CCL evaluations in the race for the "A" vacancy in the 4th Subcircuit

The Chicago Council of Lawyers has released its evaluations of candidates running for the "A" vacancy in the 4th Subcircuit. Candidates are listed in ballot order.

Democratic Candidates

Julie Line Bailey -- Qualified

Julie Line Bailey was admitted to practice in Illinois in 1990. She is in private practice focusing on property and casualty subrogation. She has spent most of her legal career doing litigation as a private practitioner. She spent a short time at the beginning of her career doing appeals as an Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney. She reports handling 60 appellate cases. Ms. Bailey is considered to have good legal ability and is reported to be a well-respected lawyer in the area of subrogation and insurance liens. Her career involves substantial in-court motion practice in addition to bench and jury trials. She is reported to have a good temperament. The Council finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court.

Karin Elizabeth Swanson -- Qualified

Karin E. Swanson was admitted to practice in Illinois in 1995. She currently serves as an Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney, prosecuting murders, attempted murders, aggravated battery with a firearm and sexual assault cases. She served as an Assistant Illinois Attorney General between 1995 and 1999. Ms. Swanson is considered to have good legal ability. She is praised for her litigation skills and for being well-prepared. She is reported to have a good temperament and is considered to be a zealous, but fair prosecutor. The Council finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court.

Linda A. Walls -- Not Qualified

Linda was admitted to practice in Illinois in 1999. She currently serves as an Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney. She also held this position from 1999 to 2005. From December 2005 to April 2009 as a solo practitioner in Palos Hills. Ms. Walls is considered to have good legal ability and temperament. The Council is concerned, however, that she does not yet have sufficient litigation experience in more complex matters. The Council finds her Not Qualified at this time for the Circuit Court.

Edward M. Maloney -- Qualified

Edward Michael Maloney was admitted to practice in Illinois in 1978. He is a partner at Ahern Maloney Moran & Block. From 1978 to 1985 he was an associate at Hennessy, Faraci & Tassone. He has published various articles on DUI related issues for the ISBA Traffic Newsletter, and the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin. Mr. Maloney is considered to have good legal ability and is exceptionally knowledgeable about his practice area. He is reported to have good temperament and has substantial litigation experience in more complex matters. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.

Republican Candidate

Christine Cook -- Qualified

Christine Cook was admitted to practice in Illinois in 1990. She is an Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney doing appellate work. She worked from 2003 to 2008 as an Assistant State’s Attorney at the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office in the Complex Narcotics Division, from 1997 to 2008 as an Assistant State’s Attorney for the Criminal Appeals Division, and from 1994 to 1997 as an Assistant State’s Attorney for the Criminal Prosecutions Bureau in Markham, IL. Ms. Cook is reported to have good legal ability and most respondents praised her temperament. The Council is concerned about her lack of jury trial experience. However, she has substantial complex motion practice experience and frequently appears in court. The Council finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court.

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