About Thomas Caukins
Thomas Caukins Brandstrader is a licensed attorney admitted to practice law in both California and Illinois. He was admitted to the California State Bar in 1980 and to the Illinois State Bar in 1981. His license status in California is currently inactive, while his status in Illinois is active. Mr. Brandstrader is the principal attorney at his own firm, Thomas C. Brandstrader, Attorney at Law, located in Chicago, Illinois. He has been practicing law for over 45 years, focusing primarily on criminal defense and appellate matters.
Mr. Brandstrader earned his Juris Doctor degree from Western State University College of Law in 1979. Prior to law school, he completed his undergraduate studies at San Diego State University, obtaining a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1976. During his legal education, he developed a strong foundation in criminal law, which has been the focus of his professional career.
Throughout his extensive career, Mr. Brandstrader has specialized in the defense and appeals of serious criminal matters in Illinois and U.S. Federal Courts. He is among a select group of attorneys certified by the Illinois Supreme Court as lead counsel in death penalty cases. His practice encompasses all stages of criminal litigation, including pretrial motions, trials, post-conviction proceedings, and appeals. He has authored over 500 appellate briefs and has appeared in every appellate district in Illinois, as well as the Seventh and Ninth Circuit Courts of Appeals.
Mr. Brandstrader has been admitted to practice before several courts, including the U.S. District Court for the Northern, Central, and Southern Districts of Illinois; the U.S. District Court for the Northern and Southern Districts of Indiana; and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh and Ninth Circuits. His career includes service as an Assistant Public Defender in Cook County and significant union leadership roles. He has also been appointed to the Illinois Supreme Court’s Pro-Bono and Capital Litigation Panels.
Mr. Brandstrader is an active member of the Illinois State Bar Association and the Illinois Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. He has consistently earned an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell, their highest attorney distinction, and is recognized as a preeminent attorney in Criminal Appellate Law by Leading Lawyers. He is also a member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the Federal Defenders Association. Mr. Brandstrader is fluent in English and offers free consultations to potential clients.
