Lisa Michelle Taylor: In her own words

Lisa Michelle Taylor is a candidate for the countywide Brennan vacancy. Her punch number is 163.

I am Lisa Michelle Taylor and I am a candidate for Judge for the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois for the county-wide seat vacated by Judge Margaret Brennan (retired). I am a seasoned trial attorney with over 20 years of practice in state and federal courts in Illinois, and given that, every bar association that has evaluated my credentials (12 in total) have rated me positively to sit as a Judge in the Circuit Court of Cook County. For these and the following reasons, I am asking for your vote in the Democratic Primary on June 28: PUNCH 163 for me!

Initially I note that I am a life-long resident of Chicago with a history of hard work and accomplishments. I grew up in the far south side (91st Street) but went to high school at Von Steuben Metropolitan Science Center, which is located a few blocks north of the Kimball Brown Line stop at Lawrence Avenue. Notwithstanding the three-hour roundtrip train ride every day, I graduated and attended Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois. After college, and as a single mother, I worked full time during the day and attended The John Marshall Law School (now known as UIC) at night.

Since graduating from law school, I have worked solely in private practice for litigation law firms. I have substantial experience as a plaintiff’s attorney working on matters involving civil rights, wrongful death, and personal injury. Likewise, I have substantial experience working as a defense attorney on similar types of matters. And while I continue to work full time as a litigation attorney, I dedicate a large portion of my private life to volunteering in the community.

To me, the concept of “service” to the community does not involve work for which one is paid. Indeed, being paid for work is simply a job, it is not something that involves effort over and above that which is expected by the employer. With that in mind, I have dedicated a large portion of my life to volunteering for various organizations that help foster children to ensure they are protected and provided with the best possible opportunities in life. To that end, I have spent years volunteering my time as a Court Appointed Special Advocate in Cook County for cases involving minors removed from their homes.

In addition, I volunteer my time to the Cook County Bar Association to participate in its “Know Your Rights” seminars at which I try to teach young people about their rights and interacting with police during traffic stops. I also volunteer for Lawyers in the Classroom which provides students with the opportunity to learn civics from lawyers in active, developmentally appropriate classes. In this program, I travel to Chicago Public Schools several times per year to give students a better understanding of the United States Constitution, our legal system, and law-related careers. Lastly, I spend much time educating and mentoring students and new attorneys – particularly those from communities of color – to continue the legacy of skilled lawyers coming from those communities.

In conclusion, I have broad and diversified legal experience working in private litigation practice for over 20 years which has prepared me to serve in any division in the Circuit Court of Cook County. In the words of the Chicago Bar Association, “[I am] well regarded by judges and adversaries for [my] legal knowledge, temperament, and integrity.” Given the foregoing, I ask for your vote on June 28: PUNCH 163 for me! Thank you.