John J. O’Gara, Jr.
John J. O’Gara, Jr. founded the firm as a sole practitioner in 1997. Born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania in 1961, he grew up in Caseyville and attended Althoff Catholic High School. Following graduation, he attended Quincy College where he earned his B.A. in 1983. In 1987, St. Louis University awarded him his J.D. and his legal career was off and running.
Mr. O’Gara served as Assistant Public Defender from 1987 to 1989 and Public Defender from 1989 to 1991 in Knox County. Later in 1991 began serving as Assistant Public Defender in St. Clair County, which he continued until 1994.
Mr. O’Gara has focused his practice on the following types of law:
- State and federal criminal defense
- Personal injury
- Capital offenses
- Felonies
- Misdemeanors
- Driving under the influence
- Reckless homicide
- Traffic violations
- Automobile accidents and injuries
- White-collar crime
He is an active member in the legal community, a past President of the St. Clair County Bar Association, his local community, and coaches his youngest daughter’s softball team.
Memberships
- Lead Counsel, Capital Litigation Trial Bar, Illinois
- Chairman, Capital Litigation Trial Bar Screening Committee 1st and 20th Judicial Circuits, Illinois.
- St. Clair County Bar Association (Member, Board of Directors, 1998-2000, Vice President 2005-2006, President 2006-2007)
- Illinois State (Member, Special Committee on Public Defenders Appointment Standard, 1996-1999; Member, Criminal Justice Committee 2008—)
