ISBA findings for candidates seeking judicial vacancies in Subcircuits 13, 14, and 15

With this post, we conclude our coverage of the Illinois State Bar Association's findings in Cook County judicial races.

For the ISBA's findings regarding candidates seeking the countywide Brewer, Clay, and Dooling vacancies, click here. For the ISBA's findings for candidates seeking the countywide Flanagan, Hartigan, and Jordan vacancies, click here. For the rest of the ISBA's findings in countywide races, click here.

The ISBA's findings for candidates running in the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Subcircuits can be found here. ISBA findings for candidates seeking vacancies in the 4th, 5th, and 6th Subcicuits are at this link. For the ISBA findings for candidates in Subcircuits 8, 10, 11, and 12, click here. Read on for the ISBA's findings regarding candidates seeking judicial vacancies in the 13th, 14th and 15th Subcircuits:

13th Subcircuit

Crane Vacancy

Republican Candidates

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. Gary W. Seyring is found to be Qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Susanne Groebner – Qualified

Susanne Groebner has been licensed since 2000. She is a career assistant state's attorney, and is currently assigned to felony courthouses in District 3 (Rolling Meadows). She has tried close to 50 criminal juries as lead counsel and hundreds of bench trials. She is considered to have a thorough knowledge of the legal process, and to be diligent, even-keeled and open-minded. In general, she is seen as honest and respectful; early campaign materials, however, improperly appeared to refer to her as a sitting judge, and the material was corrected after a complaint was filed. She is active in local youth sports activities. Ms. Susanne Groebner is found to be Qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Democratic Candidate

Ketki “Kay” Steffen – Highly Qualified

Ketki “Kay” Steffen has been licensed since 1991. In November 2015 she was appointed to the circuit court, assigned to the Third District, until December 2016. She is currently an arbitrator for the Illinois Workers Compensation Commission. She also served as a circuit court judge by appointment from 2010 – 2013 and was then appointed to be an Administrative Law Judge for the Illinois Compensation Commission from 2013 – 2015. Before her original appointment to the bench, Ms. Steffen 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. Ms. Ketki Steffen is found to be Highly Qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Lawrence Vacancy

Republican Candidates

Daniel Patrick Fitzgerald – Qualified

Daniel Patrick Fitzgerald was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1991. He is currently a litigation attorney for the Walgreen's Corporation, focusing on health care litigation from case evaluation to settlement. Prior to that position, he was on the staff of the Office of inspector General, Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services; General Counsel for the Illinois Racing Board; and an assistant attorney general. Attorneys reported that he has a thorough understanding of the entire legal process, and is very good at analyzing legal issues, with high integrity. He has been active with the Northwest Suburban Bar association and active with civic affairs in Barrington Township. Mr. Daniel Patrick Fitzgerald is found to be Qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Michael Perry Gerber – Highly Qualified

Michael Perry Gerber was admitted in 1980. He was appointed to the Circuit Court in 2016, and is currently assigned to the Second District (Skokie) as a Municipal Department judge. Prior to his appointment, he spent over thirty years as an assistant state's attorney after a short stint in private practice and as an assistant public defender. As a prosecutor, he had extensive criminal jury trial experience; he was cited, however, several times for improper closing arguments. As a judge, attorneys report that he makes thoughtful rulings, is very knowledgeable, researches the law and runs his courtroom efficiently. Judge Gerber is found to be Highly Qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Democratic Candidate

Shannon P. O’Malley – Not Recommended

Shannon P. O’Malley declined to participate in the judicial evaluation process. Pursuant to ISBA guidelines, Mr. Shannon P. O’Malley is found to be Not Recommended for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

O'Donnell Vacancy

Republican Candidate

Christine Svenson - Qualified

Christine Svenson was admitted in 1995. She opened her own practice in 2008 focusing on domestic, chancery, workers’ compensation, and tort matters. She is also a mediator and an arbitrator and did civil litigation with two firms. She has minimal jury trial experience and some bench trial experience. Most attorneys reported positive comments on her diligence and she is considered to have sound knowledge of workers’ compensation. She has community involvement. Ms. Christine Svenson is found to be Qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Democratic Candidate

Samuel J. Betar, III - Qualified

Samuel J. Betar III has been licensed since 1983. He was appointed to a fully circuit court judgeship in July 2017, after serving as an associate judge since 1998. Judge Betar is currently assigned to Municipal District 3 (Rolling Meadows) and to the Domestic Violence Division. Prior to his election as an associate judge, he practiced with several firms doing commercial litigation. He is considered to be fair, even-keeled and will always research when needed. He is a co-founder of the Arab-American Bar Association, and teaches new judges. Judge Samuel J. Betar III is found to be Qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

14th Subcircuit

Garcia Vacancy

Marina Ammendola – Qualified

Marina Ammendola was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1981. In February 2017 she was appointed to the Circuit Court and is currently assigned to the Municipal Department, District 1, Traffic Section. Prior to her appointment, Judge Ammendola was in private practice with her own firm, after first being employed with Patricia Bobb & Associates. She practiced primarily as a plaintiff’s attorney in the area of medical negligence, and as a court-appointed Guardian Ad Litem for minors. She received high praise from other attorneys for her legal knowledge, her ability to handle complex matters, and her integrity. She has also published legal articles and participate in activities such as mock trials. Judge Marina Ammendola is found to be Qualified to be elected to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Beatriz A. Frausto-Sandoval – Not Qualified

Beatriz A. Frausto-Sandoval was admitted in 2005. After working for several firms practicing immigration law, she opened her solo practice in 2011. She focuses almost exclusively on immigration law cases and appears primarily in immigration court. While she is considered to be very knowledgeable and passionate in her area and to have a good temperament, she has never litigated a jury and has very little experience in state court or with state law. Ms. Beatriz Frausto-Sandoval is found to be Not Qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

15th Subcircuit

Scully, Jr. Vacancy

Ashonta Rice-Akiwowo – Not Qualified

Ashonta Rice-Akiwowo has been licensed since 2005. She worked for the Cook County Public Guardian until 2007 when she opened a solo practice focusing on family law. She is considered to be well-prepared, even-tempered and bright; she has never been lead counsel in a jury trial, and attorneys raised concerns over her lack of complex litigation. Ms. Ashonta Rice-Akiwowo is found to be Not Qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Michael B. Barrett – Qualified

Michael Barrett has been licensed since 1991. He is a partner in the firm of Barrett & Sramek, focusing on complex civil litigation, real estate and administrative law matters. He is considered to be very knowledgeable, a hard worker, and has substantial civil litigation experience. He has been active in bar association activities. Mr. Michael B. Barrett is found to be Qualified to election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Zelezinski Vacancy

Republican Candidate

Karla Marie Fiaoni – Not Qualified

Karla Marie Fiaoni was admitted in 1989. Since 2001 she has been a solo practitioner focusing on criminal defense, domestic relations and administrative hearings. Prior to opening her practice, she was an assistant state’s attorney for five years, both the police chief and superintendent for Chicago Heights, and the Project Director, Domestic Violence unit Chicago Heights. Reports from attorneys about her legal knowledge ranged from adequate to excellent; concerns were raised over her lack of complex cases, and also over reports that at times cases lingered too long unnecessarily. Incomplete and inadequate answers to the Alliance questionnaire also raised concerns about diligence and organization. Ms. Karla Marie Fiaoni is found to be Not Qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Democratic Candidates

Anthony C. Swanagan – Not Qualified

Anthony C. Swanagan has been licensed since 1987. He was appointed to the Circuit Court in April of 2017 and is currently assigned to the Municipal Department, First District and Forcible Entry & Detainer Section. Prior to his appointment he was career law clerk for the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. Previously, he was a corporate attorney for Covia Partnership and Galileo International, and had served as a law clerk with the Illinois Appellate Court and the United States District of Illinois. While considered bright, knowledgeable and diligent, as an attorney he had no personal experience with either jury or bench trials. Judge Anthony C. Swanagan is found to be Not Qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Scott McKenna – Qualified

Scott McKenna was admitted in 1996. He is currently a partner at Best, Vanderlaan & Harrington, concentrating on civil litigation. He joined that firm in 2005, after working at several other private firms. He has substantial civil jury experience, and is considered to be well-prepared, even-keeled and punctual. He has lectured on legal issues. Mr. Scott McKenna is found to be Qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.