ISBA releases findings for candidate seeking judicial vacancies in Subcircuits 4, 5 and 6

This is continuing 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. Read on for the ISBA's findings regarding candidates seeking judicial vacancies in the 4th, 5th, and 6th Subcircuits:

4th Subcircuit

Davy Vacancy

David R. Navarro – Qualified

David R. Navarro was admitted in 1993. He was appointed to the Circuit Court in May, 2017, and is currently to hear Pretrial matters at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse. Prior to his appointment, Judge Navarro was Chief of the Public Integrity Bureau for the Illinois Attorney General's office. Before his position there, he was an assistant state's attorney, where he was the supervisor of the Professional Standards Unit. He is considered to be a top-notch attorney who has handled high-profile cases, fair and even-keeled. He has taught at the John Marshall and Loyola law schools, is active with bar association activities, and has taught prosecutors and police officers in Mexico. Judge David R. Navarro is found to be Qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Caroline Jamieson Golden – Qualified

Caroline Jamieson Golden has been licensed since 1992. She is currently employed at Soto Law, focusing on civil rights defense and appellate work. Her prior employment includes the firms Querrey & Harrow doing insurance defense, and handling litigation at Neal, Gerber & Eisenberg. She is considered to be very good at handling complex cases, and to pay great attention to detail, while also being fair, honest and professional. She is active with her parish and in youth sports. Ms. Caroline Jamieson Golden is found to be Qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Riley Vacancy

John A. O’Meara – Qualified

John A. O'Meara has been licensed since 1995. He was appointed to the Circuit Court in November, 2016, and is currently assigned to the Municipal Division, First District, Non-jury Civil section. Prior to his appointment, he was a partner at Curcio Law Offices, where he concentrated in civil litigation. He was also a litigation and trial attorney for several other private firms and was an arbitrator for Cook County. He has extensive civil jury and bench trial experience, and is considered to have excellent courtroom skills, and to be professional with high integrity. Judge John A. O'Meara is found to be Qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Elizabeth Ciaccia-Lezza – Qualified

Elizabeth Ciaccia-Lezza has been licensed since 2001. She is a career assistant state’s attorney who is currently assigned to the Sex Crimes Unit/Internet Crimes w/ Children. She has extensive criminal jury and bench trial experience, including high-profile and complex cases. She has both lectured and written on legal matters. Attorneys report that she has a strong grasp of law and procedure, is always professional and even-keeled with a strong work ethic. Ms. Elizabeth Ciaccia-Lezza is found to be Qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Danny Collins - Qualified

Daniel Collins was admitted to practice in 1998. He has been in private practice for most his career, most recently with a solo practice focusing on workers’ compensation, criminal, business litigation, and employment issues. He has substantial trial experience, and is well respected by attorneys for his trial experience, excellent legal knowledge, demeanor, and research skills. Mr. Daniel Collins is found to be Qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Martin D. Reggi – Qualified

Martin Reggi was admitted in 1980. After spending a few years as an assistant state's attorney, he opened his own practice in 1985, focusing on criminal and traffic defense and real estate matters. He has tried some criminal jury and bench trials and has handled some appeals. He is considered to be a competent and diligent attorney. Mr. Martin D. Reggi is found to be Qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

5th Subcircuit

Banks Vacancy

Rhonda Salleé – Not Recommended

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

H. Yvonne Coleman – Qualified

H. Yvonne Coleman was admitted to practice in 1988. She was appointed to the circuit court in March 2017, and is currently assigned to the Municipal Department, First District, Non-Jury Civil Section. She has a varied background which includes a solo practice focusing on litigation, civil rights and employment law and has held positions with various government agencies as both an attorney as a hearing officer. She has both criminal and civil trial experience. Attorneys report that she makes fair rulings and applies the appropriately; she treats all well in the courtroom and is professional. She has been active in bar association work. Judge H. Yvonne Coleman is found to be Qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Gino Betts – Not Recommended

Gino Betts declined to participate in the judicial evaluation process. Additionally, Mr. Betts was licensed to practice in 2009; less than ten years required. Pursuant to ISBA guidelines, Mr. Gino Betts is found to be Not Recommended for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Gwendolyn D. Anderson – Not Recommended

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

Jones Vacancy

Marian E. Perkins – Qualified

Marian E. Perkins was admitted in 1987. She was appointed to the Circuit Court in July, 2017, and is currently assigned to the Municipal Department, First District, Traffic section. Prior to her appointment, Judge Perkins was a sole practitioner concentrating in criminal defense and family law. Before opening her practice, she had been an assistant state's attorney, on the staff of the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation, and an attorney with the State Appellate Defender. She has substantial jury and bench trial experience both criminal and civil, and received high marks from attorneys for her litigation skills, disposition, integrity and legal knowledge. She is a former president of the Cook County Bar Association, is active in bar association activities, and was awarded the John McAdams Pro Bono Award from the Illinois State Bar Association. Judge Marian E. Perkins is found to be Qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Jenetia Marshall – Not Recommended

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

David L. Kelly – Qualified

David L. Kelly has been licensed since 2001. After serving as an assistant state’s attorney, he opened his own general practice in 2006, focusing on criminal defense and real estate. He has both criminal and civil trial experience. He is well-regarded for his litigation skills, knowledge and temperament, and is considered to be ethical and respectful. He is active in bar associations and legal clinics. Mr. David L. Kelly is found to be Qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Washington II Vacancy

Robert Harris – Qualified

Robert Harris was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1991. In September, 2017, he was appointed to the Circuit Court, and is currently assigned to the Municipal Division, First District, Traffic section. Prior to his appointment, Judge Harris held the position of Cook County Public Guardian, where he supervised an agency with over 200 employees and an $18 million budget. He was appointed to that spot in 2004 after spending his entire career there. While he has not handled jury trials, he has litigated over 400 bench trials, including many complex and highly sensitive matters. He is considered to be smart, knowledgeable, diligent and professional. He has both lectured and published on legal issues, has been active with bar associations, and was on the Board of Directors for CARPLS. Judge Robert Harris is found to be Qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Shay Tyrone Allen – Not Qualified

Shay T. Allen was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 2001. He is a solo practitioner concentrating mainly in criminal defense and civil rights cases. He was previously employed with the Cook County State’s Attorney and with a private criminal defense firm. While he is considered to be a hard worker with adequate legal knowledge in his area, the concerns were raised over the depth and breadth of his total legal experience and his lack of complex litigation. Mr. Allen is found to be Not Qualified to election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Mary Alice Melchor – Not Qualified

Mary Alice Melchor has been licensed since 1992. Since 2005, she has been the Inspector General for the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, serving previously in the Clerk’s office as Associate Clerk of the County Bureau and Chief Deputy Clerk in Maywood. Prior to joining the Clerk’s office, she was in private practice, a Senior Attorney for the Chicago Housing Authority, and an associate handling insurance defense matters for a private firm. Her minimal trial experience dates to the 1990’s. While she is considered to be even-tempered, she has no recent courtroom experience. She is past president of the Black Women Lawyers Association. Ms. Mary Melchor is found to be Not Qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

6th Subcircuit

Chevere Vacancy

David C. Herrera – Qualified

David Herrera has been licensed since 2000. After spending 17 years as an assistant state's attorney, he entered private practice with the Luisi Legal Group, focusing on criminal defense. He has substantial criminal jury and bench trial experience. He is considered to have good courtroom ability, to be diligent, and to be creative with his research. He has lectured on legal issues, has been active with bar association and community activities, and in 2017 was named by the Puerto Rican Bar Association as one of the recipient of a Vanguard Award. Mr. David C. Herrera is found to be Qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Kent A. Delgado – Highly Qualified

Kent A. Delgado was admitted in 1996. He was appointed to the circuit court in January 2017, and is currently assigned to the Probate Division. Prior to his appointment, he was in private practice focusing on litigation and general transactional matters. He was also an assistant state’s attorney for eleven years. He has substantial trial experience. He is considered to be extremely knowledgeable and very approachable with very high integrity. He has taught on legal issues. Judge Kent A. Delgado is found to be Highly Qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Sean Patrick Kelly – Not Qualified

Sean Patrick Kelly has been licensed since 2006. He has been an assistant state’s attorney in DuPage County since 2007. While he has tried both juries and bench trials, and is considered to be professional, attorneys interviewed during the investigation questioned his experience in complex cases and with complex litigation. Mr. Sean Patrick Kelly is found to be Not Qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Cooke Vacancy

Charles “Charlie” Beach – Qualified

Charles “Charlie” Beach has been licensed since 1996. In September 2017, he was appointed to the Circuit Court and is currently assigned to the Municipal Department, District 1, Traffic Section. Prior to his appointment, Judge Beach owned his own practice where he primarily focused on DUI and criminal defense. Early in his career he was a clerk for the Appellate Court, and assistant public defender, and worked in a small private firm. He is considered to be very knowledgeable in his area, and to be a hard worker with high integrity. He has both lectured and published on DUI law. Judge Charles Beach is found to be Qualified for election the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Edward J. Underhill – Qualified

Edward J. Underhill was admitted to practice in Illinois in 1984. He has been with Masuda Funai Eifert & Mitchell since 1985 and has been a partner since 1997. Mr. Underhill’s focus is on business litigation and counseling. He is considered to be a solid practitioner with good legal ability and substantial litigation experience. Mr. Edward J. Underhill is found to be Qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Andrea Michelle Webber – Qualified

Andrea Michelle Webber has been licensed since 2002. She currently an assistant public defender assigned to the Homicide Task Force. She has extensive jury and bench trial experience and is widely praised by attorneys for her legal knowledge in complex matters and strong work ethics. She has taught trial advocacy and is active in community activities. Ms. Andrea Michelle Webber is found to be Qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Lopez Cepero Vacancy

Linda Perez – Not Qualified

Linda Perez has been licensed since 2001. She is a career assistant public defender who is currently assigned to Felony Trial. She is considered to be a hard-working zealous advocate. Concerns were raised, however about her lack of recent litigation and the lack of complex litigation, as well as the depth and breadth of her total experience. Ms. Linda Perez is found to be Not Qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Stephanie K. Miller – Qualified

Stephanie K. Miller was admitted in 1999. She was appointed to the Circuit Court in 2017, and is currently assigned to Pretrial matters at the Leighton Criminal Court building. Prior to her appointment, Judge Miller spent 16 years as an assistant state's attorney prosecuting juvenile, felony and sex crimes. She has extensive criminal jury and bench trial experience, and is known for her solid legal knowledge and ability. She is considered to be professional with a good judicial temperament. She has been involved with bar association and community activities. Judge Stephanie K. Miller is found to be Qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.