In this post we look at the CCL's ratings of judicial candidates running in the 7th, 8th, 9th, and 10th Subcircuits.
7th Subcircuit
Jackson Vacancy
Owens "Joe" Shelby -- Qualified
Owens J. Shelby was admitted to practice in 2007. He has been a career Cook County Assistant State’s Attorney working as a second chair prosecutor in a felony trial courtroom. He served for less than a year as the Assistant Counsel to the Speaker of the Illinois House, and as a contract attorney with Loevy & Loevy in 2007 to 2008. Mr. Shelby is considered to have good legal ability with a very good temperament. He is praised for his diligence. Most lawyers praise his abilities although a few say he lacks adequate experience. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.
Marcia O’Brien Conway -- Well Qualified
Marcia O’Brien Conway was admitted to practice in 1984. She was a sole practitioner between 1986 and 1991. She retired from the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office in 2018 after having served there since 1993. She represented Cook County and County officials in real estate tax litigation between 2008 and 2018. She drafted and negotiated purchase and sale agreements between 1994 and 2008. She was in private practice between 1994 and 1988, including at the law firm of Winston & Strawn.
Ms. Conway is praised for her legal ability and knowledge. She was often cited as an expert in real estate and taxation law. She is reported to always be well prepared and she is praised for her litigation skills. She is considered to have a very good temperament with a patient but effective demeanor. She is said to be exceptionally hard working. The Council finds her Well Qualified for the Circuit Court.
Pamela Reaves-Harris -- Qualified
Pamela Reaves-Harris was admitted to practice in 1992. She was an Illinois State Representative for the 10th District. From 1996 to 2015 she was a sole practitioner and served as Assistant Vice President/Compliance Officer for Citibank between 1993 and 1995. She has served as an Administrative Law Judge for several municipalities. She is considered to be smart and knowledgeable. She has an extraordinary record of community service and is well respected for her work as a practicing attorney and as an administrative law judge. She has an exemplary temperament. The Council is concerned that she has little litigation experience but we note that her overall experience demonstrates the ability to be a good judge. On balance, the Council finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court.
Mable Taylor -- Not Recommended
Did not participate in the evaluation.
Kristen Marie Lyons -- Not Recommended
Did not participate in the evaluation.
8th Subcircuit
Fleming Vacancy
Jonathan Clark Green -- Qualified
Jonathan C. Green was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1986. He is senior counsel/supervisor of the Department of Law at the City of Chicago, Federal Civil Rights Litigation Division, where is responsible for all aspects of civil rights and torts litigation. From 2003 to 2013, he worked as a principal of the Law Offices of Green and Green, P.C., and of counsel at Rock, Fusco & Garvey Ltd. At both firms his practice included domestic and international civil litigation, including business and construction litigation, real estate and commercial transactions, and international law.
Mr. Green is viewed by many respondents as knowledgeable about substantive and procedural law with good legal ability. To these lawyers, he is a solid practitioner. Most respondents report that he has a good temperament. In general, he has had an impressive legal career with substantial litigation experience in more complex matters. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.
Bradley R. Trowbridge -- Qualified
Bradley R. Trowbridge was admitted to practice in Illinois in 2000. Prior to law school he served as a social worker. Since 2004 he has served as a solo practitioner focusing on domestic relations issues. He has worked as a staff attorney at the Chicago Department of Law; a staff attorney at the Legal Assistance Foundation of Metropolitan Chicago; and as an associate with Audrey Gaynor & Associates. He has handled domestic violence order of protection pro bono work.
Mr. Trowbridge is considered to have good legal ability. He has had substantial litigation experience in a variety of areas. Judges and practitioners praise his litigation skills. A few respondents questioned his temperament, but on balance, the Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.
Gubin Vacancy
Hon. Michael A. Forti -- Qualified
Hon. Michael A. Forti was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1980. In 2016, he was appointed a Circuit Judge by the Illinois Supreme Court and was elected by the Circuit Judges in 2019 as an Associate Judge. He is currently assigned to the Domestic Relations Division of the Circuit Court of Cook County. Previously he was Chief Counsel and Ethics Officer at the Illinois Department of Transportation (2012-2015); Deputy Corporation Counsel (1999-2012) and Chief Assistant Corporation Counsel (1994-1998) for the City of Chicago Department of Law; and associate (1980-1988) and equity and income partner (1988-1994) at Bell Boyd & Lloyd (now K&L Gates), where he handled commercial litigation and antitrust counseling.
Judge Forti was considered to be a good attorney with good legal ability and temperament. As a judge, he continues to receive very positive marks. He has demonstrated his ability to handle a high volume call and is praised for his handling of pro se litigants – respectful and informative without going beyond the role of judge. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.
9th Subcircuit
Axlerood Vacancy
Pamela "Pam" Stratigakis -- Qualified
Pamela J. Stratigakis was admitted to practice in 2001. She is Partner/Of Counsel at Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith LLP, where she handles cases involving long-term care and elder law, health care, and medical malpractice. From 2003 to August 2019, she served as an Assistant State’s Attorney in the Cook County State’s Attorney Office, where her assignments included Felony Trial Division, First Chair, Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Division; Special Prosecutor, Office of Violence Against Women, Women VOICES Campus Initiative Grant (2015-2018); the Special Litigation Unit; the Post-Conviction Unit; the Narcotics Division; and the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. From 2001 to 2003, she was an Associate Attorney at the Huppert Richard and Wood Law Firm, where she handled civil litigation, contracts for commercial and corporate transactions, business agreements, acquisitions, and sales mergers.
Ms. Stratigakis is considered to have good legal ability and has litigation experience in both criminal and civil matters. She is praised for her litigation skills and for her temperament. The Council finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court.
Hon. Thomas M. Cushing -- Well Qualified
Hon. Thomas Maloney Cushing was admitted to practice in Illinois in 1988. He was appointed to the bench by the Illinois Supreme Court in 2019. Before taking the bench, he was of counsel to the offices of Christopher A. Kreid and Associates, focusing on commercial and chancery litigation. From 2006-2010, Mr. Cushing was Senior Vice President for Membership at the Chicago Climate Exchange, applying his legal skills in a business/environmental policy role. From 2005-2006, he was principal in his own law practice, specializing in personal injury practice. During this time, he also assisted Counsel to the Shakman Decree Monitor. From 1988-2005, he was an associate at Ambrose & Cushing, specializing in civil trials, particularly personal injury, professional malpractice, and municipal liability. Since 2013, he has volunteered as a Hearing Board Member at the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission.
As a lawyer Judge Cushing is reported to have been a solid practitioner with very good ability and an excellent temperament. He has substantial litigation experience in complex matters, and is praised for his litigation skills and for his temperament. He has been involved with numerous community activities, including teaching and environmental advocacy. The Council finds him Well Qualified for the Circuit Court.
Ira I. Silverstein -- Not Qualified
Ira I. Silverstein was admitted to practice in 1985. He was an elected official serving as a State Senator of the 8th District from 1999 to 2018. He has been a sole practitioner from July 1988 to the present, handling civil litigation and probate. From 1988 to approximately 1990, he co-counseled for a collection law firm, handling more than 30 trials a year. He was accused of harassment but was cleared after an investigation by the legislative inspector general. But the inspector general’s report found that he have behaved in a way “unbecoming of a legislator.” He lost his re-election bid in 2018.
Mr. Silverstein is considered to have good legal ability and temperament. He has had litigation experience throughout his extensive legal career. The Council is concerned about his past ethical lapse. On balance, the Council finds him Not Qualified for the Circuit Court.
Timothy Patrick Carter -- Qualified
Timothy Patrick Carter was admitted to practice in 1995. He has been in private practice since 2012 and served as an Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney from 1992 to 2012. He is considered to a solid practitioner with good legal ability and temperament. He is praised for his litigation skills, and has substantial litigation experience. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.
Luckman Vacancy
Thomas Peter Kougias -- Not Qualified
Thomas P. Kougias was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1988. Mr. Kougias He is currently in private practice handling criminal defense work. He served as an Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney for most of his career, leaving the State’s Attorney’s Office in 2012. In 2013, the Council said, “Mr. Kougias has had substantial litigation experience, but the Council is concerned that he has not distinguished himself as a prosecutor. Many lawyers say that he lacks sufficient trial management skills to become a judge and some lawyers say that he is not always punctual. The Council finds him Not Qualified for the Circuit Court.“ While the current investigation shows some improvement in these areas, the Council’s previous concerns continue to exist. The Council finds him Not Qualified for the Circuit Court.
Julie Bess Aimen -- Well Qualified
Julie Bess Aimen was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1984. She has had a solo private practice since 1986, specializing in criminal, family, municipal, and civil rights law. From 1984 to 1986, Ms. Aimen was an Assistant Appellate Defender with the Office of the State Appellate Defender (OSAD). She has also been a Hearing Officer for the City of Chicago Department of Revenue (1992-1997). She has taught Trial Advocacy and, since 1999, has been a judge for the National Trial Advocacy Competition. Ms. Aimen has been a chair-qualified Cook County Arbitrator since 1990 and is a past president of Illinois Attorneys for Criminal Justice.
Ms. Aimen is considered to have very good legal ability and a good temperament. She has extensive complex litigation experience in the areas of criminal law, family law, civil rights, and appellate law. She is considered to be a zealous advocate for her clients. Her integrity is unquestioned. Ms. Aimen is highly regarded as an excellent practitioner and she is praised for her work in improving the administration of justice through her pro bono efforts. The Council considers Ms. Aimen to be Well Qualified to serve in Circuit Court.
Hon. Michael Alan Strom -- Well Qualified
Hon. Michael A. Strom was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1977. Before his appointment to the bench, in early 2019, Strom had a litigation practice with Strom & Associates. From 1997 to 2011 he was Staff Counsel to CNA while in private practice. He was a lawyer and then a partner with Schaffenegger, Watson & Peterson from 1978 to 1984. Mr. Strom has good legal ability and has been widely praised for his good temperament. He has extensive experience as a trial lawyer on a variety of challenging cases. He is also involved in community activities such as the Chicago Coalition for Law-Related Education. The Council finds him Well Qualified for the Circuit Court.
Basileios “Bill” John Foutris -- Qualified
Basileios “Bill” John Foutris was admitted to practice in 2000. His practice has been devoted to representing victims of police misconduct. As a civil rights lawyer, he has been involved in litigating wrongful death, police shootings, police brutality, illegal searches, false arrest, coerced confessions, malicious prosecution and other police misconduct. He has substantial litigation experience in both state and federal courts. He is praised for his knowledge of the law. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.
10th Subcircuit
Allen Vacancy
Hon. John G. Mulroe -- Qualified
Judge John Mulroe was admitted to practice in 1988. He was appointed to the Circuit Court by the Illinois Supreme Court in 2019. Before being appointed to the bench, he served in the Illinois legislator as a Senator from 10th Senate District. Judge Mulroe has served as an Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney, a hearing officer with the Chicago Park District and an arbitrator with the Cook County Mandatory Program. His professional background includes working as a Certified Public Accountant.
As an attorney, Judge Mulroe was considered to have good legal ability and was respected for his trial skills and for his integrity. He was reported to have a very good temperament. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.
McGing Vacancy
John Garrido – Not Recommended
Did not participate in the evaluation.
Jon Stromsta -- Qualified
Jon K. Stromsta was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1985. He is a partner at the Enterprise Law Group, where he focuses on civil litigation in commercial, chancery, intellectual property, and family law cases. He has also worked as an attorney at Pasulka & Associates (2008-2010); an Assistant Appellate Defender in the Office of the State Appellate Defender, Post-Conviction Unit (2004-2008); a solo practitioner (2000-2004), an attorney at the Central States, Southeast and Southwest Areas Health and Welfare and Pension Funds (1997-2000); and an associate and partner at Ross & Hardies (1985-1997). He provides pro bono services at the Expungement Summit sponsored by the Clerk of the Circuit Court and Cabrini Green Legal Aid (2016-present), and as a courtroom facilitator in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Domestic Relations Division (2009-present).
Mr. Stromsta is considered to have good legal ability and is widely respected for his knowledge of the law in a variety of areas. He has litigation experience both at the trial court and at the appellate court levels. He has a professional demeanor. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.
Maire Aileen Dempsey -- Qualified
Maire A. Dempsey was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 2002. Since 2016, she has served as a Partner at Hughes Socol Piers Resnick & Dym, Ltd., where she is a medical malpractice defense litigator. Previously, she also handled medical malpractice defense matters at Hickey Mella & Associates, where she was an Associate Attorney (2008-2015).
Ms. Dempsey is considered to have good legal ability. She is praised for her temperament and her litigation skills. She has substantial litigation experience in more complex matters. The Council finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court.
O'Brien Vacancy
Hon. Daniel Alexander Trevino -- Well Qualified
Hon. Daniel Alexander Trevino was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1999. Before he became an associate judge, in 2018, Mr. Trevino had spent his entire career at Hinshaw and Culbertson, where he was a partner. From 2007 his practice focused on product liability, toxic exposure and wrongful death matters. Since 2011, Mr. Trevino has also served as a commissioner on the Illinois Medical District Commission (IMD). As one of two commissioners appointed by the Mayor, he helps govern the IMD along with six other members. This is an uncompensated four-year part-time position. Mr. Trevino is the president of the Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois. Mr. Trevino has also been the legal affairs director for the Edgebrook Community Association since 2007.
In private practice, Mr. Trevino handled complex litigation matters and was considered a “go-to” person at his firm on legal questions. He is praised as having very good legal ability and is exceptionally knowledgeable. Respondents praised his character and integrity. He is active in mentoring less experienced attorneys. He is reported to have an exceptional temperament – a strong advocate but always professional in his dealings with opposing counsel. He is also praised for his litigation skills. The Council finds him Well Qualified for the Circuit Court.
John Hourihane -- Qualified
John N. Hourihane was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1998. He is a partner, founder, and member manager at Murphy & Hourihane, LLC, where he represents clients in commercial transactions, private securities transactions, commercial litigation, appeals, probate, and real estate matters. He handled civil litigation and commercial appeals as an associate at the following firms: Bryan Cave, LLP (2004-2005), Horwood, Marcus & Berk, Chtd. (2001-2004), and Quinlan & Chrisham, Ltd. (1999-2001).
Mr. Hourihane is considered to have good legal ability and is described as a solid practitioner. He has substantial litigation experience and is reported to have good trial skills and temperament. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.
Audrey Victoria Cosgrove -- Qualified
Audrey Victoria Cosgrove was admitted to practice in Illinois in 1990. Ms. Cosgrove volunteers her time as a pro bono attorney at the National Immigrant Justice Center for DACA and Special Immigrant Juvenile cases. Since 1998, she has been owner of The Cosgrove Law Firm, specializing in criminal defense, traffic and real estate, with limited scope in family law and guardianship. Ms. Cosgrove is also of counsel at the Law Office of Sheldon Sorosky. From 1990-1994, she was an Assistant Public Defender at the Office of the Cook County Public Defender. Ms. Cosgrove acts as a State of Illinois hearing officer contractor and WBE subcontractor. She also acted as an Administrative Law Judge for the Illinois Department of Employment Security for seven years. Ms. Cosgrove has a variety of experiences as a lawyer – including litigation in more complex matters earlier in her career. She is reported to have good legal ability and temperament. The Council finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court.
Hon. Mary Catherine Marubio -- Qualified
Hon. Mary Catherine Marubio was admitted to practice in 1997. Before she became an associate judge, in 2016, Ms. Marubio was an Administrative Law Judge within the Department of Financial and and Professional Regulation for the State of Illinois. She presided over formal adversarial hearings throughout the state involving various licensed professionals, such as physicians, real estate brokers and public accountants. Ms. Marubio also served as an ethics officer for IDFPR employees and professional boards, where she provides guidance on the interpretation and implementation of the State Employees and Officials Ethics Act. From 1997 to 2012, she was a sole practitioner focusing on criminal defense and immigration matters. She participates in numerous pro bono and charitable community activities.
Judge Marubio was considered to be a smart, solid practitioner with a variety of litigation experiences. She is praised for her temperament. She is praised for being able to master the various areas of law that her career has involved, including financial regulation, criminal defense, and immigration. The Council finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court.
Liam Kelly -- Not Recommended
Did not participate in the evaluation.
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