Michele Lavin, Supervising Investigator

Michele Lavin brings many years of legal and investigative experience to COPA. Ms. Lavin began her career at COPA as an Investigator in 2018 and was promoted to Supervising Investigator in 2020. Ms. Lavin currently serves as the Supervising Investigator of the Quality Management Unit within the Investigations Division. The Quality Management Unit reviews major cases before they close at COPA and audits other general investigations after they are closed at COPA, all to ensure the quality of COPA’s work. The Quality Management Unit crafted a Style Guide to maintain quality and consistency in COPA’s work product. Ms. Lavin has presented at COPA’s training program for new COPA employees. Prior to starting at COPA, Ms. Lavin served as an appellate lawyer for the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, researching, writing, and presenting appellate briefs. Ms. Lavin also supervised legal interns and other attorneys in completing briefs. Ms. Lavin has a J.D. from DePaul College of Law and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana. She is also certified as a Lead Homicide Investigator.