ISBA releases explanations of its ratings of candidates seeking judicial office in Subcircuits 9-14

The Illinois State Bar Association has, for the first time in a primary election, released its explanations of the ratings it has given Cook County judicial candidates. (The ISBA did offer narrative explanations of the ratings it gave Cook County judges seeking retention in 2012.)

In the posts immediately below this one you will find the the ISBA's explanations of its ratings in judicial races in Subcircuits 1, 2, 4, 5, 6 and 7 and in countywide judicial vacancies. In this post, I'll cover the ISBA's explanations of its ratings of judicial candidates in Subcircuits 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14.

In the 12th and 13th Subcircuits there are some races in which both Democratic and Republican candidates filed. In those cases, party affiliation is provided. If no party affiliation is indicated, the candidate is running in the Democratic Primary.

9th Subcircuit - Berman vacancy

Thomas Peter Kougias – Not Qualified

Thomas Kougias has been licensed since 1988. He worked at the State’s Attorney’s Office from 1991 to 2012 and has been in private practice since 2012. While he has litigated many criminal cases, some attorneys have expressed concern about his litigation and courtroom management skills, diligence and punctuality. Mr. Kougias is found to be Not Qualified for election to the Circuit Court.

Jerry Esrig - Qualified

Jerry Esrig was admitted to practice in 1978. He was appointed to the Circuit Court in 2013 and subsequently reappointed. He currently sits in the First Municipal District. Prior to his appointment, he was in private practice doing commercial and personal injury cases. He has extensive trial experience in complex matters and has an impeccable reputation as an even-keeled, diligent and accomplished litigator. He also took pro bono cases. Judge Esrig is found to be Qualified for election to the Circuit Court.

10th Subcircuit - Howard vacancy

Colleen Reardon Daly – Qualified

Colleen Reardon Daly was admitted to the bar in 1996. After thirteen years with the State’s Attorney’s Office, she opened a private practice specializing in criminal defense, juvenile law, traffic matters, appellate work, and administrative proceedings. She has conducted numerous jury and bench trials, including complex criminal matters, and is considered to have good legal knowledge and ability. She is diligent and professional with a good temperament. Ms. Daly is found to be Qualified for election to the Circuit Court.

Eve Marie Reilly – Qualified

Eve Marie Reilly was admitted to practice in 1997. She was appointed to the Circuit Court in 2014. Prior to her appointment, she had spent her legal career at the State’s Attorney’s Office where she obtained both trial court and appellate experience. She is considered to be hard-working and knowledgeable. Judge Reilly is found to be Qualified for election to the Circuit Court.

Michael John Malatesta – Qualified

Michael John Malatesta has been licensed since 1992. He owns and operates his own firm, concentrating in personal injury and other civil litigation. He has substantial litigation experience including trials, and is considered to be smart, proficient and well-prepared with a good demeanor. Mr. Malatesta is found to be Qualified for election to the Circuit Court.

Richard “Rick” Cenar, Jr. – Qualified

Richard Cenar, Jr. was admitted in 1986 and has spent the vast majority of his career in the State’s Attorney’s Office. He has worked in many different divisions and is currently a first-chair prosecutor in the Felony Trial Division. He has extensive litigation experience, including two years doing civil litigation from 1986 – 1988, and is considered to be a formidable, but fair, opponent by opposing counsel. He is also praised for his professional and calm demeanor. Mr. Cenar is found to be Qualified for election to the Circuit Court.

11th Subcircuit - Kelly vacancy

Marc Martin – Qualified

Marc Martin was admitted to practice in 1987. He was appointed to the Circuit Court in 2014. Prior to his appointment, he was in private practice as a criminal defense attorney, mainly in federal court. As an attorney he was well-regarded in the legal community for his extensive legal knowledge and high integrity, and extensive litigation experience. Judge Martin is found to be Qualified for election to the Circuit Court.

James DiChristofano – Not Recommended

James DiChristofano declined to participate in the judicial evaluation process. Mr. DiChristofano is found to be Not Recommended for the election to the Circuit Court, pursuant to ISBA guidelines.

Catherine Ann Schneider – Qualified

Catherine Ann Schneider was admitted to the bar in 1994. She is currently a senior staff attorney for Coordinated Advice & Referral Program for Legal Services (CARPLS), where she supervises staff attorneys providing free legal aid to low-income people. She also has done personal injury defense, commercial collections litigation and real estate work. She has an extensive background doing pro bono work. She has also published articles and worked as an arbitrator. She has sufficient litigation experience and is considered exceptionally smart with an excellent temperament. Ms. Schneider is found to be Qualified for election to the Circuit Court.

11th Subcircuit - Zwick vacancy

William B. Sullivan – Qualified

William B. Sullivan was admitted to practice in 1992. He was appointed to the Circuit Court in June 2015. Prior to his appointment he was a sole practitioner concentrating in real estate and eviction cases, including some complex mattes. As an attorney he was reported to be professional, diligent and experienced. He has been active in community affairs. Judge Sullivan is found to be Qualified for election to the Circuit Court.

12th Subcircuit - Kazmierski vacancy

Democratic Candidates

Louis George Apostol – Qualified

Louis George Apostol was admitted to practice in Illinois in 1980 and has been in private practice his entire career. He is currently the Executive Director and Counsel to the Illinois Property Tax Appeal Board. He was also the Public Administrator of Cook County and as a Commissioner of the Illinois Court of Claims. He has also served as the general counsel to many closely held corporations, and he has substantial litigation regarding commercial matters in both state and federal court. He is considered to be a well-prepared and knowledgeable attorney with a good temperament. Mr. Apostol is found to be Qualified to election to the Circuit Court.

Marguerite Anne Quinn – Highly Qualified

Marguerite Anne Quinn was admitted to practice in 1986. In 2007 she was elected as an Associate Judge to the bench and has been retained ever since. She is currently assigned to the Skokie Courthouse where she hears primarily criminal matters. She has also presided over the specialized Veterans Court there. Prior to ascending to the bench, she was a prosecutor for twelve years and in private practice as well. Judge Quinn gets high marks for her legal knowledge and her fair treatment for all who appear in her courtroom. She is considered fair and impartial and is active in community matters. Judge Quinn is found to be Highly Qualified for election to the Circuit Court.

Jennifer E. Bae – Qualified

Jennifer E. Bae was admitted to practice in 1997. She has been in private practice since 2000 after spending three years in the State’s Attorney’s Office. She has also been a member of the Merit Board of the Cook County Sheriff’s Office. She handles mainly criminal defense with some civil and federal work. She has sufficient complex litigation experience, and is considered to be professional and always prepared. She has been a member of the Character and Fitness Committee as well. Ms. Bae is found to be Qualified for election to the Circuit Court.

Frank J. Andreou – Qualified

Frank J. Andreou has been licensed since 1995. Since 2002 he has been in private practice doing personal injury, employment and commercial litigation. He has substantial litigation experience and is well-respected for his above average legal knowledge and ability. He is involved in community and bar association affairs. Mr. Andreou is found to be Qualified for election to the Circuit Court.

Republican Candidate

Thomas William Flannigan – Not Qualified

Thomas Flannigan was admitted to practice in 1983. He is a sole practitioner doing mostly civil litigation. Early in his career he worked as an attorney in Japan and seemed to concentrate in international law; however, he later switched to other areas of law as well. He published articles and spoke about Japan during the 1990s. He is considered to be a competent attorney, but there are concerns over his lack of recent and complex trial and the depth of his more recent legal experience. Mr. Flannigan is found to be Not Qualified for election to the Circuit Court.

12th Subcircuit - Mathein vacancy

Democratic Candidates

Janet Cronin Mahoney – Not Qualified

Janet Cronin Mahoney has been licensed since 1987. She has spent her entire career at the State’s Attorney’s Office where she is a supervisor in the Appellate Division. While she is considered to be a competent and diligent appellate lawyer, there are concerns about her limited trial court experience and her lack of recent non-appellate litigation. Ms. Mahoney is found to be Not Qualified for election to the Circuit Court.

Adam Scott Mathein – Not Qualified

Adam Mathein has been licensed since 1997. He is in private practice at Mathein & Rostoker doing insurance litigation and subrogation work. He does not have adequate jury trial experience, and while he litigates many motions, the cases rarely go to trial. He is considered knowledgeable and hard-working in his area as well as professional. There are concerns, however, about the lack of complex litigation and trials and the limited nature of his experience. Mr. Mathein is found to be Not Qualified for election to the Circuit Court.

Republican Candidate

James Leonard Allegretti - Qualified

James Leonard Allegretti was admitted to practice in 1978. He is in private practice and was an alderman in Park Ridge from 2005 to 2011. He has a strong background in traffic and DUI law. Since 2007 his practice has focused more on personal injury and workers’ compensation cases, along with federal civil rights matters. He receives good marks for legal ability and demeanor, and has had some bar association involvement. Mr. Allegretti is found to be Qualified for election to the Circuit Court.

12th Subcircuit - Tristano vacancy

Democratic Candidate

Carrie Hamilton – Qualified

Carrie Hamilton was admitted to practice in 1996. She was appointed to the Circuit Court in July 2015. Prior to her appointment, she worked for the United States Attorney’s Office, most recently as Deputy Chief of the Public Corruption Unit, handling several high-profile cases. She has extensive complex litigation experience and is praised for her legal ability, courtroom skills and temperament. Judge Hamilton is found to be Qualified for election to the Circuit Court.

Republican Candidate

David Studenroth – Qualified

David Studenroth has been licensed since 1987. After several years working for the State’s Attorney’s Office, in 1998 he opened his solo practice focusing on criminal defense. He has substantial trial experience and is considered knowledgeable with a good temperament and high character. He is active in his community. Mr. Studenroth is found to be Qualified for election to the Circuit Court.

12th Subcircuit - "A" vacancy

Democratic Candidates

James Edward Hanlon, Jr. – Qualified

James Edward Hanlon, Jr. has been licensed since 1984. He has spent his entire career in private practice with several different firms and had his own firm from 2008 to 2010. Since 2010, he has been with Novus Law, LLC as the director of Client Services. He has extensive experience in commercial litigation at both the state and federal level. He is considered to be a highly seasoned, very professional attorney who does good work. He is active in bar association and community affairs. Mr. Hanlon is found to be Qualified for election to the Circuit Court.

Allan W. Masters – Qualified

Allan W. Masters was admitted to practice in 1968. He served as a judge of the Circuit Court by appointment from 2001 to 2004. The majority of his career has been spent in private practice, doing mainly domestic relations cases with some chancery and personal injury work. Prior to becoming an attorney, he was a Special Agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. He is considered to be a good litigator who knows the law, although concerns have been raised over his temperament. Mr. Masters is found to be Qualified for election to the Circuit Court.

Republican Candidates

Alex Kaplan – Not Recommended

Alex Kaplan declined to participate in the judicial evaluation process. Mr. Kaplan is found to be Not Recommended for election to the Circuit Court, pursuant to ISBA guidelines.

Steven A. Kozicki – Qualified

Steven A. Kozicki was admitted to practice in 1985. Before opening his own practice in 1998, he worked as both a prosecutor and public defender in DuPage County, as well as spending three years with a firm handling civil cases. In his practice, he does mostly criminal work, with some civil and immigration as well. He has substantial jury and other litigation experience and he is considered knowledgeable with strong legal skills and a polite demeanor. He has been active in bar association activities and written on domestic violence. Mr. Kozicki is found to be Qualified for election to the Circuit Court.

13th Subcircuit - Fecarotta vacancy

Democratic Candidate

Ketki “Kay” Steffen – Highly Qualified

Ketki Steffen was licensed in 1991. She was appointed in November 2015 to the Circuit Court. She also served as a Circuit Court judge by appointment from 2010 to 2013, and was then appointed to be an Administrative Law Judge for the Illinois Workers Compensation Commission from 2013 to 2015. Before her original appointment to the bench, she spent nineteen years with the State’s Attorney’s Office where she obtained extensive litigation experience. She is considered knowledgeable in a variety of areas of law and is highly regarded by attorneys who have appeared before her. Judge Steffen is found to be Highly Qualified for election to the Circuit Court.

Republican Candidates

Kevin Michael O’Donnell – Not Qualified

Kevin O’Donnell has been licensed since 1988. He is a sole practitioner in Park Ridge who concentrates in estate planning, probate and some real estate. Most of this recent experience is transactional in nature. He has not tried any matters to a jury and has limited trial experience overall. He is praised for his knowledge of probate law and generally considered well-prepared. There are concerns about his limited trial experience and lack of recent complex litigation. Mr. O’Donnell is found to be Not Qualified for election to the Circuit Court.

Gary W. Seyring - Qualified

Gary W. Seyring has been licensed since 1978. He is a sole practitioner and a CPA focusing on domestic relations, real estate, estate planning, and business law. He does have litigation experience in those areas. It is reported that he has good legal knowledge and is diligent with a good demeanor. Mr. Seyring is found to be Qualified for election to the Circuit Court.

14th Subcircuit - Murphy vacancy

Matthew Link – Not Recommended

Matthew Link declined to participate in the judicial evaluation process. Mr. Link is found to be Not Recommended for election to the Circuit Court, pursuant to ISBA guidelines.