Overview

• His death on July 21 was confirmed by his daughter, Alanna Durkin Richer, following a brief battle with lung cancer.
• Durkin served six years as a federal prosecutor before co-founding the Chicago law firm Durkin & Roberts in 1984 with his wife, Janis Roberts.
• Over a five-decade career he defended high-profile terrorism suspects, including Adel Daoud, as well as multiple Guantanamo Bay detainees.
• He publicly challenged government overreach, protesting secret surveillance hearings before Judge Richard Posner and criticizing provisions of the Patriot Act.
• Colleagues and mentees praised his meticulous preparation, courtroom tenacity and steadfast belief that every defendant deserves a vigorous constitutional defense.