Four file to oppose Gallagher

In addition to the two Republicans mentioned earlier today, four Democrats filed to challenge Assistant Public Defender Daniel J. Gallagher's bid for the countywide McCarthy vacancy.

First to file was Paul Martin McMahon, a name partner in Costello, McMahon, Burke & Murphy Ltd.. A lawyer since 1992, the firm website notes that McMahon is a "lifetime member" of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and a Past President of the St. Athanasius (Evanston) Parish Council. He's also served, according to the firm website, "as a volunteer attorney at the St. Sabina legal ministry on the south side." McMahon ran for the countywide Burr vacancy in 2006.

Also filing this afternoon for the McCarthy vacancy was Jessica A. O'Brien, the Immediate Past President of the Asian American Bar Association of Greater Chicago. O'Brien has been an Illinois attorney since 1998. She works for the Illinois Department of Revenue in the Income Tax Section of the Litigation Division.

Filing immediately after Ms. O'Brien was Northwest Side solo practitioner James P. Pieczonka. An attorney since 1983, Pieczonka's Sullivan's listing advises that his practice is focused in taxation, real estate and condominium law.

The last to file for the Democratic nomination for the McCarthy vacancy was Brad Trowbridge. A Loop solo practitioner, Trowbridge concentrates in family law. A lawyer since 2000, Trowbridge was recently mentioned in a Law Bulletin article announcing the settlement of a suit for emotional distress arising from "a failed 22-year love affair" between a one-time law student and the former dean of a local law school. Trowbridge was one of the plaintiff's attorneys.

There will be no lottery for positions in this race; assuming that each of these candidates stays in the race, they will be listed, in this order, following Gallagher on the ballot.