Saturday, January 23, 2010

Riley vacancy (countywide): Organizing the data

Candidates are listed in the order that they appear on the ballot. Information on this post will be updated as time permits until the February 2, 2010 primary.

Sandra G. Ramos - #183


Campaign website

Questionnaire response: Chicago Tribune


Bar Association Evaluations

The Chicago Bar Association says:
Sandra Gisela Ramos is “Not Recommended” for the office of Associate Judge. Ms. Ramos was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1986 and served as an Assistant State’s Attorney for eight years. Since 1994, Ms. Ramos has been in private practice as a solo practitioner concentrating primarily in criminal defense. Ms. Ramos possesses the requisite litigation and jury trial experience in criminal law, but lacks knowledge and experience in civil practice. Concerns were raised about Ms. Ramos’ temperament and ability to effectively manage a high volume court call. (Note in CBA Green Guide: "Pursuant to Section 27.4 of the JEC Resolutions and Procedures, a candidate who has been evaluated and found 'NOT RECOMMENDED' for the office of Associate Judge and who shall within two years of such a finding be a candidate for Circuit Judge shall be found 'NOT RECOMMENDED' without hearing."
The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:
Sandra Ramos was admitted to practice in 1986. She has been a sole practitioner since 1993 doing mostly criminal defense work, and served for nine years as an Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney (1986 to 1995). She reports acting as lead counsel on about 30 criminal jury trials and numerous bench trials. The investigation of Ms. Ramos yielded decidedly mixed results. Some lawyers and judges say she has good legal ability and temperament. But many others question her diligence and temperament. In light of these criticisms and the narrowness of
her practice, the Council finds her Not Qualified for the Circuit Court.
Other Bar Association Evaluations:
Asian American Bar Association of the
Greater Chicago Area
Qualified
Black Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater ChicagoRecommended
Cook County Bar AssociationRecommended
Decalogue Society of LawyersNot Recommended
Hellenic Bar AssociationNot Evaluated
Illinois State Bar AssociationQualified
Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of ChicagoNot Recommended
Puerto Rican Bar Association of IllinoisQualified
Women’s Bar Association of IllinoisRecommended

Endorsements
Cook County Democratic Party
Chicago Fire Fighters Union, Local 2 (Recommended)
Advocates Society (Qualified for office shown)

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Russell W. Hartigan - #184

Campaign website

Questionnaire responses: Chicago Tribune, Illinois Civil Justice League

eVoter profile

Bar Association Evaluations

The Chicago Bar Association says:
Russell W. Hartigan is "Highly Qualified" for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Hartigan was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1976. He has practiced a wide range of complex civil litigation matters. He has tried a variety of civil jury trials. He is respected by his peers and possesses an excellent temperament. The committee finds he is “Highly Qualified” to serve as a Circuit Court Judge.
The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:
Russell William Hartigan was admitted to practice in 1976. He has been in private practice throughout his career with extensive personal injury litigation experience. He reports acting as lead counsel in 45 civil jury trials and in numerous arbitrations. He has personally handled fifteen cases as principal appellate counsel and argued orally eight of these in the U.S Court of Appeals, the Illinois Appellate Court, and the Illinois Supreme Court. He is active in bar association activities, and currently is on the Illinois State Bar Association Board of Governors. He has published articles on civil practice matters and is active in community affairs. Mr. Hartigan is reported to have good legal ability and a very good temperament. He is praised as a hard-working, conscientious, and knowledgeable practitioner. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.
Other Bar Association Evaluations:
Asian American Bar Association of the
Greater Chicago Area
Qualified
Black Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater ChicagoNot Evaluated
Cook County Bar AssociationRecommended
Decalogue Society of LawyersHighly Recommended
Hellenic Bar AssociationRecommended
Illinois State Bar AssociationHighly Qualified
Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of ChicagoHighly Recommended
Puerto Rican Bar Association of IllinoisQualified
Women’s Bar Association of IllinoisRecommended

Endorsements
Chicago Tribune
Chicago Sun-Times
19th Ward Democratic Organization
Wheeling Township Democratic Organization
IVI-IPO
Personal PAC
Illinois Civil Justice League

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James Michael Bailey - #185


Campaign website

Questionnaire response: Chicago Tribune


Bar Association Evaluations

The Chicago Bar Association says:
James M. Bailey II is "Qualified" for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Bailey was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1984 and has served as an Assistant Cook County State's Attorney for his entire career. Mr. Bailey has extensive civil and criminal trial experience. Mr. Bailey is well regarded for his fine temperament and possesses all the requisite qualifications to serve as a Circuit Court Judge.
The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:
James M. Bailey, II has been an Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney since his admission to the bar in 1984. His practice currently involves appellate criminal and civil litigation. Mr. Bailey is a 1983 graduate of the John Marshall Law School. He has been a guest lecturer on Advanced Trial Practice at Chicago-Kent and on Drug Asset Forfeiture at the Cook County Sheriff’s Department. Mr. Bailey is considered to have good legal ability and temperament. He is praised as a solid prosecutor with experience in both criminal and civil law matters. The Council finds Mr. Bailey Qualified to serve in Circuit Court.
Other Bar Association Evaluations:
Asian American Bar Association of the
Greater Chicago Area
Qualified
Black Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater ChicagoRecommended
Cook County Bar AssociationRecommended
Decalogue Society of LawyersRecommended
Hellenic Bar AssociationRecommended
Illinois State Bar AssociationQualified
Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of ChicagoRecommended
Puerto Rican Bar Association of IllinoisQualified
Women’s Bar Association of IllinoisRecommended

Endorsements
Chicago Federation of Labor
Fraternal Order of Police, Chicago Lodge No. 7
Chicago Fire Fighters Union, Local 2 (Recommended)

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John Patrick Nyhan - #186

Campaign website

Questionnaire responses: None

eVoter profile

Bar Association Evaluations

The Chicago Bar Association says:
The candidate declined to participate in the Judicial Evaluation Committee (JEC) screening process and, therefore, according to The Chicago Bar Association's governing resolution for the JEC, is automatically found NOT RECOMMENDED.
The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:
John Patrick Nyhan refused to be evaluated. He is Not Recommended for the Circuit Court.
Other Bar Association Evaluations:
Asian American Bar Association of the
Greater Chicago Area
Not Qualified
Black Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater ChicagoNot Recommended
Cook County Bar AssociationNot Recommended
Decalogue Society of LawyersNot Recommended
Hellenic Bar AssociationNot Recommended
Illinois State Bar AssociationNot Qualified
Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of ChicagoNot Recommended
Puerto Rican Bar Association of IllinoisNot Qualified

Women’s Bar Association of IllinoisNot Recommended


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Edmund Paul Michalowski - #187

Campaign website

Questionnaire responses: None

Video interview

Bar Association Evaluations

The Chicago Bar Association says:
The candidate declined to participate in the Judicial Evaluation Committee (JEC) screening process and, therefore, according to The Chicago Bar Association's governing resolution for the JEC, is automatically found NOT RECOMMENDED.
The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:
Edmund Paul Michalowski refused to be evaluated. He is Not Recommended for the Circuit Court.
Other Bar Association Evaluations:
Asian American Bar Association of the
Greater Chicago Area
Not Qualified
Black Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater ChicagoNot Recommended
Cook County Bar AssociationNot Recommended
Decalogue Society of LawyersNot Recommended
Hellenic Bar AssociationNot Recommended
Illinois State Bar AssociationNot Qualified
Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of ChicagoNot Recommended
Puerto Rican Bar Association of IllinoisNot Qualified

Women’s Bar Association of IllinoisNot Recommended


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Marvin W. Gray - #188

Campaign website

Questionnaire responses: Chicago Tribune, Illinois Civil Justice League

Video interview

Bar Association Evaluations

The Chicago Bar Association says:
Marvin W. Gray is “Not Recommended” for the office of Associate Judge. Mr. Gray was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1972. While Mr. Gray has practiced law for many years, he does not possess the requisite legal experience and ability to serve as an Associate Judge. (The CBA Green Guide notes, "Pursuant to Section 27.4 of the JEC Resolutions and Procedures, a candidate who has been evaluated and found 'NOT RECOMMENDED' for the office of Associate Judge and who shall within two years of such a finding be a candidate for Circuit Judge shall be found 'NOT RECOMMENDED' without hearing.")
The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:
Marvin W. Gray was admitted to practice in 1972. He has been a sole practitioner for most of his career, doing mostly civil litigation. He worked as an employee of the law department of the Chicago Transit Authority doing civil litigation defense between 1987 and 1991. He reports acting as lead counsel in 10 criminal and 75 civil jury trials, and 250 civil and 25 criminal bench trials. Mr. Gray is considered to be a good attorney with extensive litigation experience. While much of this experience involves cases that are short in duration and lesser value personal injury matters, he has had litigation matters throughout his long career involving more complex matters. Lawyers report that he has good legal ability and a good temperament. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.
Other Bar Association Evaluations:
Asian American Bar Association of the
Greater Chicago Area
Qualified
Black Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater ChicagoRecommended
Cook County Bar AssociationRecommended
Decalogue Society of LawyersRecommended
Hellenic Bar AssociationRecommended
Illinois State Bar AssociationQualified
Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of ChicagoNot Recommended
Puerto Rican Bar Association of IllinoisQualified
Women’s Bar Association of IllinoisRecommended


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Tracey J. Stokes - #189

Campagin website

Questionnaire response: Chicago Tribune

eVoter profile

Bar Association Evaluations

The Chicago Bar Association says:
Tracey J. Stokes is "Highly Qualified" for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Stokes was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1985 and has a broad range of legal and trial experience. Ms. Stokes is well respected for her knowledge of the law, legal experience, professionalism, and outstanding temperament.
The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:
Tracey Stokes was admitted to practice in 1985. She has been in private practice doing insurance defense work throughout her career. She reports acting as lead counsel in 22 civil juries and 8 civil bench trials. Ms. Stokes has substantial litigation and trial experience over the course of her career. She is considered to have good legal ability and temperament. She is respected by her peers as a good attorney who is knowledgeable and diligent. The Council finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court.
Other Bar Association Evaluations:
Asian American Bar Association of the
Greater Chicago Area
Qualified
Black Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater ChicagoRecommended
Cook County Bar AssociationRecommended
Decalogue Society of LawyersRecommended
Hellenic Bar AssociationRecommended
Illinois State Bar AssociationQualified
Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of ChicagoRecommended
Puerto Rican Bar Association of IllinoisQualified
Women’s Bar Association of IllinoisRecommended

Endorsements
49th Ward Democratic Organization
Illinois Committee for Honest Government
Advocates Society (qualified for office shown)

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