Chicago Council of Lawyers issues ratings for candidates in Subcircuits 13, 14, and 15

For more about the methodology used by the Chicago Council of Lawyers in its evaluations, visit this prior post on FWIW. For the complete report of the Council on candidates seeking judicial vacancies in the June 28 primary, click here.

These are the ratings for candidates seeking judicial vacancies in the 13th, 14th, and 15th Subcircuits issued today by the Chicago Council of Lawyers:

13th Subcircuit, Groebner Vacancy

Republican Candidates

Alice Christine Svenson -- Qualified
Alice Christine Svenson was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1995. She is the Principal at Svenson Law Offices, where she focuses on family law, federal and state election law, and employment law. Previously, she handled workers compensation cases at Stone and Johnson (Associate and Partner, 1998-2008) and at Ridge and Downes (Associate, 1995-1998). She has participated in serval bar associations including the Republican National Lawyers Association, where she served on the Board of Governors and as the Finance Chair and the Illinois State Chapter Chair. She has provided pro bono legal services to divorced fathers through the organization Fathers Helping Fathers.

Ms. Svenson has a variety of legal experiences, including litigation experience in workers compensation cases and domestic relations matters. She has relatively little recent trial experience, although she maintains a motion practice. Respondents say she has demonstrative good litigation skills and she is reported to have a good temperament. There have been a few client complaints concerning her diligence, but on balance, she appears to be a good practitioner. The Council finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court.

Gary W. Seyring -- Qualified
Gary W. Seyring was admitted to practice in 1978. He is also a Certified Public Accountant. He is a solo practitioner focusing on domestic relations, real estate, estate planning, tax planning, and business law. A substantial percentage of Mr. Seyring’s practice involves litigation. He is considered to have good legal ability and temperament. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.

Dominic J. Buttitta, Jr. -- Qualified
Dominic Buttitta, Jr was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2010. He began his legal career with the McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office where during a span of 3 years he achieved the position of lead trial attorney. He then went into private practice as a partner in a small firm, doing criminal defense, family law, civil litigation, and personal injury matters. In 2015 he opened his own practice where he is the managing partner. He has substantial bench and jury trial experience in a variety of areas. He is active in community activities.

Dominic Buttitta is widely praised as an attorney with good legal ability and a go-to person for advice by other attorneys. He is reported to have a good temperament and to be well prepared and organized in his practice. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.

Democratic Candidates

James Costello -- Qualified
James Costello was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 2007. He has spent his career as an Assistant State’s Attorney in the Cook County State’s Attorney Office, where since 2019 he has served in the Special Prosecutions Bureau, Public Corruption and Financial Crimes Unit (he is currently First Chair). He has also served in the Felony Trial Division (2016-2019), the Felony Review and Preliminary Hearings Unit (2013-2016), the Misdemeanors/Traffic/Preliminary Hearings Units at the Markham courthouse (2009-2013), and Criminal Appeals in the Daley Center (2007-2009).

Mr. Costello is considered to have good legal ability and is especially praised for his temperament. He is reported to be knowledgeable and fair with lawyers and litigants. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.

Joe Gump -- Qualified
Joseph Michael Gump was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1987. He has spent his legal career at the Office of the Cook County Public Defender, where he was a Felony Trial Assistant.

Joseph Michael Gump is considered to have good legal ability and is praised for being a zealous advocate. He has substantial litigation experience in complex matters, and is praised for his knowledge of the law as well as for his research skills. He is praises for his judicial temperament. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.

14th Subcircuit, Brown Vacancy

Iris Y. Chavira -- Not Recommended
Iris Y. Chavira did not participate in the evaluation process. The Council finds her Not Recommended for the Circuit Court.

14th Subcircuit, Jagielski Vacancy

Steve Demitro -- Qualified
Steve Demitro was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 2000. Since that time, he has been a Solo Practitioner. His practice is concentrated on torts (personal injury), but he also handles some criminal law, domestic relations, real estate, probate, and chancery matters.

Mr. Demitro is considered to have good legal ability and is praised for his temperament. He is very active in community affairs. He has had substantial litigation experience, particularly in recent years. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.

Viviana Martinez -- Qualified
Viviana Martinez was admitted to practice in 2007. She currently serves as the Deputy General Counsel for the Chicago Public Schools. Between 2018 and 2022, she served as a Cook County Government Special Assistant Legal Counsel. In that role, she acted as legal advisor and counsel to the bureau chief or director in all matters related to the statutory authority and execution of powers of Cook County government departments and bureaus. She provided assistance in interpreting the legal ramifications of proposals, policy directives and other actions. From 2013 to 2018 she served as a deputy general counsel within the Cook County President’s Office and she was Chief of Staff and General Counsel from 2010 to 2013. She served with the Illinois Attorney General’s Office in 2008. She has served as a hearing officer for pre-disciplinary hearings for Cook County offices under the Cook County President Viviana Martinez is considered to have good legal ability and has excelled in the variety of professional positions she has had. She is reported to be well respected for her knowledge and for her managerial skills. She is praised for her temperament and is active in community activities. She has limited trial and litigation experience, but in looking at her successful career in its entirety, the Council finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court.

Jorge Cazares -- Qualified
Jorge Cazares was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1990. He is also licensed in various federal courts. He first joined Altheimer & Gray as on associate, and then went to Pugh, Jones & Johnson from 1992-2006 where he became partner. He served as general counsel to the Chicago Housing Authority from 2007-2008 and then returned to Pugh, Jones from 2009 to 2020. He joined Hinshaw Culbertson as a partner in February 2020 handling complex civil cases, employment discrimination cases, and contract work. He was the Chief Ethics and Chief EEO Officer for the CHA from 2017-2019. He is active in pro bono activities.

Mr. Cazares is considered to have very good legal ability. He has substantial trial work in complex cases and extensive motion practice. He is praised for his temperament and integrity. He is praised as an excellent trial attorney. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.

15th Subcircuit, Lawler Vacancy

Bernadette Barrett -- Qualified
Bernadette Barrett was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1991. As a Solo Practitioner at Bernadette Garrison Barrett, P.C (2019-present) and as an Attorney at Barrett & Sramek (1991-2018), where has concentrated primarily in domestic relations, civil litigation, corporate law, and personal injury cases. She has also worked as an Attorney at Carpls (1998-1999) and since 2018 has been a Board Member and Attorney for Rise from the Ashes, where she provides pro bono legal services to victims of domestic violence. She is a member in good standing of several bar associations, including the Southwest Bar Association, where she is a Past President.

Bernadette Barrett is considered to be a seasoned attorney with good legal ability. She has substantial experience in more complex matters. She is reported to have good temperament and is praised for her willingness to be a mentor to other attorneys. The Council finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court.

Jim Gleffe -- Not Qualified
James Gleffe was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 2007. Since December 2020, he has served as Deputy Chief of Staff and Labor Counsel for the Cook County Clerk’s Office. Previously, he worked for the Cook County Recorder of Deeds Office as Chief Deputy Recorder/Chief of Staff (2018-2020) and Chief Legal Counsel (2014-2018); for Illinois Secretary of State Securities Department as Chief Deputy Director (2012-2013) and Enforcement Attorney (2009-2012); and as a Prosecutor in the Municipal Prosecutions Division of the City of Chicago Department of Law (2007-2009).

Mr. Gleffe is considered to have good legal ability and is praised for his temperament. The Council is concerned about his lack of sufficient direct litigation experience. He has substantial experience overseeing litigation being conducted by others, and is often actively involved in providing advice and counsel to agency staff engaged in litigation. Earlier in his career, Mr. Gleffe represented an agency in administrative hearings. On balance, the Council finds him Not Qualified for the Circuit Court.