The CBA says that 104 candidates are seeking Circuit Court positions. Of these, 91 were screened by the CBA. The 13 candidates who did not submit to screening were automatically found "Not Recommended" according to CBA JEC governing bylaws. Ten of the 91 who were screened were also found "Not Recommended."
On the other hand, the CBA Judicial Evaluation Committee found 13 Circuit Court candidates "Highly Qualified" and 68 other candidates "Qualified."
This post will look only at the CBA's ratings of candidates running in the 7th, 8th, 9th, and 10th Subcircuits.
7th Subcircuit
Jackson Vacancy
OWENS “JOE” SHELBY -- QUALIFIED
Owens “Joe” Shelby is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Shelby was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2007 and is currently serving as an Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney, Second Chair, in the Felony Trial Division in the 4th Municipal District. Mr. Shelby has handled several felony and misdemeanor trials and has had some juvenile and civil experience.
MARCIA O’BRIEN CONWAY -- QUALIFIED
Marcia O’Brien Conway is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Conway was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1984 and served from 1993-2018 as a Cook County Assistant State’s Attorney in the Real Estate Tax Litigation Unit. Ms. Conway has significant trial experience and is well regarded for her diligence and work ethic.
PAMELA REAVES-HARRIS -- QUALIFIED
Pamela Reaves-Harris is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Reaves-Harris was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1992 and has varied practice experience and service as an Administrative Law Judge for the City of Chicago and several suburban municipalities. Ms. Reaves-Harris served as an Illinois State Representative in the General Assembly from 2015-2017. Since 2017, Ms. Reaves-Harris has served as Special Cook County Assistant to Legal Affairs and Legal Counsel for the Bureau of Economic Development, the Department of Building and Zoning, and to the Zoning Board of Appeals. Ms. Reaves-Harris has a fine demeanor and possesses the requisite legal knowledge and experience to serve as a Circuit Court Judge.
MABLE TAYLOR -- NOT RECOMMENDED
Mable Taylor declined to participate in the Judicial Evaluation Committee (JEC) screening process and, therefore, according to The Chicago Bar Association’s governing resolution for the JEC, is automatically found NOT RECOMMENDED.
KRISTIN MARIE LYONS -- QUALIFIED
Kristen Marie Lyons is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Lyons was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2004 and is currently engaged in private practice concentrating in workers’ compensation, personal injury, and matrimonial matters. Ms. Lyons has extensive litigation experience in both defense and plaintiff cases. Ms. Lyons has a fine temperament and possesses all the requisite qualifications to serve as a Circuit Court Judge.
8th Subcircuit
Fleming Vacancy
JONATHAN CLARK GREEN -- QUALIFIED
Jonathan Clark Green is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Green was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1986. Since 2003, Mr. Green has worked as an Assistant Corporation Counsel for the City of Chicago and has handled a wide variety of complex litigation matters involving the Chicago Police Department, federal civil rights cases, and representation of the Civilian Office of Police Accountability. Mr. Green has broad knowledge and experience in both civil and criminal law. Mr. Green is well regarded for his legal knowledge, extensive litigation experience, diligence, and commitment to the law.
BRADLEY R. TROWBRIDGE -- QUALIFIED
Bradley R. Trowbridge is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Trowbridge was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2000 and is engaged in private practice concentrating in family law matters. Mr. Trowbridge has a fine demeanor and temperament and possesses the requisite legal knowledge and experience to serve as a Circuit Court Judge.
Gubin Vacancy
MICHAEL A. FORTI -- QUALIFIED
Michael A. Forti is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Forti was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1980 and has experience in both the private sector and government. Mr. Forti is an experienced lawyer well regarded for his judgment, fine demeanor, and temperament.
9th Subcircuit
Axelrood Vacancy
PAMELA “PAM” STRATIGAKIS -- QUALIFIED
Pamela “Pam” Stratigakis is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Stratigakis was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2001 and is currently engaged in private practice concentrating in civil litigation, medical malpractice, healthcare, and the Nursing Home Care Act. Ms. Stratigakis served as an Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney from 2003-2019 and served as First Chair in the Felony Trial Division. Ms. Stratigakis served on the Internet Sex Crimes Against Children Task Force and was engaged in groundbreaking litigation against people involved in Internet sex crimes. Ms. Stratigakis has extensive trial experience and is well regarded for her fine temperament and knowledge of both criminal and civil law.
THOMAS M. CUSHING -- HIGHLY QUALIFIED
Thomas Cushing is “Highly Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Cushing was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1988 and was engaged in private practice from 1988-2005 concentrating in civil trial and appellate work. Mr. Cushing worked for the Chicago Climate Exchange from 2006-2010 and as the Managing Director of Public Policy for the Delta Institute, after which he re-entered private practice as of counsel to a small firm. Mr. Cushing has extensive trial experience and is well regarded for his knowledge of the law, legal ability, diligence, work ethic, and fine temperament.
IRA I. SILVERSTEIN -- NOT RECOMMENDED
Ira I. Silverstein is “Not Recommended” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Silverstein was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1985 and is currently a sole practitioner engaged in the general practice of law. Mr. Silverstein served as an Illinois State Senator from 1999-2018. In 2017, a complaint involving harassment was filed against Senator Silverstein, which was investigated by the Inspector General who found in 2018 that Senator Silverstein’s conduct was unbecoming of a legislator. This incident and Mr. Silverstein’s limited practice and court experience resulted in a “Not Recommended” finding.
TIMOTHY PATRICK CARTER -- QUALIFIED
Timothy Patrick Carter is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Carter was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1995 and served as an Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney for 16 years before entering private practice. Mr. Carter is currently engaged in private practice concentrating largely in criminal matters. Mr. Carter has extensive trial experience and is well regarded for his knowledge of the law, legal ability, diligence and fine demeanor.
Luckman Vacancy
THOMAS PETER KOUGIAS -- QUALIFIED
Thomas Peter Kougias is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Kougias was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1988 and is currently serving as an Assistant Winnebago County State’s Attorney. Mr. Kougias served for 21 years as an Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney and from 2012-2019 he was a sole practitioner concentrating in criminal defense work. Mr. Kougias has extensive criminal trial experience and possesses the legal knowledge and practice experience to serve as a Circuit Court Judge.
JULIE BESS AIMEN -- QUALIFIED
Julie Bess Aimen is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Aimen was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1984 and is a solo practitioner concentrating in criminal defense, family law, civil rights, general litigation, and appellate matters. Ms. Aimen is a seasoned practitioner with extensive trial experience in criminal and domestic relations cases. Ms. Aimen is well regarded for her knowledge of the law, legal ability, and calm demeanor.
MICHAEL ALAN STROM -- HIGHLY QUALIFIED
Judge Michael Alan Strom is “Highly Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Judge Strom was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1977 and was appointed to the Circuit Court in 2019. Judge Strom is currently assigned to the Circuit Court’s Housing Division. Judge Strom is passionate about his work and possesses all the requisite qualifications for service as a Circuit Court Judge.
BASILEIOS “BILL” FOUTRIS -- QUALIFIED
Basileiois “Bill” Foutris is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Foutris was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2000 and is currently in private practice concentrating in plaintiff’s civil rights and police misconduct litigation. Mr. Foutris has extensive trial experience and has personally tried many high profile cases in the Federal and State Courts. While Mr. Foutris is well regarded for his knowledge of the law and legal experience, there is a need to work on his temperament.
10th Subcircuit
Allen Vacancy
JOHN G. MULROE -- QUALIFIED
John G. Mulroe is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Mulroe was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1988 and served as an Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney until 1994. Since 1995, Mr. Mulroe has been engaged in private practice concentrating in real estate, probate and estate planning, and small business matters. Mr. Mulroe was elected to the Illinois Senate in 2010 where he continues to serve. Mr. Mulroe is a dedicated public servant and is well regarded by his peers for his knowledge of the law, legal experience, integrity, and fine temperament.
McGing Vacancy
JOHN GARRIDO -- NOT RECOMMENDED
John Garrido declined to participate in the Judicial Evaluation Committee (JEC) screening process and, therefore, according to The Chicago Bar Association’s governing resolution for the JEC, is automatically found NOT RECOMMENDED.
JON STROMSTA -- QUALIFIED
Jon Stromsta is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Stromsta was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1985 and is currently a partner in the Enterprise Law Group. Mr. Stromsta has a wide range of practice experience in both civil and criminal law. Mr. Stromsta has an excellent temperament and is also active in community service. Mr. Stromsta possesses all the requisite qualifications to serve as a Circuit Court Judge.
MAIRE AILEEN DEMPSEY -- QUALIFIED
Maire Dempsey is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Dempsey was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2002 and is currently a trial partner concentrating in medical malpractice defense. Ms. Dempsey has handled complex legal malpractice cases and is active in community work. Ms. Dempsey is well regarded for her integrity, diligence, knowledge of the law, and excellent demeanor.
O'Brien Vacancy
DANIEL ALEXANDER TREVINO -- QUALIFIED
Daniel A. Trevino is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Trevino was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1999 and is currently a partner in a leading defense firm. Mr. Trevino is well regarded for his legal knowledge and experience in complex litigation cases. Mr. Trevino knows the law and is qualified for service as a Circuit Court Judge.
JOHN HOURIHANE -- QUALIFIED
John N. Hourihane, Jr. is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Hourihane was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1998 and is currently engaged in private practice concentrating in commercial litigation, appellate practice, probate and real estate matters. Mr. Hourihane has extensive experience in commercial litigation and appellate practice and has handled a number of complex legal matters. Mr. Hourihane is well regarded for his knowledge of the law, legal experience, fine demeanor and temperament.
AUDREY VICTORIA COSGROVE -- QUALIFIED
Audrey Victoria Cosgrove is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Cosgrove was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1990 and has served as a Cook County Assistant Public Defender and in private practice. Ms. Cosgrove is currently serving as Deputy Chief Legal Counsel for the Illinois Department of Labor. Ms. Cosgrove is well regarded for her knowledge of the law, diverse practice experience, and fine demeanor.
MARY CATHERINE MARUBIO -- HIGHLY QUALIFIED
Judge Mary Catherine Marubio is “Highly Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Judge Marubio was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1997 and concentrated her practice in state and federal criminal defense work. Judge Marubio also represented the Columbia Consulate in Chicago. Judge Marubio is currently assigned to the Pretrial Division of the George Leighton Criminal Court, where she hears a variety of matters including: preliminary hearings for felony traffic including DUI cases, out-of-state fugitive warrants and in state warrants, grand jury indictments and financial crimes, and citywide felony charges in Central Bond Court. Judge Marubio is dedicated to her assignments and is well regarded for her knowledge of the law, legal experience, and fine temperament.
LIAM KELLY -- NOT RECOMMENDED
Liam Kelly declined to participate in the Judicial Evaluation Committee (JEC) screening process and, therefore, according to The Chicago Bar Association’s governing resolution for the JEC, is automatically found NOT RECOMMENDED.
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3 comments:
John Mulroe was appointed to replace Allen as judge.
Mulroe resigned his Senate seat, which is held by Robert Martwick.
Why did Garrido not submit his qualifications?
Probably, because his law credentials are thin, compared to his competitors.
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