The candidates that filed for the Democratic Primary are listed first; information about the sole Republican candidate follows. Information on this post will be updated as time permits until the March 18, 2014 primary.
The Democratic primary race in the 12th Subcircuit was profiled in the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin.
Updated 3/17/14
Democratic Candidates
Samuel Bae -- #171
No Campaign Website
Questionnaire Response: Chicago Tribune
Bar Association Evaluations
The Chicago Bar Association says:Samuel Bae is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Bae was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1999 and concentrates his practice in personal injury and domestic relations. Mr. Bae is well regarded by his peers and the judges before whom he appears for his knowledge of the law and fine temperament. Mr. Bae is actively involved in community service and possesses the requisite qualifications to serve as a Circuit Court Judge.
The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:Samuel S. Bae was admitted to practice in 1999. He was admitted in the state of Texas in 2005. He is a solo practitioner representing individuals and businesses in domestic relations, commercial litigation, and personal injury litigation. From 2000 to 2012, he was a co-owner of a small firm where he focused on litigation and business counseling. From 1999 to 2000 he was an associate with Sanchez & Daniels. He is reported to have good legal ability and does a good job representing his clients. However, most of his legal work does not involve actual trials, although he is active in doing discovery work, settlement negotiations, and other aspects of litigation, albeit in less sophisticated matters. While the Council notes that Mr. Bae is a respected lawyer, we are concerned that he does not have sufficient litigation experience in complex matters. On balance, the Council finds him 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 | Not Evaluated |
| Cook County Bar Association | Not Recommended |
| Decalogue Society of Lawyers | Recommended |
| Hellenic Bar Association | Recommended |
| Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois | Qualified |
| Illinois State Bar Association | Qualified |
| Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago | Recommended |
| Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois | Recommended |
| Women’s Bar Association of Illinois | Recommended |
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Ralph Eugene Meczyk -- #172
Campaign Website
Questionnaire Response: Chicago Tribune
Bar Association Evaluations
The Chicago Bar Association says:Ralph Eugene Meczyk is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Meczyk was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1977 and has extensive civil and criminal trial experience. Mr. Meczyk is well regarded for his legal knowledge and ability.
The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:Eugene Meczyk was admitted to practice in 1977. He is a sole practitioner. Mr. Meczyk is a highly respected practitioner with substantial litigation experience in complex matters. He is praised for his temperament and his legal ability. Several years ago in a past evaluation, the Council said the following:
“Without further consideration, the Council would find Mr. Meczyk qualified for the bench. The Council is concerned, however, that Mr. Meczyk was convicted for failing to report income on his partnership and tax returns in 1980. He claims that he and his law partner did not keep adequate records and when he filed his tax return in 1981, he underreported the 1980 income. Judge Aspen sentenced him to a 30 day work release program, four years probation, a fine, and 500 hours of community service. He was censured by the ARDC in 1988, and ordered to permit the ARDC or its designee to review his bookkeeping from time to time for up to two years. Mr. Meczyk was pardoned fully and unconditionally by President Bill Clinton in December 2000. The Council as a matter of policy, is unable to find Mr. Meczyk qualified due to his past felony conviction.”
While the current evaluation of Mr. Meczyk establishes that he is still considered to be a good litigator, the Council as a matter of policy, is unable to find him qualified due to his past felony conviction.
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 | Highly Qualified |
| Illinois State Bar Association | Qualified |
| Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago | Not Evaluated |
| Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois | Highly Recommended |
| Women’s Bar Association of Illinois | Recommended |
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James Edward Hanlon, Jr. -- #173
Campaign Website
Questionnaire Response: Chicago Tribune
Video Interviews: NTNM(1),
NTNM(2)
Bar Association Evaluations
The Chicago Bar Association says:James Edward Hanlon, Jr. is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Hanlon was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1984 and worked as an associate and partner at a large Chicago law firm concentrating in commercial litigation. In 2000, Mr. Hanlon became an equity partner at another large firm where he worked until 2007. From 2007-2009, Mr. Hanlon was engaged in the solo practice of law concentrating in commercial litigation and criminal misdemeanor matters. In 2009, Mr. Hanlon became Director of Client Services for Novus Law, LLC, where his duties included e-discovery, document review, and management analysis. Mr. Hanlon is well rounded in the practice of law and has considerable experience in complex commercial litigation matters. Mr. Hanlon has a fine temperament and possesses all the requisite qualifications to serve as a Circuit Court Judge.
The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:James Edward Hanlon, Jr. was admitted to practice in 1984. He is in private practice. He is considered to have good legal ability and temperament. He has substantial litigation experience. The Council finds him 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 | Qualified |
| Illinois State Bar Association | Qualified |
| Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago | Recommended |
| Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois | Highly Recommended |
| Women’s Bar Association of Illinois | Recommended |
Endorsements
Chicago Tribune
Chicago Federation of Labor
Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters
Laborers' District Council of Chicago & Vicinity
United Hellenic Voters of America
Italian American Political Coalition
Personal PAC
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James L. Kaplan -- #174
Campaign Website
Candidate Statements: James L. Kaplan: In his own words,
Cook County Clerk's website
Questionnaire Response: Chicago Tribune
Video Interviews: NTNM(1),
NTNM(2)
Bar Association Evaluations
The Chicago Bar Association says:Judge James L. Kaplan is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Judge Kaplan was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1971 and was appointed to the Circuit Court in 2010. Judge Kaplan is thoughtful, possesses a good demeanor, and has performed well on the bench.
The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:Judge James L. Kaplan was appointed to the Circuit Court in 2010. He was admitted to practice in 1971. Before becoming a Circuit Judge, he was senior partner with the law firm of Kaplan & Sorosky Ltd., and served as a judge on the Illinois Court of Claims. His practice primarily involved workers’ compensation matters. Judge Kaplan was considered to be a good lawyer with good legal ability and temperament. As a judge, he is reported to demonstrate a good temperament and ability to manage a courtroom. The Council finds Mr. Kaplan 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 | Qualified |
| Illinois State Bar Association | Qualified |
| Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago | Recommended |
| Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois | Recommended |
| Women’s Bar Association of Illinois | Recommended |
Endorsements
IVI-IPO
Cong. Jan Schakowsky
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Republican Candidate
James Paul Pieczonka -- #171
Campaign Website
Bar Association Evaluations
The Chicago Bar Association says:James Pieczonka is “Not Recommended” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Pieczonka was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1983 and is currently a solo practitioner concentrating in Taxation, Real Estate and Condominium Law. Mr. Pieczonka’s practice and court experience is limited. Mr. Pieczonka held a real estate broker’s license from 2004-2007 and was actively involved as a broker during this period. The candidate owns a number of properties that are currently in foreclosure and is personally involved in several residual court actions. Mr. Pieczonka needs to gain additional practice experience and resolve these financial responsibility concerns before reapplying to serve as a Circuit Court Judge.
The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:James Paul Pieczonka was admitted to practice in 1983. He has spent most of his career as a sole practitioner doing both transactional work and litigation. In addition to his legal practice, he has been involved in real estate development matters. From 1985 to 1996, he also worked as an Administrative Law Judge for the Illinois Department of Revenue in the Hearings Division. Mr. Pieczonka has limited litigation experience. Some question his litigation skills. Much of his career has been related to transactional work and real estate development. The Council finds him 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 | Not 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 Recommended |
| Women’s Bar Association of Illinois | Not Recommended |
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