ISBA releases narratives of its ratings of Appellate Court candidates

The Illinois State Bar Association has released its narrative explanations of the ratings issued to candidates seeking judicial offices in Cook County in the upcoming primary.

The ISBA's full report can be accessed from this page of the ISBA website. (Note to any Downstate readers who may happen across this post, ISBA evaluations of Downstate judicial candidates can also be obtained starting at that same page.)

Downstate ISBA evaluations are done by practitioner surveys. In Cook County, the ISBA participates as a member of the Alliance of Bar Associations for Judicial Screening (which also includes the Arab American Bar Association, the Asian American Bar Association, the Black Women Lawyers Association, the Chicago Council of Lawyers, the Cook County Bar Association, the Decalogue Society of Lawyers, the Hellenic Bar Association, the Hispanic Lawyers’ Association of Illinois, the Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago, the Puerto Rican Bar Association, and the Women’s Bar Association of Illinois) in investigating candidates.

Candidates seeking screening from the Alliance must complete a lengthy questionnaire (a questionnaire that is similar to, but sufficiently different from, the separate Chicago Bar Association questionnaire that completion of one will not suffice for the other). Investigators will be assigned by the Alliance from any of the member groups; thus, ISBA members are not necessarily involved in the vetting of any candidate's written application (calling references, reviewing written submissions, and so forth). When that phase of the investigation is completed, and after medical waivers and ARDC (or JIB) waivers are obtained, a hearing is scheduled for the applicant. All Alliance groups are asked to participate in these hearings. Each evaluator at the hearings will have the benefit of the Alliance investigators' work, even though the investigators may not be associated with the evaluator's bar group.

So all the Alliance members start with the same investigative materials, and participate in the same candidate interviews -- but, because each group has their own evaluators present for the interviews, they do not always reach the same conclusions.

Without further adieu, then, the ISBA ratings for the candidates for the Illinois Appellate Court:

Neville Jr. Vacancy

Maureen Patricia O’Leary -- Not Qualified

Maureen Patricia O’Leary has been licensed since 2002. She is currently the vice president for Claims and Litigation and Aperion Care managing professional liability lawsuits for nursing home facilities. Prior to taking that position in 2014, she has been in private practice focusing on civil law, both with a firm and with her own practice. Early in her career she worked as an assistant corporation counsel and as an assistant state’s attorney. She is a member of various bar associations.

While attorneys report that she is well-versed in her specific area of health care law, she lacks litigation experience and has no experience appearing before the Appellate Court. ISBA finds Ms. Maureen Patricia O’Leary not qualified to serve as a justice to the Illinois Appellate Court – First District.

Carolyn J. Gallagher -- Not Qualified

Carolyn J. Gallagher was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1982. She was elected to the circuit court in 2016 and was initially assigned to the Traffic Division. She was later assigned to the Housing Division and in August of 2018 was assigned to the Probate Division. Prior to her judicial service she was a sole practitioner handling a variety of commercial, real estate and appellate matters.

In her relatively brief time on the bench, she has not yet presided over matters of sufficient variety and complexity to enable her to acquire the knowledge and experience needed for advancement to the Appellate Court. ISBA finds Judge Carolyn J. Gallagher not qualified to serve as a justice to the Illinois Appellate Court – First District.

Sandra Gisela Ramos -- Not Qualified

Sandra Gisela Ramos was admitted in 1986. She was elected to the circuit court in 2010 and retained in 2016. She is currently assigned to the Law Division – Trial Section after previous assignments in First Municipal and Traffic Court. She was an assistant state’s attorney and a sole practitioner prior to her election. She is a founder of the Illinois Latino Judges Association.

While she is considered to be even keeled and diligent, she has insufficient complex civil trial experience at this time. ISBA finds Judge Sandra Gisela Ramos not qualified to serve as a justice to the Illinois Appellate Court – First District.

Michael B. Hyman -- Highly Qualified

Michael B. Hyman has been licensed since 1977. He was appointed to the Appellate Court – First District in 2018. In 2006 he was appointed to the circuit court, elected in 2008 and retained in 2014. In 2013 he was assigned to the Appellate Court after serving in Chancery, Domestic Relations and First Municipal. Prior to his appointment to the bench, he spent the majority of his career at Much Shelist focusing on securities, antitrust and fraud litigation. He has served as president of the Illinois Judges Association, the Chicago Bar Association, the Jewish Judges Association, and the Decalogue Society of Lawyers; in addition, he has been an assembly and committee member of the Illinois State Bar Association. He writes and speaks frequently on legal topics and sits on several Supreme Court committees. He is the recipient of numerous awards.

Attorneys overwhelmingly praised his legal knowledge, intelligence and preparation. He asks pertinent questions in oral arguments and his written opinions are well-reasoned and timely. ISBA finds Judge Michael B. Hyman highly qualified to serve as a justice to the Illinois Appellate Court – First District.

Simon Vacancy

John Griffin -- Highly Qualified

John Griffin was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1976. He was appointed to the Appellate Court – First District in 2018. In 2008 he was appointed to the circuit court, elected in 2010 and retained in 2016. His assignments in the circuit court included five years as supervising judge of the Commercial Calendar Section in the Law Division, Traffic and Mortgage Foreclosures and Mechanics Liens. Before his appointment to the bench he had a general civil private practice. He has been a speaker on legal topics, edited and wrote part of the Mortgage Foreclosure Bench Book, and is a member of various bar associations and Supreme Court committees.

Attorneys praised him as a hard worker and solid researcher with outstanding legal knowledge and ability. His written opinions are clear and understandable, and he is respectful to all. ISBA finds Judge John Griffin highly qualified to serve as a justice to the Illinois Appellate Court – First District.

Sharon O. Johnson -- Qualified

Sharon O. Johnson was admitted in 1996. She was elected to the circuit court in 2010 and retained in 2016. After previous assignments in Traffic and Domestic Relations, she currently sits in Domestic Relations in the Sixth Municipal District (Markham). At the time of her election, she owned a solo general practice. She is past chair of the Illinois Judicial Council, speaks on legal topics, a member of several bar associations, sits on several Supreme Court committees, and is the
recipient of some awards.

Attorneys generally reported that she is bright and prepared with good legal knowledge, though a few expressed concern over the breadth of her experience. She is patient with litigants and has a calm demeanor. ISBA finds Judge Sharon O. Johnson qualified to serve as a justice to the Illinois Appellate Court – First District.