1st Subcircuit -- Turkington vacancy: Organizing the data

107 -- Donna L. Cooper

Donna L. Cooper: In her own words

No candidate website known

The Chicago Bar Association says:

Donna L. Cooper is "Qualified" for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Cooper was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1981 and has broad practice experience. Ms. Cooper possesses all the requisite qualifications to serve as a Circuit Court Judge.

The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:

Donna L. Cooper has been a lawyer since 1981. She has served as an Assistant Corporation Counsel for the City of Chicago doing personal injury, workers’ compensation, and city ordinance prosecutions work. She has also served as a Cook County Assistant Public Defender in the juvenile justice and child protection area. For 19 years, Ms. Cooper has had a military law practice while serving in the military. In 2003 she was deployed to Iraq where she served as the liaison officer between the Polish Legal Advisors and the U.S. legal office of the Combined Joint Task Force, where she advised on legal matters during the planning and conducting of military and humanitarian operations. During her last evaluation, the Council was concerned about Ms. Cooper’s breadth of litigation experience. Since this evaluation, Ms. Cooper has worked to remedy this situation, expanding her litigation experience. She is considered to have good legal ability and temperament. The Council finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court.

Other Bar Association evaluations

Asian American Bar Association – Qualified

Black Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater Chicago – Recommended

Cook County Bar Association – Recommended

Decalogue Society of Lawyers – Recommended

Hellenic Bar Association – Recommended

Illinois State Bar Association – Qualified

Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago – Highly Recommended

Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois – Recommended

Women’s Bar Association of Illinois – Recommended

Other Recommendations or Endorsements

Chicago Tribune

Chicago Sun-Times

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108 -- LaGuina Clay-Clark

Laguina Clay-Clark: In her own words

Candidate website

The Chicago Bar Association says:

LaGuina Clay-Clark is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Clay-Clark was admitted to practice law in 1992. Ms. Clay-Clark serves as a Commissioner on the Illinois Court of Claims and maintains a private practice concentrating largely in probate and real estate law. Ms. Clay-Clark has an excellent demeanor and possesses all the requisite qualifications to serve as a Circuit Court Judge.

The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:

Laguina Clay-Clark did not submit materials for evaluation. She is Not Recommended for Circuit Court.

Other Bar Association evaluations

Asian American Bar Association – Not Qualified

Black Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater Chicago – Recommended

Cook County Bar Association – Recommended

Decalogue Society of Lawyers – Not Recommended

Hellenic Bar Association – Recommended

Illinois State Bar Association – Qualified

Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago – Not Recommended

Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois – Not Recommended

Women’s Bar Association of Illinois – Not Recommended

Supplemental statement issued by Judge Clay-Clark re: Alliance ratings

Other Recommendations or Endorsements

Chicago Federation of Labor

IVI-IPO

Chicago Fire Fighters Union, Local 2

Illinois Committee for Honest Government

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109 -- Zedrick T. Braden III

No candidate website known

The Chicago Bar Association says:

Zedrick Braden, III is “Not Recommended” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Braden was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1985 and practiced law with the firm of Braden and Braden until 2004 when he became a sole practitioner. During his years with Braden and Braden, he served as General Counsel of Mammoth Life Insurance Co. (1985-88); Per diem attorney for the Chicago Transit Authority (1986-88); Special Assistant Corporation Counsel, City of Chicago (1986-88); and, General Counsel of Chatam Business Association (1990-95). Mr. Braden is personable and well regarded for his fine temperament and community service. While Mr. Braden has practiced law for more than 20 years, his knowledge of the law and depth of legal experience, at this stage of his career, is insufficient for service as a Circuit Court Judge. In addition, serious concerns were raised about Mr. Braden’s diligence and punctuality as he is frequently late for court and other appointments.

The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:

Zedrick T. Braden III was admitted to practice in 1985. He has been in private practice as a sole practitioner for his entire legal career. Mr. Braden is considered to be a very personable and mild-mannered individual with a good temperament. However, comments received during the evaluation process revealed that Mr. Braden has experienced difficulties with punctuality, communications with opposing counsel, and diligence with regard to conducting discovery. Additionally, the Council is concerned that he does not have sufficient experience in complex matters that would demonstrate his ability to be a judge. The Council finds him Not Qualified.

Other Bar Association evaluations

Asian American Bar Association – Qualified

Black Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater Chicago – Recommended

Cook County Bar Association – Recommended

Decalogue Society of Lawyers – Not Recommended

Hellenic Bar Association – Recommended

Illinois State Bar Association – Not Qualified

Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago – Not Recommended

Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois – Not Recommended

Women’s Bar Association of Illinois – Not Recommended

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