CBA candidate evaluations in Subcircuits 12-15

The Chicago Bar Association today released its evaluations of candidates for judicial positions in the upcoming primary. The CBA's process and criteria are explained in this post. The CBA's complete findings and explanations of those findings may be found by following this link.

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 12th, 13th, 14th, and 15th Subcircuits.

12th Subcircuit

Hanlon Vacancy

Democratic Primary Candidates

PATRICIA M. FALLON -- QUALIFIED

Judge Patricia M. Fallon is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Judge Fallon was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2001 and was appointed to the Circuit Court in 2019. Judge Fallon has practiced law in the private, corporate and government sectors. Judge Fallon is well regarded for her knowledge of the law, trial experience, and excellent temperament and demeanor.

HOWARD J. WISE -- QUALIFIED

Howard J. Wise is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Wise was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1997 and is currently in private practice concentrating in criminal law, traffic, DUI and personal injury matters. Mr. Wise is hardworking and well regarded for his knowledge of the law, legal ability, and fine temperament.

CARMINE TROMBETTA -- NOT RECOMMENDED

Carmine Trombetta 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.

Republican Primary Candidate

FRANK R. DiFRANCO -- QUALIFIED

Frank R. DiFranco is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. DiFranco was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1987 and is currently a solo practitioner concentrating in criminal felony, misdemeanor, DUI, traffic, and personal injury matters. Mr. DiFranco has extensive experience in a wide range of civil and criminal matters and is well regarded for his knowledge of the law, legal ability, and good demeanor.

13th Subcircuit

Kulys Hoffman Vacancy

Democratic Primary Candidates

JOE GUMP -- QUALIFIED

Joe Gump is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Gump was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1987 and for the past 29 years has served as an Assistant Cook County Public Defender. Mr. Gump is currently a felony assistant, assigned to the Third Municipal District. Mr. Gump is well regarded for his knowledge of the law, legal ability and fine temperament.

MATT FLAMM -- QUALIFIED

Matt Flamm is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Flamm was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1978 and is engaged in private practice concentrating in business and real estate litigation, real estate tax exemptions, tax sale, tax deed, and election law matters. Mr. Flamm is well regarded for his knowledge of the law, legal ability, and excellent demeanor.

MICHAEL HARRY MINTON -- NOT RECOMMENDED

Michael Harry Minton is “Not Recommended” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Minton was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1971 and has concentrated his practice in domestic relations and family law matters. Mr. Minton has extensive trial experience and is well regarded for his knowledge of family law. However, concerns about his punctuality and diligence resulted in a “Not Recommended” finding.

SUSANNE MICHELE GROEBNER -- QUALIFIED

Susanne Groebner is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Groebner was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2000 and is currently serving as a Cook County Assistant State’s Attorney in the Third Municipal District. Ms. Groebner has tried many complex cases and is well respected by judges and lawyers for her knowledge of the law, outstanding trial skills, fine demeanor and temperament.

MICHAEL P. GERBER -- HIGHLY QUALIFIED

Judge Michael P. Gerber is “Highly Qualified” for the office Circuit Court Judge. Judge Gerber was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1980 and served as a Cook County Assistant Public Defender for four years and as a Cook County Assistant State’s Attorney for 32 years before his appointment to the Circuit Court in 2016. Judge Gerber is highly regarded for his knowledge of the law, judicial ability, commitment to fairness, and excellent temperament.

Republican Primary Candidates

ANGEL GARCIA -- NOT RECOMMENDED

Angel Garcia 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.

GARY WILLIAM SEYRING -- QUALIFIED

Gary William Seyring is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Seyring was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1978 and is currently engaged in private practice concentrating in family law, real estate, business law, and wills, trusts and estates. Mr. Seyring has commercial litigation experience and is well regarded for his knowledge of probate, tax and family law. Mr. Seyring is actively involved in community service and highly regarded by the judges before whom he has appeared.

14th Subcircuit

Bertucci Vacancy

GERARDO TRISTAN, JR. -- QUALIFIED

Judge Gerardo Tristan is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Judge Tristan was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2002 and was appointed a Cook County Circuit Court Judge in 2019. Prior to his appointment to the bench, Judge Tristan served as an Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney, First Chair, in a Felony Courtroom. Judge Tristan has extensive trial experience and is well regarded for his knowledge of the law, fairness and fine temperament.

STEVE DEMITRO -- NOT RECOMMENDED

Steve Demitro 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.

Lacy Vacancy

DANIEL O. TIERNAN -- HIGHLY QUALIFIED

Judge Daniel O. Tiernan is “Highly Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Judge Tiernan was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1995 and served from 1995 to 2007 as an Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney. He was in private practice for nine years and since 2016 he has served as an investigator in Cook County’s Office of the Independent Inspector General. Mr. Tiernan is well regarded for his legal knowledge, legal ability, experience and integrity.

PERLA TIRADO -- NOT RECOMMENDED

Perla Tirado is “Not Recommended” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Tirado was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2005 and served as an Assistant Cook County Public Defender until 2007. Ms. Tirado was engaged in private practice from 2007-2016 and is currently serving as a Supervising Attorney for a not-for-profit legal aid provider. Ms. Tirado has a fine demeanor, but lacks the depth and breadth of practice experience to effectively serve as a Circuit Court Judge.

15th Subcircuit

Griffin Vacancy

HEATHER MULLIGAN BEGLEY -- QUALIFIED

Heather Begley is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Begley was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2003 and is currently engaged in private practice concentrating in personal injury and medical malpractice matters. Ms. Begley is hardworking and well regarded for her legal knowledge, legal ability, and excellent temperament.

NICHOLE C. PATTON -- HIGHLY QUALIFIED

Judge Nichole C. Patton is “Highly Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Judge Patton was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1997 and was appointed to the Circuit Court in 2018. Judge Patton is currently assigned to the County Division. Judge Patton has extensive knowledge and experience in mental health law and works well with pro se litigants. Judge Patton is dedicated to the justice system and is well respected by the lawyers and litigants who appear before her. Judge Patton is highly regarded for her knowledge of the law, legal ability, diligence, fine demeanor, and excellent temperament.