We defend
Illinois drivers.
Traffic Tickets / Suspended License / DUI
- Traffic Violations
- Suspended License
- DUI DEFENSE
- Traffic Violations
- Suspended License
- DUI DEFENSE
I received a ticket for...
Driver Defense Team consists of seven traffic and DUI defense attorneys that work as a team. Every week our attorneys meet to discuss each of our client’s cases, sharing input and previous experience to determine how to best handle each individual case. Our clients don’t just hire one traffic lawyer, they receive the skill, expertise and experience of the entire Driver Defense Team.
The attorneys at Driver Defense Team regularly appear in all fourteen traffic courthouses in Cook County, DuPage County and Lake County. Driver Defense Team’s lawyers are familiar with the rules, people and procedures in the traffic courthouses. This allows us to provide our clients with the most effective legal defense possible.
The Ticket Clinic originated in Miami in 1987. They now have 40 offices in Florida and California and have defended over three million tickets. After expanding to Illinois, Chicago-based attorneys Stephanie and Derek acquired the firm in 2016 and changed the name, but continue to provide outstanding service and deliver excellent results for our clients.
Most people have heard the phrase “Driving Is A Privilege, Not A Right.” It is true that you do not have a right to drive. In the eyes of the law, you earn the privilege to drive based on your skills (passing the test) and by agreeing to follow the rules of the road. When… Learn More
Driving on a suspended or revoked license in Illinois is a criminal offense. It often results in an arrest and an ongoing criminal case. Although the charges seem pretty straight-forward, the resolution to the case can be quite complex. Driving on a suspended or revoked license is one…
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Some states consider Driving Under the Influence (DUI) a traffic offense. But, in Illinois it is a crime with serious consequences. A person charged with a DUI should be aware of a possible license suspension or revocation, the likelihood of high fines, and even jail. Fighting a…
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We defend drivers. If you were pulled over, got in an accident, or arrested while driving, we can help. We also help you get your driver’s license back if it is suspended or revoked. Driver Defense Team believes in removing the mystery surrounding traffic and criminal defense. When you hire our firm, we are committed… Learn More
Derek Martin is from the south suburbs of Chicago. He attended Illinois State University where he received a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. Derek worked at a major media company for five years before deciding to enroll in law school.
He attended Chicago-Kent College of Law part-time in the evenings while working full-time during the day. Derek supervised and managed 55 employees at the company, before leaving to practice law full-time.
As a real estate investor since his early twenties, Derek built a law practice managing real estate transactions for investors throughout Chicagoland.
Derek has since co-founded Driver Defense Team where he manages the daily operations of the firm and represents clients each day in all types of traffic defense and DUI matters.
Stephanie Kemen is a Wisconsin native and received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota. After graduation, she began law school at The John Marshall Law School in Chicago.
During law school, Stephanie gained valuable trial experience as a felony clerk with the Cook County State’s Attorney’s office. After graduation, that experience allowed her to begin working for a private criminal defense attorney soon after passing both the Illinois and Wisconsin bar exams.
Since 2009, Stephanie has worked with some of the most prominent defense attorneys in Cook County. In 2012, she opened her own firm, the Law Office of Stephanie Kemen. Stephanie has built a reputation of providing diligent representation by successfully representing her clients on thousands of criminal and traffic matters.
In 2016, Stephanie co-founded Driver Defense Team where she continues to defend DUI, criminal, and all types of traffic cases.
Chris Dionne attended the University of California, where he received a bachelor’s degree in 2005. In 2007, Chris moved to Chicago to attend Loyola University School of Law, graduating in 2010.
While attending Loyola, Chris competed on the Latin American Students Association ABA Criminal Law Trial Team, serving as Lead Counsel.
In 2014, Loyola University Chicago School of Law awarded Chris with an adjunct faculty position. He also coaches law students on the Civil Law Mock Trial Team.
Professionally, Chris worked for the City of Chicago for over three years. While with the City, Chris prosecuted defendants who were accused of violating various Illinois State traffic violations, City of Chicago traffic code violations and misdemeanor Chicago Codes.
In February 2015, Chris left the City to work as a defense attorney. Since leaving the City, Chris has successfully defended hundreds of individuals accused of violating local and State traffic offenses.
August 16, 2017
August 16, 2017
August 23, 2017
August 23, 2017
"The Driver Defense Team was great! Chris did a great job explaining the possible outcomes of the case beforehand, and he was able to get the case dismissed. I wouldn't hesitate to hire DDT again."
April 1, 2017
April 1, 2017
"These guys rock. My attorney Chris Dionne is the man. He and the team made it all go away. Thanks!"
May 10, 2017
May 10, 2017
Katlyn Mathy attended Illinois Wesleyan University, where she earned her bachelor’s degrees in Risk Management and Mathematics. She moved to Chicago to attend Loyola University Chicago School of Law and graduated with her Juris Doctor degree.
While attending law school, Katlyn competed as a captain on Loyola’s Civil Mock Trial Team, served as Finance Director on Loyola’s Mock Trial Board, and tutored Legal Writing. During law school, Katlyn worked as a law clerk at a civil plaintiff’s firm, where she worked primarily on insurance subrogation and personal injury cases.
Professionally, Katlyn began her practice working as a plaintiff’s class action attorney before switching to criminal and traffic defense. Since joining Driver Defense Team, Katlyn has successfully defended many clients facing a variety of criminal and traffic-related offenses.
Douglas Swift has been practicing law for over 20 years, concentrating in all phases of criminal law. He served as a public defender in Charleston, South Carolina where he learned the value of intense preparation and the necessity of creative and empathetic approaches to criminal law cases.
Doug also served over 10 years as a prosecuting attorney. In that role, Doug received two special awards in recognition of the quality of his performance.
Doug graduated from the Indiana School of Law-Indianapolis in 1994. He has practiced in Indiana and South Carolina before coming to Illinois. In addition to his public service, Doug has represented clients in private practice in forums ranging from municipal traffic courts to the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals. The common thread uniting all of his practice is his ability to listen to his clients and find solutions to their problems through his experience, creativity, and preparation.
Eric Tibbs is originally from Central Illinois and moved to Chicago in 2010. He graduated from the University of Illinois: Urbana-Champaign in 2003, and received his Juris Doctorate in 2007 from the University of Tulsa.
Eric practiced for three years as an Assistant State’s Attorney in Tazewell County, where he was a prosecutor in the Traffic Division. Eric has over ten years of experience with DUI cases, Statutory Summary Suspension hearings, and License Reinstatement hearings. He has been involved in numerous bench and jury trials, involving every type of traffic-related offense. Eric currently resides in the city of Chicago, where he enjoys playing guitar and Playstation 4.
Colin Gage was born and raised in Joliet, Illinois. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin Law School and worked for a private firm where he handled criminal, traffic, and family law cases.
After working privately, Mr. Gage worked for the City of Chicago as a prosecutor in the traffic and administrative hearings divisions prosecuting traffic tickets, code violations, and vehicle impoundments. Over the course of his tenure with the City, Mr. Gage conducted hundreds of vehicle impoundment and Chicago ordinance hearings and prosecuted thousands of these violations.
At Driver Defense Team, Mr. Gage focuses his practice on vehicle impoundments and Chicago code violations. He has been defending these violations for over 2 years.
He is licensed to practice law in the State of Illinois and Wisconsin and is a diehard fan of the 2016 World Champion Chicago Cubs.
Questions? Fill out the contact form and we’ll get back to you right away.
Questions? Fill out the contact form and we’ll get back to you right away.
