As you know by now, there are 246 lawyers actively seeking to be named as Cook County associate judges.
The names of each hopeful were included in this post. The Chief Judge has asked members of the public to provide written comment about any of these candidates. (And we covered this in the comments to the last post, but let me reiterate: Anonymous comments here are not an acceptable substitute.)
After that post appeared, Joyce Williams, the Administrator for the Alliance of Bar Associations for Judicial Screening, contacted FWIW to advise that the Alliance would also welcome comments from the public about associate judge candidates.
Ms. Williams does not need any defamatory voice mails with clumsily disguised voices. But persons having relevant information about associate judge candidates can write to the Alliance, c/o Ms. Joyce Williams, Illinois State Bar Association, 20 South Clark Street - Suite 900, Chicago, IL 60603-1802. Perhaps those planning to send a letter to Judge Evans could send a copy to the Alliance as well.
And before someone offers a snarky comment about associate judge hopefuls now getting their moms to write two letters, let me tell you: There are attorneys out there who scan the list of hopefuls and, without being asked, send very nice letters about one or more individuals. I actually found out about one such letter during an interview with the Circuit Court Nominating Committee. As you can see, it didn't put me over the top.... but I was deeply touched and profoundly grateful that someone made that effort on my behalf.
Letters sent to the Alliance will be forwarded to the investigators conducting evaluations of associate judge candidates.
Here we go again with the Alliance of Bar Associations. Most of these groups contain no more than a handful of lawyers. They won't explain their evaluation process or how to appeal an unfavorable rating and because the executive committee will only consider candidates that do not receive any negative ratings, it is so easy to sandbag someone from getting to the final list. Heh, remember that lawyer that
ReplyDeletefiled for sanctions against you in a divorce case and the Judge granted it. His/her name is on the list. Now is the time to call my buddy who is a member of XYZ Bar Assoc and get that lawyer a NR rating. Or maybe you think there are too many former SAs or PDs as Judges now.
The process needs to change in that these associations need to open their books to Evans to prove they represent who they claim to represent or have a rep appear before the ex comm to explain the negative rating. Or even discard the perfect or nothing score currently used.
Jack please don't flush this. I know this happens. Post and let's see if others agree.
I totally agree and believe they should do away with the whole system which is why I just ran. I guess I did take the “you should just run” advice. Hahaha
DeleteWell you all know what I think should do but Jack thinks I am hawking a good or service.
ReplyDeleteSkip the bar associations. Skip the advisors. Skip the hawked goods and/or services. Skip the committee creatures. Madigan is done. Burke is done. Grow some spines and do your thing.
ReplyDeleteCarpe Diem!
Or you could just grow some spine and run — paying nobody for a good or service.
ReplyDeleteCaptain Chaos says the more the merrier. Evans should reopen the process to allow for even more applicants.
ReplyDeleteRun! Run Fast! Run! This is not a commercial. It is a call to action to disrupt the machinery that holds us all down.
ReplyDeleteWhich one is connected to . . . oh, never mind. I see her now. Doubt Mr. Speaker (the new one) has enough juice to make it happen.
ReplyDeleteScrew the Alliance. Screw the CBA. Screw the Party. Screw the Tribune. Screw the CFL. Screw Injustice Watch. Screw JAPAC and Shiller. Run rabbits run.
ReplyDelete