Application process underway for five Cook County judicial vacancies

Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice Mary Jane Theis has announced that applications will be accepted until 4:00 p.m. on September 16 for temporary appointments to five Cook County judicial vacancies, one countywide, one in the 8th Subcircuit, one in the 16th Subcircuit, and two in the 20th Subcircuit. These appointments, once made, will expire on December 7, 2026 (the first Monday of December) following the 2026 elections.

Application forms are available at this page of the Suprme Court website. Attorneys in good standing seeking appointment from a subcircuit must be a resident of that subcircuit. Attorneys wishing to seek appointment to both the countywide vacancy and a subcircuit vacancy must fill out separate application forms. However, the Court will require only one application for either of the 20th Subcircuit vacancies. All applications must be submitted electronically.

All applicants will be subject to "an evaluation and screening process," according to a press release issued by the Supreme Court announcing the application process.

According to the Supreme Court, the countywide vacancy arises from the January retirement of Judge Paul Karkula.

The 8th Subcircuit vacancy was created when Judge Celia L. Gamrath was appointed to the Appellate Court.

Gamrath's appointment is effective this coming Friday and will expire on December 2. That's when she will be sworn into the Appellate Court vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Mathias W. Delort. Gamrath is the only candidate for that vacancy on the November ballot. She is now being appointed "to the position currently held by the Honorable Mary Ellen Coghlan, who is retiring from judicial service on August 31, 2024." However, Justice Coghlan, who had been serving on the Appellate Court pursuant to Supreme Court appointment since 2019, was reassigned to the Delort vacancy last August. The Court's press release about the Gamrath appointment is here.

The 16th Subcircuit vacancy was created by conversion of the associate judgeship of Patricia Mendoza upon her retirement. Mendoza had served as an associate judge since 2005 and was most recently retained just last year.

The 20th Subcircuit vacancies also arise from the conversion of associate judgeships, specifically, those of David E. Haracz and Stephanie K. Miller.

Judge Haracz was a classmate of Judge Mendoza. Mendoza and Haracz have left, or are leaving, judicial service; that's why their associate judgeships are being converted.

But not so with Judge Miller. Her associate judgeship was converted to a 20th Subcircuit vacancy upon her appointment to the Pierce vacancy in the 14th Subcircuit. She is the only candidate on the ballot for that vacancy in November. Miller was one of 12 unopposed Circuit Court candidates appointed to the bench by the Illinois Supreme Court earlier this year.

Supreme Court candidate meet and greet on February 27

Only one of these Cook County judicial candidates faces a primary challenge next month. Loveleen Ahuja, who is running for the Collins-Dole vacancy in the 8th Subcircuit, had a challenger in the primary, but he withdrew in the face of a petitions challenge. Ahuja has since been appointed to the vacancy she is running for.

But Justice Joy Cunningham faces a challenge from Appellate Court Justice Jesse G. Reyes in her bid to hold her seat on the Illinois Supreme Court.

And so the campaign goes on.

On Tuesday, February 27, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Justice Cunningham and Judge Ahuja will host a meet and greet at Ignotz One Door South, 2423 S. Oakley Ave.

The name of the venue for this event may seem strange, but there is a logical explanation: Ignotz One Door South is next door to (one door south of) Ignotz's Ristorante, 2421 S. Oakley. In case you were concerned.

This is a free event, but parking, alas, is not. On the other hand, valet parking is available for $10. And Italian dishes and desserts may be sampled within. So, if that makes you feel better about things, you can pretend your sawbuck was allocated for the food.

And while the event is free, registration is required. Email Sean@46thWardDemocrats.org to reserve your spot.

Supreme Court gives seven judicial candidates a head start on their judicial careers

In a series of orders entered yesterday, the Supreme Court appointed seven individuals, not currently serving on the bench, to the judicial vacancies they are seeking in uncontested primaries.

Specifically, unopposed countywide candidate Jennifer P. Callahan (Raines vacancy) was appointed to the Raines vacancy.

Unopposed 4th Subcircuit candidate Koula A. Fournier (Maloney vacancy) was appointed to the Maloney vacancy.

Unopposed 8th Subcircuit candidate Loveleen Ahuja (Collins-Dole vacancy) was appointed to the Collins-Dole vacancy.

Unopposed 10th Subcircuit candidate Caroline Glennon-Goodman (McWilliams vacancy) was appointed to the McWilliams vacancy.

Unopposed 11th Subcircuit candidate Dawn Gonzalez (Collins vacancy) was appointed to the Collins vacancy.

The candidates for both 13th Subcircuit candidates are unopposed. Both received bench appointments yesterday. Ralph E. Meczyk (Betar III vacancy) was appointed to the Betar III vacancy; Mary Sevandal Cohen (Steffen vacancy) was appointed to the Steffen vacancy.

Each of these appointments is effective on February 2 (Groundhog's Day, or Candlemas, if you prefer) and will terminate on December 2 -- when (barring a meteor strike or some equally improbable event) each of these appointees will be sworn in for full six-year terms.

Each of the appointment orders contains specific language -- unique in my experience -- that says that the appointee "has received recent positive ratings from members of the Alliance of Bar Associations for Judicial Screening and the Chicago Bar Association following the interviews and evaluations."

There are other uncontested candidates, not all of whom are already serving on the bench. Some of these will have good bar evaluations; some of these may also receive early appointments at some point. Some of the uncontested candidates will perhaps have less than stellar bar evaluations or eschew screening altogether; none of these are likely to receive early appointments. Time will tell.

The Supreme Court's press release concerning these appointments is here.

Three Cook County judicial candidates removed from the March ballot

Updated 1/19/24 to add additional authorities

As if we didn't have a dearth of contests already....

At yesterday's meeting of the Cook County Officers Electoral Board, two Appellate Court candidates, Circuit Court Judges Carolyn Gallagher and Leonard Murray, were removed from the March primary ballot.

For now, subject to any possible court challenge, the Electoral Board's action leaves four remaining candidates, all slated by the Cook County Democratic Party, unopposed in the March primary. These four candidates are Mary Lane Mikva, Cynthia Y. Cobbs, Carl Anthony Walker (all currently serving as justices of the Appellate Court pursuant to Supreme Court appointment), and Circuit Court Judge Celia Louise Gamrath. No Republicans filed for any of these vacancies.

At that same meeting, the Electoral Board also voted to remove Ashonta C. Rice as a candidate for the countywide Sullivan vacancy. Again, subject to any possible court challenge, the Board's action yesterday leaves Judge James S. Murphy-Aguilú unopposed in that race. No Republicans filed for any countywide Circuit Court vacancies either.

The Electoral Board did overrule a challenge to the nominating petitions of Steve Demitro, who is running, and who now can continue to run, against Griselda Vega Samuel. The Board also entered orders disposing of challenges to three other candidates as moot, specifically regarding Michael O'Malley (8th Subcircuit), Michael B. Kilgallon, Jr. (10th Subcircuit), and Hector J. Rodriguez (16th Subcircuit). Each of these candidates withdrew from the primary after the challenges to their nominating papers were filed.

O'Malley's departure leaves Loveleen Ahuja unopposed in her bid for the Collin-Dole vacancy in the 8th Subcircuit. Rodriguez's withrdrawal leaves Pedro Fregoso, Jr. unopposed in his bid for the 16th Subcircuit judgeship converted from the associate judgeship of Lawrence E. Flood. A contest still remains in the Democratic Primary for the Wojkowski vacancy in the 10th Subcircuit, however. While Kilgallon has been removed from the ballot, James V. Murphy and Liam Kelly remain.

Many cases before the Cook County Officers Electoral Board come down to counting or contesting signatures. The question is more mathematical than legal: Does Candidate X have the requisite number of valid signatures in order to qualify for the ballot... or not? Of course, all manner of legal arguments are deployed in challenging or defending individual signatures, or sheets of signatures, in these cases... but when the legal smoke clears, Candidate X has the requisite Y signatures... or Candidate X is ruled off the ballot.

The Rice and Gallagher/Murray cases were different. Both turned on legal interpretations of different provisions of the Election Code, and the issues presented in these cases will be taken up, separately, in future posts here. Stay tuned.

For the moment, however, suffice it to say that, in the Rice case, the Electoral Board chose to accept the recommendation of its duly appointed hearing officer; in the Gallagher/Murray case, the Electoral Board chose to reject the recommendation of the hearing officer assigned in that case.

This is a point of administrative law that some FWIW readers (meaning those who do not regularly practice in the field of administrative law) may find counterintuitive... at the very least: The Electoral Board, like virtually any administrative agency, can appoint hearing officers to be its 'eyes and ears' in a given case, but, inasmuch as these hearing officers are its own creatures, an agency or board is typically free to accept or reject the findings made by the hearing officer, or perhaps disregard them entirely, even though the hearing officer, and not the agency or board, saw or heard the witnesses.

It is a little easier to accept this principle when, as in the Rice and Gallagher/Murray cases here under discussion, only questions of law are presented.

It is the Electoral Board's decision that is the paramount focus on review. Even in the Appellate Court, where the Circuit Court has offered its evaluation of the Electoral Board's action, "the appellate court reviews the decision of the electoral board, rather than the decision of the circuit court." Zurek v. Cook County Officers Electoral Bd., 2014 IL App (1st) 140446, ¶10.

And, moreover, under Illinois law, there is nothing per se illegal, immoral, or fattening in an agency (or, specifically, the Cook County Officers Electoral Board) choosing to follow its hearing officer's recommendation in one case and refusing to follow it in another, even where, as here, the choices made result in a clear benefit to the slate chosen by the Cook County Democratic Party.

We'll pause here for a couple of other posts in the pipeline, and then return to a merits discussion of the Rice and Gallagher/Murray decisions.

Cook County judicial races thin out even more

Two subcircuit candidates have withdrawn from the March primary.

Both Michael O'Malley, who had filed for the Collins-Dole vacancy in the 8th Subcircuit, and Michael B. Kilgallon, who had filed for the Wojkowski vacancy in the 10th Subcircuit, have withdrawn their candidacies, according to the Illinois State Board of Elections website.

Both candidates were facing challenges to their nominating petitions before the Cook County Officers Electoral Board at the time they withdrew.

O'Malley's withdrawal leaves Loveleen Ahuja as the sole candidate for that vacancy in the Democratic Primary. No Republican filed for that vacancy.

Two candidates remain in the race for the Democratic nomination for the 10th Subcircuit Wojkowski vacancy, Liam Kelly and James V. Murphy. Inasmuch as no Republican filed for this vacancy either, the winner of that contest will be unopposed in November.

Tonight: Campaign kickoff and fundraiser for Loveleen Ahuja

Supporters of Loveleen Ahuja's 8th Subcircuit campaign are planning a campaign kickoff and fundraiser for their candidate tonight, December 4, from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m., at Tufano's Vernon Park Tap, 1073 W. Vernon Park Place.

There will be an open bar (specific beer and wine selections only) and "bites" (which is a heck of a lot easier to spell than hors d'oeuvres) will be served.

The host committee for this event is Hon. Joseph M. Claps (Ret.), Hon. Grace G. Dickler (Ret.), Ald. Nicole Lee, Committeewoman Lucy Moog, Cook County Commissioner John Daley, Cook County Commissioner Josina Morita, Personal PAC CEO Sarah Garza Resnick, St. Sen. Ram Villivalam, Diana Bowman, and Reas Bowman.

Tickets for this event are $100 each and sponsorships are available (Bronze - $250, Silver - $500, Gold - $1,000. or Platinum - $2,500).

Tickets may be purchased through the candidate's website. Questions about the fundraiser should be directed to info@loveleenforjudge.com or to Bridget Dooley at (630) 640-7933.

Contests so far in only seven subcircuit races

This is extraordinary. Surprising. Unprecedented, certainly.

Only seven of the 26 subcircuit races have so far drawn more than one hopeful. Seven!

Time was, we'd have seven contestants in some races and (especially in the subcircuits) few, if any, uncontested races. Check out the archives if you don't believe me.

The numbers would thin out a bit, after petition challenges.

But not like this.

Never like this.

It's not surprising that there have been no Cook County judicial filings since Monday morning -- I've been checking -- because in most years there's the huge rush of activity at the opening of the filing period, then nothing for days, and a little boomlet at the end. But, this year, the opening day tidal wave was hardly a ripple.

Here are the only subcircuit contests so far:

7th Subcircuit (Solganick vacancy)
Judge Owens J. Shelby vs. Deidre Baumann

8th Subcircuit (Collins-Dole vacancy)
Loveleen Ahuja v. Michael O'Malley

10th Subcircuit (Wojkowski vacancy)
James V. Murphy vs. Liam Kelly vs. Michael B. Kilgallon

11th Subcircuit (Daleo vacancy)
Kim Przekota vs. Audrey Victoria Cosgrove

15th Subcircuit (Demacopoulos vacancy)
Paul O'Grady vs. Luciano "Lou" Panici, Jr. vs. Allen Price Walker

19th Subcircuit (Converted from Judgeship of Senechalle)
Risa Renee Lanier vs. Dave Heilmann vs. Bridget Colleen Duignan

20th Subcircuit (Converted from Judgeship of Budzinski)
Nickolas Pappas vs. John Poulos vs. Michael J. Zink

The links in the list above are to the first stories I've posted on FWIW about that candidate's 2024 campaign. The order in which the candidates are listed is just the order in which they appear on the ISBE printout. Actual ballot order has yet to be determined for anyone on this list except Michael Kilgallon: He is the first, and so far the only, Cook County judicial candidate deemed to have filed after 8:00 a.m. Monday morning. He would be third on the ballot in his 10th Subcircuit race, therefore.

Some more contests may materialize before filing closes. And there is one special judicial filing period vacancy so far; perhaps that will result in a contest.

They say that low voter turnout is a sign of disillusionment among the electorate. What then does low candidate turnout signify?

Nothing good, I'll warrant.

Cong. Jan Schakowsky announces several Cook County judicial endorsements

Updated 9/27/23 to add additional endorsement not included in initial list provided by Cong. Schakowsky's office

Cong. Jan Schakowsky has announced endorsements in several 2024 Cook County Judicial races, according to Ben Head, Schakowsky's Political Director.

The list is incomplete, Head told FWIW, and additional endorsements may (and likely will) be made later in the election cycle.

But, at this point, Schakowsky has endorsed Justice Joy V. Cunningham for the Illinois Supreme Court, Judge Celia Gamrath for the Illinois Appellate Court, and Judge Debjani Desai for the Cook County Circuit Court.

Schakowsky has also endorsed Loveleen Ahuja in the 8th Subcircuit, Liam Kelly and Caroline Glennon-Goodman in the 10th Subcircuit, Alon Stein in the 12th Subcircuit, and John Hock in the 18th Subcircuit, according to Head.

Loveleen Ahuja announces 8th Subcircuit judicial bid

Loveleen Ahuja has announced plans to run for one of the vacancies in the redrawn 8th Subcircuit. A campaign website has been launched in furtherance of this effort. That's a link to the new campaign website in the preceding sentence; a link has also been added to the Sidebar on this site.

Licensed to practice law in Illinois since 2005, according to ARDC, Ahuja has spent her entire career in the Law Office of the Cook County Public Defender. Since 2019, Ahuja has been assigned to the Homicide Task Force in that office; her résumé notes that she has also served in the Felony Trial Division, the Domestic Trial Division, and the Child Protection Division.

Ahuja's campaign bio describes extensive community service, including service on the Foundation Board for the South Asian Bar Association and as Co-Chair of the Mentor/Mentee Committee for the Women’s Bar Association. She has volunteered for a number of community organizations, including St. Leonard's Ministries, according to her campaign bio. Ahuja describes herself as a first-generation daughter of immigrant parents, the first in her family to be born in the United States, and the first to practice law.

Ahuja sought slating for a countywide vacancy at the recent slate-making meeting of the Cook County Democratic Party. She was named the Party's fifth alternate at that time.

Looking at the numbers, such as they are, in the Subcircuit races

For Part 1 of this survey, see this post which looks at turnout numbers as a whole and results in countywide races for the Circuit and Appellate Courts.

All of the caveats set out in Part 1 apply here -- numbers will change -- margins will shrink or grow as VBM ballots are received and accounted for. I'm using a calculator and wearing my glasses but accept full responsibility for any addition errors that may occur when I combine results in subcircuits that extend across City and suburban boundaries. Where the margins are now small, when the final results are known, some races may appear to have 'flipped.'

They will not have 'flipped' of course; it is only the order in which ballots are received and counted that makes it look as if races have 'flipped' -- as FWIW readers surely know. The results in the 13th Subcircuit, on the Democratic side at least, will probably not be determined until the last timely votes are relinquished by the postal authorities... although, what was a seven vote margin for Gump is now over 100 votes in Gump's favor.

With all this in mind, we start looking at subcircuit results.

City and Suburban Subcircuits

City-only Subcircuits

Suburban-only Subcircuits

Brad Trowbridge looks like he's won in the 8th Subcircuit

Stephen Swedlow is besting Jennifer Bae by better than 5,000 votes in the race for the Lipscomb vacancy in the 8th Subcircuit. Swedlow seems to have had a lot of backing from the local politicos, so perhaps the margin may be seen as disappointing to some.

But that's silly. All that matters (or should matter) to the candidate is getting one more vote than the next highest finisher.

Bradley R. Trowbridge has a better than 10,000 vote margin over the next closest competitor in the three-way race for the Gordon vacancy in the 8th. Third time may be the charm in his case.

Cook County judicial endorsements from Scott Waguespack

Thirty-second Ward Ald. and Committeeperson Scott Waguespack has released an email detailing his endorsements (including his endorsements in Cook County judicial races) for next Tuesday's Mel Brooks Birthday Primary.

Only he doesn't call it that, of course. Still, I'm hoping it will catch on somewhere.

There is ordinarily limited news value in these sorts of releases: After all, the 50 ward and 30 township committeepersons supposedly agreed on a countywide slate last December. It should be expected, then, that any committeeperson would support the entire ticket.

Any news value would be in deviations therefrom.

So the news in this is that Mr. Waugespack actually strays twice from the party line, supporting Debra B. Walker for the Hall vacancy on the Appellate Court over the Democratic Party's slated candidate, Dominique C. Ross, and Elizabeth "Beth" Ryan over the Party's candidate, Yolanda Harris Sayre, in the race for the countywide Ingram vacancy on the Circuit Court.

In recent election cycles we've known much more about subcircuit slating than we do this year. Thus, the revelation of any committeeperson's choices in subcircuit races has more news value this year than it might have had in years past.

For 2022, in the 8th Subcircuit, Waguespack has endorsed Bradley R. Trowbridge for the Gordon vacancy and Stephen Swedlow for the Lipscomb vacancy. In the one contested 6th Subcircuit race, for the Vega vacancy, Waugespack has announced support for Kerrie Maloney Laytin.

Cook County judicial endorsements from 43rd Ward Ald. Michele Smith

I know... an alderperson's judicial picks? Not even a committeeperson?

But there are a couple of reasons for running this. For one thing, Ald. Smith is a lawyer in good standing and has a significant history of interest in and concern about judicial elections.

That, and the fact that she included these endorsements in an email blast to her entire mailing list, so these I can verify....

In countywide Circuit Court races, Ald. Smith tracks the Cook County Democratic Party almost down the line. She encourages support for Brookins, Porter, López, Nowinski, Van Tine, Weaver, Gudino, De La Cruz, and Donnelly.

But it's the almosts that have news value. Ald. Smith endorses Elizabeth "Beth" Ryan for the Ingram vacancy over the Democratic Party's slated candidate, Yolanda Harris Sayre.

And, in the two Appellate Court races, Smith prefers Judges Debra B. Walker and Raymond W. Mitchell over the Party's slated candidates.

In the 8th Subcircuit races, in Smith's backyard, Smith announced a preference for Bradley R. Trowbridge (Gordon vacancy) and Stephen Swedlow (Lipscomb vacancy).

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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Trying to ascertain who has been slated in the subcircuits

While the Cook County Democratic Party's countywide judicial slating is typically announced with some fanfare, it has always been more difficult to determine who has been slated in the various subcircuits.

In recent election cycles, some subcircuits have had open slating sessions; FWIW has even been welcomed at some of these, or at least not turned away at the door. Many subcircuits, however, have kept their process as secret as the formula for Coca-Cola or the recipe for the Colonel's herbs and spices. The identities of the chosen ones remain unknown until Election Day palm cards are distributed.

In this compressed and time-shifted season leading up to the Mel Brooks Birthday Primary on June 28, subcircuit slating appears more mysterious than ever. This is not to deny the possibility that some subcircuits may again have had open processes; however, if this happened, the slating announcements came and went before FWIW could take notice.

And so we asked for help from Albert J. Klumpp, a generous and frequent contributor to FWIW over the years, a research analyst with a public policy PhD, and the author of several scholarly works analyzing judicial elections. Dr. Klumpp said that he, too, had been surprised at the paucity of information available on subcircuit slating -- but he was willing to share what he had gleaned from his sources.

Leyden Township appears to be backing Nick Kantas his his race for the Gavin vacancy in the 4th Subcircuit, Klumpp said.

The race for the Rogers vacancy in the 4th Subcircuit has attracted more interest from political leaders, Klumpp noted, with the endorsements in this four-candidate race being split between ShawnTe Raines-Welch, the wife of Illinois House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch, and Chloe Georgianna Pedersen, a niece of Cook County Clerk Karen Yarbrough. Raines-Welch has attracted most local mayors and the support of Leyden Township; Pedersen has the endorsement of the mayor of Broadview. The mayor of Riverside, Klumpp said, has apparently endorsed both Raines-Welch and Pedersen.

In the 5th Subcircuit, in the race for the Portman-Brown vacancy, Judge David L. Kelly seems to have garnered most of the publicly-announced endorsements, Klumpp said, though the positions of the 7th, 11th, and 17th Ward organizations is not known. Timothy W. Wright III has most of the endorsements for the Shelley vacancy, though Tiffany N. Brooks is the choice of the 5th Ward, and Brooks and Wright are splitting support in the 20th Ward, according to Klumpp.

In the one contested race in the 6th Subcircuit, Associate Judge Kerrie Maloney Laytin has publicly announced support from the 40th and 47th Wards, according to Klumpp, but David S. Rodriguez is favored by the 26th Ward organization.

Marcia O'Brien Conway was the second alternate designated by the Cook County Democratic Party at its December slating meeting, meaning she had some significant support among township and ward committee persons. She is now a candidate in the 7th Subcircuit, but the local committeepersons appear to be favoring Conway's opponent, Owens "Joe" Shelby, Klumpp said, with support from the 22nd, 24th, 27th, 28th, 29th, and 37th Wards. The committeepersons of the 11th, 25th, 26th, and 42nd Wards have not expressed a preference in this race, according to Klumpp.

If there was a slating meeting in the 8th Subcircuit it produced no consensus candidate in the three candidate race for the Gordon vacancy. According to Klumpp, Pat Casey has the support of the 2nd and 3rd Wards, John Fritchey appears to be the choice of the 27th, 42nd, and 48th Wards, and Brad Trowbridge has been endorsed by the 43rd, 44th, 47th, and 49th Wards. The politicians have achieved more of a consensus in the race for the Lipscomb vacancy, Klumpp said: Stephen Swedlow seems to have cornered all the announced support, although no endorsements in this race appear to have come from the 3rd, 4th, 11th, 25th, 32nd, and 46th Wards.

Judge Sanjay Tailor has the support of nearly all the wards and townships in the 9th Subcircuit race for the Cleveland-Bernstein vacancy, Klumpp noted, although Maine Township has announced no choice in this race. Maine Township has likewise made no choice in the race for the Jacobius vacancy, Klumpp stated, and neither have the 40th and 48th Wards. Torrick Alan Ward has support in this race from the 49th Ward and Evanston Township; Barry Goldberg claims support from the 39th, 41st, and 50th Wards and New Trier and Northfield Townships, Klumpp said.

Chris Taliaferro, the Alderman of the 29th Ward, has publicly announced support from the 41st Ward and Leyden Townships in his bid for the McGuire vacancy in the 11th Subcircuit. The positions of the 30th, 31st, 36th, 37th, 38th, and 45th Wards in this race are not known, Klumpp said, adding that not even Taliaferro's own 29th Ward has taken a public stance in this race. Similarly, Klumpp said, nothing is known about the stance of Elk Grove, Maine, Norwood Park, Oak Park, and Proviso Townships in this race.

Viviana Martinez is the only 14th Subcircuit candidate with announced support in her race for the Jagielski vacancy. But this support comes only from the 22nd and 25th Wards, Klumpp said. The positions of the 3rd, 11th, 12th, 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th, 20th, 24th, and 28th Wards are not known, he said.

Jim Gleffe had sufficient support in the Cook County Democratic Party's Central Committee to be named the Party's 8th alternate at its December slating meeting. But, Klumpp said that Bernadette Barrett has claimed the unanimous endorsement of all township committeepersons in the 15th Subcircuit.

The northwest suburban 13th Subcircuit consists of Barrington, Hanover, Palatine, Schaumburg, and Wheeling Townships and it is the only Cook County subcircuit to field candidates in both the Republican and Democratic primaries. In the Democratic primary, Joe Gump appears to have the support of the Palatine Township organization, Klumpp reported, while James Costello appears to have the nod from the Schaumburg Township organization. In the Republican primary, Gary William Seyring has the announced support of all Republican township organizations except Palatine's which, Klumpp said, has apparently expressed no preference.

CBA issues ratings for candidates seeking vacancies in the 7th, 8th, 9th, and 11th Subcircuits

The Chicago Bar Association has now released its evaluations of all candidates for judicial positions in the upcoming primary. In this post we look at the CBA's evaluations of candidates seeking vacancies in the 7th, 8th, 9th, and 11th Subcircuits. For more about the methodology employed by the CBA in arriving at its ratings, see this FWIW post or the complete CBA "Judge Smart" Guide. The guide can be accessed from this page of the CBA website; click here to access the complete CBA "'Judge Smart' Guide" in .pdf form.

7th Subcircuit, Martin Vacancy

MARCIA O’BRIEN CONWAY -- QUALIFIED
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.

OWENS “JOE” SHELBY -- QUALIFIED
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.

8th Subcircuit, Gordon Vacancy

PAT CASEY -- NOT RECOMMENDED*
Patrick A. Casey is “Not Recommended” for the office of Associate Judge. Mr. Casey was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2001 and is currently serving as an Administrative Law Judge at the Illinois Department of Human Services. Mr. Casey has had limited practice experience and failed to provide the Committee with sufficient references of lawyers who have appeared before him. At this stage of his career, Mr. Casey does not possess the requisite depth and breadth of legal knowledge and experience to serve as an Associate Judge.

BRADLEY R. TROWBRIDGE -- QUALIFIED
Bradley Trowbridge is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Trowbridge was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2000 and is engaged in private practice concentrating in family law matters. Mr. Trowbridge has a fine demeanor and temperament and possesses the requisite legal knowledge and experience to serve as a Circuit Court Judge.

JOHN FRITCHEY -- QUALIFIED
John Fritchey is “Qualified” to serve as a Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Fritchey was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1989. Mr. Fritchey has a long history of public service, including many years of service in the state legislature, where he chaired the House Judiciary Committee. Prior to his service as an elected official, he had seventeen years of litigation experience. Mr. Fritchey is well regarded for his temperament, work ethic, and integrity.
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 * Pursuant to Section 27.4 of the JEC Resolutions and Procedures, a candidate who has been evaluated and found "NOT RECOMMENDED" for the office of Associate Judge and who shall within three years of such a finding be a candidate for Circuit Judge shall be found "NOT RECOMMENDED" without hearing.

8th Subcircuit, Lipscomb Vacancy

JENNIFER BAE -- QUALIFIED
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.

STEPHEN SWEDLOW -- HIGHLY QUALIFIED
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.

9th Subcircuit, Cleveland Vacancy

SANJAY TAILOR -- HIGHLY QUALIFIED
Judge Sanjay T. Tailor is “Highly Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Judge Tailor was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1991 and was engaged in private practice prior to his appointment to the bench as an Associate Judge in 2003. Judge Tailor served in the Chancery Division, Municipal Division, Domestic Relations, and Law Division prior to his current position as Acting Presiding Judge of the County Division. Judge Tailor was appointed as a Cook County Circuit Judge in January 2021. Judge Tailor is highly respected by his fellow judges and the lawyers who appear before him in court. Judge Tailor is an experienced jurist highly regarded for his knowledge of the law, integrity, diligence, work ethic, and excellent demeanor and temperament.

ANN BURAN-VONGHER -- QUALIFIED
Ann Buran-Vongher is “Qualified” to serve as a Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Buran-Vongher was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1989. She was an Assistant Public Defender for 31 years, handling felony and misdemeanor matters. Ms. Buran-Vonger has spent the last 1.5 years as a solo practitioner. She was praised by both judges and adversaries for her legal knowledge, temperament, and work ethic.

9th Subcircuit, Jacobius Vacancy

BASILEIOS “BILL” JOHN FOUTRIS -- QUALIFIED
Basileiois “Bill” Foutris is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Foutris was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2000 and is currently in private practice concentrating in plaintiff’s civil rights and police misconduct litigation. Mr. Foutris has extensive trial experience and has personally tried many high-profile cases in the Federal and State Courts. While Mr. Foutris is well regarded for his knowledge of the law and legal experience, there is a need to work on his temperament.

TORRICK ALAN WARD -- QUALIFIED
Torrick Alan Ward is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Ward was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1998. He has significant litigation experience in several substantive legal areas. He presently oversees labor matters for Cook County. He is well regarded for his legal knowledge, work ethic, temperament, and integrity.

BARRY GOLDBERG -- QUALIFIED
Barry Goldberg is “Qualified” to serve as a Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Goldberg was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1999. Mr. Goldberg is a knowledgeable and experienced Assistant Attorney General, where he has been recognized for his work and given substantial responsibilities. He is well regarded for his integrity, work ethic, and temperament.

DON R. SAMPEN -- QUALIFIED
Don R. Sampen is “Qualified” to serve as a Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Sampen was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1975. He has been a partner at Jenner & Block and Meckler, Bulger & Tilson. He also was a Division and Bureau Chief at the Attorney General’s office. Currently, he is a partner at Clausen Miller P.C., where he mostly handles appeals of commercial litigation. Mr. Sampen is hard-working, extremely knowledgeable of the law, and has an exceptional temperament. His broad range of experience and the high regard for him in the legal community make him qualified to be a Circuit Court Judge.

11th Subcircuit, McGuire Vacancy

CHRIS TALIAFERRO -- NOT RECOMMENDED
Chris Taliaferro is “Not Recommended” to serve as a Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Taliaferro was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2007. Mr. Taliaferro has a long history of public service including with the United States Marine Corp., Cook County Sheriff, and Chicago Police Department, and currently as the Alderman of the 29 th Ward in Chicago. Mr. Taliaferro is hardworking and possesses a fine demeanor. Unfortunately, at this time, he does not possess the depth and breadth of legal knowledge and practice experience to effectively serve as a Circuit Court Judge.

AILEEN BHANDARI -- QUALIFIED
Aileen Bhandari is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Bhandari was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2002 and has served as an Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney for 16 years. Ms. Bhandari is assigned to the Community Justice Center-West. Ms. Bhandari has extensive trial experience and is well regarded for her work ethic, knowledge of the law, legal experience, and excellent temperament.

ISBA provides explanations for its ratings of judicial candidates in 7th, 8th, 9th, and 11th Subcircuits

The Illinois State Bar Association has now provided narrative explanations for the ratings it recently issued in Cook County judicial races. In this post, FWIW publishes the ISBA's written statements about each judicial candidate in Subcircuits 7, 8, 9, and 11. All of the ISBA narratives can also be accessed here.

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."

7th Subcircuit, Martin Vacancy

Marcia O’Brien Conway -- Qualified
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.

Owens “Joe” Shelby -- Qualified
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.

8th Subcircuit, Gordon Vacancy

Pat Casey -- Not Qualified
Patrick A. Casey has been admitted to the Illinois bar in 2001. He is currently in private practice, prior to that he was an administrative law judge for ten years, the last seven of those with the Illinois Department of Human Services hearing matters involving long-term care cases. Prior to becoming an ALJ, he was in private practice both on his own and with a firm, focusing on police misconduct, criminal defense and personal injury matters. He is a member of several bar associations, a supporter to various community groups, and has done pro bono work.

He does not have jury or bench trial experience as lead counsel. While attorneys reported that he is diligent and sensitive to seniors, concerns were raised about the depth and breadth of his legal experience.

The Committee finds Pat Casey not qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Bradley R. Trowbridge -- Qualified
Bradley R. Trowbridge has been licensed in Illinois since 2000. He has had his own law practice since 2003 handling domestic, chancery, probate, and criminal matters. He also serves as an appointed guardian ad litem and has taught at The John Marshall Law School. He previously worked for several agencies included the Legal Assistance Foundation and is a mediator and arbitrator. He has published articles, volunteered with First Defense Legal Aid, and was president of the Chicago Metropolitan Battered Women’s Network.

Attorneys consider him to be professional, civil and fair.

The Committee finds Bradley R. Trowbridge qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

John Fritchey -- Not Qualified
John Fritchey has been licensed since 1989. Since 2006 he has been president of F4 Consulting, Ltd. focusing on providing strategic and legal counsel to clients dealing with government agencies and handling land use and zoning matters. In addition, from 2010 until 2018, he was a commissioner on the Cook County Board, after first serving as a state representative to the Illinois General Assembly from 1996 to 2010. During that same time period, he worked for various firms handling government and zoning issues. Before his election to the General Assembly, he was an associate at Barnett, Bornstein and Blazer handling civil litigation, after first working as an assistant attorney general. While in the legislature he served as chair of the House Judiciary Committee.

He has no jury experience as lead counsel, and very little bench or quasi-trial experience. While attorneys consider him to be very bright, professional, well-prepared, and with a good understanding of the law, concerns were raised about the depth and breadth of his legal experience and his lack of trial experience.

The Committee finds John Fritchey not qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

8th Subcircuit, Lipscomb Vacancy

Jennifer Bae -- Qualified
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.

Stephen Swedlow -- Qualified
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.

9th Subcircuit, Bernstein Vacancy

Sanjay Tailor -- Highly Qualified
Sanjay Tailor has been licensed since 1991. He was appointed to the circuit court as a full judge in January 2021 and is currently the Presiding Judge of the County Division. Prior to the appointment, he had been serving as an associate judge since 2003 in First Municipal, Domestic Relations, Law Division, and Chancery. Prior to his appointment, he had worked as an assistant state’s attorney, for First National Bank and Chapman and Cutler. He is a member of the Illinois Supreme Court Committee on Judicial Education, and also served on the Court’s Committee on Judicial Performance for six years. He was a founding member of the South Asian Bar Association. He is active with other judicial organizations and has lectured on legal topics and taught at Loyola.

Lawyers appearing before him describe him as having superior legal knowledge, being always prepared, and excellent with complex cases. He has a calm demeanor and is always on time.

The Committee finds Sanjay Tailor highly qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Ann Buran-Vongher -- Not Qualified
Ann Buran-Vongher was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1989. She is currently a sole practitioner focusing on criminal defense, after retiring from the Cook County Public Defender in December 2020. Her assignment as an assistant public defender included Felony Trial in the Second Municipal District (Skokie Courthouse), the Leighton Criminal Court Building, Juvenile Court and Preliminary Hearings. She was a union steward for AFSCME Local 3315 and active with animal rescue groups.

She has jury, bench and quasi-trial experience in criminal matters, including some complex cases. Attorneys praised her legal ability, zealous advocacy for her clients, and her professionalism. Concerns were raised about the depth and breadth of her experience.

The Committee finds Ann Buran-Vongher not qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

9th Subcircuit, Jacobius Vacancy

Basileios “Bill” John Foutris -- Qualified
Basileios “Bill” Foutris has been licensed since 2000. Since 2005 he has been a sole practitioner with Foutris Law Office, Ltd. where he represents plaintiffs in civil rights and police misconduct civil litigation matters. Prior to opening his own firm, he was an associate and a contract attorney with two other civil litigation firms. He is a member of several bar associations and does pro bono work through his practice.

He has substantial civil jury and bench trial experience in both state and federal courts and has handled some high-profile cases as well as some appeals. Most attorneys generally reported that he a formidable opponent respected for his knowledge. A few attorneys interviewed felt that at time he took advantage of less-experienced colleagues in resolving disputed and was not always easy to work with; some attributed any such issues to his passion for his clients.

The Committee finds Basileios Foutris qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Torrick Alan Ward -- Qualified
Torrick Ward was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1998. In 2015 he left his private practice to become Senior Labor Counsel for the Cook County Labor Relations office; in 2019 he became Deputy Director, his current position. Prior to opening his practice in 2010 where he focused on labor and employment law, he had been Deputy Director of the Office of Compliance for the City of Chicago, and an assistant corporation counsel. He has spoken on labor law issues and taught at DePaul and had been active with the Rogers Park Business Alliance.

He has civil jury and bench trial experience in both state and federal courts. Attorneys consider him to be well-experienced, civil, professional, with excellent integrity and legal knowledge.

The Committee finds Torrick Ward qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Barry Goldberg -- Qualified
Barry Goldberg was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1999. He has spent his career as an assistant attorney general, where is currently is the Bureau Chief of the Charitable Trust Bureau. He is a member of several bar associations and a past president of the Decalogue Society of Lawyers. In addition, he has lectured at law schools and written on legal topics and is active in community organizations.

He does not report jury or bench trial experience, but does have substantial quasi-trial civil experience, including administrative and evidentiary hearings. Attorneys reported that his legal knowledge was superior in the art of charitable trust issues and fraud. He is considered to have high integrity with a good temperament.

The Committee finds Barry Goldberg qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Don R. Sampen -- Qualified
Don R. Sampen has been licensed since 1975. He is currently a partner at ClausenMiller where he focuses on appellate litigation. He also spent several years as an assistant attorney general, where he was the Chief of Public Interest and Special Litigation and was a partner at two other law firms before that. He has taught at both Loyola and Northwestern, spoken at seminars, and handled pro bono matters. He is active with several bar associations, having chaired a section council with the Illinois State Bar Association, served as a committee chair with the Chicago Bar Association, and was a member of the Board of Directors of the Appellate Lawyers Association. He has teaching and writing experience. He has been a members of the Lincolnwood Plan Commission and the Evanston Zoning Board of Appeals.

He has civil jury and bench trial experience, and handled eighty appellate cases, in addition to being an arbitrator. Attorneys give him high marks for his legal knowledge and ability, high character, and kind demeanor.

The Committee finds Don R. Sampen qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

11th Subcircuit, McGuire Vacancy

Chris Taliaferro -- Not Qualified
Christopher Taliaferro has been licensed since 2007. Since being licensed he has practiced in the area of family with Taliaferro Law Group. He has also served as Alderman from the 29 th Ward to the Chicago City Council since 2015 where he chairs the City Council Committee on Public Safety. He is a Marine Corps veteran. He has lectured on estate planning and on civics and is a member of bar associations.

He reports no jury trial experience and three civil bench trials as lead counsel. While attorneys consider him to have good legal knowledge in his area and to be hard working and diligent, concerns were raised about the depth and breadth of his overall legal experience and his lack of trial experience.

The Committee finds Chris Taliaferro not qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Aileen Bhandari -- Qualified
Aileen Bhandari was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2002. She is a career assistant state’s attorney currently assigned to the Felony Trial Division. She has been active with various bar associations, including serving as treasurer of the Indian American Bar Association, has spoken on various legal issues, works on diversity issues with the Sate’s Attorney’s Office, and helped organize a naturalization drive.

Ms. Bhandari has extensive criminal jury and bench trial experience. Attorneys report that she is punctual, prepared, follows court rules, and presents evidence honestly and straightforwardly.

The Committee finds Aileen Bhandari qualified for election to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Chicago Council of Lawyers ratings for candidates for judicial vacancies in the 7th, 8th, 9th , and 11th Subcircuits

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 7th, 8th, 9th, and 11th Subcircuits issued today by the Chicago Council of Lawyers:

7th Subcircuit, Martin Vacancy

Marcia O’Brien Conway -- Well Qualified
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.

Owens J. Shelby -- Qualified
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.

8th Subcircuit, Gordon Vacancy

Patrick Casey -- Not Qualified
Patrick Casey was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2001. He has been in private practice since January 2020. For the previous 10 years Mr. Casey served as an administrative law judge involving a long-term care. Prior to that he did some criminal work and of some personal injury cases. Respondents indicated that Mr. Casey is knowledgeable about his current position and fulfilled his duties. However, the Council is concerned that Mr. Casey lacks sufficient litigation experience, and his current position as an administrative law judge is not sufficiently complex to demonstrate his ability to be a judge. The Council finds him Not Qualified for the Circuit Court.

Bradley R. Trowbridge -- Qualified
Bradley R. Trowbridge was admitted to practice in Illinois in 2000. Prior to law school he served as a social worker. Since 2004 he has served as a solo practitioner focusing on domestic relations issues. He has worked as a staff attorney at the Chicago Department of Law; a staff attorney at the Legal Assistance Foundation of Metropolitan Chicago; and as an associate with Audrey Gaynor & Associates. He has done domestic violence order of protection pro bono work.

Mr. Trowbridge is considered to have good legal ability. He has had substantial litigation experience in a variety of areas. Judges and practitioners praise his litigation skills. A few respondents questioned his temperament, but on balance, the Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.

John Fritchey -- Qualified
John Fritchey was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1989. For about two years he practiced before administrative tribunals as an attorney with the Illinois Attorney General’s Office. He then practiced with a small firm for another 4 to 5 years. He then became a politician, first as a State Representative and then as a Cook County Board Commissioner. He was defeated in 2018. He has been president of his own consulting firm for the last 15 years. In 1998, he created the John Fritchey Youth Foundation, designed to create educational and recreational opportunities for local children through the sponsorship of academic and sports programs.

Mr. Fritchey has little litigation experience and that was within the first 7 years of his career. But he is well respected as a politician, and is considered to have good ability. The Council recognizes his lack of actual trial experience, but Mr. Fritchey has had a career of public service, and as a politician, he has made impressive contributions to the public interest in a wide variety of legislative areas. The Council believes that his work as a respected public servant compensates for his paucity of litigation experience. On balance, the Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.

8th Subcircuit, Lipscomb Vacancy

Jennifer E. Bae -- Qualified
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.

Stephen Andrew Swedlow -- Well Qualified
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.

9th Subcircuit, Bernstein Vacancy

Hon. Sanjay T. Tailor -- Well Qualified
The Hon. Sanjay T. Tailor was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1991. He was appointed to the bench by the Illinois Supreme Court in 2021, after serving as an Associate Judge between 2003 and 2021. He is currently Presiding Judge of the County Division, where he hears cases concerning mental health, election, adoption, civil asset forfeiture, property tax, name change, and other civil matters. Previously, he was assigned to the Chancery Division (2015-2020), the Law Division (2009-2015), the Domestic Relations Division (2006-2009), and the First Municipal Division (2003-2006). From 1996 to 2003, he was an Assistant State’s Attorney in the Civil Actions Bureau of the Cook County State’s Attorney Office. He was also in-house counsel in the Law Department of the First National Bank of Chicago (1994-1995) and an Associate in the Special Litigation, Bankruptcy, and Workout Group at Chapman and Cutler (1991-1994). He is a member of numerous bar associations, including the American Bar Association, the Illinois State Bar Association, and the South Asian Bar Association of Chicago (founding member, advisory council).

Judge Tailor is a highly respected jurist who is praised for his knowledge, his preparedness, and his temperament. He has excelled in every judicial position to which he has been assigned. The Council finds him Well Qualified for the Circuit Court.

Ann Buran-Vongher -- Qualified
Ann Buran-Vongher was admitted to practice in Illinois in 1989 and has been a solo practitioner since December 2020. She does criminal defense work exclusively. She had been a Cook County Assistant Public Defender for 31 years practicing in a variety of cases and locations including felony trial work at the Criminal Courts Building, the Juvenile Court, the 2nd Municipal District in Skokie, and Preliminary Hearings.

Ann Buran-Vongher is considered to have good legal ability and is praised for her professionalism, her knowledge of the law, and for her diligence. She is reported to be a zealous advocate for her clients while being praised for her integrity. The Council finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court.

9th Subcircuit, Jacobius Vacancy

Basileios “Bill” John Foutris -- Qualified
Basileios “Bill” John Foutris was admitted to practice in 2000. His practice has been devoted to representing victims of police misconduct. As a civil rights lawyer, he has been involved in litigating wrongful death, police shootings, police brutality, illegal searches, false arrest, coerced confessions, malicious prosecution and other police misconduct. He has substantial litigation experience in both state and federal courts. He us praised for his knowledge of the law. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.

Torrick Alan Ward -- Qualified
Torrick Alan Ward was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1998. Mr. Ward began his career at the Chicago Department of Law as an assistant corporation counsel. In 2004 he was promoted to senior counsel where he supervised attorneys, handled employment discrimination suits and helped develop city policies. In 2008, he became the deputy director of the Chicago office of Compliance. In 2012 he began a solo practice.

Mr. Ward is praised for his legal ability and temperament. He has had substantial litigation experience during the course of his career, and is reported to have good temperament – civil and professional. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.

Barry Goldberg -- Qualified
Barry Goldberg was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1999. He is a member of several bar associations including the Decalogue Society of Lawyers, where he served as President (2009-2010). He has spent his career at the Charitable Trust Bureau of the Illinois Office of the Attorney General, where he has served as Bureau Chief (2019-present), Deputy Bureau Chief (2018-2019), Assistant Bureau Chief (2006-2017), and Assistant Attorney General (1999-2006).

Barry Goldberg is considered to have very good legal ability and is exceptionally knowledgeable involving charitable trusts. He is praised for his temperament. He has handled enforcement actions and conducted a multistate litigation action in a fraud action in federal court. While he has little trial experience, he has substantial experience in litigation matters. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.

Don R. Sampen -- Well Qualified
Don R. Sampen was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1975. Since 2008, he has been a partner at Clausen Miller P.C., where he focuses on appellate litigation. He has also been a partner at Meckler, Bulger & Tilson, where he focused on insurance-related commercial litigation (2003-2008); chief of the Public Interest Division and chief of the Special Litigation Bureau of the Illinois Attorney General’s Office (1995-2003); a partner at Martin, Craig, Chester & Sonnenschein (1988-1995); a partner and associate at Jenner & Block (1976-1988); and a law clerk to Judge Phil Tone of the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit (1975-1976). He serves as pro bono counsel for the Abolition Institute, an organization that fights modern day slavery.

Mr. Sampen is considered to have excellent legal ability. He is a widely respected appellate attorney who is also praised for his trial litigation experience in complex matters. He is reported to have a professional demeanor and is considered to a solid practitioner who knows the court system from a variety of points of view. The Council finds him Well Qualified for the Circuit Court.

11th Subcircuit, McGuire Vacancy

Chris Taliaferro -- Not Qualified
Christopher Taliaferro was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 2007. Currently he serves as Alderman for the 29th Ward of the City of Chicago (2015-present) and as a Solo Practitioner (2007-present) with the Taliaferro Law Group, where he practices family law.

Christopher Taliaferro is reported to have a good temperament. The Council is concerned, however, that he does not appear to have sufficient litigation experience in more complex matters and that his practice lacks sufficient depth and breadth. The Council finds him Not Qualified for the Circuit Court.

Aileen Bhandari --Qualified
Aileen Bhandarit was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 2002. She is an Assistant State’s Attorney in the Cook County State’s Attorney Office, where she prosecutes criminal cases, including Armed Robbery, Criminal Sexual Assault, Attempted Murder, and Murder cases, for the Felony Trial Division. Her pro bono activities include participation in Lawyers in the Classroom (2015).

Aileen Bhandari is considered to have good legal ability and has substantial trial experience in more complex criminal law matters. Her temperament is described as calm and affable. She is a well respected prosecutor who is described as having a commitment to understanding the needs of different communities and of crime victims from different backgrounds. The Council finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court.