Jose D. Gallardo

Attorney

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Attorney Jose D. Gallardo has been working in the public sector and helping low-income individuals and families address their legal, social, and economic needs since 2011. He often served Spanish speaking individuals. He graduated from Mitchell Hamline School of Law in St. Paul, Minnesota in 2019. During his time in law school, he gained practical, hands-on experience working as a certified student attorney for the Ramsey County Attorney's office, where he prosecuted felony criminal cases. He also spent a summer studying international law abroad in Santiago, Chile. He served as a teaching assistant for a program for incoming law students. He was a former teaching assistant for the University of Minnesota’s Sociology department for an introductory course on crime and the American criminal justice system. He also taught a "Street Law" program through the Minnesota Justice Foundation that educated middle school students on their basic constitutional rights. He received a CALI award for the highest grade in a seminar class, and he served as the president of the Latino Legal Association while attending law school. Notably, he also worked in a law school clinic at the United States/Mexico border, where he helped mothers and children who had been detained prepare for asylum interviews. He received academic honors and graduated cum laude.

Prior to his time in law school, Mr. Gallardo worked in the public sector and gained legal experience in multiple areas. He served as a volunteer assisting individuals applying for U.S. citizenship. He worked with a Minnesota non-profit organization to provide community resources for Spanish-speaking families and helped them apply for government benefits. He also worked as a child support enforcement agent at the Ramsey County Attorney's Office.

After graduating from law school, Attorney Gallardo worked at the Illinois Office of the Comptroller. He served as legal counsel, where he adjudicated state payment offset protests, conducted legal research on statutory obligations, and helped defend the office in active litigation. He was appointed to the Illinois Advisory Council on Substance Use Disorder. He has also served as a volunteer for the Cook County Public Defender Driver’s License Reinstatement Expo.

With his experience in multiple areas of the law, Jose can provide representation for clients and ensure that they are prepared to address their legal needs. He also can provide representation to Spanish-speaking clients. He assists with criminal defense, family law, and immigration matters. He also provides representation in cases related to personal injury, traffic violations, guardianship, and other practice areas.

Jose is married, and he and his wife have a dog named Frida. He enjoys playing soccer, basketball, golf, pool, ping pong, and foosball, as well as hiking, lifting weights, spending time with his in-laws, and reading when he has the time.

Areas of Practice

• Criminal Defense
• Family Law
• Immigration
• Traffic Violations
• Personal Injury

Bar Admissions:

• State of Illinois Bar, 2020

Education:

• J.D., Mitchell Hamline School of Law, cum laude
• B.A., University of Minnesota

Associations

• Chicago Bar Association
• DuPage County Bar Association
• Formerly Illinois State Bar Association

Awards:

• CALI award recipient. Homeless youth in America., 2019
• Certificate of Recognition, Minnesota “Nachito” Herrera Day, State of Minnesota, December 1, 2018 - Recognition for contributions in promoting equality and justice for all, commitment to legal education, and continued support towards the enrichment and benefits of immigration and furthering friendships among all people

Languages

• English
• Spanish

Professional History

• Illinois Office of Comptroller, Legal Counsel, Chicago, IL, March 2020-January 2023
• Ramsey County Attorney’s Office, Adult Criminal Felony Prosecution Division, Certified Student Attorney, St. Paul, MN, June 2017-December 2018.
• Ramsey County Attorney’s Office, Child Support Division, Support Enforcement Agent - Contempt Unit
• Contreras-Edin and Associates, St. Paul, MN, Law Clerk, December 2016-January 2017 - Worked on immigration, criminal, and family law cases by interviewing Spanish-speaking clients, conducting legal research, preparing affidavits, and drafting proposed orders
• Comunidades Latinas Unidos En Servicio/Latino Communities United In Service (CLUES), Minneapolis, MN, Coordinated Care Navigator/FATHER Project Employment Coach, March 2012-March 2014 - Counseled families through crisis situations like family deportations and separations, helped families apply for government assistance benefits, and volunteered in providing citizenship application services.