Organizing the Data: Countywide Larsen vacancy

Updated March 14, 2020
Updated March 12, 2020
Updated March 11, 2020

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

Levander "Van" Smith, Jr. - #195

Campaign Website

Bar Association Evaluation Narratives

The Chicago Bar Association says:

Levander Smith, Jr. is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Smith was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1993 and is currently working in the Office of Legal Services at the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. Mr. Smith knows the law and has had varied practice experience. He is well regarded for his legal knowledge, work ethic, diligence, and fine temperament.

The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:

Hon. Levander Smith, Jr. was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1993 and was elected by the Circuit Judges in December 2019 to be an Associate Judge. Before taking the bench, he was a litigation attorney at the Illinois Department of Child and Family Services (DCFS). Previously he was supervisory regional counsel for DCFS (2011-2015) in St. Clair County, Illinois; Assistant Attorney General in the Office of the Attorney General in Missouri, Labor Division (2006-2011); associate at Cordell & Cordell, P.C. (2005); Assistant State’s Attorney in the Cook County State’s Attorney Office (2003-2004); intermediate attorney in the St. Louis (Missouri) Family Court (2000-2003); and regional counsel and field regional counsel at DCFS in Cook County (1993-1999) and St. Clair County (1999-2000).

Judge Smith has substantial litigation experience and is considered to have good legal ability. He is praised for his trial skills. He is reported to have good temperament. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.

The Illinois State Bar Association says:

Levander Smith, Jr. has been licensed since 1993. He was appointed to the circuit court in March 2019 and, subsequently, became an associate judge in January 2020. After first sitting in First Municipal – Traffic, he is currently assigned to Domestic Violence. Prior to his appointment he was Assistant Deputy General Counsel for the Department of Children and Family Services where he had worked twice, most recently from 2011 until 2019. Before that, he had been a prosecutor for two different counties – Cook and St. Louis, an associate with a firm, and an assistant attorney general in Missouri. He is a member of various bar associations serving on the boards of the Cook County Bar Association and the Lesbian and Gay Bar Association.

Attorneys report that he has an excellent understanding of the law, is sensitive to all, punctual, diligent, and fair. ISBA finds Judge Levander Smith, Jr. qualified to serve as a judge to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Other Bar Association Evaluations

Arab American Bar Association: Recommended

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

Endorsements

Cook County Democratic Party
Chicago Tribune
Chicago Federation of Labor
AMVOTE PAC
LGBTQ Victory Fund
Cong. Danny Davis
40th Ward Ald. Andre Vasquez
Dorothy Brown
Personal PAC
Advocates Society (Recommended)

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Suzanne Therese McEneely - #196

Campaign Website

Law Bulletin Questionnaire

Bar Association Evaluation Narratives

The Chicago Bar Association says:

Suzanne Therese McEneely is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. McEneely was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2001 and served as an associate at a law firm for one year before becoming an Assistant Cook County Public Defender. Ms. McEneely has extensive trial experience and is well regarded for her knowledge of the law, legal ability, excellent demeanor and integrity. Ms. McEneely is also actively involved in community service.

The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:

Suzanne McEneely was admitted to practice in 2001. She is a career Assistant Cook County Public Defender with the exception of her first year of practice when she was an associate with a civil litigation firm.

Ms. McEneely is considered to have good legal ability and is praised for her litigation skills and her diligence. She is also praised for her knowledge of the law. She has substantial litigation experience in more complex criminal law matters. The Council finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court.

The Illinois State Bar Association says:

Suzanne Therese McEneely has been licensed since 2001. After spending a year with a private insurance defense firm, she joined the Public Defender’s Office. She currently handles felony cases in the Second District (Skokie), including specialty and diversion courtrooms after previous assignments in Child Protection, Traffic, Domestic Violence, and First Municipal. She is a member of some bar associations and volunteers at her parish.

She has criminal jury and bench trial experience, and her work is respected by other attorneys. Comments received during the investigation were overwhelmingly positive as to her legal knowledge, diligence, ability to handle complex matters, sensitivity to diversity, and her temperament. ISBA finds Ms. Suzanne Therese McEneely qualified to serve as a judge to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Other Bar Association Evaluations

Arab American Bar Association: Recommended

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

41st Ward Regular Democratic Organization
38th Ward Ald. Nicholas Sposato
Chicago NOW PAC
Indo-American Democratic Organization
United Hellenic Voters of America
Advocates Society (Recommended)

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Megan Kathleen Mulay - #197

Campaign Website

Megan Kathleen Mulay: In her own words

Law Bulletin Questionnaire

Bar Association Evaluation Narratives

The Chicago Bar Association says:

Megan Kathleen Mulay is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Mulay was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1999 and has served as an Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney her entire career. Ms. Mulay is assigned to the George Leighton Criminal Court and serves as a First Chair in the Criminal Prosecutions Felony Division. Ms. Mulay has extensive trial experience and is well regarded for her knowledge of the law, legal ability, diligence, and excellent demeanor.

The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:

Megan Kathleen Mulay was admitted to practice in 1999. Ms. Mulay is currently an Assistant State’s Attorney within the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office. She serves as a First Chair in the Felony Trial Division. Ms. Mulay is responsible for the prosecution of over 300 active felony cases assigned to her courtroom. As a Felony Review Trial Supervisor, Ms. Mulay also manages and supervises a team of assistants responsible for all felony cases called in during their shift. She personally responds to police departments in Cook County when needed and has also presented witnesses before grand juries regarding homicide cases.

Ms. Mulay is a well respected prosecutor who is praised for her integrity and her courtroom skills. She is considered to have good legal ability. The Council finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court.

The Illinois State Bar Association says:

Megan Kathleen Mulay has been licensed since 1999. She is a career assistant state’s attorney currently assigned as a First Chair handling felony cases at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse. She is a member of several bar associations and has some community involvement. She has substantial criminal jury and bench trial experience, including complex matters. She received uniformly positive comments on her legal knowledge and ability, temperament, and diligence. A few attorneys, while commending her legal knowledge, did raise some concerns over her diligence in responding to discovery requests. ISBA finds Ms. Megan Kathleen Mulay qualified to serve as a judge to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Other Bar Association Evaluations

Arab American Bar Association: Recommended

Asian American Bar Association: Qualified

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

Endorsements

IVI-IPO
Fraternal Order of Police, Chicago Lodge No. 7
Italian American Police Association
Citizens in Action for Better Government

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