Friday, March 11, 2016

Organizing the Data: Countywide Johnson vacancy

Candidates are listed in the order that they appear on the ballot in the Democratic primary; no Republican filed for this vacancy.

This contest was profiled in the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin.

Gregory Raymond LaPapa - #208


Campaign Website

Bar Association Evaluations

The Chicago Bar Association says:
Gregory LaPapa is “Not Recommended” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. LaPapa was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1982 and is currently engaged in private practice concentrating in criminal law, injury law, traffic law and DUI matters. Mr. LaPapa has been the subject of numerous lawsuits for unpaid bills and several lawsuits for breach of contract. In addition, Mr. LaPapa’s license to practice law was suspended by the Illinois Supreme Court for one year from September 2001-September 2002.
The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:
Gregory Raymond LaPapa failed to submit materials for evaluation. The Council finds him Not Recommended for the Circuit Court.
The Illinois State Bar Association says:
Gregory Raymond LaPapa declined to participate in the judicial evaluation process. Mr. LaPapa is found to be Not Recommended for election to the Circuit Court, pursuant to ISBA guidelines.
Other Bar Association Evaluations:
Asian American Bar Association of the
Greater Chicago Area
Not Recommended
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 Qualified
Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of ChicagoNot Recommended
Puerto Rican Bar Association of IllinoisNot Recommended
Women’s Bar Association of IllinoisNot Recommended

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Sean S. Chaudhuri - #209


No Campaign Website Known

Tribune Questionnaire

Bar Association Evaluations

The Chicago Bar Association says:
Sean Chaudhuri is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Chaudhuri was admitted to practice law in 2001 and is engaged in the general practice of law. Mr. Chaudhuri is dedicated to the profession and also handles a number of pro bono matters. Mr. Chaudhuri has an even temperament and demeanor and possesses the minimum qualifications to serve as a Circuit Court Judge.
The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:
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.
The Illinois State Bar Association says:
Sean S. Chaudhuri was admitted to practice in 2001. He owns his own general litigation firm with a concentration in family law and domestic relations. Prior to establishing his firm in 2011, he was employed at a small firm, at Chicago Title and Trust, and at Leeders and Associated where he was a partner. Mr. Chaudhuri does have jury and bench litigation experience and is considered to have good legal ability and temperament. Mr. Chaudhuri is found to be Qualified for election to the Circuit 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
Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of ChicagoRecommended
Puerto Rican Bar Association of IllinoisRecommended
Women’s Bar Association of IllinoisRecommended

Endorsements
Cook County Democratic Party
Personal PAC
Indo-American Democratic Organization

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Mark A. Lyon - #210


No Campaign Website Known

Tribune Questionnaire

Bar Association Evaluations

The Chicago Bar Association says:
Mark A. Lyon is “Highly Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Lyon was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1986 and is currently serving as a Supervising Assistant Public Defender in the office of the DuPage County Public Defender. Mr. Lyon has extensive criminal trial experience which includes death penalty cases. Mr. Lyon is an expert in criminal forensics and well regarded by opposing counsel and by the judges before whom he has appeared.
The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:
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.
The Illinois State Bar Association says:
Mark A. Lyon was licensed in 1986. He is a supervising assistant public defender for the DuPage County Public Defender’s Office. His background also includes work as a private criminal defense lawyer and seven years doing capital cases with the State Appellate Defender. He has extensive complex jury and appellate experience. He is known for his work in forensics and has received stellar marks for his skills, knowledge and level-headedness. In addition, he participates extensively in community activities. Mr. Lyon is found to be Qualified for election to the Circuit 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
Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of ChicagoRecommended
Puerto Rican Bar Association of IllinoisRecommended
Women’s Bar Association of IllinoisRecommended

Endorsement
Chicago Tribune

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Carolyn J. Gallagher - #212
Campaign Website

Tribune Questionnaire

Video Interviews: NTNM-1, NTNM-2


Bar Association Evaluations

The Chicago Bar Association says:
Carolyn Joan Gallagher is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Gallagher was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1982 and is currently a solo practitioner concentrating in real estate, litigation, and financial institution law. Ms. Gallagher has litigation and extensive appellate practice experience. Ms. Gallagher is well regarded for her knowledge of the law, legal experience, and fine temperament.
The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:
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.
The Illinois State Bar Association says:
Carolyn J. Gallagher was admitted to practice in 1982. She is a sole practitioner with a varied commercial, real estate and appellate litigation practice, on both the state and federal level. She receives high marks for her legal knowledge and is considered an excellent writer and researcher. Ms. Gallagher is found to be Qualified for election to the Circuit 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
Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of ChicagoRecommended
Puerto Rican Bar Association of IllinoisRecommended
Women’s Bar Association of IllinoisRecommended

Endorsements
Chicago Federation of Labor
Fraternal Order of Police, Chicago Lodge No. 7
Jewish Chicago
Illinois Civil Justice League (Highly Recommended)
Chicago Chapter of NOW
United Hellenic Voters of America

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Bonnie Carol McGrath - #214

No Campaign Website Known

Tribune Questionnaire

Bar Association Evaluations
The Chicago Bar Association says:
Bonnie McGrath 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:
Bonnie Carol McGrath failed to submit materials for evaluation. The Council finds her Not Recommended for the Circuit Court.
The Illinois State Bar Association says:
Bonnie Carol McGrath declined to participate in the judicial evaluation process. Ms. McGrath is found to be Not Recommended for election to the Circuit Court, pursuant to ISBA guidelines.
Other Bar Association Evaluations:
Asian American Bar Association of the
Greater Chicago Area
Not Recommended
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 Qualified
Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of ChicagoNot Recommended
Puerto Rican Bar Association of IllinoisNot Recommended
Women’s Bar Association of IllinoisNot Recommended

Endorsement
Personal PAC

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