and has since become a dominant force in criminal law.
His expert legal analysis is sought by
CNN, FOX News, ABC, CBS, NBC, and national publications, where he provides authoritative insight into high-profile cases. His work has been featured in the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun Times, Daily Herald, Leading Lawyers Magazine, Chicago Life Magazine, and JUF News Magazine, further solidifying his status as a trusted legal expert.
A Record of Influence in the Legal Community
Beyond the courtroom, Mr. Glasgow is a published author, adjunct professor, and sought-after speaker. He has taught legal seminars for the Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education and the Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation, influencing the next generation of attorneys, and shaping legal discourse. His Avvo “Superb” rating and numerous professional accolades—including selection as a Super Lawyer and recognition among the Top 100 Trial Lawyers in America—underscore his standing as one of the nation’s premier criminal defense attorneys.
Elite Court Admissions & Professional Appointments
In addition to being a member of the Illinois State Bar, Mr. Glasgow is admitted to practice before:
• The Supreme Court of the United States
• The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit
• The U.S. District Courts for the Northern, Central, and Southern Districts of Illinois
He has also been appointed by the Courts as a Special Prosecutor and Special Assistant Public Defender for Cook County, Illinois, further demonstrating the depth of his legal acumen. His past roles include Chief of the Medical Division for the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation and Felony Review and Narcotics Division roles with the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office.
The Attorney of Choice When Results Matter
For those facing serious criminal charges or complex legal challenges, compromise is not an option. Thomas T. Glasgow is the attorney who delivers when there is no room for error. His ability to navigate the legal system with precision, command respect in the courtroom, and achieve exceptional results makes him the definitive choice for those who demand the best.
At Glasgow & Olsson, we discuss winning.
Media Appearances:
Featured in:
- Leading Lawyers Magazine
- Chicago Life Magazine
- JUF News Magazine
News Coverage:
High-Profile Criminal Defense Cases
- "Thomas Glasgow gets mandatory 51 year sentence reduced to 17 months for man convicted of murdering trespasser", Telegraph Herald, June 13, 2021
- "Judge reduces bond amount for Hanover man charged with murder", Telegraph Herald Tri-state State News August 12, 2020
- "Lawyer: Suspect in Streamwood road-rage shooting may have case to claim self-defense", Daily Herald, March 3, 2022
- Prosecutors: Barrington man ‘savagely’ beat Vernon Hills doctor with bat before shooting her , Daily Herald, November 21, 2024
Legal Analysis & High-Impact Cases
Cases Involving Mental Health & Special Circumstances
- "Woman who killed disabled daughter to be sentenced next week", Fox News, Published May 15, 2016
- "Judge to decide sentence for mom who fed lethal drugs to disabled daughter", Washington Post (Reuters Video), May 13, 2016
- "Mother faces sentencing for killing disabled adopted daughter", By Kristina Sgueglia, CNN, Wed May 18, 2016
- "Schaumburg mom accused of killing daughter gets support", Chicago Tribune, June 26, 2015
- Woman Accused of Murdering Daughter Not 'Open-and-Shut Case'", NBC 5 Chicago, June 25, 2015
DUI & Criminal Law Developments
- Schaumburg Criminal Lawyer Explains the Benefits of Non-Lawyer Experts in DUI Cases, PRWeb, March 14, 2014
Second Amendment & Firearms Law
- “Two Lives Lost - Lessons Learned From The Drejka Shooting” Concealed Carry Magazine, January 2020
- “Is a parking space worth losing your life or your freedom…Lessons Learned from the Drejka Shooting,” September 6, 2019
- “A Citizen’s Guide to Illinois Concealed Carry,” Firearms Professional Training, Inc., 2015
- "Order of protection means loss of gun permit, but some say reinstatement slow", Daily Herald, December 17, 2013
- "Do more gun permits mean more guns?", Daily Herald, December 16, 2013
Legal System & Courtroom Procedures
- "Cameras in court", Illinois Issues, October 2013
- "Overview of Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation", Northwest Suburban Bar Association Newsbriefs, 2005
Early Career Cases & Notable Legal Challenges
- “Home Invasion Trial Centers on Marijuana Feud,” Daily Herald, September 15, 2010
- “Attorney for Cop in Bribe Case Fires Back,” Daily Herald, January 18, 2006
- “Sheriff’s Office Says it Arrested Rogue Deputy,” Daily Herald, January 17, 2006
- “Northlake Man Accused of Killing Mom Found Fit for Trial,” Chicago Tribune, January 16, 2004
- “Mental Exam OK’d for Son in Killing,” Chicago Tribune, October 17, 2003
- “Man to Plead Innocent of Killing Mom,” Chicago Tribune, September 13, 2003
- “Attorney Accused of Selling Babies,” Daily Herald, June 22, 2001
- “Man Gets Probation for Hurting His Mother,” Daily Herald, September 30, 1999
Professional Recognition & Thought Leadership
- “Setting Up Shop,” Daily Herald, July 16, 1999
- “Bar Associations Help Needy, Honor Judge,” Daily Herald, January 11, 2005
Medical & Regulatory Law Cases
- “Skokie Psychiatrist Gets Date With Court in Satanic Case,” Daily Herald, November 10, 1998
- “Doctor Suspended in Hospital Death,” Chicago Sun-Times, October 10, 1998
- “State Seeks Disciplinary Action Against Psychiatrist,” Daily Herald, September 30, 1998
- “State Pushes Case Against Doctor,” Daily Herald, September 30, 1998
- “Psychiatrist Accused of Misconduct,” Chicago Sun-Times, August 14, 1998
- “Controversial Psychiatrist’s License In Peril - State Files First Challenge In A Repressed Memory Case,” Chicago Tribune, August 13, 1998
Bar Admissions:
- Illinois Bar Association, 1994
- U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois, 1994
- U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois Trial Bar, 1994
- U.S. Court of Appeals 7th Circuit, 1994
- U.S. Supreme Court, 1997
- Illinois Death Penalty Bar, 2006
- U.S. District Court Southern District of Illinois, 2011
- U.S. District Court Southern District of Illinois Trial Bar, 2011
- U.S. District Court Central District of Illinois, 2011
- U.S. District Court Central District of Illinois Trial Bar, 2011
Education:
- University of Pennsylvania, The Wharton School, 2022 - 2024
Business, Management, with Certificates in the areas of Leadership and Neuroscience
- Chicago-Kent College of Law, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, Illinois, 1994
J.D.
Honors: Dean's List
Honors: Member, National Trial Competition Team
Honors: Recipient, Jacob and Yolanda Van Emden Scholarship, Dean's Advisory Council
- University of Mississippi, 1990
B.A.
Published Works:
- Author, Ch. 6: "Aggravated DUI". Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education, 2004 - Present
- "Two Lives Lost - Lessons Learned From The Drejka Shooting ", by Chip Eberhart & Thomas Glasgow, Concealed Carry Magazine January 2020 volume 17 issue 1
- "Is a parking space worth losing your life or your freedom...Lessons Learned from the Drejka Shooting, two lives lost due to poor training.", by Chip Eberhart & Thomas Glasgow, September 6, 2019
- Author, Ch. 13: "Aggravated DUI" Defending DUI and Related Cases, Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education, August 2006 - Present
- Editor,A Citizen's Guide to Illinois Concealed Carry, Firearms Professional Training, Inc., 2015
Honors and Awards (2003 - present):
Elite Legal Recognition
- Super Lawyers (Selected by peers)
Leading Lawyers (Selected by peers)
- Nation’s Top One Percent – National Association of Distinguished Counsel
- Top 100 Trial Lawyers in America
- Premier 100 – American Academy of Trial Lawyers
- Top Attorneys in America – Peer Recognition & Professional Achievement
- Top Attorneys in Illinois – Peer Recognition & Professional Achievement
- Top Attorneys in Chicago – Peer Recognition & Professional Achievement
Excellence in Trial & Criminal Defense
- Top Criminal Defense Lawyers – Peer Recognition & Professional Achievement
- Top Attorneys in The Western Suburbs – Peer Recognition & Professional Achievement
- Superior DUI Attorney – National Advocacy for DUI Defense (NAFDD)
- Ten Best Criminal Law Firms in Illinois – American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys
Contributions to the Legal Community
- Programs Volunteer of the Year – Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education (IICLE)
- Public Service Award – Northwest Suburban Bar Association
- Pro Bono Service Award – Northwest Suburban Bar Association
- Speaker, Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA)
Civic & Public Service Recognition
- Lutheran Home (A Lutheran Life Community) Cherished Place of Arlington Heights Honors – For support of Adult Day Services
Classes/Seminars Taught:
- Adjunct Professor - Concordia University Masters and Doctoral Law
- "Defending DUI and Related Cases," "Concealed Carry in Illinois," "Medical Marijuana: Its Uses and Regulation in Illinois," Institute for Continuing Legal Education, 2007 - Present
- Instructor, Health Care Investigator Training, Illinois Department of Professional Regulation
- Educational Law Masters and Doctoral level candidates Concordia University
Professional Associations and Memberships:
Elite Legal Roles & Appointments
- Special Prosecutor, Cook County, Illinois
- Special Assistant Public Defender, Cook County, Illinois
- Past Member, Central District of Illinois Health Care Fraud Committee – U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Attorney’s Office
Judicial & Bar Leadership
- Past Member, Judicial Evaluation Committee – Northwest Suburban Bar Association
- Past Member, Nominating Committee – Northwest Suburban Bar Association
- Past Member, Board of Governors – Northwest Suburban Bar Association
- Past Co-Chair, Judges’ Night – Northwest Suburban Bar Association
- Past Chairman, Holiday Party Committee – Northwest Suburban Bar Association
Academic & Legal Education Contributions
- Adjunct Professor, Concordia University – Master’s and Doctoral Law Programs
- Speaker, Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA)
- Instructor, Health Care Investigator Training – Illinois Department of Professional Regulation
- Educational Law Instructor – Master’s and Doctoral Level, Concordia University
Civic & Government Leadership
- Past Mayor Pro Tem, Village of Arlington Heights
- Past Trustee, Village of Arlington Heights
- Past Chairman, Zoning Board of Appeals – Village of Arlington Heights
- Past President Pro Tem, Northwest Water Commission of Cook County
- Past Treasurer, Northwest Water Commission of Cook County
Community Engagement & Public Service
- Member, President’s Circle – Northwest Community Hospital
- Member, Steering Committee – Metropolis Performing Arts Center
Bar Associations & Memberships
- Past Member, Chicago Bar Association
- Past Member, Illinois Bar Association
Past Employment Positions:
- Illinois Department of Professional Regulation, Chicago, Illinois, Chief of Medical Division, 1998 - 1999
- Cook County State's Attorney, Chicago, Illinois, 1994 - 1998
- Felony Review, Cook County, 1997 - 1998
- Narcotics Division, Cook County, 1995 - 1997
- Juvenile Division, Cook County, 1994
- Traffic Division, Cook County, 1994
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