Friday, February 24, 2012

CBA evaluations in the race for the countywide Simmons, Jr. vacancy

The Chicago Bar Association has released its evaluations of candidates running for the Simmons, Jr. vacancy. Candidates are listed in ballot order. All of the following are candidates in the Democratic primary; no Republican filed for this (or any other) countywide Circuit Court vacancy.

Michael A. Forti -- Highly Qualified
Michael Angelo Forti is “Highly Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Forti was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1980 and has experience in private practice and the government sector. Since 1994, Mr. Forti has served in the City of Chicago’s Corporation Counsel’s office and currently is Deputy Corporation Counsel in the Constitutional and Commercial Litigation Section. Mr. Forti has extensive trial experience and possesses all the requisite qualifications to serve as a Circuit Court Judge.
Jessica A. O'Brien -- Qualified
Jessica O’Brien is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. O’Brien was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1998 and is serving as a litigation attorney in the Income Tax Section of the Illinois Department of Revenue. Ms. O’Brien has an LLM degree in Taxation and Employee Benefits. In addition, Ms. O’Brien has served as the General Counsel for the Illinois Lottery since 2011. Ms. O’Brien possesses the breadth of legal knowledge and experience to serve as a Circuit Court Judge.
James A. Wright -- Qualified
James A. Wright is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Wright was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1989 and served as an Assistant United State’s Attorney, Chief of Staff for the Chicago Police Department, and as an Inspector General for the Illinois Toll Highway Authority and for the Office of Inspector General for Illinois gubernatorial agencies. Mr. Wright worked at a large law firm for several years and is currently engaged in private practice as a solo practitioner. Mr. Wright has a fine demeanor and temperament and possesses the requisite qualifications to serve as a Circuit Court Judge.

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