Maryam A. Afshar-Stewart’s rapid rise in the legal profession is the product of an unwavering work ethic, singular focus, and a lifelong commitment to one goal: winning.
As the first-generation daughter of immigrant parents from Iran and Pakistan, Maryam learned early that success is earned through discipline, preparation, and relentless effort. She carried that mindset into her academic and professional career, beginning with her undergraduate studies at DePaul University, where her academic achievements earned her a position at the prestigious Chicago firm Kirkland & Ellis LLP. There, she assisted attorneys in complex litigation and sophisticated transactional matters, gaining early exposure to high-level legal practice.
Maryam went on to earn her Juris Doctor from Valparaiso University Law School in 2016. During law school, she served as a judicial law clerk to the Honorable E. Kenneth Wright, Jr. of the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, and the Honorable Samuel L. Cappas of the Lake Superior Court Criminal Division, Indiana. She also defended indigent clients through the Criminal Clinic and served on the Executive Board of the Valparaiso University Law Review, where she authored and published Wrongfully Incarcerated Never Fully Compensated: An Examination of Indiana’s Failure to Indemnify Exonerated Inmates. In addition, she served as President of the Women Law Students Association and Vice-President of the Muslim Students Association.
Upon graduation, Maryam was appointed as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney with the Lake County Prosecutor’s Office. As a newly sworn prosecutor, she was immediately selected to assist in the prosecution of a death penalty case. Over the course of her career as a prosecutor, she prosecuted thousands of misdemeanor and felony cases, conducted dozens of jury trials, and secured convictions in complex murder, domestic violence, kidnapping, and sexual assault cases.
Her reputation as a formidable and aggressive trial attorney led to her appointment by elected Lake County Prosecutor Bernard Carter to the Special Victim’s Unit, where she specialized in the investigation and prosecution of sexual assault and domestic violence cases. She has received specialized training from leading experts nationwide and has served as a keynote speaker on the prosecution and defense of sex crimes and domestic violence cases. As a member of the Lake County Sexual Assault Response Team, she also trained law enforcement officers and medical professionals on investigative techniques and courtroom testimony.
Maryam later served as an Adjunct Professor of Law at her alma mater, teaching trial practice and mentoring the next generation of attorneys.
In 2020, she transitioned to private practice, joining Stracci Law Group, where she now serves as a Partner. She also continued her commitment to public service as a felony public defender with the Lake County Public Defender’s Office, representing indigent clients facing serious felony charges.
In 2021, Maryam was appointed to the Criminal Justice Act Panel for the Northern District of Indiana, representing individuals charged with serious federal offenses. She is also frequently appointed to serve as judge pro tempore for felony and county courts in Lake County, Indiana.
At Stracci Law Group, Maryam is recognized for her relentless advocacy, strategic precision, and commanding courtroom presence. Her accolades include:
Maryam continues to bring the same intensity, preparation, and competitive drive to every case. Her philosophy remains simple: success comes to those willing to outwork the opposition.