CCL evaluations in the race for the Durkin Roy vacancy in the 8th Subcircuit

The Chicago Council of Lawyers has released its evaluations of candidates running for the Durkin Roy vacancy in the 8th Subcircuit. Candidates are listed in ballot order. All of the following are candidates in the Democratic primary; no Republican filed for this Circuit Court vacancy.

Deborah Jean Gubin -- Well Qualified

Deborah Gubin was appointed to the bench by the Illinois Supreme Court in 2010. She served for ten years as an Assistant Cook County Public Defender, both as a trial attorney and as a supervisor. She also was General Counsel for the Illinois Department of Financial Institutions and did administrative and compliance work. She spent nearly 20 years as a sole practitioner. She has also been Deputy General Counsel and Chief Administrative Law Judge for the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services. She has taught trial advocacy at Loyola Law School.

As a lawyer, Judge Gubin had extensive criminal and civil experience and was considered to be an excellent trial attorney. As a judge, she is praised for her ability to handle a high volume court call. Those lawyers appearing before her praise her for her courtroom demeanor, for being especially hard-working, and for the quality of her opinions. The Council finds her Well Qualified for the Circuit Court.

Sharon Finegan Patterson -- Qualified

Sharon Finegan Patterson was admitted to the bar in 1980. She has been a sole practitioner handling employment and personal injury litigation since 1995. From 1982 to 1995, she was an associate at Lord, Bissell & Brook. From 1980 to 1982, she was law clerk to Hon. Daniel J. McNamara of the Illinois Appellate Court. Ms. Patterson is considered to have good legal ability and temperament. She is praised as being particularly hard-working with good analytical skills. The Council finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court.

Nicholas Geanopoulos -- Qualified
(Evaluated to fill a vacancy in 2006)

Nicholas Geanopoulos has practice law since 1983. He has been an associate with the Vrdolyak Law Group since 1992. From 1983 to 1992, he was an Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney. Mr. Geanopoulos is a solid practitioner with good legal ability and substantial trial experience. He has a good temperament. The Council finds him Qualified to fill a vacancy.

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