For candidates participating in the evaluation process, the ISBA issues one of three ratings: "Highly Qualified", "Qualified", or "Not Qualified". Candidates who fail or refuse to participate in the evaluation are automatically rated "Not Recommended."
The ISBA says that its ratings "reflect the [Judicial Evaulation] Committee's opinion of whether candidates have the necessary qualifications for judicial service or ascension to a higher office and are not a reflection of the candidates' abilities as lawyers or judges."
13th Subcircuit, Groebner Vacancy
Republican Candidates
Christine Svenson -- Qualified
Christine Svenson was admitted in 1995. She opened her own practice in 2008 focusing on domestic, chancery, workers’ compensation, and tort matters. She is also a mediator and an arbitrator and did civil litigation with two firms. She has minimal jury trial experience and some bench trial experience. Most attorneys reported positive comments on her diligence, and she is considered to have sound knowledge of workers’ compensation. She has community involvement.
The Committee finds Christine Svenson qualified for election to the Circuit Court on Cook County.
Gary William Seyring -- Qualified
Gary William Seyring has been licensed since 1978. He has been a private practitioner since with his own practice: Law Offices of Gary Seyring, focusing on various areas of civil law including domestic relations, real estate, probate and estate planning, and business law. He has taught at Roosevelt University, been active on committees with the Chicago Bar Association and the Northwest Suburban Bar Association and assisted military families with tax preparation through a pro bono program. He is on the board of the Illinois Youth Soccer Association.
He is considered to be a well-prepared litigator with good writing skills. He has a diverse clientele and is patient and calm. He has substantial civil trial experience including in complex matters.
The Committee finds Gary William Seyring qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.
Dominic J. Buttitta, Jr. -- Qualified
Dominic J. Buttitta, Jr. was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2010. He first spent three years as an assistant state’s attorney in McHenry County, then went into private practice with Carponelli and Buttitta. In 2015 he opened his present practice, Buttitta Law Group, focusing on criminal defense and family law. He is a member of various bar associations.
He has both jury and bench trial experience in criminal matters. Lawyers reported that he has a strong work ethic, is able to see core issues quickly, and makes sure to do his own research. He is considered to be very fair, kind and even-tempered.
The Committee finds Dominic J. Buttitta, Jr. qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.
Democratic Candidates
James “Jack” Costello -- Qualified
James Costello has been licensed since 2007. He is a career prosecutor currently assigned to the Public Corruption/Financial Crimes Unity; before his assignment there in 2019, he worked in the Felony Trial Division, Misdemeanors/Traffic, and Appeals. He has been a speaker and guest lecturer at both law schools and high schools, and coached mock trial teams. He is a Board Member of the Arlington Heights Historical Society.
He has substantial jury and bench trial experience in criminal matters, including in complex cases. Attorneys praised his legal skills and ability, and analytical skills. He is reported to be of high integrity, even-keeled and fair.
The Committee finds James Costello qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.
Joe Gump -- Qualified
Joe Gump was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1987. He was a career assistant public defender who recently retired from that office. After spending eleven years in the Appeals Division, he moved to Felony Trial in the Third Municipal District (Rolling Meadows). He has also handled real estate matters. He served in many leadership positions in AFSCME Local 3315, the public defenders’ union, including president, vice-president, chief steward, and as a bargaining committee member. He is considered to be a strong advocate and an experienced trial attorney who gets good dispositions for his clients.
Attorneys and judges reported that he writes well and has excellent research skills, is sensitive to diversity and even-keeled. A few indicated that at time punctuality was an issue, though others attributed any issues there to the number of cases and nature of the job. He has substantial trial experience, including in complex matters, and also handled many appeals in his career.
The Committee finds Joe Gump qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.
14th Subcircuit, Brown Vacancy
Iris Y. Chavira -- Not Recommended
Iris Y. Chavira declined to participate in the judicial evaluation process. Pursuant to ISBA guidelines, Ms. Iris Y. Chavira is found to be not recommended for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.
14th Subcircuit, Jagielski Vacancy
Steve Demitro -- Qualified
Steve Demitro has been licensed since 2000. He has been a sole practitioner his entire career with a general practice handling mainly torts, but also some criminal, domestic relations, real estate, and probate matters. He was a hearing officer for the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District and an arbitrator for seventeen years. He is currently the Vice President of the Ukrainian National Museum, has lectured on legal topics to students, and is involved in other community organizations in the McKinley Park area.
He has limited bench trial experience. Most attorneys who have worked with him or appeared before him stated that he has good legal knowledge and ability, does research, and works well with different ethnic groups. He is always prepared, even keeled, and listens well.
The Committee finds Steve Demitro qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.
Viviana Martinez -- Not Qualified
Viviana Martinez has been licensed since 2007. Since 2022 she was appointed Deputy General Counsel for Chicago Public Schools, managing attorneys, and drafting CPS contracts. Prior to her recent appointment, she held various positions within Cook County government, including as Special Assistant for Legal Affairs in the Cook County Bureau of Administration (April 2018 to April 2022), Interim Director of the Cook County Department of Adoption and Family Supportive Services (November 2018 to August 2019); Assistant Special Legal Counsel to the Office of Cook County Board President (March 2013 to April 2018); and Chief of Staff and General Counsel to then Cook County Commissioner Jesus “Chuy” Garcia (December 2010 to March 2013). Before that she has been an assistant attorney general and in private practice. She is a member of various bar associations, and a past board members of the Puerto Rican Bar Association. Currently she is on the board of the Illinois Equal Justice Foundation and volunteers with other community groups.
She does not report having any jury trial experience, [but has] some non-jury trials from early in her career. Attorneys reported that, while due to the nature of her job, they had limited experience observing her legal knowledge and ability, within the confines of her current role, she did have good knowledge of, especially with the effects of proposed legislation. All consider her to be very diligent, with a good temperament, and described her as a strong proponent of promoting equity and diversity.
The Committee finds Viviana Martinez not qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.
Jorge V. Cazares -- Not Qualified
Jorge V. Cazares has been licensed since 1990. In 2020 he joined Hinshaw and Culbertson as a partner, handling diverse litigation matters. Prior to joining Hinshaw, he had worked in both the private and public sectors including with Altheimer and Gray, then Pugh, Jones and Hubbard which became Pugh, Jones and Johnson. In the public sector, he served as General Counsel to the Chicago Housing Authority from 2007 to 2008 and also as the CHA’s Chief of Ethics and Chief EEO officer from 2017 to 2019. He was also an arbitrator for Cook County for seven years.
He is currently on the board of the Chicago Police Foundation and is a past president and current board member of the Gads Hill Foundation. He received an award for Outstanding Volunteer Service from the Constitutional Rights Foundation Chicago and also was recognized for service as president of the Loyola University Latino Alumni Board.
He has civil jury trial experience as lead counsel and has handled complex matters in both state and federal courts. While attorneys referred to him as straightforward, knowledgeable, hard-working, and diligent, there were concerns raised to the Committee regarding sensitivity to diversity.
The Committee finds Jorge Cazares not qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.
15th Subcircuit, Lawler Vacancy
Bernadette Barrett -- Qualified
Bernadette Garrison Barrett has been licensed since 1991. She practices in the areas of domestic relations, civil litigation and corporate law with the Barrett Law Group. Prior to starting her firm in 2019 she worked in a general practice with Barrett and Sramek from 1991 to 2018. She is a former president of the Southwest Bar Association and a member of various other bars. She is currently serving as Trustee of Moraine Valley Community College and as a board member for Rise From The Ashes.
She has some civil jury trial experience, has handled some appeals and substantial quasi-litigation experience. Attorneys reports that she is known for handling complex family law cases and has more than a typical knowledge of the law. They described her as professional and calm.
The Committee finds Bernadette Barrett qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.
Jim Gleffe -- Not Qualified
James Gleffe was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2007. He is currently the Deputy Chief of Staff and Labor Counsel for the Cook County Clerk’s Office, handling labor and employment matters and union negotiations. He has served in various other government agencies, including as Chief Deputy Recorder, Chief of Staff and Chief Legal Counsel for the Cook County Recorder of Deeds; Chief Deputy Director and Enforcement Attorney, Illinois Secretary of State Securities Department; and as an assistant corporation counsel.
While attorneys contacted consider him to be knowledgeable in his practice area, conscientious and professional, concerns were raised about his lack of trial experience and the depth and breadth of his overall legal experience.
The Committee finds James Gleffe not qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.
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