Looking more closely at the Short List finalists - Part 1

In this first part of a three-part series, FWIW begins its look at the finalists for Cook County Associate Judge. For Part 2 of this series, scroll down or click here. For Part 3, scroll down or click here. I will update this post over the next few days as new information becomes available.

Amee Elizabeth Alonso is a sole practitioner with offices in Chicago's Loop. She was licensed in Illinois in 1994. Alonso was briefly a candidate for a countywide vacancy in the March primary; she withdrew from the race before the end of 2017. Her husband is U.S. District Court Judge Jorge Luis Alonso. Alonso was a Short List finalist in 2018.

Marina E. Ammendola was appointed to the Circuit Court by the Illinois Supreme Court in February 2017. She was an unsuccessful candidate for a 14th Subcircuit vacancy in the March 2018 primary. Late last year Ammendola was reappointed by the Supreme Court to a different countywide vacancy.

A former school teacher, Ammendola has been licensed as an attorney in Illinois since 1989. Ammendola made the Chicago newspapers at the turn of the century when she represented Ald. Ed Burke and his wife, now-Supreme Court Chief Justice Anne M. Burke, in the "Baby T" custody case. Before setting up her own practice in 2001, Ammendola worked for Patricia C. Bobb & Associates. She was a Short List finalist in 2018.

Frank John Andreou is a partner with the firm of Andreou & Casson. He has been licensed as an attorney in Illinois since 1995, according to ARDC.

Andreou was a candidate for a 12th Subcircuit vacancy in the 2016 Primary. He is presently the sixth alternate (of 10) slated by the Cook County Democratic Party for any late-opening countywide judicial vacancies.

Laura Ayala-Gonzalez is the Democratic Party's slated candidate for the countywide Ford vacancy. She was not previously a Short List finalist, although she did apply in 2017 as well as 2018.

Licensed in Illinois since 2003, according to ARDC, Ayala-Gonzalez has spent her legal career in the Cook County State's Attorney's Office, currently serving as a Supervisor in the Felony Trial Division of that office. Ayala-Gonzalez came to the Chicago area (Melrose Park) as a six-year old and became the first person in her family to finish high school, graduate from college, and obtain a law degree. She has been a co-leader of the Government Lawyers Program with the Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois, a member of the Diversity Scholarship Foundation, and a mentor to the Lyons Township High School Mock Trial Team.

Fredrick Hayze Bates is presently serving as a Circuit Court Judge pursuant to an appointment by the Illinois Supreme Court to a 1st Subcircuit vacancy. He was previously appointed to a 2nd Subcircuit vacancy and a countywide vacancy.

Before receiving these appointments, Bates served for 15 years as an administrative law judge. Licensed as an attorney in Illinois since 1983, Bates is a former President of the Cook County Bar Association. He has also served as Chairman of Illinois Civil Service Commission.

Aileen Bhandari is a Cook County Assistant State's Attorney. She has been licensed to practice law in Illinois since 2002, according to ARDC.

A first time Short List finalist, Bhandari is the incoming President of the South Asian Bar Association. She is also a candidate for the countywide Coghlan vacancy.

Prior to his appointment to the bench in December 2018, Lloyd James Brooks was a founding partner of the Matteson-based Consumer Legal Group. He has been licensed as an attorney in Illinois since 2000, according to ARDC. Brooks is also a Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter.

Brooks has been slated by the Cook County Democratic Party for the countywide vacancy he now holds by appointment. He was a Short List finalist in 2018.

Jennifer Frances Coleman has been licensed as an attorney in Illinois since 1995, according to ARDC. An Assistant Cook County State's Attorney, Coleman currently serves as Chief Deputy in that office, according to her LinkedIn page.


John Abbrey Fairman practices with the Homewood firm of Lee & Fairman, LLP. He has been licensed as an attorney in Illinois since 2004. Fairman is a former President of the Cook County Bar Association.

Michael Angelo Forti is currently serving as a Cook County Circuit Court judge pursuant to Supreme Court assignment to an8th Subcircuit vacancy. Forti received this appointment late last year, just prior to the expiration of his original appointment, also to an 8th Subcircuit vacancy.

Forti wasslated by the Cook County Democratic Party for a countywide vacancy in 2012; he was a Short List finalist in 2014.

Before his first bench appointment, Forti was Chief Counsel and Ethics Officer for the Illinois Department of Transportation. He worked for the Chicago Corporation Counsel's office from 1994-2012, serving as Deputy Corporation Counsel from 1999-2012. Licensed as an attorney in Illinois since 1980, Forti began his legal career with Bell, Boyd & Lloyd LLC (now K&L Gates, LLP), rising from associate to equity partner by the time of his departure in 1994.