In the 12th and 13th Subcircuits, as you will note, there are some Republican candidates as well as Democratic ones. Only in races where one or more persons filed in both primaries have I bothered to supply party identification. If no party is indicated, the candidate is running in the Democratic Primary.
New voters, or new primary voters, must remember that, in Cook County, in this election cycle, as in the last several at least, nearly all judicial elections are determined, not in November, but in the Democratic Primary.
9th Subcircuit - Berman vacancy
Thomas Peter Kougias – Not Qualified
Thomas Peter Kougias was admitted to practice in 1988. He is currently in private practice doing criminal law defense work. He served as an Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney for most of his career, leaving the Office in 2012. Mr. Kougias has had substantial litigation experience, but the Council is concerned that he has not distinguished himself as a prosecutor. Many lawyers say that he lacks sufficient trial management skills to become a judge and some lawyers say that he is not always punctual. The Council finds him Not Qualified for the Circuit Court.
Hon. Jerry A. Esrig – Highly Qualified
Hon. Jerry A. Esrig was admitted to practice in 1978 and was first appointed to the Circuit Court by the Illinois Supreme Court in 2013. He lost a Primary election in 2014. He was appointed to the Circuit Court by the Illinois Supreme Court for another interim term in 2014. He currently sits in the First Municipal District hearing a variety of cases. Prior to becoming a judge, he was a Partner with a small firm, focusing on sophisticated personal injury and commercial litigation matters. Mr. Esrig was an accomplished litigator with substantial litigation experience in a variety of complex matters. He was active in pro bono matters, as well. He was praised for his litigation skills, as well as for his professionalism and integrity. He was considered to have excellent legal ability and is always well-prepared. Mr. Esrig was a highly respected practitioner and a role model for younger lawyers. As a judge, he is reported to have good courtroom management skills, and is praised for his judicial temperament when dealing with both seasoned attorneys and pro se litigants. He is contributing written work to the Judicial Benchbook (a judicial handbook) now being prepared on credit card debt, the City of Chicago Landlords and Tenants Ordinance, Subrogation, and Guaranties. The Council finds him Highly Qualified for the Circuit Court.
10th Subcircuit - Howard vacancy
Colleen Daly - Qualified
Colleen Daly was admitted to practice in 1996. She is currently a sole practitioner and reports that she concentrates in criminal defense, juvenile law (both child protection matters and delinquency cases), traffic, appellate work, and some domestic relations. She represents police officers in administrative proceedings. She has been a sole practitioner since January 2010, although she had a partner for part of the time. From 1996 through 2009 she served as an Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney. Her assignments included the juvenile division, and the felony trial division. She served as a first chair prosecutor. She has substantial litigation experience in more complex jury and bench trials. In the last three years, Ms. Daly reports that she has represented police officers in administrative, evidentiary hearings. She has also been appointed to be a Guardian Ad Litem in cases involving minors. Ms. Daly also reported a federal court litigation practice, including litigation claiming racial discrimination and cases involving criminal extortion. Ms. Daly is reported generally to have good legal ability and knowledge of the law. She is praised for her trial skills, and for being knowledgeable and always well prepared. She is described by opposing counsel as professional and diligent in following through on such items as discovery requests. The Council finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court.
Hon. Eve Marie Reilly - Qualified
Hon. Eve Marie Reilly was admitted to practice in 1997. She was appointed to the Circuit Court by the Illinois Supreme Court in 2014. She was a career Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney, having extensive litigation and appellate experience. As a lawyer she was considered to have good legal ability and temperament. The Council finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court.
Michael John Malatesta - Qualified
Michael John Malatesta was admitted to practice in 2002. Mr. Malatesta owns and operates his own law firm, Malatesta Law Offices LLC. The practice specializes in civil litigation matters, generally personal injury work and other civil disputes. His daily activities typically consist of trials, court appearances, motion practice, depositions and the administrative aspects of maintaining a private practice. Mr. Malatesta is also a certified Cook County arbitrator. Mr. Maletesta is considered to have good legal ability and temperament. He has substantial litigation experience and is a respected practitioner who handles a variety of civil legal matters. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.
Richard G. Cenar, Jr. - Qualified
Richard G. Cenar, Jr. was admitted to practice in Illinois in 1986. Mr. Cenar is the first chair prosecutor in the Felony Trial Division at the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, and has been since 2002. He has worked in the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office since 1988; prior to his assignment to the Felony Trial Division, Mr. Cenar also supervised the Child Protection Division and worked in criminal appeals, the Grand Jury Unit, and the Preliminary Hearing Unit. From 1986-1988, he handled Civil Litigation, Personal Injury Lawsuits, and Administrative Law Matters for a private firm. Mr. Cenar is considered to have good legal ability and has extensive litigation experience. He is praised for his trial skills and his professional, low-key demeanor. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.
11th Subcircuit - Kelly vacancy
Hon. Marc William Martin – Qualified
Hon. Marc William Martin was admitted to practice in 1987 and was appointed to the Circuit Court by the Illinois Supreme Court in 2014. Before going to the bench, Judge Martin was an acclaimed criminal defense attorney. He is considered to have good legal ability and his praised for his litigation skills and for his temperament. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.
James DiChristofano – Not Recommended
James DiChritofano failed to submit materials for evaluation. The Council finds him Not Recommended for the Circuit Court.
Catherine Ann Schneider - Qualified
Catherine Ann Schneider was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1994. She began her career at Beverly & Pause, focusing on civil litigation of personal injury defense. In 1998, she started working for State Farm, investigating body injury claims. From 2000-2001 she oversaw the Attorney of the Day program, which produced pro bono counsel to defendants in eviction court. She then worked at Schneider & Tarr (a two person law firm) before moving on to become the Vice President of Operations at Millennium Financial in 2002. Following that, she worked at Career Services for Loyola Law for two years and then at the Law Offices of Deborah Ashen for another two. Currently, Ms. Schneider is the supervising Attorney for CARPLS.
Regarding her pro bono work, Ms. Schneider served as a guardian ad litem as well as an attorney for Chicago Volunteer Legal Services. She has also spent seven years helping Chicago Legal Aid Online. Lastly, she has spent time on the Board of Directors, Associate Board and as a Volunteer Attorney at CARPLS. Ms. Schneider has limited trial experience but has extensive motion practice in a variety of Cook County courtrooms. She has conducted more than 50 arbitrations. She is reported to be smart, motivated, and a good advocate. Attorneys with whom she works praise her ability to supervise and teach. She is reported to be always civil but clear in her dealings with opposing counsel. She has authored numerous published materials related to the practice of law and has demonstrated a commitment to pro bono work. The Council finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court.
11th Subcircuit - Zwick vacancy
Hon. William Bernard Sullivan – Qualified
Hon. William B. Sullivan was admitted to practice in 1992. He was appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court to the Circuit Court in 2015. He had been a sole practitioner since 1992. He worked on various civil legal issues including, but not limited to, commercial and real estate litigation and transactions. Much of his trial experience has been litigation involving eviction cases turning on interpretations of commercial leases. He is active in community affairs. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.
12th Subcircuit - Kazmierski, Jr. vacancy
Democratic Candidates
Louis George Apostol - Qualified.
Louis George Apostol was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1980 and has spent his career in private practice He is currently the Executive Director and Counsel to the Illinois Property Tax Appeal Board. He was the Public Administrator of Cook County from 1991 to 2003, and has been a Commissioner of the Illinois Court of Claims. He has substantial litigation experience in commercial litigation in both state and federal courts, and has served as the general counsel to over 20 closely held corporations where he handled all related legal matters, including business litigation. Mr. Apostol is active in community activities. He is praised as always being prepared and knowledgeable. Attorneys and judges with professional experience with Mr. Apostol praise his legal ability and temperament. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.
Hon. Marguerite A. Quinn – Well Qualified
Hon. Marguerite A. Quinn was admitted to practice in 1986. She was elected as an Associate Judge in 2007 and currently serves in the Skokie Courthouse hearing a variety of cases including domestic violence and criminal law matters. From 1999 to 2007, Judge Quinn was in private practice focusing on real estate taxation. From 1986 to 1998, she served as an Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney. As a lawyer, she was considered to have good legal ability and had substantial litigation experience. As a judge, she is praised for her courtroom management and for her ability to handle a variety of matters, including those that are complex. She is praised for her calm and even temperament. She is considered well-versed in the law and respondents say she is always well-prepared. The Council finds her Well Qualified for the Circuit Court.
Jennifer E. Bae – Qualified
Jennifer Bae was admitted to practice on May 8, 1997. She is currently practicing in a two person firm handling mostly criminal defense matters and some civil litigation. From May 2000 to October 2000, she worked as a solo-practitioner at the Law Offices of Jennifer Bae, and has worked at the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office as an Assistant State’s Attorney. She has done non-legal teaching with Korean American Community Services and Korean American Women in Need. Jennifer Bae is considered to have good legal ability and temperament. She has sufficient complex litigation experience in criminal law matters, both as a prosecutor and in private practice. She has had experience in civil proceedings, as well. The Council finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court.
Frank John Andreou - Qualified
Frank John Andreou was admitted to practice in Illinois in 1995. Since 2002, he has been the Managing Principal of Andreou & Casson, Ltd., working as a litigation attorney, both plaintiff and defense, for personal injury, employment, and commercial litigation. From 1999-2002, Mr. Andreou was an associate at Pretzel & Stouffer, specializing in civil litigation and medical malpractice, general liability, and auto defense. From 1995-1999, he was an Assistant State’s Attorney in Cook County. Mr. Andreou is considered to be a competent trial attorney with experience in a variety of civil legal actions. He is reported to have a good temperament. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.
Republican Candidate
Thomas Flannigan – Qualified
Thomas Flannigan has been a lawyer since 1983. He has a MA degree in International Relations. After clerking with Illinois Supreme Court Justice William Clark, he served as an attorney with the firms of Arvey Hodes and Freeborn & Peters, concentrating on international business transactions and litigation. He worked as an attorney in Japan in 1988 and between 1991 and 1992. Since 1990, he has been a sole practitioner focusing on civil litigation, intellectual property matters, and estate planning. He has had a limited number of cases go to trial but has been involved in other aspects of complex civil litigation matters. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.
12th Subcircuit - Mathein vacancy
Democratic Candidates
Janet Cronin Mahoney - Qualified
Janet Cronin Mahoney was admitted to practice in 1987. She is a career Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney where she is a supervisor in the Appellate Division. She has handled more than 280 appellate matters. Lawyers generally report that she has good legal ability. As a seasoned appellate lawyer, she has experience with a large number of issues. The Council finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court.
Adam Scott Mathein - Qualified
Adam Scott Mathein was admitted to practice law in 1997. He is attorney and vice president of Mathein & Rostoker, P.C. He went into practice with Glyn Rostoker immediately upon graduating from law school. His practice involves insurance litigation, representing both plaintiffs and defendants, and reports that he also is responsible for the day to day operations of the small firm (2 partners, 1 associate, and five non-lawyer employees). He practices in Cook County courts (mostly in the municipal districts) as well as in the collar counties. He is considered to have good legal ability and is widely praised for his diligence in his dealings with opposing counsel. He has substantial litigation-related experience. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.
Republican Candidate
James L. Allegretti - Qualified
James L. Allegretti was admitted to practice in 1978. From 2005 to 2011, Mr. Allegretti served as the Fourth Ward Alderman for the city of Park Ridge. Since 1990, he has been the Principal in the firm of Allegretti and Associates, focusing on Plaintiff’s personal injury cases and petitioners’ workers compensation representation. He has practiced as a solo practitioner or in a small firm doing traffic, DUI, personal injury and workers’ compensation cases since 1978. He is considered to have good legal knowledge and ability. Lawyers say he knows the law and has a good temperament. He is civil even in difficult cases. He has substantial litigation experience. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.
12th Subcircuit - Tristano vacancy
Democratic Candidate
Hon. Carrie Hamilton – Qualified
Hon. Carrie Hamilton was admitted to practice in 1996. She was appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court to the Circuit Court in 2015. She was an Assistant United States Attorney who had prosecuted a number of high visibility cases in Chicago. She is praised for her legal ability and for her courtroom skills. She is considered to have a good temperament. She has extensive litigation experience in complex matters. The Council finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court.
Republican Candidate
David Lawrence Studenroth - Qualified
David Lawrence Studenroth was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1987. In 1987 he became an Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney. In 1998 he began a solo practice focusing on criminal defense matters. Mr. Stedenroth is considered to have good legal ability and temperament. He has litigation experience and is reported to be a solid practitioner. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.
12th Subcircuit - "A" vacancy
Democratic Candidates
James Edward Hanlon – Qualified
James Edward Hanlon 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.
Allan W. Masters -- Qualified
Allan W. Masters was admitted to practice law in 1968. Prior to his legal career, Mr. Masters was a Special Agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. As a lawyer, he spent more than 30 years in private practice doing domestic relations cases, as well as chancery and personal injury work. Judge Masters was appointed to the bench in October 2001 and was assigned to a call dealing with Independent Orders of Protection in 2002. He is currently in private practice. As a judge, many attorneys praised Judge Masters for his legal ability, courtroom management, dispute resolution skills, and care in dealing with the unrepresented persons who often appear before him. The Council is concerned at having received reports that too often, Judge Masters was late to court and could become short tempered. On balance, the Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.
Republican Candidates
Alex Kaplan – Not Recommended
Alex Kaplan failed to submit materials for evaluation. The Council finds him Not Recommended for the Circuit Court.
Steven A. Kozicki - Qualified
Steven A. Kozicki was admitted to practice in 1985. Since 1998 he has been a sole practitioner with a general practice. From 1989 to 1998, he was a trial attorney with a small firm, and between 1986 and 1988, he served as a DuPage County Assistant Public Defender. He is considered to have good legal ability and is praised for being an experienced lawyer with good litigation skills in a variety of areas. He is reported to have a good temperament. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.
13th Subcircuit - Fecarotta, Jr. vacancy
Democratic Candidate
Hon. Ketki Shroff Steffen - Qualified
Hon. Ketki Shroff Steffen was admitted to practice in 1991. She was appointed to the Circuit Court for a second time in 2015. In 2013 she was a sole practitioner and from 2013-2015 she served as an Administrative Law Judge for the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission. She was appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court to the Circuit Court in 2010 and served as a Circuit Judge between 2010 and 2013. From 1991 to 2010, she served as an Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney. She is considered to have good legal ability. As a lawyer, she enjoyed a reputation as a trusted and experienced litigator. As a judge, she is praised for her ability to grasp the issues, for her courtroom management, and for her temperament. The Council finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court.
Republican Candidates
Kevin M. O’Donnell - Qualified
Kevin M. O’Donnell was admitted to practice in 1988. He has been a sole practitioner for most of his career, although he practiced with small firms for several years early in his career. His current practice concentrates on estate planning, probate, litigation, corporate work, and real estate matters. He is active in community activities. He is considered to have good legal ability and knowledge of the law. He reports handling relatively few trials, but he has been involved in substantial pretrial practice activities in more complex matters. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.
Gary W. Seyring - Qualified
Gary W. Seyring was admitted to practice in 1978. He is also a Certified Public Accountant. He is a solo practitioner focusing on domestic relations, real estate, estate planning, tax planning, and business law. A substantial percentage of Mr. Seyring’s practice involves litigation. He is considered to have good legal ability and temperament. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.
14th Subcircuit - Murphy vacancy
Matthew Link – Not Recommended
Matthew Link failed to submit materials for evaluation. The Council finds him Not Recommended for the Circuit Court.
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