Thomas P. Sullivan
Encyclopedia
Thomas P. Sullivan is a prominent Illinois attorney known for his involvement in notable constitutional cases, investigations, and contributions to public policy and law. He is a partner at the Jenner & Block
law firm.
, prohibiting trial judges and prosecutors from using peremptory challenges
to exclude potential jurors because of personal opposition to the death penalty. Over 350 inmates, including Witherspoon, had their death sentences reversed as a result. In 1971, he won a case before the Illinois Supreme Court, People v. McCabe, which held that the state's statutory classification of marijuana as a "hard drug" was unconstitutional.
From 1977-1981, Sullivan was the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois
under President Jimmy Carter
. While U.S. Attorney, he initiated the Operation Greylord
judicial sting operation.
In 2000, Illinois governor George Ryan
appointed Sullivan to co-chair the Commission on Capital Punishment. The report included 85 recommendations for reform and helped persuade Ryan to commute all death sentences.
In 2003, Sullivan received the American Bar Association
's John Minor Wisdom Award for his contributions to public service and the community. In 2004, he was named Chicago Lawyer magazine’s Person of the Year. In 2007, he received The American Lawyer's Lifetime Achievement Award. He has written on numerous topics, e.g., the treatment of prisoners at Guantanamo Bay.
Sullivan attended Loras College and Loyola University Chicago School of Law
, receiving a J.D. in 1952.
Jenner & Block
Jenner & Block is a U.S. law firm with offices in Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, DC. Approximately 450 attorneys serve a wide range of clients in corporate litigation, business transactions, and in the public sector. Jerold S. Solovy was the longtime Chair of the firm, but on Sept...
law firm.
Biography
Sullivan was counsel on a case leading to a landmark 1968 U.S. Supreme Court decision, Witherspoon v. IllinoisWitherspoon v. Illinois
Witherspoon v. Illinois, 391 U.S. 510 , was a U.S. Supreme Court case where the court ruled that a state statute providing the state unlimited challenge for cause of jurors who might have any objection to the death penalty gave too much bias in favor of the prosecution.The Court said, The decision...
, prohibiting trial judges and prosecutors from using peremptory challenges
Peremptory challenge
Peremptory challenge usually refers to a right in jury selection for the defense and prosecution to reject a certain number of potential jurors who appear to have an unfavorable bias without having to give any reason...
to exclude potential jurors because of personal opposition to the death penalty. Over 350 inmates, including Witherspoon, had their death sentences reversed as a result. In 1971, he won a case before the Illinois Supreme Court, People v. McCabe, which held that the state's statutory classification of marijuana as a "hard drug" was unconstitutional.
From 1977-1981, Sullivan was the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois
United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
The United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois is the trial-level court with jurisdiction over the northern counties of Illinois....
under President Jimmy Carter
Jimmy Carter
James Earl "Jimmy" Carter, Jr. is an American politician who served as the 39th President of the United States and was the recipient of the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize, the only U.S. President to have received the Prize after leaving office...
. While U.S. Attorney, he initiated the Operation Greylord
Operation Greylord
Operation Greylord was an investigation conducted jointly by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the IRS Criminal Investigation Division into corruption in the judiciary of Cook County, Illinois...
judicial sting operation.
In 2000, Illinois governor George Ryan
George Ryan
George Homer Ryan, Sr. was the 39th Governor of the U.S. state of Illinois from 1999 until 2003. He is a member of the Republican Party. Ryan became nationally known when in 2000 he imposed a moratorium on executions and "raised the national debate on capital punishment"...
appointed Sullivan to co-chair the Commission on Capital Punishment. The report included 85 recommendations for reform and helped persuade Ryan to commute all death sentences.
In 2003, Sullivan received the American Bar Association
American Bar Association
The American Bar Association , founded August 21, 1878, is a voluntary bar association of lawyers and law students, which is not specific to any jurisdiction in the United States. The ABA's most important stated activities are the setting of academic standards for law schools, and the formulation...
's John Minor Wisdom Award for his contributions to public service and the community. In 2004, he was named Chicago Lawyer magazine’s Person of the Year. In 2007, he received The American Lawyer's Lifetime Achievement Award. He has written on numerous topics, e.g., the treatment of prisoners at Guantanamo Bay.
Sullivan attended Loras College and Loyola University Chicago School of Law
Loyola University Chicago School of Law
Loyola University Chicago School of Law is the law school of the Loyola University Chicago, in Illinois. Established in 1909, by the Society of Jesus, the Roman Catholic order of the Jesuits, the School of Law is located in downtown Chicago, within walking distance of the Water Tower , the John...
, receiving a J.D. in 1952.