Thursday, March 08, 2012

Organizing the Data: Appellate Court - Cahill vacancy

Candidates are listed in the order that they appear on the ballot in the Democratic primary; no Republican filed for this vacancy. Information on this post will be updated as time permits until the March 20, 2012 primary.
Updated 3/17/12

Pamela E. Hill-Veal - #111


No Campaign Website known

Video Interview: Interview by Ranoule Tatum

Bar Association Evaluations

The Chicago Bar Association says:
Judge Pamela E. Hill-Veal is “Not Recommended” for the office of Justice of the Illinois Appellate Court. Judge Hill-Veal was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1988 and was appointed to the Circuit Court in 2004. Judge Hill-Veal was elected to the Circuit Court in 2006 and has served in the Traffic Court and First Municipal Division. Judge Hill-Veal has not handled complex matters as a judge and during her career as a lawyer has only handled one appellate case. Judge Hill-Veal’s attendance is also problematic – she was absent from the bench 39 days in 2008, 31 days in 2009, and for most of the summer months in 2010. Judge Hill-Veal does not possess the requisite legal knowledge, experience, and writing skills to serve as an Appellate Court Justice.
The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:
Judge Pamela E. Hill-Veal was appointed as an associate judge to fill a vacancy in 2004. Her current caseload involves small claims, breach of contract, and insurance matters. Prior to becoming a judge, she had been in private practice dealing mostly with domestic relations matters. She has been an administrative hearing officer with the Chicago Department of Administrative Hearings, and was a Civil Service Board member of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago. She was as an Assistant Cook County Public Defender for one year early in her legal career. She has served as an Associate Professor at Chicago State University.

Lawyers report that Judge Hill-Veal is doing an adequate job in her current assignment which involves less complex matters. She is a diligent jurist. However, the Council is concerned that she lacks the sufficiently broad legal experience in more complex matters necessary to be a judge on the Illinois Appellate Court. As a judge she does not prepare written opinions and has not in any other way demonstrated the ability to write analytically through substantive legal writing and analysis – an ability that the Council requires of any Appellate Court candidate. The Chicago Council of Lawyers finds Judge Hill-Veal Not Qualified for the Illinois Appellate Court.
Other Bar Association Evaluations:
Asian American Bar Association of the
Greater Chicago Area		Not Recommended
Black Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater ChicagoRecommended
Cook County Bar AssociationRecommended
Decalogue Society of LawyersNot Recommended
Hellenic Bar AssociationNot Recommended
Hispanic Lawyers Association of IllinoisQualified
Illinois State Bar AssociationNot Qualified
Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of ChicagoNot Recommended
Puerto Rican Bar Association of IllinoisQualified

Women’s Bar Association of IllinoisNot Recommended

Endorsement
Chicago Defender

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Mathias William Delort - #112


Campaign Website

Questionnaire Response: Chicago Tribune

Candidate Statements: Cook County Clerk, In His Own Words (FWIW)

Video Interview: NTNM


Bar Association Evaluations

The Chicago Bar Association says:
Judge Mathias William Delort is “Highly Qualified” for the office of Justice of the Illinois Appellate Court. Judge Delort was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1985 and concentrated his practice in local government, education, election law, and appellate practice. Judge Delort became an Associate Judge in 2007 and is currently assigned to the Mortgage Foreclosure/Mechanics Lien Section in the Chancery Division. Judge Delort is well regarded for his knowledge of the law, work ethic, and organizational and writing skills.
The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:
Judge Mathias Delort was elected as an Associate Judge in 2007. From 1998 to 2007, Judge Delort was an Associate and Shareholder practicing Local Government, Education and Election Law at Robbins Schwartz et al. From 1988 to 1998 he was an Associate and Partner at Odelson & Sterk Ltd., and from 1985 to 1988 he worked as a sole practitioner with a general practice. Judge Delort is currently assigned to the Circuit Court of Cook County, Chancery Division, Mortgage Foreclosure/Mechanics Lien Section, and presides over Calendar 61. He has served in the Section since May 2007. He is a primary author of the benchbook for judges in the foreclosure call. He is also the author of several IICLE chapters for lawyers.

As a practitioner, Judge Delort has extensive experience in municipal and election law at the trial and appellate court levels. He was well-respected as an able and well-prepared practitioner with good legal ability and temperament. As a jurist, he reportedly listens well and responds clearly and decisively. He is respected for his knowledge of the law and for his excellent temperament. He issues written opinions which he posts to Westlaw. He continues to write and lecture extensively. The Council finds Judge Delort Well Qualified for the Appellate Court.
Other Bar Association Evaluations:
Asian American Bar Association of the
Greater Chicago Area		Recommended
Black Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater ChicagoRecommended
Cook County Bar AssociationRecommended
Decalogue Society of LawyersRecommended
Hellenic Bar AssociationRecommended
Hispanic Lawyers Association of IllinoisQualified
Illinois State Bar AssociationHighly Qualified
Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of ChicagoRecommended
Puerto Rican Bar Association of IllinoisQualified
Women’s Bar Association of IllinoisRecommended


Endorsements
Chicago Tribune
Cook County Democratic Party
Chicago Federation of Labor
IVI-IPO
Citizen Action Illinois
Personal PAC
Arab American Democratic Club
Advocates Society (recommended)

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Kay Marie Hanlon - #113


Campaign Website

Questionnaire Responses: Chicago Tribune, Illinois Civil Justice League

Video Interview: Sonny Hersh Election Special

Bar Association Evaluations

The Chicago Bar Association says:
Judge Kay Marie Hanlon is “Highly Qualified” for the office of Justice of the Illinois Appellate Court. Judge Hanlon was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1985 and was elected to the Circuit Court in 2004. Judge Hanlon is currently assigned to the Third Municipal District and is presiding over a felony trial call. Judge Hanlon is knowledgeable about trial and appellate practice and is well regarded for her diligence and fine judicial demeanor. Judge Hanlon has written a number of opinions as a Circuit Court Judge and has served as an instructor for new judges.
The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:
Judge Kay Marie Hanlon was elected to the Circuit Court in 2004. She is currently assigned to a felony trial courtroom in the Third Municipal District. Judge Hanlon was admitted to practice in 1985. Prior to election, she was in private practice focusing on criminal defense and family law. From 1985 to 1987, she served as an Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney where she did both trial and appellate work. She teaches on-line classes. Judge Hanlon is praised for her legal knowledge and ability. She is reported to be exceptionally hard-working with a good temperament. She is also praised for her courtroom management skills and for the quality of her written opinions. The Council finds her Qualified for the Appellate Court.
Other Bar Association Evaluations:
Asian American Bar Association of the
Greater Chicago Area		Recommended
Black Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater ChicagoRecommended
Cook County Bar AssociationRecommended
Decalogue Society of LawyersRecommended
Hellenic Bar AssociationRecommended
Hispanic Lawyers Association of IllinoisQualified
Illinois State Bar AssociationQualified
Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of ChicagoRecommended
Puerto Rican Bar Association of IllinoisQualified
Women’s Bar Association of IllinoisRecommended

Endorsement
United Hellenic Voters of America

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Mary Brigid Hayes - #114


Campaign Website

Questionnaire Response: Chicago Tribune

Bar Association Evaluations

The Chicago Bar Association says:
Mary Brigid Hayes is “Qualified” for the office of Justice of the Illinois Appellate Court. Ms. Hayes was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1989 and is serving as an Assistant Cook County Public Guardian in the Juvenile Division. Ms. Hayes is a talented researcher and writer who is well regarded for her knowledge of the law, keen intellect, and extensive appellate practice experience. Ms. Hayes is a dedicated public servant and has zealously advocated to protect the rights of children
The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:
Mary Brigid Hayes was admitted to practice in 1989. She has served since 1993 as an Assistant Public Guardian at the Cook County Public Guardian’s Office. She is currently doing appeals and courtroom support work. She has been responsible for litigation in her other positions within the Public Guardian’s Office. From 1996 to 1997, she practiced in the Probate Division. From 1997 to 1999 she was assigned to the Special Litigation Unit, and has handled wrongful death cases. She left the office in 1999 for family reasons and returned to the office, where she has been doing appeals and courtroom support work for the past nine years. She served as an Assistant Illinois Attorney General from 1991 to 1992, but resigned after refusing to prepare a brief asking the Illinois Supreme Court to affirm the conviction of Rolando Cruz. She informed her supervisor that she could not argue that Cruz received a fair trial. Cruz was later exonerated and she received a Commitment to Justice Award from the Chicago Council of Lawyers for her actions. Ms. Hayes has had an active litigation practice. She currently handles numerous appeals and prepares annual case law updates for the lawyers in her office. The Council finds her Qualified for the Appellate 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 AssociationNot Recommended
Decalogue Society of LawyersRecommended
Hellenic Bar AssociationRecommended
Hispanic Lawyers Association of IllinoisHighly Qualified
Illinois State Bar AssociationQualified
Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of ChicagoHighly Recommended
Puerto Rican Bar Association of IllinoisQualified
Women’s Bar Association of IllinoisRecommended



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James Michael McGing - #115


Campaign Website

Questionnaire Responses: Chicago Tribune, Illinois Civil Justice League

Candidate Statement: Cook County Clerk

Video Interviews: NTNM, Issue Forum

Bar Association Evaluations

The Chicago Bar Association says:
Judge James Michael McGing is “Highly Qualified” for the office of Justice of the Illinois Appellate Court. Judge McGing was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1986 and was appointed to the Circuit Court in 2006. Judge McGing is experienced in both civil and criminal law and had extensive appellate practice experience before his appointment to the bench. Judge McGing writes a significant number of opinions in his current assignment and is well regarded for his work ethic and knowledge of the law.
The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:
Judge James M. McGing was admitted to practice in 1986. He was elected to the Circuit Court of Cook County in 2006. From 1992 to 2006 Judge McGing was a partner in Miller, Fanucchi & McGing where he did personal injury and workers’ comp cases. From 2004 to 2006 he was Director of Legal and Legislative Affairs for the Sheriff of Cook County. From 1994 to 2000 he was legal counsel to the Sheriff of Cook County. He was a sole practitioner from 1989 to 1992 with a general trial practice. He served as a hearing officer for the City of Chicago and as a Special State’s Attorney doing litigation for the Cook County Sheriff. He was with a small firm from 1988 to 1989 and from 1986 to 1988 he served as an Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney.

As a judge, he chaired the Traffic Bench Book Committee that drafted an amended bench book for suspended and revoked license courtrooms in the First Municipal District. He states that he is currently drafting new housing bench books for conservation and demolition. He is currently assigned to the Housing Section of the First Municipal District since coming on the bench (with the exception of being in Traffic Court for the first eight months of this judicial tenure). He handles cases involving administrative review (from the City of Chicago Administrative Hearings), Enforcement of Administrative Judgments, Demolition Judgments, City Liens-Foreclosure Call, the Public Nuisance Call, and is now part of the new Vacant/Abandoned Foreclosure Call. Judge McGing is praised as having good legal ability and for being fair and respectful to all those who appear before him. He is considered to have a good temperament and for his courtroom management skills. He issues detailed written opinions. The Council finds him Qualified for the Appellate Court.
Other Bar Association Evaluations:
Asian American Bar Association of the
Greater Chicago Area		Recommended
Black Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater ChicagoRecommended
Cook County Bar AssociationRecommended
Decalogue Society of LawyersRecommended
Hellenic Bar AssociationRecommended
Hispanic Lawyers Association of IllinoisQualified
Illinois State Bar AssociationQualified
Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of ChicagoRecommended
Puerto Rican Bar Association of IllinoisQualified
Women’s Bar Association of IllinoisRecommended

Endorsements
Fraternal Order of Police, Chicago Lodge No. 7
Illinois Fraternal Order of Police
Chicago Police Sergeants' Association
Illinois Committee for Honest Government
Chicago Fire Fighters Union, Local 2

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Laura Marie Sullivan - #118


No Campaign Website known

Bar Association Evaluations

The Chicago Bar Association says:
Judge Laura Marie Sullivan is “Qualified” for the office of Justice of the Illinois Appellate Court. Judge Sullivan was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1988 and served as an Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney for 14 years before her election to the Circuit Court in 2002. Judge Sullivan is well respected by her colleagues on the bench and by those who appear before her for her legal knowledge and ability. Judge Sullivan is an experienced jurist who possesses all the requisite qualifications to serve as an Appellate Court Justice.
The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:
Laura Marie Sullivan did not submit materials for evaluation. The Council finds her Not Recommended for the Appellate 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
Hispanic Lawyers Association of IllinoisNot 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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