Candidates are listed in the order that they appear on the ballot in the Democratic primary; no Republican filed for this vacancy. Information on this post will be updated as time permits until the March 20, 2012 primary.
Updated 3/17/12Pamela M. Leeming - #161
Candidate websiteQuestionnaire Response: Chicago TribuneCandidate Statement: Cook County ClerkVideo Interview: Sonny Hersh Election SpecialBar Association Evaluations
The Chicago Bar Association says:Judge Pamela Leeming is “Qualified” to serve as a Recalled Judge of the Circuit Court. Judge Leeming was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1990 and served as an Assistant Cook County Public Defender for twenty years before her appointment to the bench in 2009. Judge Leeming’s extensive knowledge and experience in Criminal Law has served her well on the bench. Judge Leeming is well respected for her integrity and excellent judicial demeanor. Judge Leeming is hardworking, conscientious, and enthusiastic about her role on the bench.
The Chicago Council of Lawyers says: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.
Other Bar Association Evaluations:Asian American Bar Association of the
Greater Chicago Area | Qualified |
| Black Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater Chicago | Recommended |
| Cook County Bar Association | Recommended |
| Decalogue Society of Lawyers | Recommended |
| Hellenic Bar Association | Recommended |
| Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois | Recommended |
| Illinois State Bar Association | Qualified |
| Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago | Recommended |
| Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois | Qualified |
| Women’s Bar Association of Illinois | Recommended |
Endorsements
Cook County Democratic Party
Chicago Tribune
Arab American Democratic Club
Illinois Committee for Honest Government
Chicago Fire Fighters Union, Local 2
------------------------------------------------------
Terrence M. Jordan - #162
Candidate WebsiteQuestionnaire Response: Chicago TribuneCandidate Statement: Cook County ClerkBar Association Evaluations
The Chicago Bar Association says:Terrence M. Jordan is “Not Recommended” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Jordan was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1976 and worked as an Assistant Corporation Counsel for the City of Chicago before entering private practice. Mr. Jordan concentrates his practice in litigation and Real Estate Law. Concerns about Mr. Jordan’s depth of practice and litigation experience coupled with concerns about his organizational and management skills resulted in a “Not Recommended” finding.
The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:Terrence M. Jordan did not submit materials for evaluation. The Council finds him Not Recommended for the Circuit Court.
Other Bar Association Evaluations:Asian American Bar Association of the
Greater Chicago Area | Not Qualified |
| Black Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater Chicago | Not Recommended |
| Cook County Bar Association | Not Recommended |
| Decalogue Society of Lawyers | Not Recommended |
| Hellenic Bar Association | Not Recommended |
| Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois | Not Recommended |
| Illinois State Bar Association | Not Qualified |
| Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago | Not Recommended |
| Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois | Not Qualified |
| Women’s Bar Association of Illinois | Not Recommended |
------------------------------------------------------
Deidre Baumann - #163
Campaign WebsiteQuestionnaire Response: Chicago TribuneVideo Interviews: NTNM(1),
NTNM(2)
Bar Association Evaluations
The Chicago Bar Association says:Deidre Baumann is “Not Recommended” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Baumann was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1992 and is currently in private practice. While Ms. Baumann has practiced law for almost 20 years, concerns about the depth of her practice, legal ability, and diligence in effectively managing her time and caseload resulted in the Committee’s finding of “Not Recommended.”
The Chicago Council of Lawyers says: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.
Other Bar Association Evaluations:Asian American Bar Association of the
Greater Chicago Area | Qualified |
| Black Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater Chicago | Recommended |
| Cook County Bar Association | Recommended |
| Decalogue Society of Lawyers | Recommended |
| Hellenic Bar Association | Not Evaluated |
| Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois | Recommended |
| Illinois State Bar Association | Not Qualified |
| Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago | Not Recommended |
| Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois | Qualified |
| Women’s Bar Association of Illinois | Recommended |
Endorsements
IVI-IPO
Chicago Teachers Union
Latin American Police Association
Personal PAC
Jewish Chicago
Chicago Defender
------------------------------------------------------
Mary Margaret Burke - #164
No candidate website knownBar Association Evaluations
The Chicago Bar Association says:Mary Margaret Burke is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Burke was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1989 and is currently serving as an Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney in the Medical Litigation Section. Ms. Burke also holds a masters degree in nursing and served as a registered nurse. Ms. Burke has handled complex litigation and is well regarded for her strong work ethic and even temperament.
The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:Mary Margaret Burke did not submit materials for evaluation. The Council finds her Not Recommended for the Circuit Court.
Other Bar Association Evaluations:Asian American Bar Association of the
Greater Chicago Area | Not Qualified |
| Black Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater Chicago | Not Recommended |
| Cook County Bar Association | Not Recommended |
| Decalogue Society of Lawyers | Not Recommended |
| Hellenic Bar Association | Not Recommended |
| Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois | Not Recommended |
| Illinois State Bar Association | Not Qualified |
| Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago | Not Recommended |
| Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois | Not Qualified |
Women’s Bar Association of Illinois | Not Recommended |
------------------------------------------------------
Sammy W. Lacey, Jr. - #165
Campaign Website (newly found; link now in Sidebar)
Candidate Statement: Cook County ClerkBar Association Evaluations
The Chicago Bar Association says:The candidate declined to participate in the Judicial Evaluation Committee (JEC) screening process and, therefore, according to The Chicago Bar Association’s governing resolution for the JEC, is automatically found NOT RECOMMENDED.
The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:Sammy W. Lacey, Jr. did not submit materials for evaluation. The Council finds Mr. Lacey Not Recommended for the Circuit Court.
Other Bar Association Evaluations:Asian American Bar Association of the
Greater Chicago Area | Not Qualified |
| Black Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater Chicago | Not Recommended |
| Cook County Bar Association | Not Recommended |
| Decalogue Society of Lawyers | Not Recommended |
| Hellenic Bar Association | Not Recommended |
| Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois | Not Recommended |
| Illinois State Bar Association | Not Qualified |
| Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago | Not Recommended |
| Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois | Not Qualified |
Women’s Bar Association of Illinois | Not Recommended |
------------------------------------------------------
Rhonda Salleé - #166
Campaign WebsiteQuestionnaire Response:Chicago TribuneCandidate Statement: Cook County ClerkVideo Interview: NTNMBar Association Evaluations
The Chicago Bar Association says:Rhonda Salleé is “Not Recommended” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Salleé was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1999 and is currently in solo practice concentrating in family law matters. Ms. Salleé is in the early stages of her legal career and has had limited practice and court experience. The candidate needs additional time to expand the breadth and depth of her experience.
The Chicago Council of Lawyers says: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.
Other Bar Association Evaluations:Asian American Bar Association of the
Greater Chicago Area | Not Qualified |
| Black Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater Chicago | Not Recommended |
| Cook County Bar Association | Recommended |
| Decalogue Society of Lawyers | Not Recommended |
| Hellenic Bar Association | Not Recommended |
| Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois | Qualified |
| Illinois State Bar Association | Not Qualified |
| Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago | Not Recommended |
| Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois | Not Qualified |
Women’s Bar Association of Illinois | Not Recommended |
------------------------------------------------------
Steve Demitro - #167
Campaign WebsiteBar Association Evaluations
The Chicago Bar Association says:The candidate declined to participate in the Judicial Evaluation Committee (JEC) screening process and, therefore, according to The Chicago Bar Association’s governing resolution for the JEC, is automatically found NOT RECOMMENDED.
The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:Steve Demitro did not submit materials for evaluation. The Council finds him Not Recommended for the Circuit Court.
Other Bar Association Evaluations:Asian American Bar Association of the
Greater Chicago Area | Not Qualified |
| Black Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater Chicago | Not Recommended |
| Cook County Bar Association | Not Recommended |
| Decalogue Society of Lawyers | Not Recommended |
| Hellenic Bar Association | Not Recommended |
| Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois | Not Recommended |
| Illinois State Bar Association | Not Qualified |
| Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago | Not Recommended |
| Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois | Not Qualified |
Women’s Bar Association of Illinois | Not Recommended |
Endorsements
Chicago Federation of Labor
Fraternal Order of Police, Chicago Lodge No. 7
Chicago Fire Fighters Union, Local 2 (recommended)
------------------------------------------------------
Back to
"Start here for the most complete information about every Cook County judicial contest"
Candidate website
Campaign Website
No comments:
Post a Comment
Anonymous comments are once again permitted on this blog but, for crying out loud, please be civil. Comment moderation remains in effect. The management reserves its right to refuse to publish comments.