Born in Washington, DC, Derrick Reese was the youngest of three children. He lived in Ohio for a short stint before growing up in Robbins, IL. Like many in his community, Derrick had a tough road and was affected by the poverty surrounding him and the racial tensions of the times, which led to his abrupt departure from high school. But Derrick understood what was important and he persevered.

At the age of 17, he joined the US Army and scored so high that instead of receiving a GED, Derrick was awarded his high school diploma. While serving in the military he traveled to Europe and Asia. Once returning home, Derrick enrolled in Kennedy-King College to study math. He played point guard on their basketball team. A scout saw him and he was offered an opportunity to play for Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. There, he earned a Bachelor of Science in Paralegal Studies.

After graduation, while working construction in Chicago as a brick mason, Derrick pursued his dream of becoming a lawyer and prepared to take the LSAT. One day he fell from a scaffold and injured his back. He knew this would be his final chance to take his career to the next level, so while on his back he took the LSAT and applied to the historically black Thurgood Marshall School of Law in Houston, Texas.

After entering law school in the fall of 1994, he competed in moot court competitions, joined law review, and became a published author. Derrick graduated in the top 5% of his class, was a member of The Who’s Who of Law School Students; and was a recipient of the George Foreman Scholarship Fund.

Upon graduation, Derrick received one of four scholarships given by the American Bar Association to go to the next level and get a Masters of Law. Again Derrick graduated at the top of his class at Loyola University in Chicago and received his LLM in 1999.

Derrick B. Reese, JD; LLM has faced and overcome challenges that many other attorneys cannot share. These experiences make him relatable to the backgrounds and environments many of his clientele come from. His own story gives him the courage and empathy to step up for his clients and advocate zealously on their behalf.

He tells their story, keeps their future in sight, and is both learned and skilled in protecting their rights inside of a criminal justice system that is all too often stacked against them.

With over 26 years of experience, Derrick Reese is ready to aggressively defend your rights, be your voice, and advocate in the courtroom to fight for your future and your freedom. Call him first at (708) 914-4570.

• B.S. Paralegal Studies, Southern Illinois University – Carbondale
  
• J.D. Thurgood Marshall School of Law, Cum Laude
  
• LLM Loyola University School of Law-Chicago

• Law Review, Editor, Moot Court Team
  
• Health Law Journal Editor
• American Bar Association Full Tuition Scholar
• Trial Lawyers College-Dubois, WY
  
• Author: “The Quest for Equal Opportunity to a Quality Education”
• 21 TMSL Symposium 1996 3