Looking more closely at the Short List finalists - Part 3

In this last of a three-part series, FWIW takes a look at the remaining finalists for Cook County Associate Judge. For Part 1 of this series, scroll up or click here. For Part 2, scroll up or click here. I will update this post over the next few days as new information becomes available.

Leo Steven Rakowski is a partner with K & R Family Legal Services, LLP in Northbrook. Licensed as an attorney in Illinois since 1990, Rakowski is a former President of the Advocates Society and serves as a director of the Polish American Association.

Rakowski has also volunteered as an attorney and director of the Amicus Poloniae Legal Clinic, receiving its 2008 Distinguished Service Award. He has also served as general counsel and volunteer with Chicagoland Golden Gloves Charity. He was a Short List finalist in 2018.

Geri Pinzur Rosenberg is a Chief Attorney in the Torts Division of the Chicago Transit Authority. Licensed to practice in Illinois since 2003, according to ARDC, Rosenberg has spent her legal career with the CTA.

Rosenberg received the Illinois Jury Verdict Reporter’s Trial Lawyer Excellence Award in 2014. In 2016, she received the Women’s Bar Association of Illinois Top Women Lawyers in Leadership Award. Rosenberg has participated in the WBAI's mentorship program for several years and has been active with Women Everywhere: Partners in Service Project.

Curtis Bennett Ross is a family law practitioner, practicing from the Loop Law Offices of Curtis Bennett Ross, LLC. Licensed as an attorney in Illinois since 1980, according to ARDC, Ross is also a Certified Public Accountant.

Ross is a former President of the Decalogue Society of Lawyers. He was a Short List finalist in 2018.

Eric Michael Sauceda is a Cook County Assistant State's Attorney. He has been licensed to practice law in Illinois since 1999, according to ARDC. The Cook County Democratic Party slated Sauceda as its fourth alternate -- meaning that if four new countywide vacancies open up, Sauceda will be the Party's candidate for that fourth vacancy. (As of this juncture, no new countywide vacancies have opened up.)

Rouhy J. Shalabi practices law with the Oak Lawn firm of Rouhy J. Shalabi & Associates. He has been licensed to practice law in Illinois since 1981.

Shalabi is a founding member and former President of the Arab-American Bar Association. He was the first Arab-American Commissioner of the City of Chicago Park District and the first Arab-American appointed to the Board of Commissioners, Chicago Commission on Human Relations. Shalabi also served as the first President of the City of Chicago Advisory Council on Arab Affairs.

John Anthony Simon is a partner in the Chicago office of Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP. Licensed to practice law in Illinois since 1985, according to ARDC, Simon spent seven years as an Assistant Illinois Attorney General before joining Drinker Biddle. He began his legal career as a law clerk to Chancery Judge Richard L. Curry.

While still with the AG's office, Simon argued before the U.S. Supreme Court in the case of Gade v. National Solid Wastes Management Association, 505 U.S. 88 (1992).

Judge Levander Smith Jr. was a finalist in the 2018 Associate Judge selection process. Essentially, Smith was a finalist twice in 2018 since he tied for the 17th and final spot available in that class and was forced into a runoff.

Smith has since been appointed to the countywide Larsen vacancy and is the Cook County Democratic Party's slated candidate for that position.

Before his appointment, Smith was an attorney with the Illinois Department of Children & Family Services. He has been licensed in Illinois since 1993. He has also been licensed to practice law in Missouri.

In fact, Smith began his legal career with DCFS, working Downstate. He then worked as a prosecutor in St. Louis County. After a stint with the Cook County State's Attorney's Office, Smith moved to the Missouri Attorney General's Office. He then rejoined DCFS in 2011. Smith previously applied for an associate judgeship in far Downstate St. Clair County in 2013 and 2015.

Theresa Marie Smith is a Chicago Assistant Corporation Counsel. She has been licensed in Illinois since 1999.

Judge Daniel Owen Tiernan was appointed to the Lacy vacancy in the 14th Subcircuit this past February.

Before receiving his judicial appointment, Tiernan was a Cook County Assistant State’s Attorney from 1995 to 2007. He left that office to become for Delgado & Tiernan, PC. While in private practice, he also handled probate, real estate, and immigration matters. In January 2016, according to the campaign bio, Tiernan joined the Office of the Cook County Independent Inspector General. He has been licensed to practice law in Illinois since 1995, according to ARDC.

Judge Tyria Beatrice Walton was appointed to a 1st Subcircuit vacancy just this past June.

Before her appointment, Walton served as a Cook County Assistant Public Defender. She has been licensed to practice law in Illinois since 1997. Walton has volunteered with the NAACP Chicago Southside Branch , R.A.G.E. Resident Association of Greater Englewood, and the 6th Ward as a Block Club President.