CCL evaluations in the race for the countywide Stewart vacancy

The Chicago Council of Lawyers has released its evaluations of candidates running for the Stewart vacancy. Candidates are listed in ballot order. All of the following are candidates in the Democratic primary; no Republican filed for this (or any other) countywide Circuit Court vacancy.

Pamela M. Leeming -- Qualified

Judge Pamela M. Leeming was appointed to the bench in 2009 by the Illinois Supreme Court. She ran for election in the 2010 primary and was defeated. The Council found her Qualified for recall by the Illinois Supreme Court. Before being appointed to the bench she served an Assistant Cook County Public Defender since her admission to practice in 1990. She concentrated her practice in the areas of paternity, criminal misdemeanor, preliminary hearings, a variety of other pre- and post-trial matters, and appeals. As both a lawyer and as a judge, she is considered to have good legal ability and temperament. The Council was concerned that as a lawyer she lacked breadth and depth in her legal experience, as well as an absence of sufficient experience in more complex litigation matters. As a judge she receives good marks for her temperament and ability to control a courtroom. The Council finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court.

Terrence M. Jordan -- Not Recommended

Terrence M. Jordan did not submit materials for evaluation. The Council finds him Not Recommended for the Circuit Court.

Deidre Baumann -- Not Qualified

Deidre Baumann was admitted to practice in 1992. She has spent her career in private practice with a small firm or as a sole practitioner. She handles civil litigation primarily, in both state and federal courts. She reports acting as lead counsel in 12 civil and 8 criminal cases. She also reports having significant appellate experience. While many respondents had a favorable impression of her litigation experience, a significant number questioned whether she had been knowledgeable enough in the cases they had opposed her. Ms. Baumann has been the subject of unfavorable written opinions by two judges. Most respondents say that she has a good temperament. While Ms. Baumann appears to be a respected attorney by many, there are attorneys who question her level of knowledge in some of her cases. On balance, the Council finds her Not Qualified for the Circuit Court.

Mary Margaret Burke -- Not Recommended

Mary Margaret Burke did not submit materials for evaluation. The Council finds her Not Recommended for the Circuit Court.

Sammy W. Lacey Jr. -- Not Recommended

Sammy W. Lacey, Jr. did not submit materials for evaluation. The Council finds Mr. Lacey Not Recommended for the Circuit Court.

Rhonda Salleé -- Not Qualified

Rhoda Salleé was admitted to practice in Illinois in November 1999. She is a sole practitioner. From 2000 to 2009, Ms. Sallee´ worked part-time at Clarence L. Burch & Associates doing criminal defense work, and from 2003 to 2007 she was a Senior Attorney at Forest Preserve District of Cook County. From 1999 to 2002 she was a law clerk for the Circuit Court of Cook County. She is active in community affairs. Ms. Salleé is considered to be bright with a variety of professional experiences. The Council is concerned that during the evaluation, many respondents stated that she was often over zealous in her representation. Many respondents also commented on her temperament, saying she can be overly aggressive. The Council is also concerned that her practice at this time lacks sufficient depth – that she is an insufficient amount of litigation experience in more complex matters. The Council finds her Not Qualified for the Circuit Court.

Steve Demitro -- Not Recommended

Steve Demitro did not submit materials for evaluation. The Council finds him Not Recommended for the Circuit Court.

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