Chicago Council of Lawyers releases ratings for Appellate Court candidates

The Chicago Council of Lawyers has now released its evaluations of Cook County judicial candidates. The CCL's complete report, including its full explanation of the criteria it uses in evaluating judicial candidates, can be accessed from this page on the CCL website. For a summary of the Council's process in evaluating judicial candidates, see this post.

There are six candidates for the two Appellate Court vacancies. The Council found three of these candidates "Qualified," one "Well Qualified," and one "Highly Qualified." One candidate was deemed "Not Qualified" by the CCL.

Herewith, then, the Council's evaluations of the candidates for the Appellate Court.

Neville Jr. Vacancy

Maureen P. O’Leary – Not Qualified

Maureen P. O’Leary was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2002. Since 2014, she has been Vice President of Litigation and Claims for Aperion Care, Inc., where she provides oversight for the Nursing Home Care Act and medical malpractice litigation for over 50 long-term care facilities in Illinois, Indiana, and Kansas, as well as approximately 2,000 therapists in 140 long-term care facilities in 7 states. Previously, she was a Solo Practitioner at the Law Office of Maureen O’Leary, a general practice (2008-2013), an Associate at Susan E. Loggans & Associates, a medical malpractice and personal injury firm (2004-2007), a Prosecutor in the traffic court division at the Department of Law in the Chicago Corporation Counsel’s Office (2001-2003), and as a Cook County Law Clerk for Presiding Judge Jacqueline Cox (1999-2001). She served as a registered nurse before going to law school.

Ms. O’Leary is considered to have good legal ability and to be knowledgeable about her practice field. She is reported to have a very good, highly professional temperament She had litigation experience in less complex matters earlier in her career and oversees medical malpractice litigation in her current position. However, the Council is concerned that Ms. O’Leary is running for the Illinois Appellate Court, and lacks both litigation experience in complex matters and demonstrated substantial published writing. On balance, the Council finds her Not Qualified for the Illinois Appellate Court.

Hon. Carolyn J. Gallagher – Qualified

Hon. Carolyn J. Gallagher was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1982. Since 2018, she has been assigned to the Probate Division, County Department, where she hears Decedent’s Estates cases, Adult Guardianship cases, and Minor Guardianship cases. Her previous judicial assignments were in the Municipal Department of the First Municipal District, in the Housing Division (2017-2018) and the Traffic Division (2016-2017). Previously she was a Solo Practitioner at the Law Office of Carolyn J. Gallagher (2004-2016), where she handled Appellate Law and Complex Commercial Litigation, Real Estate Law, and Financial Institution Law. She also worked as a Legal Writing Instructor at DePaul University College of Law (2000-2004) and again as a Solo Practitioner at the Law Office of Carolyn Gallagher Brocksmith (1996-2000).

Judge Gallagher is considered to have good legal ability and is reported to have a good temperament with a calm and respectful demeanor on the bench. She is praised for her integrity and diligence. The Council finds her Qualified for the Appellate Court.

Hon. Sandra G. Ramos -- Qualified

Hon. Sandra G. Ramos was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1986. Since 2010, she has been a Cook County Circuit Court Judge, where she is currently assigned to the Law Division/Trial Section. Her previous judicial assignments were at Traffic Court (2010-2013) and at the First Municipal/Branch 48 court (2013-2018), where she presided over felony preliminary hearings, and reviewed bonds and search or arrest warrants for execution. Prior to becoming a judge, she worked as a Solo Practitioner at S.G. Ramos Ltd. (1993-2010), where she handled criminal defense cases, and as an Assistant State’s Attorney in the Cook County State’s Attorney Office (1986-1993).

Judge Ramos is considered to have good legal ability and temperament. Respondents find her a capable trial court judge, but the Council is concerned that she has had limited experience presiding over complex legal matters but she enjoys a reputation of being a solid trial court jurist. On balance, the Council finds her Qualified for the Appellate Court.

Hon. Michael Hyman – Highly Qualified

Hon. Michael Hyman was admitted to practice in 1977, Prior to taking the bench, he spent two years with the Illinois Attorney General’s Office, and then began a career with the law firm of Much Shelist. Since 2013, he has been on the Appellate Court by appointment, including his appointment to the seat vacated when Justice Neville was appointed to the Supreme Court in 2018. He was appointed to the Circuit Court in 2008, elected in 2008, and retained in 2014.

Justice Hyman is considered to have excellent legal ability and is reported to be always prepared. He is reported to be an active and thoughtful during oral arguments. In addition to opinions, he has published extensively. Respondents spoke highly of his professionalism and temperament. The Council finds him Highly Qualified for the Appellate Court.

Simon Vacancy

Hon. John C. Griffin – Well Qualified

Hon. John C. Griffin was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1976. Since 2018, he has served as a Judge of the Appellate Court of Illinois, First District. Prior to that, he served as a Cook County Circuit Court Judge, where he was assigned to the Law Division – Commercial Calendar T (2011-2018; Supervising Judge, 2013-2018), the Mortgage Foreclosure/Mechanics Lien Section of the Chancery Division (2008-2011), and Traffic Court in the First Municipal District (2008). Prior to becoming a judge, he was Partner/Owner at Griffin & Gallagher (1977-2008), where he handled civil litigation and real estate development and transactions.

Judge Griffin is considered to have excellent legal ability and to be both a sound researcher and hard-working. He is praised for the quality of his written opinions and he is reported to have good judicial temperament. He is a frequent contributor to judicial training sessions. The Council finds him Well Qualified for the Appellate Court.

Hon. Sharon O. Johnson -- Qualified

Hon. Sharon O. Johnson was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1996. Since 2010, she has served as a Cook County Circuit Court Judge, where her assignments have included the Sixth Municipal District (2015-present), the Domestic Relations Division, Daley Center (2015), Domestic Relations – Parentage and Child Support (2011-2015), and the Traffic Division (2010-2011). Prior to becoming a judge, she was Sole Practitioner at the Law Office of S.D. Oden, P.C. (1999-2010), where she handled real estate, contract, corporate, and family law matters. She was also an Adjunct Professor at Olive Harvey College (2002-2006), where she taught business law.

Judge Johnson is considered to have good legal ability and temperament. She is praised for being thoughtful and hard-working. Overall, she is reported to be an excellent jurist. The Council finds her Qualified for the Appellate Court.