All candidates listed below are running in the Democratic Primary. There are no Republican candidates who have filed in any of the following races.
Biebel, Jr. Vacancy
Hon. John Fitzgerald Lyke, Jr. – Qualified
Hon. John Fitzgerald Lyke, Jr. was admitted to practice in 1994 and was recently appointed to the Circuit Court by the Illinois Supreme Court. He was a sole practitioner doing criminal defense work. He was also an Administrative Hearing Officer for the Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Licensing. He served for six years as an Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney where his work included the prosecution of complex criminal law matters. Judge Lyke is considered by most lawyers and judges contacted for this evaluation to be a good lawyer who is knowledgeable and an appropriately zealous advocate for his clients. He has substantial litigation experience in complex matters. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.
Elrod vacancy
Scott E. Lipinski – Not Qualified
Scott E. Lipinski was admitted to practice in 2002. He is a career Assistant Cook County Public Defender, currently assigned to the felony rotation in the Bridgeview Courthouse. Most attorneys report that Mr. Lipinski is capable of handling his call. He handled misdemeanor and other less complex matters for much of his career, but he now has begun defending more complex cases. Many lawyers also report that he on occasion will lose his temper in a professional setting. On balance, the Council finds him Not Qualified for the Circuit Court.
Hon. Rosanna Patricia Fernandez – Qualified
Hon. Rosanna Patricia Fernandez was admitted to practice in Illinois in May 1997. She was recently appointed to the bench by the Illinois Supreme Court. Before taking the bench, she was a partner at Sanchez and Daniels doing personal injury litigation. From 1997-2000 she worked at Eannace Lowery & Meade as an Associate Attorney. Judge Fernandez is considered to have good legal ability and is praised for her knowledge of the law. Most respondents say she has a good temperament. All say she is a zealous advocate for her clients. She has substantial jury trial experience. The Council finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court.
Hogan vacancy
Michael O’Malley - Qualified
Michael O’Malley was admitted to practice in 2005. He serves as an Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney in the Civil Bureau. From 2013 to 2015 he was in the Special Prosecutions Bureau. He has worked in the Criminal Prosecutions Bureau and in the Child Support Unit. He is considered to have good legal ability. He is reported to have a good knowledge of the laws and has substantial litigation-related experience. He is praised for his temperament and for his litigation skills. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.
Hon. Allison Conlon – Qualified
Hon. Allison Conlon was admitted to practice in 2000 and was recently appointed to the bench by the Illinois Supreme Court. She began her legal career as a law clerk for Judge Charles Kocoras of the federal district court, and then went on to become an Associate and Partner with the law firm of Wildman Harrold. She then joined Barnes and Thornburg as a partner. She did tort and commercial litigation for both firms. She maintained an active pro bono practice, as well. She is considered to have very good legal ability and trial skills. She is praised for her temperament and for being hardworking. The Council finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court.
Howlett, Jr. vacancy
Hon. Aleksandra Gillespie – Qualified
Hon. Aleksandra Gillespie was admitted to practice in 1993, and was recently appointed to the bench by the Illinois Supreme Court. Before becoming a judge, she was a career First Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney, and served as a First Chair prosecutor in felony matters. She has substantial litigation experience in both jury and bench criminal law trials. Ms. Gillespie is considered to have very good trial skills. She is reported to have been a very knowledgeable, hard-working, and fair prosecutor. She is considered to have very good legal ability and a professional demeanor. She is praised for treating colleagues, opposing counsel, and pro se litigants with respect. The Council finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court.
Thomas Maloney Cushing – Well Qualified
Thomas Maloney Cushing was admitted to practice in Illinois in 1988. He is currently of counsel to the offices of Christopher A. Kreid and Associates, focusing on commercial and chancery litigation. From 2006-2010, Mr. Cushing was Senior Vice President for Membership at the Chicago Climate Exchange, applying his legal skills in a business/environmental policy role. From 2005-2006, he was principal in his own law practice, specializing in personal injury practice. During this time, he also assisted Counsel to the Shakman Decree Monitor. From 1988- 2005, he was an associate at Ambrose & Cushing, specializing in civil trials, particularly personal injury, professional malpractice, and municipal liability. Since 2013, he has volunteered as a Hearing Board Member at the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission.
Mr. Cushing is reported to be a solid practitioner with very good ability and an excellent temperament. He has substantial litigation experience in complex matters, and is praised for his litigation skills and for his temperament. He has been involved with numerous community activities, including teaching and environmental advocacy. The Council finds him Well Qualified for the Circuit Court.
Johnson vacancy
Gregory Raymond LaPapa – Not Recommended
Gregory Raymond LaPapa failed to submit materials for evaluation. The Council finds him Not Recommended for the Circuit Court.
Sean Sohag Chaudhuri – Not Qualified
Sean Sohag Chaudhuri was admitted to practice in 2001. He has been a sole practitioner focusing on domestic relations matters since 2011. From 2001 to 2003, he was an associate in a small firm and for the next two years, he was with Chicago Title and Trust. From 2005 to 2011 he was a partner with Leeders and Associates. He reports having litigated nine jury trials and more than 1,000 bench trials. However, while Mr. Chauduri has some litigation experience in more complex matters, most of his experience involve cases that do not go to trial. He is considered to have good legal ability and temperament. The Council is concerned that Mr. Chaudhuri has been practicing only twelve years and has limited experience in more complex litigation matters. On balance, the Council finds him Not Qualified for the Circuit Court.
Mark A. Lyon -- Qualified
Mark A. Lyon was admitted to practice in 1986. He is currently a Supervising Assistant Public Defender in DuPage County, handling felony matters. From 2008 to 2010 and from 1989 to 2001, he was a sole practitioner doing criminal defense. From 2001 to 2008 he was with the Office of the Illinois Appellate Defender. From 1986 to 1989, was Committee Counsel for the American Bar Association Client Protection Committee and the Attorney Discipline Committee. He is a widely respected criminal defense attorney. He is considered to have very good legal ability with substantial litigation experience in more complex criminal law matters. He is praised for his knowledge of the law and for his highly professional demeanor. The Council find him Qualified for the Circuit Court.
Carolyn Joan Gallagher -- Qualified
Carolyn Joan Gallagher was admitted to practice in 1982. She is a solo practitioner focusing on litigation, appellate work, real estate, and transactional matters. She has done commercial litigation in both state and federal courts. Between 1985 and 1992 she was an associate with Dardick & Denlow and between 2000 and 2004 was a Legal Writing Instructor at the DePaul University College of Law. As a writing consultant, she has assisted in the writing and editing of several law practice-related books. Ms. Gallagher is praised for her legal ability and knowledge. She has substantial commercial litigation experience. She is reported to be a zealous advocate for her clients, but she is praised for professional demeanor. The Council finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court.
Bonnie Carol McGrath – Not Recommended
Bonnie Carol McGrath failed to submit materials for evaluation. The Council finds her Not Recommended for the Circuit Court.
Karnezis vacancy
Mary Kathleen McHugh – Qualified
Mary Kathleen McHugh was admitted to practice in 1993. She is a Partner at the law firm of Parrillo, Weiss & O’Halloran where she concentrates in personal injury and subrogation litigation. She has spent most of her legal career with this firm. She is considered to have good legal ability and has substantial litigation-related experience. She is praised for her knowledge of the law and for her diligence in dealing with opposing counsel. She is reported to have courtroom skills and a good temperament both in court and with opposing counsel. She is also reported to be a good mentor to less experienced attorneys. The Council finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court.
Hon. Devlin Schoop – Well Qualified
Hon. Devlin Schoop was admitted to practice in 1997. He was appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court to the Circuit Court in 2015. He was a Partner with Laner Muchin. From 1997 to 1999 he clerked for Judge Blanche Manning. From 1999 to 2003 he was an Associate with Wildman Harrold Allen & Dixon. He then became an Associate with Laner Muchin. Judge Schoop has authored IILCE continuing legal education materials on age and employment discrimination issues. He is exceptionally active in pro bono and civic matters and received the U.S. District Court’s Award for Excellence in Pro Bono Service. He is a Panel Chair for the Hearing Board of the ARDC. Judge Schoop has extensive litigation experience in complex matters in both state and federal courts. His practice has included a variety of civil law areas including labor relations, Chancery work, and commercial litigation. He is considered to have very good legal ability and trial skills. His temperament is reported to be excellent and his integrity is unquestioned. The Council finds him Well Qualified for the Circuit Court.
Brian O’Hara – Not Recommended
Brian O’Hara failed to submit materials for evaluation. The Council finds him Not Recommended for the Circuit Court.
Love vacancy
Brendan O’Brien – Well Qualified
Brendan O’Brien was admitted to practice in 1996. He has been a a Partner in the firm of Hinshaw & Culbertson since 1999 and was an attorney with Connelly and Schroeder between 1996 and 1999. Mr. O’Brien has substantial litigation experience in insurance defense and medical malpractice cases. He is considered to have very good legal ability and is praised for being a hard-working, well-prepared practitioner. He is reported to have excellent litigation skills and his integrity is unquestioned. The Council finds him Well Qualified for the Circuit Court.
O'Brien vacancy
Maureen O’Donoghue Hannon - Qualified
Maureen O’Donoghue Hannon was admitted to practice in 1991. She is an Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney working in the Conflict Counsel Unit, where she is responsible for the defense of Cook County Offices, Elected and Appointed Officials, and Cook County employees in various areas of state and federal civil litigation. Within the State’s Attorney’s Office, she has served in the Special Projects and Assignment Unit, the Municipal Litigation Unit, the Transactions Unit, and the Labor and Employment Unit. She came to the State’s Attorney’s Office in 1994 after a stint in private practice and then left the office between 1995 and 1998 to be an Associate with Burke, Burns, and Pinelli, Ltd. She returned to the office in 1999. Ms. Hannon is considered to have good legal ability. She has extensive experience in more complex litigation matters, and she is praised for her litigation skills and for her professional demeanor. The Council finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court.
Palmer vacancy
Patrick Joseph Heneghan – Well Qualified
Patrick Joseph Heneghan was admitted to practice in 1983. Mr. Heneghan is currently an equity partner at the firm formerly known as Schopf & Weiss, LLP and has been a part of the firm for nearly 30 years. He represents individuals, small companies, and multinational corporations in various commercial litigation matters. These cases involve a wide range of areas, including, but not limited to: antitrust, fraud, deceptive trade practices, intellectual property and bankruptcy. Mr. Heneghan participates in various community activities, such as volunteering at St. Martin de Porres House of Hope in Chicago’s Woodlawn neighborhood. Mr. Heneghan has also served as the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Chicago Bar Association’s Committee on Attorney Malpractice. He is especially active with the Boy Scouts of America as a mentor and in a leadership role, where he was a vocal proponent for an inclusive membership policy. Mr. Heneghan is reported to have very good legal ability. His career involves substantial experience in complex state and federal litigation matters. He is praised for his courtroom skills and his integrity. He is reported to have a good judicial temperament and is often described as honest, fair, and ethical. The Council finds him Well Qualified for the Circuit Court.
Susana L. Ortiz -- Qualified
Susana L. Ortiz was admitted to practice in 2001. She is a staff attorney doing criminal defense litigation in the Law Offices of the Chicago-Kent College of Law. Prior to her current position, Ms. Ortiz worked as an Associate in the Law Offices of Raul Villalobos. She is praised as a good practitioner with good legal ability. She is reported to be knowledgeable and to have good litigation skills. She has substantial litigation experience. Lawyers say she is a zealous and persuasive advocate for her clients. They also praise her for being trustworthy and for having a good temperament. The Council finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court.
Deidre Baumann – Not Qualified
Deidre Baumann was admitted to practice in 1992. She is an owner of a small firm focusing on litigation in personal injury, employment discrimination, civil rights, legal malpractice, First Amendment, and general commercial litigation. From 1993 to 1996 she worked for a small firm doing trial and appellate litigation around First Amendment issues. From 1996 to 2001, she was a sole practitioner. In 2011, the Council said: “While many respondents had a favorable impression of her litigation experience, a significant number questioned whether she had been knowledgeable enough in the cases they had opposed her. Ms. Baumann has been the subject of unfavorable written opinions by two judges. Most respondents say that she has a good temperament. While Ms. Baumann appears to be a respected attorney by many, there are attorneys who question her level of knowledge in some of her cases. On balance, the Council finds her Not Qualified for the Circuit Court.” The results of a subsequent evaluation were similar to earlier assessments. On balance, the Council maintains its Not Qualified rating.
Ruscitti Grussel vacancy
John E. Marszalek - Qualified
John E. Marszalek was admitted to practice in 1976. Since 1985, he has been a sole practitioner focusing on civil litigation. From 1976 to 1985, he practices in small firms or as a sole practitioner. He is considered to have good legal ability and is praised for his knowledge of the law. Lawyers report that he has a good temperament and is diligent in his dealings with opposing counsel. He has substantial litigation-related experience. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.
William S. Wojcik - Qualified
William S. Wojcik was admitted to practice in 1980. He is a sole practitioner focusing on personal injury, medical negligence, and workers’ compensation litigation. He is considered to have good legal ability. He has substantial litigation-related experience in a variety of areas. He is praised for his knowledge of the law and for his temperament. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.
Hon. Daniel Patrick Duffy – Not Qualified
Hon. Daniel Patrick Duffy was appointed to the Circuit Court by the Illinois Supreme Court in 2014 and currently sits in the First Municipal District. He was admitted to practice in Illinois in 1995 and in Wisconsin in 1994. Before becoming a judge, he was an attorney with several private firms doing a variety of matters including criminal defense, commercial litigation, and insurance litigation. Judge Duffy presents several issues. Prior to becoming a judge, many attorneys were critical of Judge Duffy, noting incivility in their dealings with him. While some attorneys praised his litigation skills, the Council on balance found him Not Qualified in an earlier evaluation. Since becoming a judge, many lawyers have praised his knowledge and court management skills. But the Council is also concerned that the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit recently found that Judge Duffy as a personal litigant had brought an appeal that the Court believed was frivolous, and levied sanctions. On balance, the Council finds Judge Duffy Not Qualified for the Circuit Court.
Monica M. Torres-Linares – Not Recommended
Monica M. Torres-Linnares failed to submit materials for evaluation. The Council finds her Not Recommended for the Circuit Court.
Walsh vacancy
Patrick J. Powers - Qualified
Patrick J. Powers was admitted to practice in 1987. He has been a sole practitioner throughout his career focusing on domestic relations, as well as real estate and contract litigation. He is reported to have good legal ability and to be hard-working. Lawyers report that he is knowledgeable and always prepared. He has substantial litigation-related experience and a good temperament. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.
Hon. Fredrick Bates - Qualified
Hon. Fredrick Bates was admitted to practice in 1983. Judge Bates was appointed to the Circuit Court by the Illinois Supreme Court in 2015. He was a sole practitioner between 2000 and 2013 and served as an Administrative Law Judge between 2000 and 2015. He was also a Partner at Wildman, Harrold between 1997 and 1999, President of Albert, Bates Whitehead & McGaugh between 1992 and 1997, was a partner with Bell, Boyd and Lloyd between 1988 and 1992. He is considered to have good legal ability and is praised for his temperament. He has substantial litigation experience in a variety of matters. He is praised for both his litigation skills and for his skills as an Administrative Law Judge. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.
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