State Judicial Evaluations
Chicago Council of Lawyers Releases Evaluations of Circuit Court Judges
The Council has released the results of its evaluations of judges seeking retention on the November ballot and of candidates seeking to fill vacancies in contested elections.
For the Council's judicial evaluation report which provides written reasons for each of our findings, click here.
For a summary of the Council's evaluations, click here.
For a sample ballot from the Committee to Elect Qualified Judges, click here.
To order printed copies of any of these documents, please call 312-988-6565 or email your request to ccl@chicagocouncil.org.
Council Evaluations of Associate Judge Candidates
On August 13, 2008 Chief Cook County Judge Timothy C. Evans released the names of the finalists for associate judge positions who have been nominated by a 10-member nominating committee comprised of Evans and nine presiding judges. The 18 finalists are vying to fill 9 vacancies. All Circuit Court judges vote on the candidates. A total of 265 candidates were evaluated by 11 bar associations, including the Chicago Council of Lawyers. The following are the Council's evaluations of the finalists.
Patrice Munzel Ball-Reed Qualified
Patrice Ball-Reed was licensed to practice in 1985 and currently serves as the Deputy Illinois Attorney General for Child Support Enforcement. She has served as the Deputy Supervisor in the Real Estate Property Tax Division of the State's Attorney's Office. Before that, she was in the Child Support Enforcement Division from 1989 through 1996. She spent four months as an independent contractor in 1988. From 1985 to 1988, she was an associate at Washington, Kenner, Hunter & Samuels, a general practice firm. Ms. Ball-Reed has been the President of the Black Women Lawyers Association of Greater Chicago and is involved in many other legal and non-legal associations.
Ms. Ball-Reed is considered to be diligent and hard working. She has good temperament and her integrity is unquestioned. Her community service work is laudable, and she is widely praised for her work on behalf of legal reform. The Council finds Ms. Ball-Reed Qualified to serve in Circuit Court
Edward J. Barron Qualified (Evaluated in 2006)
Edward J. Barron has been practicing law since 1982. He has been in private practice focusing on criminal, DUI, and traffic defense cases since 1986. From 1982 until 1986, Mr. Barron was an Assistant State's Attorney doing criminal trials and appellate prosecution. He is a 1981 graduate of Northern Illinois University Law School.
Mr. Barron served as a village trustee for Oak Lawn from 1985 to 1993. He has also been a prosecutor for Oak Lawn and for the Illinois Secretary of State.
Mr. Barron is considered to have good legal ability and temperament, and his integrity is unquestioned. He has extensive trial experience. Overall, he is a solid practitioner. The Council considers Mr. Barron to be Qualified to serve in Circuit Court.
Laura Bertucci Smith Qualified (Evaluated for the 2002 Primary Election)
Laura Bertucci Smith was admitted to practice in 1991 and has been an Assistant Cook County State's Attorney her entire legal career. She is currently a First Chair in the Felony Trial Division of that office. She has tried over 300 bench trials to verdict and approximately 20 jury trials in her career. The candidate served as first chair in 11 of the 20 felony jury trials. Lawyers comment positively on her performance. While she has been an attorney for little more than ten years [as of her evaluation in 2002], her experience and the information gathered during the Alliance investigation confirm that Ms. Smith is Qualified to serve as a Circuit Court Judge.
Yolaine Marie Dauphin Not Qualified
Yolaine Marie Dauphin was admitted in 1984. She is currently a commissioner at the Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission. She was a judicial clerk for Hon. Charles Freeman from 1999 to 2006 and for the Hon. Jill McNulty in 1999. She was a principal at Dauphin & Holland from 1997 to 1999 dealing with transactional matters, and an associate with Wilson & Mcllavine from 1985 to 1988, where she had litigation experience with cases involving foreclosure and forcible entry and detainer actions. Ms. Dauphin is reported to be a bright and personable attorney who has numerous published legal articles and is involved in substantial community service programs. The workers compensation cases over which she presides utilizes the rules of evidence and can be complex proceedings. Lawyers appearing before her give her high marks for her legal ability and temperament. The Council is concerned, however, because she has been in her current position for only two years and she lacks sufficient litigation experience as an attorney. On balance, the Council finds her Not Qualified for the Circuit Court.
John L. Huff Qualified (Evaluated in 2006)
John Huff has practiced law since 1973. After clerking one year for a federal district court judge, he spent 15 years handling a variety of civil litigation (including antitrust, securities fraud, commercial and domestic litigation) for Winston & Strawn. In 1989, he and another partner formed their own firm, which handles a wide range of civil litigation, including business litigation, construction cases, employment cases, but focuses on qui tam cases on behalf of the state against retailers for unpaid use taxes. He is a 1972 graduate of Georgetown University. Mr. Huff has had substantial litigation and trial experience over the course of his years in practice. Other attorneys have generally positive things to say about his abilities and temperament. The Council finds him qualified for the position of associate judge.
William R. Jackson, Jr. Qualified
William R. Jackson, Jr. was admitted to the bar in 1974. He was an associate at the firm of Winston and Strawn from 1974 to 1978. He was an in-house counsel at Borg Warner from 1978 to 1982 and at Container Corp. from 1982 to 1986 and a consultant on employee benefits and employment law for Price Waterhouse from 1986 to 1988. Since 1988, he has been a partner in a small firm with a general civil practice that includes real estate, probate, corporate, and business transactions. Mr. Jackson has served as a part-time administrative law judge in Evanston for the past year, in which capacity he has heard a variety of matters from parking violations to housing code violations. Attorneys view Mr. Jackson as smart, well prepared, and knowledgeable. He is praised for his even temperament and his calming influence in heated situations. The Council finds Mr. Jackson Qualified to serve in the Circuit Court.
Margaret Kulys-Hoffman Qualified (Evaluated in 2007)
Margaret Kulys-Hoffman has been a lawyer since 1983. She was appointed to the bench by the Illinois Supreme Court in 2006. She currently presides over traffic court and misdemeanor courtrooms in the Rolling Meadows courthouse. The Council, in an earlier evaluation done before she took the bench, found Judge Kulys-Hoffman Not Qualified due to insufficient litigation experience. The Council's current evaluation is based on her performance as a judge. She is considered by lawyers appearing before her to have good legal ability and temperament. She is praised for her courtroom management skills in high volume courtrooms. The Council finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court. Pamela M. Leeming Not Qualified (Evaluated for Associate Judge in 2004)
Pamela M. Leeming has served an Assistant Cook County Public Defender since her admission to practice in 1990. She concentrates her practice in the areas of paternity, criminal misdemeanor, preliminary hearings, a variety of other pre- and post-trial matters, and appeals. Ms. Leeming is considered to have good legal ability and temperament. The Council is concerned, however, about the lack of breadth and depth in her legal experience, as well as an absence of experience in more complex litigation matters. Nor has Ms. Leeming otherwise distinguished herself so as to overcome these deficiencies. The Council finds her Not Qualified.
Ellen B. Mandeltort Well Qualified (Evaluated in 2006)
Ellen Mandeltort was admitted to practice in 1985. Since 2003, she has been the Deputy Illinois Attorney General for the Criminal Justice Division. From 1985 until 2003, she was an Assistant Cook County State's Attorney and was in a supervisory position from 1998 until leaving the office. Ms. Mandeltort enjoys the reputation of having very good legal ability and temperament. She is respected for her fairness and integrity, and has substantial litigation experience in complex litigation matters. The Council finds her Well Qualified to serve in the Circuit Court.
Diann K. Marsalek Not Qualified (Evaluated in 2006)
Diann Marsalek was admitted to practice in 1989. She spent 16 years in the Illinois Attorney General's office doing litigation primarily for the Illinois Department of Corrections (DOC). Her initial 13 years in practice were primarily spent defending Section 1983 cases against the DOC in federal court, though she did also have some limited litigation experience in state court during this period. Her final 3 years in the AG's office were spent as a "facilitator" for litigation involving the DOC and as a policy advisor concerning litigation and legislation. Ms. Marsalek is reported to have good legal ability and temperament. The Council is concerned, however, that most of her litigation experience was earlier in her career and was in federal court. The Council finds her Not Qualified to serve in the Circuit Court.
Adrienne Mebane Well Qualified
Adrienne Mebane was admitted in 1984. She is chief of staff in the Cook County State's Attorney's Office. Except for a 5 year stint with the CTA's Law Department she has been in the office since her admission. She reports litigating 3 civil and 25 criminal cases to a jury verdict and over 1,000 bench trials to verdict. She has substantial litigation experience in a variety of criminal and civil law matters. She was recently appointed to be a hearing officer with the Illinois Attorney and Registration Commission. As chief of staff, she is actively involved in dealing with budget, legislation, grants, attorney recruitment and hiring, and attorney training. Ms. Mebane is reported to have excellent legal ability and is praised for being a good trial attorney, supervisor, and administrator. She has good temperament. The Council finds her Well Qualified for the Circuit Court.
Thomas R. Mulroy Well Qualified (evaluated to fill a judicial vacancy in 2006. He was appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court to fill a judicial vacancy)
Thomas R. Mulroy has practiced law since 1973. Since 2003, he has been Chairman of the Litigation Committee at McGuire Woods. For two years before that, he was a partner at Mulroy Scandaglia Marrinson & Ryan. From 1976 until 2001, he was at Jenner & Block. He spent 1972 to 1976 as an Assistant U.S. Attorney. Mr. Mulroy is considered to have excellent legal ability and temperament. He is involved in community service activities and has published articles. The Council is concerned that he provided little attention to the evaluation materials he supplied to the Alliance of Bar Associations for Judicial Screening. On balance, however, the Council finds him Well Qualified.
Bernard Joseph Murray Well Qualified
Bernard Joseph Murray was admitted to practice in 1983. He is the Chief of the Criminal Prosecutions Bureau for the Cook County State's Attorney's Office (since 2001) and before that held a variety of positions in the same office (since 1984). He reports that he has been lead counsel in 60 trials that have gone to a jury verdict and hundreds that have gone to a bench verdict. He has litigated 12 cases on appeal. Mr. Murray is considered to have excellent good legal ability and a very good temperament. He is reported to have good supervisory skills, and is praised by both prosecutors and defense counsel for his integrity and for being hard-working. The Council finds him Well Qualified for the Circuit Court.
Michael Panter Well Qualified
Michael Panter was admitted in 1978. He currently a full-time professor and director of the litigation lab at DePaul's school of law. Since 1980 he also litigated with Michael Panter & Associates. As lead trial counsel he reports that he has taken 50 civil cases to a jury trial and about 15 to a bench verdict. His most recent practice has focused on wrongful death cases in the areas of medical and legal malpractice. He is the author of a chapter on discovery on ITLA's Civil Practice Update and does pro bono work with the Southern Poverty Law Center. He is reported to have excellent legal ability and is described as a fair but tough advocate. He has an outstanding temperament and is always well-prepared. The Council finds him Well Qualified for the Circuit Court.
James Edward Snyder Qualified (evaluated for the 2004 Primary election)
James E. Snyder was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1988. Since 2000, he has served as General Counsel to the Illinois Human Rights Commission. Between 1994 and 2000, he was a sole practitioner representing small businesses, individuals, nonprofit organizations and local governments. During this time Mr. Snyder served as a Hearing Officer with the City of Chicago and as a City of Chicago Personnel Board Hearing Officer. From 1988 to 1991 he served as a staff attorney for the Chicago Housing Authority, working in forcible entry and detainer courtrooms. Mr. Snyder is described as a hard working, knowledgeable practitioner with a excellent temperament. He has sufficient litigation experience and is reported to have good legal ability. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.
Michael A. Strom Well-Qualified (Evaluated for the 2004 Primary Election)
Michael A. Strom has been in private practice since his admission to the bar in 1977. He is currently the senior litigation attorney at the Law Offices of David A. Izzo. Mr. Strom has good legal ability and has been widely praised for his good temperament. He has extensive experience as a trial lawyer on a variety of challenging cases. He is also involved in community activities such as the Chicago Coalition for Law-Related Education. The Council finds him Well Qualified for the Circuit Court.
Gregory Vazquez Qualified
Gregory Vazquez was admitted in 1977. He is currently in a private criminal defense practice. He was an Assistant State's Attorney from his admission until 1981. He reports that he has taken 35 criminal trials to a jury verdict and over 300 criminal trials to a bench verdict. Mr. Vazquez is reported to have good legal ability and has substantial litigation experience in complex matters. He is praised for his temperament and for his community service. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.
Lauretta Higgins Wolfson -- Qualified (evaluated for the 2002 Associate Judge evaluations. She was appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court to fill a judicial vacancy.)
Lauretta Higgins Wolfson was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1989. She is currently Deputy Supervisor of the Transactions / Health Law Section of the Office of the Cook County State's Attorney, where she was been since 1998. From 1995 to 1998, she was a Hearing Officer in the Domestic Relations Division. For two years before that, she was an Assistant Cook County State's Attorney. From 1989 to 1992, she was associated with Wayne & Jemilio, where she practices domestic relations and employment law. For one year prior to that, she was an associate at Hinshaw & Culbertson. Ms. Wolfson is a 1988 graduate of Chicago-Kent College of Law. In 2000, she was awarded an LLM in Health Law by Loyola University Chicago School of Law. She has taught trial advocacy at Chicago-Kent since 1993, the University of Chicago (1995-2000), and Willamette University (summers, 1993-1999). She is the author of three publications dealing with state health care regulation, food and drug law, and spoliation of medical records.
Ms. Wolfson is well regarded for her legal ability and temperament. She prepares thoroughly and her integrity is unquestioned. The Council is concerned that she lacks substantial trial experience in complex matters but her teaching and scholarship are offsetting factors. On balance, the Council finds Ms. Wolfson Qualified to serve in Circuit Court.
In the summer of 1969, Alexander Polikoff, founder of Business and Professional People for the Public Interest, addressed a group of 300 attorneys in the basement of the People's Gas Building about the shortcomings of the justice system. In his speech. Mr. Polikoff asked the lawyers:
"The Judiciary and the court system, including the selection of judges, is shot through with politics, and the quality of justice suffers grievously as a result...Judicial procedure in the lower state courts within our city is a mockery. How is it that lawyers have not long since put the operation of the judicial system on a sensible basis?"
That group of attorneys would go on to found the Chicago Council of Lawyers and place the improvement of the judiciary in the forefront of their activities. In its mission to monitor and improve the state courts, the Council continues to issue the toughest judicial evaluations in town.
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