The CBA found three of the seven Supreme Court candidates "Highly Qualified," and three others "Qualified." One candidate was rated "Not Recommended" by the group.
All candidates had to fill out an extensive questionnaire in order to be evaluated by the CBA. Sitting judges are required to list personal, professional and judicial references and to provide the names of lawyers who have recently appeared before him or her. Candidates with fewer than four years on the bench are also asked to identify adversaries with whom they worked before taking the bench. Lawyer candidates are asked to provide detailed information about their jury and non-jury trial experiences, the names of five judges before whom they have appeared and a list of at least 20 lawyers who have represented adverse positions in matters handled by them.
Health concerns are disclosed and examined; media mentions are scrutinized. Candidates must agree to release of disciplinary records.
A two-person investigation team vets the persons identified in the candidates' questionnaires and prepares a report which serves as the basis of an interview with members of the evaluating committee.
The CBA says that candidates who submit a questionnaire and participate in the screening process are evaluated on the basis of seven criteria: integrity, legal knowledge, legal ability, professional experience, judicial temperament, diligence and punctuality.
After the candidate is interviewed, the committee members vote. A candidate must receive a 60 percent favorable vote of the hearing panel members to receive a “Qualified” finding and an 80 percent favorable vote to receive a “Highly Qualified” finding. Candidates who receive less than a 60 percent favorable vote receive a “Not Recommended” finding, as do candidates who decline to participate in the evaluation process.
Without further adieu, here are the CBA evaluations of the seven Supreme Court candidates:
JESSE G. REYES -- HIGHLY QUALIFIED
Justice Jesse G. Reyes is “Highly Qualified” for the office of Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court. Justice Reyes was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1984 and served as a Cook County Associate Judge from 1997-2008; Circuit Court of Cook County Judge from 2008-2012; and as a Justice of the Illinois Appellate Court from 2012-present. Justice Reyes is well regarded for his diligence, judicial experience, and passionate commitment to the law and our justice system.
P. SCOTT NEVILLE, JR. -- HIGHLY QUALIFIED
Justice P. Scott Neville is “Highly Qualified” for the office of Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court. Justice Neville was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1974 and was engaged in private practice for 25 years before his appointment to the Circuit Court of Cook County in 1999. In 2004, Judge Neville was appointed to the Illinois Appellate Court where he served until his appointment to the Illinois Supreme Court in 2018. Justice Neville has extensive appellate experience and is well regarded for his deep understanding and knowledge of the law. Justice Neville is committed to improving the Illinois Courts and possesses all the requisite qualifications for service on the Illinois Supreme Court.
SHELLY A. HARRIS -- QUALIFIED
Justice Sheldon A. Harris is “Qualified” for the office of Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court. Justice Harris was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1966 and served as a Cook County Circuit Court Judge from 2000-2010. Justice Harris was appointed to the Illinois Appellate Court in 2010 and elected to the Appellate Court in 2014. Justice Harris has extensive appellate court experience and is well regarded for his legal knowledge, legal ability, diligence in preparing for oral arguments and issuing timely opinions, and good judicial demeanor.
CYNTHIA Y. COBBS -- QUALIFIED
Justice Cynthia Cobbs is “Qualified” for the office of Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court. Justice Cobbs was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1988 and has served as a judicial law clerk to an Illinois Appellate Court Illinois and Illinois Supreme Court Justice from 1989-1997. Justice Cobbs served as counsel in the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts (AOIC) from 1997-1999 and as Chief AOIC Legal Counsel from 1999-2002. Justice Cobbs served as Director of the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts from 2002-2011. Justice Cobbs was appointed to the Circuit Court of Cook County in 2011 and elected to the Circuit Court in 2014. As a Circuit Court Judge, Justice Cobbs presided over civil jury trials, small claims, forcible entry, and traffic court cases in the First Municipal District. Justice Cobbs was assigned to the Illinois Appellate Court in 2015. Justice Cobbs has extensive knowledge about the administration and operation of the court system and possesses the legal knowledge, legal ability, demeanor, and experience to serve as a Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court.
MARGARET STANTON McBRIDE -- HIGHLY QUALIFIED
Justice Margaret Stanton McBride is “Highly Qualified” for the office of Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court. Justice McBride was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1976 and served as an Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney for 10 years. Justice McBride was appointed an Associate Cook County Judge in 1987 and was elected to the Circuit Court of Cook County in 1990. Justice McBride was elected to the Illinois Appellate Court in 1998. Justice McBride has a distinguished track record as an appellate court justice and is highly regarded for her knowledge of the law, legal ability, integrity, excellent demeanor, and work ethic.
DANIEL EPSTEIN -- NOT RECOMMENDED
Daniel Epstein is “Not Recommended” for the office of Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court. Mr. Epstein was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2015 and worked for a prominent Chicago law firm for approximately four years. Prior to his admission to the Illinois Bar, Mr. Epstein served as a research assistant for one year at the University of Chicago Law School and as a Judicial Extern for one year in the U.S. District Court. At the present time, Mr. Epstein is actively campaigning for the Illinois Supreme Court. Mr. Epstein has had limited practice experience and, at this stage in his legal career, he does not possess the depth and breadth of experience to serve as a Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court.
NATHANIEL ROOSEVELT HOWSE -- QUALIFIED
Judge Nathaniel Howse is “Qualified” for the office of Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court. Justice Howse was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1976 and was elected to serve as a Circuit Court Judge in 1998. Judge Howse served as a Cook County Circuit Court Judge until his appointment to the Illinois Appellate Court in 2009. In 2012, Justice Howse was elected to the Illinois Appellate Court. Justice Howse has extensive appellate court experience and is well regarded for his knowledge of the law and diligence in issuing opinions in a timely manner.
It's a shame that CBA ratings are given any validity. I don't want to shock you Jack, but it's no secret that people of infulence stack the room with the right people to get the result they want.
ReplyDeleteIt's a shame but a lot of the bar ratings are based on politics rather than qualifications. CBA is not the worst culprit either.
ReplyDelete