Organizing the Data: 8th Subcircuit - Lipscomb vacancy

Updated June 23, 2022

Candidates are listed in the order that they appear on the ballot in the Democratic primary; no Republican filed for this vacancy. This post may be updated before the primary as new information becomes available.

Jennifer Bae - #194

Campaign Website

Bar Association Evaluation Narratives

The Chicago Bar Association says:

Jennifer Bae is “Qualified” to serve as a Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Bae was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1997. Ms. Bae currently works in the Cook County Sheriff’s office on employee discipline matters. She is considered to be reasonable, ethical, and diligent in her work in this role. She is well regarded for her legal knowledge. Prior to undertaking her present job, she had a variety of litigation experience.

The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:

Jennifer E. Bae was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1997. She is currently Director of Employee Discipline at the Cook County Sheriff’s Office. Before taking this position, she worked as a solo practitioner focusing in criminal defense cases. She also workedpart-time as a board member on the Cook County Sheriff’s Merit Board, a position she has held since 2013. Previously she worked as a partner at Bae Law Offices (2000-2012); and as an Assistant State’s Attorney in the Cook County State’s Attorney Office (1996-2000), where she was assigned to the Appeals Division, the Traffic Division, and the Domestic Violence Division. In January 2017, she became Chair of the Illinois Supreme Court’s Committee on Character and Fitness for the First Judicial District, where she has served since 2010.

Ms. Bae is considered to have good legal ability and temperament. She has sufficient complex litigation experience in criminal law matters, both as a prosecutor and in private practice. She has had experience in civil proceedings, as well. The Council finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court.

The Illinois State Bar Association says:

Jennifer Bae was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1997. She currently is the Director of Employee Discipline at the Cook County Sheriff’s Office, managing the department which oversees discipline, training and grievances. Prior to taking that position, she was in private practice, focusing on criminal defense and administrative hearings, after beginning her career as an assistant state’s attorney. While in private practice, she also served on the Cook County Sheriff’s Merit Board. She is active as a committee and board member and author for various bar associations, and a past president of the Women’s Criminal Defense Bar Association. She also served as chair of the Illinois Supreme Court Committee on Character and Fitness, First Judicial District, and volunteers with Korean American organizations. She has received a number of awards, including from the Illinois Supreme Court for Outstanding Service. a number of awards, including from the Illinois Supreme Court, for Outstanding Service; the Women’s Criminal Defense Bar Association, and the Asian American Bar Association.

She has substantial criminal jury and bench trial experience. Attorneys report that she has good legal knowledge, and is always prepared and professional, with an excellent temperament.

The Committee finds Jennifer Bae qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Other Bar Association Evaluations

Arab American Bar Association: Not evaluated through no fault of candidate

Asian American Bar Association: Qualified

Black Women Lawyers' Association: Recommended

Cook County Bar Association: Recommended

Decalogue Society of Lawyers: Recommended

Hellenic Bar Association of Illinois: Recommended

Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois: Qualified

Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago: Recommended

Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois: Recommended

Women's Bar Association of Illinois: Recommended

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Stephen Swedlow - #195

Campaign Website

Bar Association Evaluation Narratives

The Chicago Bar Association says:

Stephen Swedlow is “Highly Qualified” to serve as a Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Swedlow was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1996. He practiced at Latham & Watkins from 1996 to 2001, then was an Associate at Korein Tillery through 2011. He is currently Co-Managing Partner at Quinn Emanuel Urqhart & Sullivan. He handles complex litigation including notable class-action lawsuits. He is well-regarded for his superior knowledge of the law, extreme diligence, and balanced and calm demeanor.

The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:

Stephen Andrew Swedlow was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1996. Since 2011, he has served as Managing Partner of Quinn Emanuel Urqhart & Sullivan, where he handles complex civil litigation matters. Previously, he was a Founding Partner at Swedlow & Associates/Korein Tillery (2001-2011), where he handled plaintiffs’ contingency cases and trials. From 1996 to 2001 he handled complex corporate litigation as an Associate at Latham & Watkins and from 1995 to 1996 he clerked for the Hon. Jerome Farris of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. He provides pro bono legal services through his own firm and as a volunteer for CARPLS legal aid.

Mr. Swedlow is considered to have excellent legal ability and has substantial litigation experience in highly complex matters in both state and federal courts. He has both trial and appellate experience, including cases argued before the Illinois Supreme Court. He is praised for his litigation skills. He is reported to have a very good and professional temperament, while being a zealous advocate. The Council finds him Well Qualified for the Circuit Court.

The Illinois State Bar Association says:

Stephen Swedlow was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1996. He is currently the managing partner at Quinn Emanuel Urquhart and Sullivan, where he has been employed since 2011, focusing on business litigation. Prior to that, he was with two other firms handling corporate litigation, and also served for one year as a clerk to the U.S. Court of Appeals. He is a member of several bar associations, has lectured on legal matters to seminars and at Northwestern University.

He has both jury and non-jury experience in civil cases, has an extensive motion practice, appears in both state and federal courts, and has handled fifteen appeals. Attorneys describe him as having an encyclopedic knowledge of substantive law, unflappable, always prepared, and a straight-shooter.

The Committee finds Stephen Swedlow qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Other Bar Association Evaluations

Arab American Bar Association: Recommended

Asian American Bar Association: Recommended

Black Women Lawyers' Association: Recommended

Cook County Bar Association: Recommended

Decalogue Society of Lawyers: Highly Recommended

Hellenic Bar Association of Illinois: Recommended

Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois: Qualified

Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago: Recommended

Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois: Recommended

Women's Bar Association of Illinois: Recommended

Endorsements

"Girl, I Guess" Voter's Guide
AMVOTE PAC
Personal PAC

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