Organzing the Data: 7th Subcircuit - Martin 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.

Marcia O'Brien Conway - #191

Campaign Website

Bar Association Evaluation Narratives

The Chicago Bar Association says:

Marcia O’Brien Conway is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Conway was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1984 and served from 1993-2018 as a Cook County Assistant State’s Attorney in the Real Estate Tax Litigation Unit. Ms. Conway has significant trial experience and is well regarded for her diligence and work ethic.

The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:

Marcia O’Brien Conway was admitted to practice in 1984. She was a sole practitioner between 1986 and 1991, and has been in private practice since 2019. She retired from the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office in 2018 after having served there since 1993. She represented Cook County and County officials in real estate tax litigation between 2008 and 2018. She drafted and negotiated purchase and sale agreements between 1994 and 2008. She was in private practice between 1994 and 1988, including the law firm of Winston & Strawn.

Ms. Conway is praised for her legal ability and knowledge. She was often cited as an expert in real estate and taxation law. She is reported to always be well prepared and she is praised for her litigation skills. She is considered to have a very good temperament with a patient but effective demeanor. She is said to be exceptionally hard working. The Council finds her Well Qualified for the Circuit Court.

The Illinois State Bar Association says:

Marcia O’Brien Conway was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1984. She currently practices with the Conway Law Group. She was an assistant state’s attorney from 1993 until 2018. Her assignments included Real Estate Tax Division, Corporate Transactions and Chancery. Prior to her employment with the State’s Attorney’s Office, she had been a sole practitioner handling real estate matters, and both a consulting attorney and an associate attorney with Winston and Strawn handling commercial litigation and real estate cases. She was a member of the River Forest Plan Commission from 1995 to 2008; is a member of various bar associations; and is active in community affairs.

She has civil litigation experience and attorneys report that she has excellent legal knowledge citing her ability to reduce complicated issues into manageable parts. She is considered to be professional and compassionate.

The Committee finds Marcia O’Brien Conway qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Other Bar Association Evaluations

Arab American Bar Association: Recommended

Asian American Bar Association: Not evaluated through no fault of the candidate

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: Highly Recommended

Women's Bar Association of Illinois: Recommended

Endorsements

Chicago Federation of Labor
AMVOTE PAC
Personal PAC

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Owens "Joe" Shelby - #192

Campaign Website

Bar Association Evaluation Narratives

The Chicago Bar Association says:

Owens “Joe” Shelby is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Shelby was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2007 and is currently serving as an Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney, Second Chair, in the Felony Trial Division in the 4th Municipal District. Mr. Shelby has handled several felony and misdemeanor trials and has had some juvenile and civil experience.

The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:

Owens J. Shelby was admitted to practice in 2007. He has been a career Cook County Assistant State’s Attorney working as a second chair prosecutor in a felony trial courtroom. He served for less than a year as the Assistant Counsel to the Speaker of the Illinois House, and as a contract attorney with Loevy & Loevy in 2007 to 2008. Mr. Shelby is considered to have good legal ability with a very good temperament. He is praised for his diligence. Most lawyers praise his abilities although a few say he lacks adequate experience. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.

The Illinois State Bar Association says:

Owens “Joe” Shelby has been licensed since 2007. Aside from a brief period as assistant counsel to the Speaker of the Illinois House, he has been a career assistant state’s attorney currently assigned to a felony courtroom in the Fourth Municipal District (Maywood). He has been treasurer of the National Black Prosecutors Association-Chicago Chapter and is active with the NAACP-Chicago Westside Chapter.

Attorneys generally reported that he has solid legal knowledge and ability and knows how to apply the law to the facts. He is considered to be respectful of all with solid character. He has some criminal jury trial experience, though attorneys reported not necessarily in very complex matters.

The Committee finds Owens Shelby qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Other Bar Association Evaluations

Arab American Bar Association: Recommended

Asian American Bar Association: Not evaluated through no fault of the candidate

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: Not evaluated through no fault of the candidate

Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago: Recommended

Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois: Recommended

Women's Bar Association of Illinois: Recommended

Endorsements

IVI-IPO
"Girl, I Guess" Voter's Guide

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