Sunday, March 09, 2014

Organizing the Data: 15th Subcircuit, Doody 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 18, 2014 primary.

This race was profiled in the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin.
Updated 3/15/14

Patrick Kevin Coughlin -- #171

Campaign Website

Candidate Statement: Cook County Clerk's website

Questionnaire Response: Chicago Tribune

Bar Association Evaluations
The Chicago Bar Association says:
Patrick Kevin Coughlin is “Highly Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Coughlin was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1996 and has served as an Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney for seventeen years. Mr. Coughlin is currently Deputy Chief of the State’s Attorney’s Narcotics Prosecution Bureau at the Criminal Court. Mr. Coughlin has a fine demeanor and temperament and is highly regarded for his knowledge of the law, extensive trial and court experience, and policy/legislative work.
The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:
Patrick Kevin Coughlin was admitted in 1996. Since 2002 he has been an Assistant State’s Attorney in the Complex Narcotics Unit, an especially demanding assignment. He has been working in the office since 1997. As lead trial counsel he reports taking 15 criminal cases to a jury verdict and around 100 to a bench verdict. Mr. Coughlin is a career prosecutor who receives praise as having good legal ability and 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
Hispanic Lawyers Association of IllinoisQualified
Illinois State Bar AssociationQualified
Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of ChicagoRecommended
Puerto Rican Bar Association of IllinoisRecommended
Women’s Bar Association of IllinoisRecommended

Endorsements
Chicago Tribune
Personal PAC

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John S. Fotopoulos -- #172


Campaign Website

Questionnaire Response: Chicago Tribune

Bar Association Evaluations
The Chicago Bar Association says:
John Spyros Fotopoulos is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Fotopoulos was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2000 and is engaged in private practice concentrating in criminal defense, personal Injury, and workers compensation. Mr. Fotopoulos has considerable trial experience and has tried a number of difficult cases. Mr. Fotopoulos has an excellent demeanor and possesses the requisite legal knowledge and ability to serve as a Circuit Court Judge.
The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:
John S. Fotopoulos was admitted to practice in 2000. He is a solo practitioner focusing on personal injury, workers’ compensation, and criminal defense cases. He reports handling one case on appeal. Mr. Fotopoulos is considered to have good legal ability and temperament. He has some litigation experience in more complex matters, although most of his litigation experience involves settlement and motion practice. He is praised for his litigation skills. This is a close call. Mr. Fotopoulos has some litigation experience but the Council is concerned that he does not yet possess sufficient experience in a variety of areas. On balance the Council finds him Not Qualified for the Circuit Court.
Other Bar Association Evaluations:
Asian American Bar Association of the
Greater Chicago Area
Not Evaluated
Black Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater ChicagoRecommended
Cook County Bar AssociationNot Recommended
Decalogue Society of LawyersNot Recommended
Hellenic Bar AssociationRecommended
Hispanic Lawyers Association of IllinoisQualified
Illinois State Bar AssociationNot Qualified
Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of ChicagoNot Recommended
Puerto Rican Bar Association of IllinoisRecommended
Women’s Bar Association of IllinoisRecommended

Endorsements
United Hellenic Voters of America
Chicago Crusader

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Diana Embil -- #173

Campaign Website

Questionnaire Response: Chicago Tribune

Bar Association Evaluations
The Chicago Bar Association says:
Diana L. Embil is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Embil was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1988 and served as a clerk for the Illinois Appellate Court and Illinois Supreme Court. For the last 15 years, Ms. Embil has worked for the United States Environmental Protection Agency and is currently Associate Regional Counsel for Region 5. Ms. Embil is well regarded for her integrity, good temperament, legal knowledge, and experience.
The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:
Diana Embil was admitted to practice in 1988. She was appointed to the Circuit Court by the Illinois Supreme Court in 2013. Before becoming a judge, she was an Associate Regional Counsel with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. She served as a member of the Minimum Continuing Legal Education of the Illinois Supreme Court. She served as a law clerk for former Justice R. Eugene Pincham during his tenure on the Illinois Appellate Court and for Illinois Supreme Court Justice Charles E. Freeman. As a practitioner, Judge Embil was considered to have good legal ability and temperament. She had substantial experience with litigation-related matters. 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 AssociationNot Recommended
Hispanic Lawyers Association of IllinoisNot Recommended
Illinois State Bar AssociationQualified
Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of ChicagoRecommended
Puerto Rican Bar Association of IllinoisRecommended
Women’s Bar Association of IllinoisRecommended

Endorsements
Chicago Federation of Labor
Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters
Laborers' District Council of Chicago & Vicinity
IVI-IPO
Soul Slate
Personal PAC
18th Ward Community Action Network

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