Updated March 12, 2018
One Republican and two Democratic candidates filed for this vacancy. The Republican candidate is listed first.
Republican Candidate
Karla Marie Fiaoni - #151
No Campaign Website Found
Law Bulletin Questionnaire
Bar Association Evaluations
The Chicago Bar Association says:
Karla Marie Fiaoni is “Highly Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Fiaoni was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1989 and is currently in private practice concentrating in criminal defense and domestic relations matters. Ms. Fiaoni has extensive trial and practice experience and is highly regarded for her integrity, excellent demeanor, knowledge of the law, and legal ability.The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:
Karla Marie Fiaoni was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1989. Since 2001, she has been the Sole Practitioner and Owner of the Law Office of Karla Marie Fiaoni in Homewood, IL. Her legal practice is focused on criminal defense, family law, and Secretary of State Administration hearings. She has previously served as an Assistant State’s Attorney in the Cook County State’s Attorney Office (1989-1994), the Chief of Police of the City of Chicago Heights, IL (1994-1996), and Project Director of the Domestic Violence Unit of the City of Chicago Heights. She is a Member and Past President of two bar associations: the Women’s Criminal Defense Bar Association and the South Suburban Bar Association.The Illinois State Bar Association says:
Ms. Fiaoni is considered to have good legal ability and temperament. She has a variety of legal experiences. She is respected as a solid lawyer who cares about her clients and who is a zealous advocate for them. Ms. Fiaoni has a range of experience which translates well into what is needed for her to be a good judge. The Council finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court.
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.Other Bar Association Evaluations:
| Asian American Bar Association of the Greater Chicago Area | Qualified |
| Black Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater Chicago | Recommended |
| Cook County Bar Association | Recommended |
| Decalogue Society of Lawyers | Not Recommended |
| Hellenic Bar Association | Not Recommended |
| Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois | Qualified |
| Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago | Not Recommended |
| Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois | Highly Recommended |
| Women’s Bar Association of Illinois | Recommended |
------------------------------------------------------
Democratic Candidates
Anthony C. Swanagan - #154
Campaign Website
Law Bulletin Questionnaire
Tribune Questionnaire
Bar Association Evaluations
The Chicago Bar Association says:
Anthony Swanagan is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Swanagan was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1987 and has practiced in a variety of settings including private practice for three years, corporate in-house counsel for ten years managing litigation, and for a period of time, serving as General Counsel. For the past fifteen years, Mr. Swanagan has served as a clerk to various Justices of the Illinois Appellate Court and for a U.S. District Court Judge. Mr. Swanagan is well regarded by his peers, supervisors and co-workers for his knowledge of the law and legal skills. Mr. Swanagan is a good lawyer and his extensive in-house experience in managing corporate litigation and experience as a law clerk to Justices of the Illinois Appellate Court and for a U.S. District Court Judge give him the depth and breadth of experience to serve as a Circuit Court Judge.The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:
Hon. Anthony Swanagan was admitted to practice in 1987, and was appointed to the Circuit Court by the Illinois Supreme Court in April 2017. Before taking the bench Judge Swanagan had served as a career clerk to U.S. District Court Judge Andrea R. Wood of the U.S. District Court. He has also clerked for Justice William White in the Illinois Appellate Court, and for Judge Sharon Johnson Coleman of the U.S. federal court. Earlier in his career, Judge Swanagan was a litigator in civil matters with Jones, Ware & Grenard and served as corporate counsel for Galileo International, Inc.The Illinois State Bar Association says:
Judge Swanagan is considered to have good legal ability. As a lawyer, he had litigation experience earlier in his career, and is widely praised for his writing skills and analytic thinking as a law clerk in both the state and federal courts. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.
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.Other Bar Association Evaluations:
| Asian American Bar Association of the Greater Chicago Area | Recommended |
| Black Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater Chicago | Recommended |
| Cook County Bar Association | Recommended |
| Decalogue Society of Lawyers | Recommended |
| Hellenic Bar Association | Recommended |
| Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois | Qualified |
| Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago | Recommended |
| Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois | Recommended |
| Women’s Bar Association of Illinois | Not Recommended |
Endorsements
Chicago Federation of Labor
Chicago Tribune
------------------------------------------------------Chicago Tribune
Scott McKenna - #155
Campaign WebsiteScott McKenna: In his own words
Law Bulletin Questionnaire
Tribune Questionnaire
Bar Association Evaluations
The Chicago Bar Association says:
Scott McKenna is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. McKenna was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1996 and is a partner in a small law firm concentrating in civil litigation and insurance defense. Mr. McKenna has extensive practice experience and is well regarded by his peers for his knowledge of the law and legal ability.The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:
Scott Darrell McKenna was admitted to practice in 1996. Mr. McKenna is currently a partner at Best, Vanderlaan & Harrington. He is the principal trial attorney for a caseload of approximately 175 civil cases. He also is responsible for interviewing and hiring attorneys, mentoring attorneys, reviewing client bills and management of the firm. From 1997 to 2000, Mr. McKenna was an associate at Richard B. Bogich & Associates (now known as Winters Salzetta O’Brien & Richardson). He handled plaintiff personal injury matters at both the trial and appellate levels.The Illinois State Bar Association says:
Mr. McKenna is considered to have good legal ability and temperament. His career includes law firm management and extensive experience as a litigator in civil matters. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.
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.Other Bar Association Evaluations:
| Asian American Bar Association of the Greater Chicago Area | Qualified |
| Black Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater Chicago | Recommended |
| Cook County Bar Association | Recommended |
| Decalogue Society of Lawyers | Recommended |
| Hellenic Bar Association | Recommended |
| Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois | Qualified |
| Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago | Not Evaluated |
| Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois | Recommended |
| Women’s Bar Association of Illinois | Recommended |
------------------------------------------------------
Back to "Start here for the most complete information about every 2018 Cook County judicial race"
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment