ISBA releases findings for candidates seeking vacancies in Subcircuits 8, 10, 11 and 12

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. ISBA findings for candidates seeking vacancies in the 4th, 5th, and 6th Subcicuits are at this link. Read on for the ISBA's findings regarding candidates seeking judicial vacancies in the 8th, 10th, 11th and 12th Subcircuits:

8th Subcircuit

Fabri Vacancy

James “Jamie” Shapiro – Qualified

James “Jamie” Shapiro has been licensed since 1985. He is currently in private practice focusing on civil and criminal litigation. He previously served as a circuit court judge, by appointment, from 2007 to 2012. He also worked with several private litigation firms and served in the United States Attorney’s Office. He has substantial litigation experience in both state and federal courts and is considered to be an excellent trial attorney who is always prepared, even-keeled with high integrity. He has published and taught, and is a past president of the Decalogue Society of Lawyers. Mr. James Shapiro is found to be Qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Stephen Feldman – Qualified

Stephen Feldman has been licensed in Illinois since 2001. He is a solo practitioner with a concentration on criminal defense. He has also been an administrative law judge for the Secretary of State, and prior to starting his own practice he was an attorney with the City of Chicago Law Department, as well as an enforcement attorney for the Secretary of State. While not extensive in number, he has handled both criminal and civil juries. He is considered to have adequate legal knowledge, to be impartial, and to work hard with a good temperament. He has taught trial advocacy at John Marshall law school. Mr. Stephen Feldman is found to be Qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Robin Denise Shoffner – Qualified

Robin D. Shoffner was appointed to the Circuit Court in 2014, and then reappointed in June 2016. She currently is assigned to the 4th Municipal District (Maywood). Prior to her judicial appointments, Judge Shoffner worked for the City of Chicago Department of Law doing civil litigation defense, appearing mainly in federal court. She had also worked in private practice and as a litigation counsel for AON Corporation. She has substantial litigation experience and as an attorney, was considered to be very knowledgeable, always prepared and professional. Judge Robin Denise Shoffner is found to be Qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

John Christopher Benson - Qualified

John C Benson was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1989. After spending 14 years with the Cook County Public Defender, he became Director of Criminal Law at Cabrini-Green Legal Aid. In 2010 he opened his own practice handling mainly criminal defense and civil rights litigation. He has tried more than forty juries as lead counsel and has handled complex litigation at both the state and federal levels, as well as some appeals. He is considered to be very professional and generally well-prepared and a hard worker. He has volunteered with the NAACP. Mr. John Christopher Benson is found to be Qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Bonnie C. McGrath – Not Recommended

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

Liu Vacancy

Lindsay Huge – Qualified

Lindsay Huge has been licensed since 1989. He is a career assistant public defender, currently handling appeals and post-conviction matters after spending nine years in the Felony Trial division. He has substantial criminal jury and bench trial experience, including in complex matters. He is considered to be an excellent attorney and litigator, with a deep respect for the humanity of his clients. He is thorough and mild-mannered. He participates in community activities, is a member of some bar associations, and has lectured on legal issues. Mr. Lindsay Huge is found to be Qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Michael Forti – Qualified

Michael A. Forti has been licensed since 1980. He was appointed to the Circuit Court in 2016. Prior to his appointment, from 2012-2015, he was the chief counsel for the Illinois Department of Transportation. Earlier in his career, he was Deputy Corporation Counsel for the City of Chicago Law Department, and a partner at Bell Boyd & Lloyd. Attorneys report that he has good legal knowledge, considers matters thoughtfully, is even-keeled and treats all equally. Judge Michael A. Forti is found to be Qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Cyrus Hosseini – Not Recommended

Cyrus Hosseini declined to participate in the judicial evaluation process. Additionally, Mr. Hosseini was admitted to practice law in 2012; less than the ten years required. Pursuant to ISBA guidelines, Ms. Cyrus Hosseini is found to be Not Recommended for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Athena A. Farmakis – Qualified

Athena Farmakis was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1993. She has been a career assistant state's attorney, currently assigned as a supervisor in the Preliminary Hearings Unit of the Criminal Prosecutions Unit. She has tried numerous criminal juries as lead counsel, and is considered to have excellent legal knowledge and ability, with a good demeanor, integrity and diligence. She has been active with the Hellenic Bar Association and with animal-care organizations. Ms. Athena Farmakis is found to be Qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Pethers Vacancy

Jeanne Marie Wrenn - Qualified

Jeanne Marie Wrenn was admitted in 2003. She was appointed to the circuit court in February 2018 and is currently assigned to the Municipal Department, First District, Traffic Section. From 2015 to 2017, she was senior director and general counsel for the National Safety Council. She has previously worked as an assistant state’s attorney and from 2012 to 2015 she was Ethics and EEO officer at PACE. She has criminal jury and bench trial experience, and attorneys praise her temperament, trial skills and hard work. She is involved in civic activities. Judge Jeanne Marie Wrenn is found to be Qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Myron “Mike” Mackoff – Qualified

Myron “Mike” Mackoff has been licensed since 1994. He was appointment to the Circuit Court in December, 2016, and is currently assigned to Domestic Relations. Prior to his appointment, Judge Mackoff was a partner in the firm of Richardson and Mackoff, which he joined in 2009 after spending time with the Illinois Attorney General and with a private firm. As an attorney he concentrated on litigation, trying both criminal and civil cases, and has substantial jury and bench trial experience. He is considered to be always prepared, diligent and very competent. He has been active in bar association matters, has taught at Northwestern University School of Law, and in 2008 the North District of Illinois Federal Trial Bar presented him with an Award for Excellence for Pro Bono work. Judge Myron Mackoff is found to be Qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Rishi Agrawal – Qualified

Rishi Agrawal has been licensed in Illinois since 1998. After working for various private practitioners for five years, he is currently in private practice at The Agrawal Firm, concentrating on commercial and family law. He has both criminal and civil jury experience. The investigation showed he is considered to be well-prepared, even-tempered and calm, with a strong work ethic. He has assisted with the Indian-American Bar clinic. Mr. Rishi Agrawal is found to be Qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

10th Subcircuit

O'Neill Burke Vacancy

Stephanie Saltouros – Qualified

Stephanie Saltouros has been licensed since 1996. She was appointed to the circuit court in September 2016 and is currently assigned to Domestic Violence. She was in private practice since 2008 until her appointment, after twelve years as an assistant state’s attorney. Her practice focused on criminal, domestic and traffic defense, and some civil work. She is considered to be very smart and quick to grasp legal issues, practical and even-tempered. Judge Stephanie Saltouros is found to be Qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Gwyn E. Ward-Brown – Not Qualified

Gwyndolette E. Ward-Brown has been licensed in Illinois since 1991, in Wisconsin since 1989. She had a solo practice in Wisconsin before moving to Illinois and becoming an assistant public defender. She has been assigned for a number of years to the Legal Resources Division, handling appeals and post-conviction matters. While she is considered to be diligent and knowledgeable in her area, she has very limited jury trial experience, all dating from approximately twenty years ago. Ms. Gwyn E. Ward-Brown is found to be Not Qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Lorraine Murphy - Qualified

Lorraine Murphy has been licensed since 2003. She is an assistant state’s attorney assigned to Felony Trial at the Leighton Criminal Court building. She is considered to be very accomplished attorney with substantial jury and bench trial experience and to treat all with respect. Ms. Lorraine Murphy is found to be Qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County. 

Suriano Vacancy

Colleen Reardon Daly – Qualified

Colleen Reardon Daly was admitted to the bar in 1996. After thirteen years with the State’s Attorney’s Office, she opened a private practice specializing in criminal defense, juvenile law, traffic matters, appellate work, and administrative matters, and is considered to have good legal knowledge and ability. She is diligent and professional with a good temperament. Ms. Colleen Reardon is found to be Qualified to election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Noreen Patricia Connolly – Not Recommended

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

Gerald Cleary – Qualified

Gerald Cleary has been licensed since 1989. He was first appointed to the circuit court in November 2015, and subsequently reappointed in November 2016. He is currently assigned to the Chancery Division, Calendar 63, Mortgage Foreclosure/Mechanics Lien Section. Prior to his appointment, he was in private practice with several different firms, handling personal injury defense and advising corporations on risk management issues. He has handled numerous civil jury trials. It is reported that he is knowledgeable about the law, is prepared, efficient, fair-minded, and professional. Judge Gerald Cleary is found to be Qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Jill Rose Quinn – Qualified

Jill Rose Quinn has been licensed since 1983. She is a sole practitioner with a general practice, focusing on family, criminal, probate, real estate, and business matters. Prior to opening her practice in 1996 she worked for several private firms. She has limited criminal jury experience but many civil bench trials, and has handled some appellate matters. She is considered to have good legal ability with good demeanor. Ms. Jill Rose Quinn is found to be Qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Thomas J. Gabryszewski – Not Qualified

Thomas J. Gabryszewski was admitted to practice in 1990. He has been a solo practitioner since 1997, after working as a litigation associate at two firms. He focuses on personal injury and criminal defense matters. He served in the U.S. Marines and is a regular volunteer at the Amicus Polonie Legal Clinic. He is considered to be prepared, pleasant and knowledgeable in his area. Concerns were raised, however, over his lack of experience with complex cases, and over his lack of recent jury trial experience. Mr. Thomas J. Gabryszewski is found Not Qualified to be elected to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

11th Subcircuit

Kennedy Vacancy

Joanne F. Rosado – Qualified

Joanne F. Rosado has been licensed since 2002. She was appointed to the Circuit Court in January, 2017, and is currently assigned to the Municipal Department, First District, Traffic section. Prior to her appointment she was a career assistant public defender where she handled complex felony cases. She has extensive experience in both jury and bench trials and in motion practice. She is considered to be very professional, bright and hard-working. She has been active in bar association and community activities and has done some teaching and lecturing. Judge Joanne F. Rosado is found to be Qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Scott J. Frankel – Qualified

Scott J. Frankel has been licensed since 1987. He is in private practice with Frankel & Cohen, concentrating on criminal defense and employment matters. He has extensive trial experience in both state and federal courts and also with appeals. He is considered to be very professional, smart and prepared. He has lectured on legal matters and has bar association and community involvement. Mr. Scott J. Frankel is found to be Qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

12th Subcircuit

Maki Vacancy

Republican Candidates

David Studenroth – Qualified

David Studenroth has been licensed since 1987. After several years working for the State’s Attorney’s Office, in 1998 he opened his solo practice focusing on criminal defense. He has substantial trial experience and is considered knowledgeable with a good temperament and high character. He is active in his community. Mr. David Studenroth is found to be Qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Alan M. Jacob – Not Recommended

Alan M. Jacob declined to participate in the judicial evaluation process. Pursuant to ISBA guidelines, Mr. Alan M. Jacob is found to be Not Recommended for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Democratic Candidates

Joel Chupack – Qualified

Joel Chupack was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1982. He is currently a partner at Henrich & Kramer, focusing on real estate litigation, after working with several other firms as well. He has also served as a commercial arbitrator. Mr. Chupack has experience with both bench and jury trials, and also with appeals. He is considered to be very intelligent, a good researcher, and a patient person with high integrity. He has lectured on legal topics and is a past president of the Decalogue Society of Lawyers. In addition, he has been active with the ISBA on the Real Estate Section Council and the Unauthorized Practice of Law Committee. Mr. Joel Chupack is found to be Qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Carmine Trombetta – Qualified

Carmine Trombetta was admitted in 1983. He has his own general law practice, focusing on criminal and civil cases, real estate and bankruptcy. He does have both jury and bench trial experience, and is considered competent, professional and hard-working with a great demeanor. Mr. Carmine Trombetta is found to be Qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Thomas Raymond Molitor – Not Qualified

Thomas Raymond Molitor has been licensed since 1985. He is solo practitioner with a broad-based general practice in the northern suburbs, handling litigation, wills and real-estate matters. He is considered to be professional, knowledgeable, courteous and always friendly. Concerns were raised over his lack of recent and complex litigation. Mr. Thomas Molitor is found to be Not Qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.