We Fight With You
& For You

EXPERIENCE & RESULTS MATTER

The attorneys at Lyon & Kerr have a track record of winning for our clients.

Andrea Lyon is a nationally renowned trial attorney who has defended more than 30 potential capital cases at the trial level. Of these, she has taken 19 through the penalty phase, where the government sought the death penalty. Not one of Andrea’s 19 pentaly-phase clients was sentenced to death.

Andrea also works to exonerate individuals who are wrongfully convicted. In 2024, Andrea once again fully exonerated one of her clients. After nearly twenty years of fighting corrupt systems that kept an innocent man wrongfully convicted, Andrea’s persistence resulted in a full reversal of the conviction, and the granting of a certificate of innocence in Cook County.

Robert Kerr has been in practice for more than twenty years, and in that time, he has built his trial practice around the vigorous defense of individuals charged with narcotics, sex crimes, weapons, fraud, DUI, and violent crimes, including murder. He defends individuals charged with complex crimes throughout the state of Illinois, and in Federal District Courts throughout the United States.

Andrea, Robert, and the Lyon & Kerr team have a combined seven decades of experience and success, and we are ready to put that to work for you or your loved one. Contact us today for help!

Chicago SunTimes – Federal jury awards $120 million to 2 men falsely convicted in 2003 murder

https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago/2025/03/10/federal-grand-jury-awards-120-million-to-2-men-falsely-convicted-in-2003-murder

ABC 7 – Chicago jury awards $120M to two men wrongfully convicted in 2003 murder

https://abc7chicago.com/post/wrongful-conviction-cases-john-fulton-anthony-mitchell-wrongfully-convicted-murder-christopher-collazo-awarded-120m/16003681/

New York Times – Jury Awards $120 Million to Illinois Men Wrongfully Convicted of Murder

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/11/us/chicago-murder-wrongful-conviction-award.html?unlocked_article_code=1.304.g3tK.oMvEg6llHIxG&smid=url-share

Loevy Press Release

https://www.loevy.com/press-release-fulton-mitchell-verdict/

Our Practice Areas

Murder & Homicide

Drug Crimes

Sex Crimes

Criminal Defense

Federal Defense

Criminal Appeals

Post Conviction Relief

Habeas Corpus

Wrongful Convictions

Clemency

Criminal Investigations

WHY CHOOSE US

Together, our team brings nearly eight decades of experience to this firm. Robert Kerr has been in practice for twenty years, and Andrea Lyon since the 1980s. Bob and Andrea have collectively tried thousands of cases, and more than 150 homicide cases. We know from experience that the team concept is the best approach to winning your case.

At Lyon & Kerr, we build a dynamic team for each client, pulling together the best private investigators and experts to assist in your defense. This approach encourages team members to think outside of the box, which has proven effective in the discovery of solutions to problems that might at first appear difficult, or even impossible, to solve.

We are honored to fight for you. We know this is not just a case, this is your life, your future, and your family. Lyon & Kerr are distinguished defenders, and we are ready to work for you and with you.

Meet Our Team

At Lyon & Kerr, we build a dynamic team for each client, pulling together the best private investigators and experts to assist in your defense. This approach encourages team members to think outside of the box, which has proven effective in the discovery of solutions to problems that might at first appear difficult, or even impossible, to solve.

We are honored to fight for you. We know this is not just a case, this is your life, your future, and your family. Lyon & Kerr are distinguished defenders, and we are ready to work for you and with you.

312-955-4400

Attorney Andrea Lyon

Andrea Lyon is a renowned lawyer, author, speaker, professor and former law school dean. Dubbed “The Angel of Death Row” by the Chicago Tribune, she was the first woman to serve as lead attorney in a death penalty case, and she holds an unparalleled 19 wins in 19 capital cases.

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Attorney Robert J Kerr

Attorney Robert Kerr is fully committed to the defense of our clients’ rights and freedom. We work hard to attack the strength of the government’s case against our client. We do this through intensive investigation, superior legal analysis, smart use of pretrial motions and other procedural tactics that can shift the balance in your favor.

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Attorney E. Kate Cohn

E. Kate Cohn has worked with Andrea Lyon since 2019, and she enthusiastically joins the Lyon & Kerr team as a fierce advocate for the firm’s clients. Ms. Cohn works tirelessly to understand the details of each case and to find the facts or errors that may have been overlooked by prior attorneys. She specializes in appellate writing and all stages of the post-conviction process.

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Ana Garrett

Ana Garrett joined the Law Office of Robert Kerr as Office Manager in 2022. She currently manages the firm and always strives to provide exceptional legal services to clients and their families. Ana is originally from Phoenix, Arizona and received her B.A. in Government with an emphasis in Legal Studies. Ana moved to Chicago in hopes of going to law school and getting involved in criminal defense and civil rights work.

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Publications

The Feminine Sixth: Women for the Defense

Team Defense in Criminal Cases

Federal Habeas Corpus: Cases and Materials

Fixing Legal Injustice in America
Andrea Lyon's Books

Media Appearences

Attorneys from Lyon & Kerr are not afraid to “speak up” on issues of criminal justice reform, or about our client’s cases that deserve media attention.

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What People Are Saying

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“Attorney Kerr was empathetic and sensitive to our situation. Robert reviewed, listened and was able to procure a not guilty verdict for my loved one. I highly recommend the office of Lyon and Kerr.”

Consuelo T.

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“I highly recommend them! They were able to make the impossible happen. They work day and night to ensure their clients get the best representation possible!!”

Jake Fagundo

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“Robert is one of the best lawyers, he got me out a sticky situation, he knows all the laws, he left the judge speechless, no matter what situation you’re in, he’ll help you out.”

Alejandra Santillan

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“I am absolutely thrilled with the results! His defense skills have provided me with the best possible chance of winning my case. I never imagined that a criminal defense lawyer could be so helpful, informative, and responsive. He was always available to answer my questions and provide support throughout the process.”

Cefalo Mcabee

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“Best legal representation in the Chicagoland area. He was always prepared and kept me well informed of the process, in every way. I highly recommend Mr. Kerr… The man is an Apex Predator.”

Tyler Erdmann

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“If you are looking for a criminal attorney, look no further! I have witness to my brother’s trial and not only was he found not guilty and won his cases but the way Robert has defended the case with so much passion and dedication, the way he thinks ahead through out the whole case is incredible, he’s definitely a lawyer that you want to have to protect you.”

Rosa Espinoza

Andrea Lyon worked with the late Governor George Ryan in addressing the inequities of capital punishment; their work together ultimately led to the abolishment of the death penalty in Illinois. Andrea was also part of the legal team that represented Ryan in federal court. Watch as she remembers him and his legacy on the day he passed away.

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