CBA issues ratings for Cook County judicial candidates seeking countywide vacancies

The Chicago Bar Association has now released its evaluations of all candidates for judicial positions in the upcoming primary. In this post we look at the CBA's evaluations of candidates seeking countywide vacancies. For more about the methodology employed by the CBA in arriving at its ratings, see this FWIW post or the complete CBA "Judge Smart" Guide. The guide can be accessed from this page of the CBA website; click here to access the complete CBA "'Judge Smart' Guide" in .pdf form.

Herewith, then, the CBA's ratings for candidates seeking countywide vacancies:

Brennan Vacancy

HOWARD B. BROOKINS, JR. -- QUALIFIED
Howard B. Brookins, Jr. is “Qualified” to serve as a Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Brookins was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1988. After brief stints at the Public Defender and State’s Attorney’s offices, he went into private practice. He has handled a variety of types of cases, including civil, criminal, appellate, and real estate. He has tried cases in state and federal courts. Mr. Brookins is qualifed to serve as a Circuit Court Judge based on his legal knowledge and experience and his excellent temperament and demeanor.

UBI O. O’NEAL -- NOT RECOMMENDED
Ubi O’Neal declined to participate in the Judicial Evaluation Committee (JEC) screening process and, therefore, according to The Chicago Bar Association’s governing resolution for the JEC, is automatically found NOT RECOMMENDED.

LISA MICHELLE TAYLOR -- QUALIFIED
Lisa Taylor is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Taylor was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2001. She has over 20 years of experience, primarily in private practice for several law firms working in insurance, tort, and other civil litigation areas. She is well regarded by judges and adversaries for her legal knowledge, temperament, and integrity.

Callahan, Jr. Vacancy

MARY BERNADETTE McMAHON -- HIGHLY QUALIFIED
Mary Bernadette McMahon is “Highly Qualified” to serve as a Circuit Court Judge. Ms. McMahon was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2005. She has been an Assistant State’s Attorney since she was admitted to practice. She is currently a supervisor in the criminal division where she has vast experience in criminal law. Ms. McMahon has extensive trial experience and is well regarded by her colleagues and judges before whom she has appeared for her knowledge of the law, work ethic, diligence, and excellent temperament.

SUZANNE THERESE MC ENEELY -- QUALIFIED
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.

TRACIE PORTER -- QUALIFIED
Judge Tracie R. Porter is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Judge Porter was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1994. Prior to her appointment to the bench in October 2021, Judge Porter worked in private practice in the areas of real estate, probate, and general litigation. She also worked as a law professor teaching courses in legal writing, real estate, estate planning, and business organizations. Judge Porter is well regarded for her knowledge of the law, legal experience, integrity, diligence, and excellent demeanor.

Cannon Vacancy

DIANA LOPEZ -- QUALIFIED
Judge Diana Lopez is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Judge Lopez was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2001. Prior to being appointed an Associate Judge in October 2021, she was in private practice representing clients in domestic relations and adoption cases. She also acted frequently as a Guardian ad Litem representing children. She is well respected for her legal knowledge, experience, work ethic, integrity, and temperament.

MONICA G. SOMERVILLE -- QUALIFIED
Monica G. Somerville is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Somerville was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1990. She has varied practice experience and service in the public sector. Ms. Somerville is well regarded for her legal knowledge, temperament, and diligence. She has the requisite experience to serve as a Circuit Court Judge.

MABLE TAYLOR -- NOT RECOMMENDED
Mable Taylor declined to participate in the Judicial Evaluation Committee (JEC) screening process and, therefore, according to The Chicago Bar Association’s governing resolution for the JEC, is automatically found NOT RECOMMENDED.

Hyman Vacancy

THOMAS E. NOWINSKI -- QUALIFIED
Thomas Nowinski is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Nowinski was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2004 and is currently serving as Supervisor of the Litigation Unit of the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office. Mr. Nowinski has substantial court and trial experience and is well regarded for his integrity, knowledge of the law, and legal experience.

CARMEN MIGDALIA QUINONES -- QUALIFIED
Carmen Migdalia Quinones is “Qualified” to serve as a Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Quinones was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1989. She is a solo practitioner with a focus primarily in domestic relations matters. Ms. Quinones is an experienced lawyer with strong empathy for her domestic relations clients and useful background in psychology. She is well regarded by judges whom she has appeared before and opposing counsel for her calm demeanor, fine temperament, and legal experience.

Ingram Vacancy

ELIZABETH “BETH” RYAN -- QUALIFIED
Elizabeth “Beth” Ryan is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Ryan was admitted to practice law in 2004 and is currently a solo practitioner concentrating in personal injury, corporate litigation, and social security disability law. Ms. Ryan is well regarded by her peers and by the judges before whom she has appeared for her knowledge of the law and legal ability.

YOLANDA HARRIS SAYRE -- QUALIFIED
Yolanda Sayre is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Sayre was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1995. Since 1997, Ms. Sayre has served as an Attorney for the Education and Training Division for the Chicago Police Department. In that role, Ms. Sayre is responsible for drafting materials for training police personnel on criminal, civil, and juvenile procedure. Ms. Sayre is also a hearing officer for the Cook County Board of Elections and has conducted over 50 hearings for the Board of Elections. Since 1996, Ms. Sayre has also maintained a general practice and has handled a wide variety of legal matters. Ms. Sayre possesses the legal knowledge, experience, and ability to serve as a Circuit Court Judge.

Leeming Vacancy

RENA MARIE VAN TINE -- HIGHLY QUALIFIED
Judge Rena Van Tine is “Highly Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Judge Van Tine was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1986, became an Associate Judge in 2001 and was appointed a Circuit Court Judge in February 2021. Prior to becoming a judge, she had extensive litigation experience. Judge Van Tine was assigned to the Child Protection Division for 17 years. She currently sits in the Law Division. Judge Van Tine is an experienced jurist well regarded for her work ethic, integrity, and temperament.

WENDE WILLIAMS -- NOT RECOMMENDED
Wende Williams declined to participate in the Judicial Evaluation Committee (JEC) screening process and, therefore, according to The Chicago Bar Association’s governing resolution for the JEC, is automatically found NOT RECOMMENDED.

Lynch Vacancy

DEIDRE BAUMANN -- NOT RECOMMENDED*
Deidre Baumann is “Not Recommended” for the office of Associate Judge. Ms. Baumann was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1992 and handles a variety of appellate and civil court matters. Significant concerns were raised about Ms. Baumann’s professionalism, diligence, and organizational skills in managing client matters. Additional concerns about Ms. Baumann’s knowledge of the law and knowledge and adherence to court rules and procedures resulted in her “Not Recommended” finding.

PAUL JOYCE -- QUALIFIED
Paul Joyce is “Qualified” to serve as a Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Joyce was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1991. He is an Assistant State’s Attorney with significant trial experience in both jury and bench trials. He is held in high esteem by his adversaries and the judges before whom he appears for his legal knowledge, character, integrity, temperament, and work ethic.

MICHAEL WEAVER -- QUALIFIED
Michael Weaver is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Weaver was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2006 and is engaged in private practice at a major Chicago law firm concentrating his practice in civil and commercial litigation. Mr. Weaver handles a variety of complex legal matters and is well regarded for his knowledge of the law, extensive experience, and fine demeanor.
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 * Pursuant to Section 27.4 of the JEC Resolutions and Procedures, a candidate who has been evaluated and found "NOT RECOMMENDED" for the office of Associate Judge and who shall within three years of such a finding be a candidate for Circuit Judge shall be found "NOT RECOMMENDED" without hearing.

McGury Vacancy

RUTH ISABEL GUDINO -- QUALIFIED
Judge Ruth I. Gudino is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Judge Gudino was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1995. After short tenures in the Public Guardian’s Office and UAW-GM Legal Services Plan, she joined the Office of the State’s Attorney in 1998. She tried over 300 cases, including more than 50 jury trials, to verdict. She served as Supervisor of the Juvenile Justice Bureau and of Criminal Prosecutions at the Maywood Courthouse. Judge Gudino was appointed to Cook County Circuit Court Judge in October 2021. Judge Gudino is well regarded for her legal knowledge, extensive trial experience, and excellent demeanor and temperament.

CHELSEY RENECE ROBINSON -- QUALIFIED
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.

O'Brien Vacancy

ARACELI DE LA CRUZ -- QUALIFIED
Araceli De La Cruz is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. De La Cruz was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2001 and served as an Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney from 2001-2009. From 2009-2014, Ms. De La Cruz served as Deputy Chief of Staff, Chicago Transit Authority, Chief Safety and Security Officer with Executive oversight for compliance. From 2014-2016, Ms. De La Cruz served as Chief of General Prosecutions for the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Since 2016, Ms. De La Cruz has served as General Counsel and Chief Administrative Officer for Acero Charter Schools. Ms. De La Cruz is hardworking and well regarded for her knowledge of the law, legal ability, trial and managerial skills, and excellent temperament.

JACQUELINE MARIE GRIFFIN -- QUALIFIED
Jacqueline Marie Griffin is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Griffin was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2005 and has served as an Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney her entire career. Ms. Griffin is currently a trial attorney in the Sex Assault and Domestic Violence Unit in the Felony Trial Division. Ms. Griffin has extensive criminal and civil trial experience and is well regarded for her knowledge of the law, fairness, and fine demeanor.

DAN BALANOFF -- NOT RECOMMENDED
Dan Balanoff declined to participate in the Judicial Evaluation Committee (JEC) screening process and, therefore, according to The Chicago Bar Association’s governing resolution for the JEC, is automatically found NOT RECOMMENDED.

Sullivan Vacancy

THOMAS MORE DONNELLY -- QUALIFIED
Judge Thomas More Donnelly is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Judge Donnelly was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1986. He has been an Associate Judge since 2003. Judge Donnelly has served in a number of divisions of the Circuit Court over his judicial career and is currently assigned to Law Division Jury Trials, a role in which he presides over major jury trials. He also teaches as an adjunct instructor at Loyola University’s law school and is involved in other law-related public service activities. Judge Donnelly is very well regarded for his knowledge of the law, legal ability, work ethic, diligence and excellent temperament.

CLAUDIA SILVA-HERNANDEZ -- NOT RECOMMENDED Claudia Silva-Hernandez declined to participate in the Judicial Evaluation Committee (JEC) screening process and, therefore, according to The Chicago Bar Association’s governing resolution for the JEC, is automatically found NOT RECOMMENDED.

MERIDTH VANAE HAMMER -- NOT RECOMMENDED
Meridth Hammer is “Not Recommended” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Hammer was admitted to practice law in Indiana in 2001. She was a sole practitioner with a focus on probate, trust, estate planning and real estate. Ms. Hammer became licensed to practice law in Illinois in March 2020. She recently served as Associate General Counsel at the Office of Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County. Ms. Hammer’s failure to disclose personal litigation along with concerns about her limited litigation experience resulted in the “Not Recommended” finding.