Sunday, January 20, 2008

Nowicki vacancy: Organizing the data

97 -- Brian Terrence Sexton

Candidate website

The Chicago Bar Association says:
Brian Sexton is "Highly Qualified" for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Sexton was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1987 and currently serves as supervisor of the State’s Attorney's Gang Crime Unit. Mr. Sexton has extensive trial experience and has taught at the National College of District Attorneys. Mr. Sexton is highly regarded for his legal knowledge and ability, and has received awards for his service to the administration of justice and to the community.
The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:
Brian Sexton has been an Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney since his admission to the bar in 1987. He is currently Supervisor of the Gang Prosecution Unit. Mr. Sexton enjoys a reputation of being a fair, hard-working prosecutor with very good legal ability and temperament. He has been credited with professionalizing the Gang Prosecutions Unit. The Council finds him Well Qualified to serve in the Circuit Court.

Other Bar Association evaluations


Asian American Bar Association – Qualified

Black Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater Chicago – Recommended

Cook County Bar Association – Not Evaluated

Decalogue Society of Lawyers – Recommended

Hellenic Bar Association – Recommended

Illinois State Bar Association – Recommended

Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago – Recommended

Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois – Recommended

Women’s Bar Association of Illinois – Recommended

Northwest Suburban Bar Association – Highly Recommended

Other Recommendations or Endorsements

Chicago Sun-Times

Fraternal Order of Police, Chicago Lodge No. 7

Illinois Fraternal Order of Police Labor Council

Chicago Fire Fighters Union, Local 2

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98 -- Kim R. Kardas

No candidate website known

The Chicago Bar Association says:
Kim R. Kardas is “Qualified" for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Kardas was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1980 and has both civil and criminal law experience. Mr. Kardas is well regarded for his temperament and demeanor and possesses all the requisite qualifications to serve as a Circuit Court Judge.
The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:
Kim R. Kardas has been a lawyer since 1980. He has been a sole practitioner since 2004, specializing in both criminal and civil litigation. From 1992 to 2004, he was a partner in the firm of Belgrade & O’Donnell, litigating construction defense, maritime, admiralty and product liability cases. He was a Cook County Assistant State’s Attorney between 1981 and 1992 doing juvenile and adult criminal prosecutions. He was an adjunct professor at John Marshall law school between 1991 and 2000, teaching trial advocacy. He has extensive civil and criminal trial experience. Lawyers report that he has very good legal ability and temperament. He is widely praised for being well-prepared and hard-working. He has experience in both the civil and criminal law areas. The Council finds him Well 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 – Recommended

Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois – Recommended

Women’s Bar Association of Illinois – Recommended

Northwest Suburban Bar Association – Highly Recommended

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99 -- John J. "Jack" Murphy

John J. "Jack" Murphy: In his own words

Candidate Website

The Chicago Bar Association says:
John J. “Jack” Murphy is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Murphy was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1975 and has both civil and criminal law experience. While concerns were raised about Mr. Murphy's temperament, he is effectively addressing this issue and possesses the requisite qualifications to serve as a Circuit Court Judge.
The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:
Well Qualified (Evaluated for Associate Judge in 2002)

John (“Jack”) J. Murphy was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1975. Since 1987, he has
been an Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney; he currently handles the defense of
employment discrimination complaints against the County. From 1982 to 1987, he was an investigative reporter for WBBM-TV. Before that, he spent one year in private practice handling criminal defense work. From 1976 until 1980, he was an Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney in the Criminal Prosecutions Bureau. Mr. Murphy received his JD from the University of Minnesota in 1975. Since 1989, he has taught Trial Advocacy at Chicago-Kent College of Law.

Mr. Murphy is considered to have excellent legal ability and temperament. He has
substantial litigation experience, and his integrity is unquestioned. He is hard working and is well regarded both as a prosecutor and as a supervisor. The Council finds Mr. Murphy Well Qualified to serve in Circuit Court.
Ed. note -- Since this evaluation was prepared, Mr. Murphy has joined Scariano, Himes and Petrarca.

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 – Highly Recommended

Hellenic Bar Association – Recommended

Illinois State Bar Association – Highly Qualified

Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago – Recommended

Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois – Recommended

Women’s Bar Association of Illinois – Recommended

Northwest Suburban Bar Association – Recommended

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100 -- Michael B. Hyman

Michael B. Hyman: In his own words

Candidate website

The Chicago Bar Association says:
Michael B. Hyman is “Highly Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Hyman was admitted to practice law in 1977. During his 29 years as a lawyer, Mr. Hyman has demonstrated
superior skill and legal acumen. Mr. Hyman is highly regarded for his knowledge of the law, legal experience, integrity, fairness and fine temperament. Throughout his career, Mr. Hyman has demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to public service and to improving the legal profession through his work with numerous bar associations.
The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:
Well Qualified (evaluated to fill a 2006 judicial vacancy)

Michael B. Hyman was admitted to practice in 1977. Since 1979, he has practiced at Much Shelist Freed Denenberg Ament & Rubenstein, where he has been a partner since 1985. From 1977 to 1979 he was an Assistant Illinois Attorney General in the Anti-Trust Division. Mr. Hyman is considered to have very good legal ability and temperament. He has substantial trial experience and he is of the highest integrity and his work with the organized bar has been outstanding. The Council finds him Well Qualified to fill a vacancy.
Ed. note -- This evaluation was prepared when Judge Hyman was screened for appointment to the bench.

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 – Highly Recommended

Hellenic Bar Association – Recommended

Illinois State Bar Association – Highly Qualified

Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago – Highly Recommended

Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois – Highly Recommended

Women’s Bar Association of Illinois – Recommended

Northwest Suburban Bar Association – Highly Recommended

Other Recommendations or Endorsements

Chicago Tribune

Cook County Democratic Party

Chicago Federation of Labor

IVI-IPO

Personal PAC

Jewish Political Alliance of Illinois

Italian American Political Coalition

Illinois Committee for Honest Government

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