Judge O'Gara frequently has lectured at continuing education events for lawyers regarding trial and substantive legal issues with the Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education, the Illinois State Bar Association, the Illinois Appellate Defender, the Illinois State’s Attorney Association, and he was the first defense lawyer to address the Illinois Homicide Investigators Association.
Judge O'Gara tried numerous cases in the 20th Judicial Circuit in his 30 years as a trial lawyer and a judge. O’Gara tried close to 100 jury trials throughout the State of Illinois and in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois. Admitted to the United States Supreme Court Bar argued appeals before the Illinois Supreme Court and the United States Court of Appeals, 7th Circuit..
During his career, he was well known and trusted by the legal community, having served as President of the St. Clair County Bar Association, the Illinois Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and second Vice President of the East St. Louis Bar Association
If you share the ideals of John J. O'Gara and would like to help him improve his home state and the whole country, feel free to donate any amount of money you can offer him and his professional team. Your actions matter!