Saturday, March 07, 2020

Organizing the Data: 2nd Subcircuit - "A" vacancy

Updated March 12, 2020
Candidates are listed in the order that they appear on the ballot in the Democratic primary; no Republican filed for this vacancy.

Sondra Nicole Denmark - #231


Campaign Website

Law Bulletin Questionnaire

Bar Association Evaluation Narratives

The Chicago Bar Association says:
Sondra N. Denmark is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Denmark was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2004 and served as an Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney for 2 ½ years. Since 2008, Ms. Denmark has served as an Assistant State’s Attorney in Will County. Ms. Denmark resides in Cook County and previously served as a part-time hearing officer for the Village of Matteson. Ms. Denmark has trial experience and is well regarded for her knowledge of the law, fine demeanor, and excellent temperament.
The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:
Hon. Sondra Nicole Denmark was admitted to practice in 2004 and was appointed to the Circuit Court by the Illinois Supreme Court in 2018. Before taking the bench, she served as an Assistant Will County State’s Attorney since 2008, and was an Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney from 2004 to 2007. Ms. Denmark is considered to have good legal ability and temperament. She has substantial litigation experience. The Council finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court.
The Illinois State Bar Association says:
Sondra Nicole Denmark as admitted to the Illinois bar in 2004. She was appointment to the circuit court in December 2018 and currently sits in the First Municipal District. At the time of her appointment, she had been an assistant state’s attorney in Will County for ten years handling felonies. Before that, she was a sole practitioner for a year, and a Cook County assistant state’s attorney for three years. She served as an administrative hearing officer for the Village of Matteson for two years as well.

She is considered to have a good knowledge and was praised for her professionalism, preparation and fairness. As an attorney, she litigated a substantial number of criminal jury and bench trials. ISBA finds Judge Sondra Nicole Denmark qualified to serve as a judge to the Circuit Court of Cook County.
Other Bar Association Evaluations

Arab American Bar Association: Not evaluated through no fault of the candidate

Asian American Bar Association: Recommended

Black Women Lawyers' Association: Recommended

Cook County Bar Association: Recommended

Decalogue Society of Lawyers: Recommended

Hellenic Bar Association of Illinois: Recommended

Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois: Recommended

Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago: Highly Recommended

Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois: Recommended

Women's Bar Association of Illinois: Recommended

Endorsements
Chicago Tribune
Chicago Federation of Labor
AMVOTE PAC
LGTBQ Impact
Personal PAC
South Suburban News
The Soul Slate
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Felicia H. Simmons-Stovall - #232





Campaign Website

Law Bulletin Questionnaire

Bar Association Evaluation Narratives

The Chicago Bar Association says:
Felicia H. Simmons-Stovall is “Not Recommended” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Simmons-Stovall was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1996 and is currently employed as an enforcement attorney in the Department of Securities, Illinois Secretary of State’s Office. Ms. Simmons-Stovall has extensive administrative law experience but lacks the depth and breadth of practice and court experience to effectively serve as a Circuit Court Judge.
The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:
Felicia H. Simmons-Stovall was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1996. Since 2006, she has served as an Enforcement Attorney in the Illinois Department of Securities. Previously, worked for the Administrative Hearings division of the Illinois Secretary of State as an Administrative Formal Hearing Officer (2000-2006) and a Prosecutor/Representative (1999-2000). She provides pro bono services at the Apostolic Church of God, where she organizes legal workshops, and at the annual Second Chance Expungement Summit at the office of the Clerk of Circuit Court of Cook County.

Felicia H. Simmons-Stovall is considered to have good legal ability and has a variety of legal experiences. She is generally praised for her professional demeanor. The Council finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court.
The Illinois State Bar Association says:
Felicia H. Simmons-Stovall was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1996. She is currently an enforcement attorney in the Department of Securities for the Illinois Secretary of State. In the past she has had a private civil practice and been a prosecutor and administrative hearing officer for the Secretary of State. She has served on committees with the Cook County Bar Association.

While attorneys consider her to be a hard worker with knowledge of her specific area of law, concerns were raised about the depth and breadth of her overall legal experience and her lack of jury and other complex litigation. ISBA finds Ms. Felicia H. Simmons-Stovall not qualified to serve as a judge to the Circuit Court of Cook County.
Other Bar Association Evaluations

Arab American Bar Association: Not evaluated through no fault of the candidate

Asian American Bar Association: Not evaluated through no fault of the candidate

Black Women Lawyers' Association: Recommended

Cook County Bar Association: Recommended

Decalogue Society of Lawyers: Recommended

Hellenic Bar Association of Illinois: Recommended

Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois: Recommended

Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago: Recommended

Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois: Recommended

Women's Bar Association of Illinois: Recommended

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Chelsey R. Robinson - #233


Campaign Website

Law Bulletin Questionnaire

Bar Association Evaluation Narratives

The Chicago Bar Association says:
Chelsey R. Robinson is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Robinson was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1996 and is currently in private practice concentrating in criminal and family law. Ms. Robinson has a wide range of practice experience and is well regarded for her knowledge of the law and diligence.
The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:
Chelsey R. Robinson was admitted to practice in 1996. She is a Partner in a small firm where she handles civil and criminal litigation matters. Her practice also includes bankruptcy and employment discrimination matters in federal court. She is widely praised for her legal ability and for her knowledge of the law. She has litigation experience in a variety of matters in both state and federal courts. The Council finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court.
The Illinois State Bar Association says:
Chelsey R. Robinson has been licensed since 1996. She is a founding partner of Owens & Robinson, a general practice handling both criminal and civil matters. She is also a legal consultant to the Judge Mathis television program. She is a member of some bar associations, a volunteer at the Juvenile Detention Center and is active with other community organizations. She has limited jury and bench trial activities and limited experience with complex matters.

While she is considered to be ethical and honest, attorneys gave mixed comments as to the depth and breadth of her overall legal experience. ISBA finds Ms. Chelsey R. Robinson not qualified to serve as a judge to the Circuit Court of Cook County.
Other Bar Association Evaluations

Arab American Bar Association: Not evaluated through no fault of the candidate

Asian American Bar Association: Recommended

Black Women Lawyers' Association: Recommended

Cook County Bar Association: Recommended

Decalogue Society of Lawyers: Recommended

Hellenic Bar Association of Illinois: Recommended

Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois: Recommended

Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago: Recommended

Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois: Recommended

Women's Bar Association of Illinois: Recommended

Endorsement
IVI-IPO

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