Illinois State Bar Association releases findings in countywide judicial races - Part 1

The Illinois State Bar Association has released findings explaining its evaluations of judicial candidates for the upcoming primary. FWIW will get to all of ISBA findings in the near future. In this post, we report the ISBA's findings in the countywide Brewer, Clay, and Dooling races:

Brewer Vacancy

Oran F. Whiting - Qualified

Oran F. Whiting has been licensed since 1987. He was appointed to the circuit court in August 2017, and is currently assigned to the Municipal Department, First District, Traffic section. Prior to his appointment, Judge Whiting had been a civil litigator both for private firms and as a sole practitioner. He also had been a hearing officer for the Secretary of State and a commissioner on the Illinois Court of Claims. He has civil jury and bench trial experience, and is considered to be impartial with good legal knowledge. He has been involved with community and legal activities. Judge Oran F. Whiting is found to be Qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Kathryn Maloney Vahey - Qualified

Kathryn Maloney Vahey has been licensed since 1998. She is a career assistant public defender currently assigned to handle felony trials and specialty diversion court in Bridgeview. She has tried a number of criminal jury and bench trials, including homicides. She is considered to be a passionate and skilled trial attorney with a sensitivity to mental health issues and to be professional. She is active in community affairs. Ms. Kathryn Maloney Vahey is found to be Qualified for election the Circuit Court of Cook County.

John Maher – Qualified

John Maher has been licensed since 1993. He is a career assistant state's attorney, and currently holds the position of Deputy Supervisor of the Gang Crimes and Complex Litigation Unit. He has extensive criminal jury and bench trial experience, including complex and high-profile cases. He is praised by attorneys and judges for his legal knowledge and ability, and is considered to be calm, professional and even-keeled. Mr. John Maher is found to be Qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Clay Vacancy

Kathaleen Theresa Lanahan – Qualified

Kathaleen Theresa Lanahan was admitted in 1993. She is a career assistant state's attorney who is currently assigned to handle felony trials. She has substantial criminal jury and bench trial experience. Attorneys consider her to be knowledgeable, fair, even-keeled and thorough with sound reasoning. Ms. Kathaleen Theresa Lanahan is found to be Qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Jonathan Clark Green – Qualified

Jonathan Clark Green was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1986. His varied career has included stints in private practice; practicing business law in Belgium; positions with the Illinois House Democrats and the Illinois Attorney General; and a position with the American Society of International Law. He is currently Senior Counsel/Supervisor Federal Civil Rights Litigation for the City of Chicago Law Department. Some attorneys contacted during the investigation reported that he is capable, competent, civil and fair; a few expressed concerns over ongoing discovery issues in federal court in civil rights cases with the city Law Department, and his role and responsibility concerning those issues. He has handled several civil juries as lead counsel. He is active with several bar associations, does some teaching, and participates in some community organizations. Mr. Jonathan Clark Green is found to be Qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Michael I. O’Malley – Qualified

Michael I. O’Malley was admitted to practice in 2005. He works for the State’s Attorney’s Office in the Civil Bureau. He has been assigned to several different areas of his office and has handled cases involving complex financial crimes. He has substantial litigation experience and has good legal knowledge and a professional demeanor. Mr. Michael I. O’Malley is found to be Qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Lori Ann Roper – Not Recommended

Lori Ann Roper declined to participate in the judicial evaluation process. Pursuant to ISBA guidelines, Ms. Lori Ann Roper is found to be Not Recommended for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Dooling Vacancy

Tom Sam Sianis – Qualified

Athanasios (Tom) S. Sianis has been licensed since 2004. He is currently the Enforcement Division Chief for the Illinois Securities Department, investigating financial fraud and overseeing registration. He is a former assistant state’s attorney. He has handled criminal jury and bench trials. He is considered to be extremely professional and knowledgeable, with high character. He is active in community organizations. Mr. Athanasios S. Sianis is found to be Qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Timothy John Leeming – Qualified

Timothy John Leeming was admitted in 1986. After a short time with private firms he has been an assistant public defender for almost 30 years. He is currently assigned to the Legal Resources Division handling post-conviction, appellate and exoneration matters, including some high-profile cases; past assignments include Felony Trial division. He has substantial jury, bench and appellate experience and is considered to be very professional, smart and hard-working, with a great temperament. He is a founding member of the Pakistani-American Bar Association and has been active in community and church activities. Mr. Timothy John Leeming is found to be Qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Corri Diane Fetman – Not Recommended

Corri Diane Fetman declined to participate in the judicial evaluation process. Pursuant to ISBA guidelines, Ms. Cori Diane Fetman is found to be Not Recommended for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.