All candidates listed below are running in the Democratic Primary. There are no Republican candidates who have filed in any of the following races.
1st Subcircuit - Brim vacancy
Jesse Outlaw - Qualified
Jesse Outlaw was admitted to practice in 1980. Mr. Outlaw has been a solo practitioner in the City of Chicago for 33 years. He represents clients in real estate, divorce, probate and bankruptcy matters. He is also appointed by judges in the Probate Division to act as guardian ad litem for adult disabled people. Around 4 years ago, Mr. Outlaw joined the law firm of the Stuttley Group, LLC as an associate member. As an associate with the Stuttley Group, he represents legislators,
park district boards and school boards; when necessary, he also conducts hearings on red light violations for municipalities. Mr. Outlaw is praised for his temperament and for his diligence. He is considered an intelligent lawyer who is a zealous advocate for his clients. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.
Hon. Maryam Ahmad – Qualified
Hon. Maryam Ahmad was admitted to practice in 2000, and was recently appointed to the bench by the Illinois Supreme Court. She had been in private practice, a full time attorney volunteer at First Defense Legal Aid, an Assistant Cook County Public Defender, and an Assistant Cook County States’ Attorney. She is considered to have good legal ability and has a range of litigation experience. The Council finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court.
1st Subcircuit - Hopkins vacancy
Hon. Anthony Simpkins -- Qualified
Hon. Anthony Simpkins was admitted to practice in 1994, and was recently appointed to the bench by the Illinois Supreme Court. He had been the Deputy Commissioner for Housing Preservation for the Chicago Department of Housing since April 2007. He was Senior Counsel in the Building and Land Use Litigation Division of the Chicago Department of Law between 1997 and 2007 where he prosecuted civil litigation matters. Between 1996 and 1997, he served with the Lawyers Committee for Better Housing as a Skadden Fellow. Mr. Simpkins is considered to have good legal ability and temperament. He has substantial litigation experience in complex matters both as a practitioner and as a supervisor of other lawyers. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.
Rhonda Crawford – Not Recommended
Rhonda Crawford failed to submit materials for evaluation. The Council finds her Not Recommended for the Circuit Court.
Lisa A. Copland – Qualified
Lisa A. Copland was admitted to practice in 1997. She provides pro bono assistance through the Cook County Bar Association Free Legal Clinic, and through the Foreclosure Mediation program of the Chicago Volunteer Legal Services. She is currently a sole practitioner, and has practiced as a sole practitioner or in a small firm throughout her career. While she does not report having jury trial experience, she has substantial bench trial experience and represents individuals
in administrative hearings. She is considered to have good legal ability and is praised for her knowledge about her areas of practice. She has substantial litigation-related experience and is reported to have a good temperament. She is active in doing pro bono representation. She is hard working and a zealous advocate for her clients. The Council finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court.
2nd Subcircuit - Savage vacancy
Celeste Jones - Qualified
Celeste Jones was admitted to practice in 1995. She is a career attorney with the Cook County Public Guardian’s Office. She is currently a supervising attorney in the Accounts Department. From 2003 to 2007, she served as a staff attorney in this Office. From 1999 to 2003, she was the Lead Attorney in the Juvenile Division, and was an attorney doing litigation in the Office between 1995 and 1999. She is widely respected for her legal knowledge and ability. She has substantial litigation experience and has a strong background in a variety of legal issues. She is reported to have good temperament and is praised for being prepared. The Council finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court.
Chelsey R. Robinson - Qualified
Chelsey R. Robinson was admitted to practice in 1996. She is a Partner in a small firm where she handles civil and criminal litigation matters. Her practice also includes bankruptcy and employment discrimination matters in federal court. She is widely praised for her legal ability and for her knowledge of the law. She has litigation experience in a variety of matters in both state and federal courts. The Council finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court.
D. Renee Jackson – Not Recommended
D. Renee Jackson failed to submit materials for evaluation. The Council finds her Not Recommended for the Circuit Court.
Travis Richardson – Well Qualified
Travis Richardson was admitted to practice in 1997. He has been in private practice for most of his career, focusing on litigation matters in both state and federal courts. His litigation experience spans both civil matters and criminal defense work. He is active in community efforts, and served as a Hearing Examiner for the Chicago Board of Elections between 2010 and 2012. Mr. Richardson is considered to have excellent legal ability. He has substantial litigation experience in more complex matters and is widely praised for his professionalism, his knowledge of the law, and for his temperament. He is reported to be exceptionally hard-working and a zealous advocate for his clients. He is also reported to have demonstrated his interest in improving the legal system. The Chicago Council of Lawyers finds Mr. Richardson to be Well Qualified for the Circuit Court.
4th Subcircuit - Kunkle vacancy
Hon. Edward J. King - Qualified
Hon. Edward J. King was appointed to the Circuit Court by the Illinois Supreme Court in 2014. He was a sole practitioner and since 1988 had served as a Special Assistant Illinois Attorney General. He is considered to have good legal ability and temperament. He had substantial litigation experience in more complex matters. He is praised for his temperament. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.
5th Subcircuit - Eadie-Daniels vacancy
Jameika Mangum – Not Recommended
Jameika Mangum failed to submit materials for evaluation. The Council finds her Not Recommended for the Circuit Court.
Hon. Leonard Murray – Qualified
Hon. Leonard Murray was admitted to practice in 1974. He spent most of his career prior to becoming a judge as a sole practitioner. He was elected to be an Associate Judge in 2007. He is currently sitting in the First Municipal District presiding over jury trials. He presided over forcible entry and detainer cases for most of his judicial career. Since becoming a judge, he has received praise for his knowledge of the law and for his ability to manage high volume courtrooms. Lawyers note his ability and willingness to assist pro se litigants in an effective and appropriate manner. Some attorneys representing landlords report that Judge Murray favored tenants. Most attorneys say that he is fair to all parties. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.
5th Subcircuit - Stuart vacancy
Hon. Freddrenna Lyle - Qualified
Hon. Freddrenna Lyle was admitted to practice in 1980. She was appointed to the Circuit Court by the Illinois Supreme Court in 2011. She was recently assigned to the Elder Law Division. Before becoming a judge, she worked in small firms and as a solo practitioner. She had substantial experience in more complex litigation matters, and was a respected practitioner. She served for 13 years as a member of the Chicago City Council. Judge Lyle is reported to be knowledgeable and is praised for her ability to manage a high volume court call. She is reported to have a good judicial temperament. The Council finds Judge Lyle Qualified for the Circuit Court.
5th Subcircuit - Williams-Hayes vacancy
Daryl J. Jones - Qualified
Daryl J. Jones was admitted to practice in 2005. Mr. Jones is a member of the Illinois Prisoner Review Board, having been appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Illinois Senate. From 2005 to 2013 he served as an Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney. He is considered to have good legal ability with a variety of experiences. The Council is concerned about the short length of time he has been a lawyer but he had substantial litigation experience as an Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney and is praised for the work he has done more recently. He is praised for his temperament. On balance, the Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.
Hon. Robin Denise Shoffner – Qualified
Hon. Robin Denise Shoffner was admitted to practice in 1990 and was recently appointed to the bench by the Illinois Supreme Court. She had been an Assistant Corporation Counsel for the City of Chicago Department of Law where she represented the City of Chicago and police officers in civil litigation defense. She serves as lead trial counsel. After clerking for the Hon. Glenn T. Johnson, she was an Associate with Carney and Brothers from 1992 to 1995. She then worked as an Assistant Corporation Counsel from 1995 to 1998 and then was a senior litigation associate for a small litigation firm from 1998 to 2000. From 2000 to 2007 she was litigation counsel for the AON Corporation. Judge Shoffner had substantial litigation experience in both state and federal courts. Her experience is varied including civil rights defense, commercial litigation, and torts. She is reported to have good legal ability. She is considered to be very knowledgeable and capable as an attorney. She is reported to have a low-key, professional demeanor. The Council finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court Circuit Court.
6th Subcircuit - Ponce de Leon vacancy
Eulalia “Evie” De La Rosa - Qualified
Eulalia “Evie” De La Rosa was admitted to practice in 2004. She has been a career Assistant Cook County Public Defender since 2005, and has been assigned to the felony trial division since 2009. For a year after becoming a lawyer, she worked for the Cook County Office of the Chief Judge as a staff attorney and court coordinator. She is considered to have good legal ability with substantial litigation experience, despite her relatively short career. She is praised for her
litigation skills and her temperament. She is active in community activities. The Council finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court.
6th Subcircuit - Santiago vacancy
Richard Cooke - Qualified
Richard Cooke was admitted to practice in 1992. He is a sole practitioner. From 1992 to 1994 he was a trial attorney for a captive insurance company law firm, and served as in-house staff counsel for CNA insurance from 1994 to 1997. Since 2008 he has operated a self-funded pro bono legal clinic – the Cooke Legal Aid Clinic. He is active in community activities. Mr. Cooke is reported to have good legal ability and temperament. He is considered to be a good lawyer who is praised for his integrity and for being exceptionally hard-working. He has substantial litigation experience in complicated matters, and his practice involves complex transactional matters that further demonstrate the analytic thinking necessary to be a good judge. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.
6th Subcircuit - "A" vacancy
Hon. Anna Loftus – Qualified
Hon. Anna Loftus has been practicing law for about 15 years, and was recently appointed to the bench by the Illinois Supreme Court. She had been a partner at Hall, Prangel and Schoonveld doing medical malpractice and appellate work. She is a former Associate at Peterson & Ross. She is considered to have good legal ability and has substantial experience in litigation matters. She is praised for her temperament and her courtroom skills. The Council finds her Qualified for
the Circuit Court.
Edward J. Underhill – Qualified
Edward J. Underhill was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1984. He briefly worked for the State’s Attorney’s Office and Paul W. Grauer & Associates, but was then hired by his current firm, Madusa, Funai, Eifert & Mitchell, in 1985. Mr. Underhill focuses on business litigation and counseling and has been a partner since 1997. Mr. Underhill is considered to be a solid practitioner with good legal ability and substantial litigation experience in a variety of commercial litigation matters. He has published articles on legal topics, and is praised for his research and writing skills. He has a professional demeanor. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.
Carlos Claudio – Not Recommended
Carlos Claudio failed to submit materials for evaluation. The Council finds him Not Recommended for the Circuit Court.
7th Subcircuit - Burrell vacancy
Hon. Marianne Jackson - Qualified
Hon. Marianne Jackson was admitted to practice in 1973. She has served as an Associate Judge since 1997 and has been assigned to the Juvenile Justice Division since 1999. Prior to becoming a judge she served as an Assistant United States Attorney and as a private criminal defense counsel. She served as a Deputy U.S. Attorney and was named Chief of the Criminal Division. As a lawyer, she had substantial litigation experience in complex matters and was praised for her litigation skills. As a judge, she is reported to possess good legal ability and to be very knowledgeable. She has a good judicial temperament and is praised for being well-prepared. The Council finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court.
7th Subcircuit - Rivkin-Carothers vacancy
Hon. Patricia Susan Spratt – Well Qualified
Hon. Patricia Susan Spratt was admitted to practice in 1991. She was appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court to the Circuit Court in 2015. From 1992 to 1995 she was an associate at a small firm doing civil litigation involving securities issues. She then became a partner as Shefsky & Froelich where she does both trial and appellate work. She is considered to have very good legal ability and her knowledge of the law is well regarded. She has written and lectured extensively, including a book on professional responsibility which is used as a source for the members of the Illinois Supreme Court Committee on Professional Responsibility on which she serves. She is considered to be a resource for research and trial tactics. She is praised for her professional demeanor. Judge Spratt had substantial experience in a variety of complex litigation matters. The Council finds her Well Qualified for the Circuit Court.
Christopher J. Stuart - Qualified
Christopher J. Stuart was admitted in 1985. He has been a sole practitioner for most of his career doing nationwide class actions involving primarily antitrust, whistleblower, consumer fraud, and federal securities act claims. While he has done few actual trials, his practice involves extensive motion practice in complex litigation. He is considered to have good legal ability and has substantial litigation experience in a variety of complex matters. He is reported to be hard working with a very good knowledge of the law. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.
Jennifer Ballard – Not Recommended
Jennifer Ballard failed to submit materials for evaluation. The Council finds her Not Recommended for the Circuit Court.
Mable Taylor – Not Recommended
Mable Taylor failed to submit materials for evaluation. The Council finds her Not Recommended for the Circuit Court.
Patrick John – Not Qualified
Patrick John was admitted to practice in 1998. He is currently an Associate at The Barclay Group where he focuses on family law. From 2001 to 2010 he was an Associate at a small firm and was employed by another private firm between 1998 and 2001. He has served as an associate in two private law firms since being admitted to practice. Mr. John is considered to have good legal ability and temperament. His practice includes a substantial motion practice. The Council, however, is concerned that he does not have sufficient trial experience in complex matters. On balance, the Council finds him Not Qualified for the Circuit Court.
Rosa Maria Silva – Qualified
Rosa Maria Silva was admitted to practice in 2001. She is an Assistant Cook County Public Defender assigned to the Felony Trial Division. From 2001 to 2002 she represented clients in divorce and real estate matters. From 2002 to 2003 she served as an Assistant Will County Public Defender. She is very active in bar association and civic activities. She is reported to have good legal ability and is considered to be a hard-working defense counsel with good temperament. She has substantial litigation experience in more complex matters. The Council finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court.
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2 comments:
It seems difficult if not impossible to reconcile the fact CCL found Judge Marianne Jackson “Qualified for the Circuit Court” while at the same time finding Judge Patricia Spratt “Well Qualified for the Circuit Court.” I am not suggesting Judge Spratt is not well qualified; what is troubling is that assuming she is, how is Judge Jackson not? CCL states it finds a candidate well qualified if he or she has demonstrated excellence in most of the areas it considers. Looking at their list of categories and reading CCL’s reasons for its conclusion it is hard to find where Judge Jackson fell short in demonstrating excellence in “most” of the areas considered (fairness, including sensitivity to diversity and bias; legal knowledge and skills (competence); integrity; experience; diligence; impartiality; judicial temperament; respect for the rule of law; independence from political and institutional influences; professional conduct; character; community service).
Readers of this blog will know that Judge Jackson is Black and Judge Spratt is White. To say these ratings smack of racism is harsh and unjustified on this limited evidence. Nor am I personally aware of any reason CCL might be biased in favor of Judge Spratt. Neither matters because both are infinitely debatable. What I think is not debatable is that two judicial candidates have seemingly irreconcilable ratings that either disproportionately disfavors one or disproportionately favors the other. These ratings are supposed to be to aid the public in drawing intelligent conclusions about judicial candidates—something they are unlikely to be able to do on their own without ratings from the various bar associations. To have any value for that purpose, it is crucial that the ratings themselves meet at least two of the same criteria used to evaluate the candidates: being impartial and independent from outside influences. Side-by-side, which may have just been an unfortunate accident, the ratings of these two candidates in my opinion seem to fail that test.
Well, Anon, you've identified one of the reasons -- I think -- why many Alliance bar groups use a 1-0 rating system: When a group singles out one individual for praise, it opens itself up to criticism for not so honoring another. The most recent group to drop its Highly Recommended rating, I believe, was the WBAI. Perhaps someone who was 'on the inside' can chime in here and advise if my hunch is on the mark.
Each bar group has only one Judicial Evaluations Committee -- but, as a practical matter, that group is not identically constituted for each candidate interview. If Judge Jackson had appeared before the same group that interviewed Judge Spratt, both might have received the same rating. If Judge Spratt had appeared before the same group that interviewed Judge Jackson, neither might have received the special recognition.
All the Alliance groups suffer from a numbers problem: There are lots of people interested in becoming judges, but few who are willing to sacrifice office time and give up spare time to investigate those candidates. This is one of the reasons that the Alliance was formed -- so that the smaller groups could, working together, muster some of the numbers that the CBA could bring to its judicial evaluations (and I believe even the CBA's JEC membership has declined in recent years). Collective, collaborative effort, including a joint investigative process, helps diminish, though it can never eliminate, the chances that a few individuals in the hearing room with a particular agenda can skew the evaluation process. I claim no particular inside knowledge of the CCL's workings -- I am not a member -- but it has been my understanding the CCL utilizes, as an additional safeguard, a poll of its members to serve as a check on the findings of the Alliance investigation. I have no idea how that information is, or may be, reconciled with the determination of the CCL members who attend any given Alliance interview.
This is an important discussion to have, and I thank you for raising the issue in a civil manner. I would like to return to this in future posts.
And one final thing: It is important to keep in mind that both candidates you mentioned received positive ratings from the CCL.
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