Wednesday, February 28, 2018

Chicago Bar Association findings for candidates in Subcircuits 8, 10, 11, and 12

As reported earlier today, the Chicago Bar Association has released its ratings for candidates seeking judicial office. The CBA's complete list can be accessed from here (and there's a mobile-friendly link as well).

I've already posted the CBA's evaluations of candidates for the various countywide vacancies (the Brewer, Clay, and Dooling vacancies; the Flanagan, Hartigan, and Jordan vacancies; and the McGinnis, Rooney, Dunford, and Egan vacancies).

For the CBA's evaluations of candidates seeking judicial office in the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Subcircuits, click here. For the CBA's evaluations of candidates in Subcircuits 4, 5, and 6, click here. For the CBA's evaluations of candidates seeking vacancies in the 8th, 10th, 11th, and 12th Subcircuits, read on:

8th Subcircuit

Fabri Vacancy

JAMES (JAMIE) SHAPIRO - HIGHLY QUALIFIED

James (Jamie) Shapiro is “Highly Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Shapiro was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1985 and is currently engaged in private practice concentrating in civil litigation and criminal defense matters. Mr. Shapiro was appointed to the Circuit Court in 2007 and served on the bench until 2012. Mr. Shapiro has extensive practice experience and is highly regarded for his knowledge of civil and criminal law.

STEPHEN J. FELDMAN - QUALIFIED

Stephen J. Feldman is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Feldman was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2001 and is currently engaged in private practice concentrating in criminal defense and transportation law. Mr. Feldman possesses the requisite knowledge and experience to serve as a Circuit Court Judge.

ROBIN DENISE SHOFFNER - QUALIFIED

Judge Robin Denise Shoffner is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Judge Shoffner was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1990 and was appointed to the bench in 2014. Judge Shoffner is currently assigned to the Fourth Municipal District. Judge Shoffner possesses the requisite legal ability to serve as a Circuit Court Judge and is working to address concerns about her legal knowledge and temperament.

JOHN CHRISTOPHER BENSON - QUALIFIED

John Christopher Benson is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Benson was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1989 and is engaged in private practice concentrating in criminal and civil rights law. Mr. Benson has extensive practice experience and is well regarded for his knowledge of the law, legal ability, integrity, and temperament.

BONNIE C. MCGRATH - NOT RECOMMENDED

Bonnie C. McGrath 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.

Liu Vacancy

LINDSAY HUGE - QUALIFIED

Lindsay Huge is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Huge was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1989 and has served as an Assistant Cook County Public Defender his entire career. Mr. Huge is currently assigned to the Appellate Post Conviction Unit and has written more than 137 appellate briefs and personally argued 13 cases in the Illinois Appellate Court. Mr. Huge has had bench and jury trial experience in a wide variety of criminal cases. Mr. Huge possesses a fine demeanor and temperament and is well regarded for his knowledge of the law and legal ability.

MICHAEL A. FORTI - QUALIFIED

Michael A. Forti is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Forti was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1980 and has experience in both the private sector and government. Mr. Forti is an experienced lawyer well regarded for his judgment, fine demeanor, and temperament.

CYRUS HOSSEINI - NOT RECOMMENDED

Cyrus Hosseini 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.

ATHENA FARMAKIS - QUALIFIED

Athena Farmakis is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Farmakis was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1993 and has worked as a Cook County Assistant State’s Attorney for her entire career. Ms. Farmakis has served as a Supervisor in the Juvenile Justice and Child Protection Division and then as Supervisor of Preliminary Hearings in the Criminal Court. Ms. Farmakis has extensive trial experience and is well regarded for her work ethic, knowledge of the law, and legal ability.

Pethers Vacancy

JEANNE MARIE WRENN - QUALIFIED

Jeanne Marie Wrenn is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Wrenn was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2001 and served for almost ten years as a Cook County Assistant State’s Attorney. Ms. Wrenn also served as the Ethics and EEO officer for PACE and as General Counsel of the National Safety Council. Ms. Wrenn is well regarded for her knowledge of the law, excellent legal ability, and outstanding temperament.

MYRON F. MACKOFF - QUALIFIED

Myron F. Mackoff is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Mackoff was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1994 and served in the Illinois Attorney General’s office for eight years before entering private practice. Mr. Mackoff has bench and jury trial experience and is well regarded for his knowledge of civil and criminal law, legal ability, and even temperament.

RISHI AGRAWAL - QUALIFIED

Rishi Agrawal is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Agrawal was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1998 and is currently engaged in private practice. Mr. Agrawal has experience in both civil and criminal law and possesses all the requisite qualifications to serve as an Associate Judge.

10th Subcircuit

O'Neill Burke Vacancy

STEPHANIE SALTOUROS - QUALIFIED

Stephanie Saltouros is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Saltouros was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1996 and served as an Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney for 12 years before entering private practice. Ms. Saltouros has substantial felony and misdemeanor trial experience. Ms. Saltouros is well regarded for her knowledge of the law, integrity, fine temperament, diligence, work ethic, good communication skills and punctuality.

GWYN E. WARD BROWN - QUALIFIED

Gwynn E. Ward Brown is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Brown was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1991 and has served as a Cook County Assistant Public Defender for 26 years. Ms. Brown has extensive experience in post-convictions and appeals and possesses the requisite legal knowledge and experience to serve as a Circuit Court Judge.

LORRAINE MURPHY - NOT RECOMMENDED

Lorraine Murphy is “Not Recommended” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Murphy was admitted to practice law in 2003 and is serving as a Cook County Assistant State’s Attorney in the Felony Trial Division at the George N. Leighton Criminal Court. Ms. Murphy was serving as a member of the Judicial Evaluation Committee when the committee began its investigative work for candidates running in the March 2018 primary. Ms. Murphy’s “Not Recommended” finding is based on Rule 17.5 of the Judicial Evaluation Committee’s governing resolution, which reads in pertinent part “…a candidate’s participation in the evaluation shall be deemed to have occurred if the candidate is still a member of the committee on the date investigation files are first distributed to investigation teams for other judicial candidates in the same primary or general election.”

Suriano Vacancy

COLLEEN REARDON DALY - QUALIFIED

Colleen Reardon Daly is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Daly was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1996 and served for 13 years as an Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney before entering private practice six years ago. Ms. Daly has extensive experience in handling felony, misdemeanor, and juvenile law cases. In addition, Ms. Daly has administrative law experience before the Police Review Board. Ms. Daly has a passion for the law and is well regarded for her fine temperament and knowledge of civil and criminal law.

NOREEN PATRICIA CONNOLLY - NOT RECOMMENDED

Noreen Patricia Connolly 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.

GERALD CLEARY - HIGHLY QUALIFIED

Judge Gerald Cleary is “Highly Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Judge Cleary was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1989 and was appointed to the bench in 2015. Judge Cleary is currently assigned to the Chancery Division’s Mortgage Foreclosure/Mechanics Lien Section. Judge Cleary is highly regarded for his knowledge of the law, diligence, and outstanding temperament.

JILL ROSE QUINN - QUALIFIED

Jill Rose Quinn is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Quinn was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1983 and is currently engaged in private practice concentrating in bankruptcy, probate, and real estate law. Ms. Quinn has extensive practice experience and is well regarded for her knowledge of the law, legal ability, integrity, and outstanding demeanor and temperament.

THOMAS J. GABRYSZEWSKI - NOT RECOMMENDED

Thomas J. Gabryszewski is “Not Recommended” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Gabryszewski was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1990 and is currently engaged in private practice concentrating in personal injury matters. Mr. Gabryszewski has limited experience in handling complex matters and does not possess the requisite legal knowledge and practice experience to effectively serve as a Circuit Court Judge.

11th Subcircuit

Kennedy Vacancy

JOANNE F. ROSADO - QUALIFIED

Judge Joanne F. Rosado is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Judge Rosado was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2001 and served as a Cook County Assistant Public Defender from 2002-2017. Ms. Rosado was appointed to the Circuit Court in 2017 and is currently assigned to the First Municipal District. Judge Rosado is well regarded for her knowledge of the law, judicial ability, diligence, and outstanding temperament.

SCOTT J. FRANKEL - HIGHLY QUALIFIED

Scott J. Frankel is “Highly Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Frankel was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1987 and is engaged in private practice concentrating in criminal and civil rights law. Mr. Frankel has extensive practice experience in handling complex cases in both the federal and state courts. Mr. Frankel is highly regarded by his colleagues, adversaries, and judges before whom he has appeared for his knowledge of the law and legal ability.

12th Subcircuit

Maki Vacancy

Republican Candidates

DAVID STUDENROTH - QUALIFIED

David Studenroth is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Studenroth was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1987 and is currently engaged in private practice concentrating in criminal matters. Mr. Studenroth has extensive trial experience and is well regarded for his knowledge of the law, legal ability, diligence, and excellent temperament.

ALAN M. JACOB - NOT RECOMMENDED

Alan M. Jacob 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.

Democratic Candidates

JOEL CHUPACK - HIGHLY QUALIFIED

Joel Chupack is “Highly Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Chupack was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1982 and is currently practicing with a small firm concentrating in real estate, probate, and civil litigation. Mr. Chupack has extensive practice experience and is highly regarded for his knowledge of the law, legal scholarship, legal ability, and excellent temperament. Mr. Chupack, who is actively involved in the legal profession, has published numerous legal articles and is a frequent speaker at continuing legal education seminars.

CARMINE TROMBETTA - NOT RECOMMENDED

Carmine Trombetta is “Not Recommended” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Trombetta was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1983 and is currently a solo practitioner concentrating in traffic and personal injury matters. At this stage of his career, Mr. Trombetta does not possess the requisite depth and breadth of legal knowledge and experience to effectively serve as a Circuit Court Judge.

THOMAS RAYMOND MOLITOR - NOT RECOMMENDED

Thomas Raymond Molitor 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.

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