Continuing (and concluding) the CCL's ratings in countywide judicial races

Updated March 1 to reflect changes made in CCL's report.

As noted earlier today, the Chicago Council of Lawyers has released its evaluations of judicial candidates for the upcoming primary.

I start with the Council's ratings of subcircuit candidates in my next post. For the text of the Council's evaluations of candidates for the countywide Brewer, Clay, and Dooling vacancies, click here. For the Council's findings for candidates seeking the Flanagan, Hartigan, and Jordan vacancies, click here. For the rest of the Council's countywide candidate evaluations, read on:

McGinnis Vacancy

Brian Terrance Sexton – Not Qualified

Brian Terrance Sexton was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1987. Since 2017, he has worked as a Solo Practitioner at Brian T. Sexton and Associates, PC in Naperville, IL, where he handles criminal defense and some civil plaintiff and defense matters. From 1987 through 2016, worked for the Cook County State’s Attorney Office, where he was Chief (2010-2016) and Deputy Chief (2009-2010) of the Narcotics Bureau; Supervisor (2004-2009), Deputy Supervisor (1998-2004), and an Assistant State’s Attorney (1994-1998) at the Gang Prosecutions Unit; a Felony Review Trial Supervisor at the Felony Trial Review Unit (1990-1994); and an Assistant State’s Attorney in the Night Narcotics, Felony Review, Juvenile, and Appeals Divisions (1987-1990).

Mr. Sexton is considered to have good legal ability and is praised for his legal knowledge and trial skills. Lawyers and judges say he has a good temperament. He has substantial experience in complex criminal law matters, and, most recently, in civil litigation matters. The Council, however, must balance these favorable views with the fact that there have been multiple occasions where the Illinois Appellate Court has reversed convictions because of Mr. Sexton's improper conduct. The grounds for these reversals include a Batson violation in one appeal; improperly commenting on a defendant's exercise of the right not to testify in another appeal; and, in a third appeal, using rebuttal argument to accuse a defendant and defense counsel of trying to "fix" the case. Additionally, in cases where the Appellate Court has affirmed conviction, Mr. Sexton's conduct has been criticized, writing in one case that Sexton's remarks in closing argument "troubled" the Court because his closing included comments that "we repeatedly have held cross the line of propriety." On balance, the Council finds Mr. Sexton Not Qualified for the Circuit Court.

Hon. Peter Michael Gonzalez – Not Qualified

Hon. Peter Michael Gonzalez was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1994. He was appointed to the bench by the Illinois Supreme Court. Before taking the bench, he had been a solo practitioner whose main focus is criminal defense, but who also handles matters that include domestic relations, employment, licensing, and immigration. He has also worked as an administrative law judge in the Illinois Department of Employment Security (2003-2013) and as an Assistant Public Defender in the Cook County Public Defender’s Office (1994-2003), where his assignments included Juvenile Delinquency, Juvenile Abuse and Neglect, Preliminary Hearings, Night Narcotics, and the Felony Trial Division. Since 2012, he has been a Member of the Lawyer’s Auxiliary Board of the Illinois Judges Foundation. In 2005 and 2007, he was disciplined by his employer, the Illinois Department of Employment Security, for discourtesy during hearings he conducted as an administrative law judge.

In 2013, the Council stated that, “Mr. Gonzalez is reported to have good legal ability and his earlier career involved substantial litigation matters. He was praised for his temperament as defense counsel, and is considered to be a good defense lawyer. The Council, however, is concerned about negative reports concerning his current role as an administrative hearing officer. He is reported to be inappropriately impatient and rude to litigants. He is criticized for the disrespectful manner in which he sometimes treats witnesses. On balance, the Council finds him Not Qualified for the Circuit Court.” Since 2013, Mr. Gonzalez had been a solo practitioner and has received positive marks for his work. But the Council continues to be concerned about Mr. Gonzalez’s temperament before he took the bench. On balance, the Council finds him Not Qualified.

Bradley R. Trowbridge -- Qualified

Bradley R. Trowbridge was admitted to practice in Illinois in 2000. Prior to law school he served as a social worker. Since 2004 he has served as a solo practitioner focusing on domestic relations issues. He has worked as a staff attorney at the Chicago Department of Law; a staff attorney at the Legal Assistance Foundation of Metropolitan Chicago; and as an associate with Audrey Gaynor & Associates. He has done domestic violence order of protection pro bono work.

Mr. Trowbridge is considered to have good legal ability. He has had substantial litigation experience in a variety of areas. Judges and practitioners praise his litigation skills. A few respondents questioned his temperament, but on balance, the Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.

Rooney Vacancy

John Joseph Hagerty – Qualified

John Joseph Hagerty was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1990. He is a Partner at Taft Stettinius and Hollister LLP, where he represents public and privately held companies, various local government units and individuals in civil litigation matters. From 1990 to 1994, he served as an Associate at Phelan, Pope, and John Ltd., where he focused on commercial disputes.

Mr. Hagerty is a widely praised attorney with good legal ability. He has substantial litigation experience in complex matters and is reported to have excellent litigation skills. His temperament is unquestioned and many respondents commented on the respect that he shows to opposing counsel. He is active in community activities. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.

Mable Taylor – Not Recommended

Mable Taylor did not participate in the evaluation process. The Council finds her Not Recommended for the Circuit Court.

* * * * * *

In addition to these vacancies, there are two countywide vacancies which will be uncontested. In both cases, however, the candidates were evaluated by the Council and other Alliance members. These are the Council's findings with respect to these two candidates:

Dunford Vacancy

Thomas Francis McGuire – Qualified

Thomas Francis McGuire was admitted to practice in 2000. Since 2013, he has been a sole practitioner doing primarily criminal defense work. From 2003 to 2013, he served as an Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney. From 2001 to 2003, he worked as an attorney with the Office of the Chief Judge assigned to research post conviction petitions. He is considered to have good legal ability and is praised for his knowledge of the law. He has substantial litigation experience in more complex matters both as a State’s Attorney and as a private practitioner. Lawyers said he is trustworthy in his dealings with opposing counsel and has a good temperament generally. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.

Egan Vacancy

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.