James "Jim" Streicker

James “Jim” Streicker, 78. Husband for 39 years of Mary Stowell; father of David (Jennifer) Streicker and Sarah (Matt Hazelett) Streicker; grandfather of Matthew, Caroline, Robert, and William Streicker, and Katherine and John Hazelett; brother of Burt (Nancy Lucey) Streicker, and Neil Streicker; uncle of many.

A life-long Chicago area resident, Jim was born at Michael Reese Hospital on the near south side of Chicago. He lived his early years in a residential hotel in Hyde Park where White Sox players also resided, which sparked his lifelong love of the White Sox. Later, the family moved to southwest Evanston, where Jim spent his preteen and teen years with his brothers wandering the open prairie land around the house, playing all manner of sports until the sun set, and performing innumerable jobs for an allowance.

Jim was a prominent criminal trial attorney who advocated for his clients with zeal but never incivility toward his opponents. Over the course of more than fifty years of legal practice, Jim was involved in major federal criminal matters in Chicago, and many other significant cases across the United States. In recognition of Jim’s mastery of the art of advocacy and a professional career marked by the highest standard of ethical conduct, professionalism, civility and collegiality, Jim was inducted as a Fellow into the prestigious American College of Trial Lawyers.

After graduating from Miami University in 1966 and earning his law degree from the University of Illinois College of Law in 1969, Jim quickly discovered his passion for criminal defense work. While awaiting the results of the bar exam, Jim volunteered at the American Civil Liberties Union, where he performed legal research for storied attorneys William Kunstler and Leonard Weinglass, to assist in the defense of “The Chicago Seven.”

Jim then spent his early career as an attorney in public service, first at the Illinois Attorney General’s office, and next as one of the first appellate advocates in the newly formed Illinois Office of the State Appellate Defender. Thereafter, Jim joined the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois, where he quickly distinguished himself as one of the Office’s brightest young prosecutors. Jim quickly rose to the position of Chief of the Criminal Receiving and Appellate Division.

In 1980, Jim joined the boutique law firm of legendary Chicago defense attorney George J. Cotsirilos. For over forty years, Jim remained at the firm now known as Cotsirilos, Tighe, Streicker, Poulos & Campbell. Not only was Jim exceptionally talented and successful, but he had a profoundly positive effect on his clients, whom he guided through some of the most difficult times of their lives. Jim achieved success for his clients with his unique style, low-key understated and insightful. He eschewed bombast and hyperbole, Jim was a man of few, carefully chosen words and when he spoke, people listened. Always conducting himself with honesty and integrity, Jim won respect and admiration from colleagues in the defense bar, adversaries in the courtroom, and judges who presided over his cases.

Above all, Jim was a class act. He was genuine, kind, humble, and a great listener. He had a wry wit and knack for making everyone around him feel at ease.

One of Jim’s hallmarks was that he treated everyone fairly and with respect. Equality was very important to Jim, and he was a true champion of women in the law.

Outside of work, Jim was happiest on the water with a fishing pole in hand. He loved nothing more than fishing with his children, grandchildren, and friends. He also enjoyed listening to jazz, studying history, traveling, cheering for the White Sox, spending time with friends and family, and savoring a good glass of scotch.

Jim was a great husband and father who supported his children in all of their endeavors, and was proud that both joined the profession he loved. Later in life, he delighted in playing with his grandchildren and watching them grow. He will be dearly missed.

A Celebration of Life will take place on Sunday, September 17, 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. at Michigan Shores Club, 911 Michigan Avenue, Wilmette.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the ACLU of Illinois, www.aclu-il.org, or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, www.stjude.org.