Charlie Beach, who was recently named by 6th Subcircuit Democratic Party Committeemen as an alternate candidate, marking him 'pre-slated' for any vacancy that might open up there, was today appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court to the Cooke vacancy in that subcircuit.The appointment is effective September 15; it terminates December 3, 2018. Supreme Court Justice Mary Jane Theis recommended the appointment to the Court (see, press release issued yesterday).
Licensed as an attorney in Illinois since 1996, Beach has operated his own practice, Charles S. Beach, P.C., since 1999, "with an emphasis on DUI law and driving-related cases," according to his campaign bio. The campaign bio also notes that Beach has served six times as Chair of the Chicago Bar Association Traffic Law Committee. He is the author of "Traffic Court Practice and Procedure," written for the Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education. In addition to traffic matters, the campaign bio notes, Beach has handled real estate, commercial, and appellate matters.
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13 comments:
Very good guy. Will serve the Judiciary very well! Congratulations my dear friend.
So the Supreme Court (Theis) appoints Beach to a vacancy that another candidate (Underhill) was just slated to run in by the Democratic Party? I can not recall anything like this ever happening before. Two white males running against each other in the 6th subcircuit? Who thought that was a good idea? If the rumor is true, Cook County will soon have a mother and daughter team who are both judges. Maybe that is the intended purpose of this nonsense?
CB is a wonderful lawyer and great person.
Will be an asset to the bench.
I applaud Justice Theis.
This appointment illustrates two undeniable elements of the process of becoming a Cook County Judge. The first is the sad truth that if you are good friends with a Supreme Court Justice, or in this instance, the son of a Supreme Court Justice, you will be appointed over more qualified and skilled candidates. The second sad truth is that if you are a social butterfly within the Bar Associations their catchall excuses for handing out a negative rating of "lacking depth and breadth of practice" or "no complex litigation experence" will not apply to you; even if your practice is lacking depth and breadth and does not involve complex litigation. With all due respect to Mr. Beach his bio and legal career is hardly impressive and mostly limited to a simple area of practice most able attorneys would run away from. Yet, Mr. Beach has positive Bar ratings and has just been appointed to the Bench. Only in Cook County.
There already are Cook County judges who are mother and daughter.
In my opinion, a good lawyer in his area of practice, but not the least bit humble or modest. There is a difference between confidence and arrogance which I never thought he understood. I believe he will enjoy the pomp of the black robe and title more than most. Too bad.
I met Charlie Beach almost 10 years ago, just after passing the bar and being sworn in to practice in Illinois. I met him through a volunteer program with the Chicago Bar Association where he was and had been for many years, training attorneys on how to represent indigent people in suspension hearings, Pro Bono. Throughout the entire time I've known Charlie Beach he has dedicated himself to helping those who need help and can't afford it and to training other attorneys to help those less fortunate. Charlie Beach is a great example of an attorney who has dedicated his work to help others and will be an amazing judge. This appointment is deserved and he will serve Cook County well!
Congratulations Mr. Beach
Say it ain't so, but I saw with my own eyes.
A sitting un-slated subcircuit judge is circulating petitions in two races. One to retain his seat, the other to oust another judge sitting by appointment. Now this in itself would not be news as un-slated sittings have to run somewhere, but what is truly odd is that up until a week or so ago, these two were making the circuit like Sonny & Cher or Bogie & Becall. Such a Trojan Horse move might work against your average candidate, but sources close to this story's Helen of Troy say flaming cheese is not the only thing burning now.
to anon 9/9
It is obvious you are one of those Alliance members that ask at screening why the candidate has never handled an anti-trust case.
Mr.Beach handles some very complex criminal cases and DUIs are no longer just all supervision cases. Former members of PD's Murder Task Force say those cases are easier than some DUIs. The lawyers that run from those should because they generally mess them up for the client.
Another sad truth is that the attorneys that would make the very best judges would not even think of leaving their practices and running for judge. The modern nature of the job is simply incompatible with attorneys that possess the modesty and humbleness of personality that would make them outstanding judges. Not one judge I have known and worked with really ran because they were dedicated to public service. Pure public service is non-compensated volunteer work; not a position that pays $200,000 a year. Serving as a judge is not pure public service. Whether for money, insurance, ego, prestige, boredom of current employment, or even jealously watching classmates or friends become judges; no one has an altruistic motivation. This assessment certainly includes Mr. Beach.
No DUI case is easier than a capital crime case either from the prosecutorial or defense side. Get real. But what difference? Above all, an attorney in private practice needs to make a living. We do not have the luxury of having Uncle Sam drop a guaranteed paycheck on our desk each pay period whether we hustle or not. There is no shame in building a legal career trolling traffic cases if it pays the bills. Unlike most black robes that come and go at the Traffic Center, at least Mr. Beach will come in and know what he is doing from the start.
Charlie certainly has an advanced level knowledge of DUI law. DUIs include civil aspects and constitutional issues (4th Am). Tons of courtroom experience. He has practiced regularly at 26th St and branch courts handling all types of felonies and misdemeanors. Not sure why that's not complex enough.
Nice guy. Generous with his time teaching and doing pro bono work. Likes his clients and treats them with respect. Seems perfect for the bench.
All I know is that when new traffic law comes into effect the State's Attorney office has Mr. Beach teach the new law to the newbies. Seems pretty qualified to me.
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