Todd Pugh

Todd S. Pugh received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Florida, in 1993. While at Florida Atlantic, Pugh served as an intern with the Palm Beach County Public Defender’s Office.

Todd S. Pugh, Esq., Partner in Breen & Pugh Illinois Attorneys at LawIn 1994, Pugh entered the DePaul University College of Law. While at DePaul, Pugh earned awards for excellence in Evidence and Criminal Law. He was selected as a member of the DePaul Law Review, graduated with honors, and received the Order of the Coif for academic excellence. Pugh also worked for the Criminal Appeals Legal Clinic, where he earned a reversal for his first client on a post-conviction petition.

Following his first year of law school, one of Pugh’s law professors referred him to Professor Lawrence Marshall at Northwestern University Law School for summer work. At the time, Professor Marshall’s work focused primarily on death penalty advocacy.

After his second year of law school, Pugh accepted a summer associate position with the law firm of Jenner & Block. During that summer, Pugh worked on a variety of cases, both criminal and civil.

At the conclusion of his time with Jenner, the firm offered Pugh a permanent position following graduation. While Pugh was honored with Jenner’s offer, he realized that his passion was full-time criminal trial and appellate defense work. With this in mind, Pugh continued his work with Breen as a full-time law clerk and, after graduating from law school, Pugh joined the law firm of Martin Breen & Merrick as an associate.

In 2007, Leading Lawyers named Pugh one of the best criminal defense lawyers in Illinois. In 2008, Chicago Lawyer featured Pugh as one of the “Rising Stars of Trial Bar.” In 2012, Leading Lawyers listed Pugh as one of the “Top Ten” criminal defense attorneys in Illinois.

Pugh has received national attention for his trial skills and frequently lectures on trial practice and forensic evidence. In 2013, Pugh joined the faculty at his alma mater, DePaul University College of Law, as an adjunct professor. He currently teaches Advanced Litigation Skills with Professor Robert Loeb. Pugh presently serves as First Vice President of the Illinois Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys.

Education

• JD with Honors DePaul University College of Law (1994 — 1997)
• JD DePaul University (1994 — 1997)
• BS Florida Atlantic University (1988 — 1993)