ATTORNEYS
David Brian Franks
David N. Rechenberg
Paralegal: Marlo Kreczmer
David Brian Franks
Partner
Phone: (847) 854-7700
Fax: (847) 854-7848
David Franks is a highly effective Criminal, Driving Under the Influence
(DUI) and Traffic Defense Attorney who has practiced criminal law since
being admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1989. Mr. Franks has more than
fifteen years of criminal prosecution and defense experience. Mr. Franks
served as an Assistant State’s Attorney in both Cook County and McHenry
County, Illinois. In McHenry County he served four years as a prosecutor
in the Misdemeanor and Felony Divisions. He served as one of the first
two designated Domestic Battery Prosecutors in McHenry County, as well
as the Misdemeanor and Traffic Division Supervisor.
Drawing upon his eight years of experience as an Assistant State’s
Attorney and seven years as a criminal defense attorney, Mr. Franks
understands the intricacies of DUI and criminal defense, and
consistently achieves outstanding results for his clients using his
skill as a researcher, negotiator and advocate. Mr. Franks has
successfully defended clients charged with Driving Under the Influence
(DUI), Reckless Driving and various traffic moving violations, as well
as criminal charges ranging from petty offenses to Class X felonies.
In October 2007, Mr. Franks retired from the United States Navy (Reserve
Component) where he achieved the rank of Commander (equivalent to
Lieutenant Colonel). While on active duty and in the reserves, he
further honed his skills in strategic thinking and planning, and will
develop a defense tailored to the particular circumstances of your case.
He is a tough and skillful attorney--qualities that make him an
effective courtroom advocate. He aggressively represents his clients
from the beginning of a criminal investigation through trial. Mr. Franks
is committed to his clients and strives to provide them with the best
defense.
In 2007, Mr. Franks was selected as a full member of the Illinois
State Bar Association (ISBA) Criminal Justice Section Council, a Council
upon which he previously served from 1990 through 1999, reviewing and
proposing legislation and providing input for the administration of the
Illinois criminal court system.
Mr. Franks is a past Chair (2006-2007) of the Illinois State Bar
Association Traffic Laws and Courts Section Council. He continues to
serve on the Council, where he has served since 2000, reviewing
legislation and providing input for the administration of Illinois
traffic courts.
Mr. Franks is committed to continuing legal education. Mr. Franks is
a member of the National College for DUI Defense (see certificate
below).
In March 2009, Mr. Franks attended a DUI defense seminar entitled, "DUI
Technology - Entering A New Age," conducted by the Illinois Institute
for Continuing Legal Education (see certificate below).
In July 2007, Mr. Franks attended an intensive DUI defense seminar
conducted by the National College for DUI Defense in Cambridge
Massachusetts. In April 2007, Mr. Franks attended a Continuing Legal
Education seminar entitled “Procedural Techniques for Defending DUI,”
sponsored by the Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education (see
certificate below).
In March 2006, Mr. Franks attended a Continuing Legal Education seminar
entitled “Successful Defense of DUI & Summary Suspension Cases",
sponsored by the Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education (see
certificate below).
Mr. Franks has also completed training in administering and evaluating
Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFST’s) according to National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) standards (see certificate below).
In addition, Mr. Franks has attended a seminar providing an orientation
and overview of the Intoxilyzer EC/IR and EC/IR II breathalyzer machine
(see certificate below).
Mr. Franks has served as a guest speaker for both in-state and
out-of-state forums addressing DUI and traffic-related issues. In May
2007, Mr. Franks outlined Illinois House Bill 300 during an Illinois
State Bar Association-sponsored Continuing Legal Education Program
entitled, The Study of Illinois DUI & Traffic Related Issues, in New
Orleans, Louisiana. In March 2007, Mr. Franks outlined Illinois House
Bill 300 during an Illinois State Bar Association-sponsored Continuing
Legal Education Program in Springfield, Illinois. Illinois House Bill
300, signed into law and effective January 1, 2009, eliminates Judicial
Driving Permits and requires motorists accused of DUI, and who wish to
continue driving, to obtain a Monitoring Device Driver’s License (MDDL)
by installing breath alcohol ignition interlock devices (BAIID) in their
automobiles. In January 2007, Mrs. Franks was a panelist on Illinois
Law, "DUI Issues: General and Specific," which aired on Chicago Cable
Access Channel 21 Television. In October 2006, Mr. Franks outlined new
traffic legislation for an ISBA-sponsored Continuing Legal Education
program, “Traffic Law Update,” in Rockford, Illinois. In March 2006, he
outlined new traffic legislation, which went into effect January 1,
2006, for an ISBA-sponsored Continuing Legal Education programs,
“Traffic Law Update,” in Oakbrook and Bloomington, Illinois. In March
2005, he outlined new legislation regarding DUI sentencing provisions
during an ISBA-sponsored program, “DUI Means Defending, Understanding
and Innovating”, in Oakbrook, Illinois. In March 2004, he participating
on a panel addressing DUI “Trial Tips and Practice” during an ISBA-sponsored
Continuing Legal Education Program presented by the ISBA Traffic Laws
and Courts Section Council, “Traffic Law Hot Topics Update”, in
Oakbrook, Illinois.
Mr. Franks is published in the area of criminal law. He has written
various case summaries which have appeared in Illinois State Bar
Association Criminal Justice Section Council Newsletters. As a
prosecutor he co-authored, with a Public Defender and sitting Judge,
articles regarding developments in criminal law, “Survey of Illinois
Law: Criminal Law and Procedure,” which were published in the Southern
Illinois University Law Journal. While in law school Mr. Franks
researched and wrote an article about a then recent development in
habeas corpus, which was later published in the Criminal Law Bulletin, a
national publication.
Mr. Franks earned his Bachelor’s Degree from Carleton College,
Northfield, Minnesota, and his law degree from the American University
Washington College of Law in Washington, D.C. Mr. Franks is a member of
the Illinois State Bar Association and McHenry County Bar Association.
He is admitted to practice in the State of Illinois, before the Federal
District Court for the Northern District of Illinois and the United
States Supreme Court.
SEMINAR SPEAKER
March 7, 2009
Illinois State Bar Association-sponsored Continuing Legal Education
Program: “DUI, Traffic and Secretary of State Related Issues--2009,”
Current and Proposed Legislation Update.
Lombard, Illinois
June 27, 2008
Illinois State Bar Association-sponsored Continuing Legal Education
Program, Traffic Law Current Legislation Update.
St. Louis, Missouri
June 7, 2008
Illinois State Bar Association-sponsored Continuing Legal Education
Program, Traffic Law Current Legislation Update.
Chicago, Illinois
March 8, 2008
Illinois State Bar Association-sponsored Continuing Legal Education
Program, Traffic Laws: Issues, Updates and Hot Topics. Current
Legislation Update.
Oak Brook, Illinois
May 4 & 5, 2007
Illinois State Bar Association-sponsored Continuing Legal Education
Program, The Study of Illinois DUI & Traffic Related Issues. Panel
participant addressing DUI Defense and outlined Illinois House Bill 300.
New Orleans, Louisiana
March 3, 2007
Illinois State Bar Association-sponsored Continuing Legal Education
Program, Traffic Law Update Seminar. Panel participant addressing
Statutory Summary Suspension and DUI Defense, and outlined House Bill
300 proposed legislation. Effective January 1, 2009 Judicial Driving
Permits are eliminated and motorists accused of DUI will be required to
obtain a Monitoring Device Driver’s License (MDDL), by installing breath
alcohol ignition interlock devices (BAIID) in their automobiles.
Springfield, Illinois
January 2, 9, 16 & 23, 2007
Chicago Cable Access Channel 21 Television, Panelist on Illinois Law,
"DUI Issues: General and Specific."
Chicago, Illinois
October 28, 2006
Illinois State Bar Association-sponsored Continuing Legal Education
Program, Traffic Law Update Seminar. Outlined new traffic law
legislation.
Northern Illinois University
Rockford, Illinois
March 24, 2006
Illinois State Bar Association-sponsored Continuing Legal Education
Program, Traffic Law Update Seminar. Outlined new traffic legislation
effective January 1, 2006.
Bloomington, Illinois
March 4, 2006
Illinois State Bar Association-sponsored Continuing Legal Education
Program, Traffic Law Update Seminar. Outlined new traffic legislation
effective January 1, 2006.
Oakbrook, Illinois
March 2005
Illinois State Bar Association-sponsored Continuing Legal Education
Program, “DUI Means Defending, Understanding and Innovating” seminar.
Outlined new legislation regarding DUI sentencing provisions.
Oakbrook, Illinois
March 2004
Illinois State Bar Association-sponsored Continuing Legal Education
Program, Traffic Law Hot Topics Update. Panel participant addressing DUI
“Trial Tips and Practice.”
Oakbrook, Illinois
CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION
April 16-18, 2009
"Mastering Scientific Evidence in DUI/DWI Cases", DUI Defense Seminar
conducted by the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association and the
National College for DUI Defense.
New Orleans, Louisiana
March 6, 2009
“DUI Technology—Entering a New Age,” sponsored by the Illinois Institute
for Continuing Legal Education.
Chicago, Illinois.
July 17-19, 2008
National College for DUI Defense. DUI Defense Seminar.
Cambridge, Massachusetts.
March 27 & 28, 2008
DUI Advocacy Academy, Procedure and Tactics and Forensic Issues,
Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education.
Chicago, Illinois.
October 25-27, 2007
"DWI Means Defend With Ingenuity" DUI Defense Seminar conducted by the
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the National
College for DUI Defense.
Las Vegas, Nevada.
July 19-21, 2007
National College for DUI Defense. DUI Defense Seminar.
Cambridge, Massachusetts.
April 26, 2007
“Procedural Techniques for Defending DUI,” sponsored by the Illinois
Institute for Continuing Legal Education.
Chicago, Illinois.
June 1 &2, 2006
Illinois Traffic Court Conference, Bradley University.
Peoria, Illinois.
March 17, 2006
“Successful Defense of DUI & Summary Suspension Cases", sponsored by the
Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education.
Chicago, Illinois.
ACTIVITIES/MEMBERSHIPS
Member, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
Nov. 2007-Present
Member, Illinois State Bar Association Criminal Justice Section Council
2007-Present
1990-1999
Member, National College for DUI Defense
2005-Present
Chair, Illinois State Bar Association Traffic Laws and Courts Section
Council
2006-2007
Vice Chair, Illinois State Bar Association Traffic Laws and Courts
Section Council
2005-2006
Secretary, Illinois State Bar Association Traffic Laws and Courts
Section Council
2004-2005
Member, Illinois State Bar Association Traffic Laws and Courts Section
Council
2000-Present
Member, Illinois State Bar Association General Practice, Small Firm and
Solo
Practitioner Section Council
2000-2004
Fellow, Illinois Bar Foundation
2000-Present
Member, McHenry County Bar Association
1995-Present
Board of Trustees, Public Action to Deliver Shelter (PADS)
2002-2006
Naval Reserve Association
32nd Degree Mason
U.S. Navy (Active Duty-Lieutenant)
1980-1987
U.S. Navy Reserve (Commander-Retired)
August 1987 through September 2007
Military Decorations:
- Defense Meritorious Service Medal
- Joint Service Commendation Medal
- Navy Commendation Medal (Awarded Three Times)
- Navy Achievement Medal (Awarded Two Times)
PUBLICATIONS
Case Summary, People v. Rodriguez, ISBA Criminal Justice Newsletter,
November 2008, Vol. 52, No. 1
Case Summary, People v. Ewing, ISBA Traffic Laws & Courts Newsletter,
September 2008, Vol. 18, No. 1
Case Summary, People v. Whitfield, ISBA Criminal Justice Newsletter, May
2008, Vol. 51, No. 4
Case Summary, People v. Company, ISBA Criminal Justice Newsletter,
January 2008, Vol. 51, No. 3
Case Summary, People v. Sturgess, ISBA Traffic Laws and Courts
Newsletter, March 2007, Vol. 16, No. 3
Case Summary, Kaiser v. Fleming, ISBA General Practice, Solo and Small
Firm Newsletter (November 2001, at 3)
Case Summary, In Re Marriage of Drysch, ISBA General Practice, Solo and
Small Firm Newsletter (October 2001, at 5)
Case Summary, People v. Every, Illinois State Bar Association Criminal
Justice Newsletter (February 1999, at 6)
Case Summary, People v. Cortes, Illinois State Bar Association Criminal
Justice Newsletter (April 1998, at 10)
Public Defender Stephen Baker, Assistant State’s Attorney David B.
Franks and the Honorable Daniel T. Gillespie, Survey of Illinois Law:
Criminal Law and Procedure, Southern Illinois University Law Journal
(Summer 1996)
Case Summary, People v. Whitehead, Illinois State Bar Association
Criminal Justice Newsletter (May 1996, at 8)
Case Summary, People v. Jimerson, Illinois State Bar Association
Criminal Justice Newsletter (September 1995, at 1)
Public Defender Stephen Baker, Assistant State’s Attorney David B.
Franks and the Honorable Daniel T. Gillespie, Survey of Illinois Law:
Criminal Law and Procedure, Southern Illinois University Law Journal
(Summer 1995)
Case Summary, People v. Mahaffey, Illinois State Bar Association
Criminal Justice Newsletter (June 1995, at 3)
Case Summary, People v. Knuckles, Illinois State Bar Association
Criminal Justice Newsletter (April 1994, at 6)
Case Summary, People v. Fassler, Illinois State Bar Association Criminal
Justice Newsletter (February 1993, at 3)
Federal Court Discretion and the Exhaustion Doctrine: Granberry v.
Greer, Criminal Law Bulletin (May 1990)
BAR ADMISSIONS
State of Illinois
Federal Bar for the Northern District of Illinois
United States Supreme Court
DAVID N. RECHENBERG
Partner
Phone: (847) 854-7700
Fax: (847) 854-7848
Email Me
David N. Rechenberg is an experienced Trial Attorney with over 18 years
of experience successfully trying cases. He has prosecuted Jury Trials
in McHenry, Lake, Cook, Boone, Winnebago and Stevenson Counties. In
addition to the Jury Trial experience he brings to your case, he has
tried numerous Worker's Compensation cases. When you are choosing an
attorney to represent you in Court or at the Arbitration level, make
sure you choose an attorney that will not be afraid to try your case. If
you have a case that will proceed to Trial, make sure you hire an
experienced Trial Attorney. Do not be afraid to ask how many actual Jury
Trials, Bench Trials, Arbitration Hearings and Administrative Law Trials
the attorney has actually handled. Attorney Rechenberg has prosecuted
and/or defended hundreds of cases that went to Trial as opposed to being
settled.
Experience counts. Results matter.
Mr. Rechenberg first began his legal career with the McHenry County
State's Attorney's Office. There he prosecuted Misdemeanor and Felony
Jury Trial cases. When he entered private practice and for the past 16
years, he has successfully prosecuted and obtained large sums of money
for people who were injured at work injured in automobile collisions and
other accidents.
Mr. Rechenberg will be happy to handle your injury case whether it is in
a Workers Comp case, auto accident, or product liabilities claim and be
willing to try your case where necessary as opposed to just accepting
the insurance company's settlement offer. If you have been hurt at work,
injured in an automobile collision, or hurt because of the negligence of
another person, including medical negligence, get David Rechenberg on
your side!
Experience counts. Results matter.
David Rechenberg is a true litigation attorney. He has spent almost
every day of his professional career in various different Courtrooms and
Courthouses throughout the Chicago land area. If you want an experienced
Trial Attorney handling your case, call David Rechenberg for a free
audit consultation of your injury case.
Not only is Mr. Rechenberg an experienced Trial practitioner, he is a
regular, down-to-earth guy who always returns his telephone calls. His
client's routinely thank him for returning telephone calls, (always
within one day) and explain how comfortable they feel with speaking to
him about their case. Although David Rechenberg is a battle tested Trial
Attorney, his clients appreciate the time and effort he spends with them
in explaining every aspect of their case and what to expect next, never
leaving them in the dark, wondering what will happen with my case next.
When you become a Franks & Rechenberg, P.C. client, you will always be
appraised of the status of your case, what to expect next and have all
of your questions regarding your case answered.
Experience counts. Results matter.
Areas of Practice
40% Workers Compensation
40% Personal Injury
10% General Civil Litigation
5% Employment Discrimination/Termination
5% Municipal
Litigation Percentage:
90% of Practice Devoted to Litigation
Bar Admissions:
Illinois: 1987
Missouri: 1993
U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois: 1987
Education
Northern Illinois University College of Law, DeKalb, Illinois, 1987 J.D.
Northern Illinois Univ. College of Business, DeKalb, Illinois, 1983 B.S.
Major: Finance
Professional Associations and Memberships
American Trial Lawyers Association
Member
Illinois State Bar Association, 1989 - Present
Member
Illinois Trial Lawyers Association
Member
McHenry County Bar Association
Member
Past Employment Positions
McHenry County State's Attorney's Office, Assistant State's Attorney,
1987 - 1989
Fraternities:
Sigma Phi Epsilon
Sigma Epsilon