Monday, March 5, 2012

Organizing the Data: 8th Subcircuit - Chiola vacancy

Candidates are listed in the order that they appear on the ballot in the Democratic primary; no Republican filed for this vacancy. Information on this post will be updated as time permits until the March 20, 2012 primary.
Updated 3/16/12

Rodney W. Stewart - #181


Campaign Website

Questionnaire Response: Chicago Tribune

Video Interview: NTNM

Bar Association Evaluations

The Chicago Bar Association says:
Rodney W. Stewart is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Stewart was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1983 and since 1985 has been engaged as a solo practitioner concentrating in civil trial and juvenile law matters. Mr. Stewart is well regarded for his professionalism, fine demeanor, and knowledge of juvenile law, particularly in the area of abuse and neglect.
The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:
Rodney Stewart was admitted in 1983. Since 1985, he has been a sole practitioner with an emphasis in juvenile abuse and neglect cases. He has served as a hearing officer with the Chicago Board of Education since 2000. Prior to serving as a sole practitioner, he was an attorney with the Chicago Department of Law. As lead counsel he reports taking six civil cases to a jury verdict and around 40 civil cases to a bench verdict. He has litigated five appellate cases. Mr. Stewart is reported to have good legal ability and experience in a variety of litigation matters. He is praised for his temperament. The Council is concerned, however, that his practice lacks sufficient breadth. The Council finds Mr. Stewart Not Qualified for the Circuit Court.
Other Bar Association Evaluations:
Asian American Bar Association of the
Greater Chicago Area		Qualified
Black Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater ChicagoRecommended
Cook County Bar AssociationRecommended
Decalogue Society of LawyersRecommended
Hellenic Bar AssociationRecommended
Hispanic Lawyers Association of IllinoisQualified
Illinois State Bar AssociationQualified
Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of ChicagoRecommended
Puerto Rican Bar Association of IllinoisQualified
Women’s Bar Association of IllinoisRecommended


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Celia Louise Gamrath - #182


Campaign Website

Questionnaire Responses: Chicago Tribune, Illinois Civil Justice League

Bar Association Evaluations

The Chicago Bar Association says:
Judge Celia Gamrath is “Highly Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Judge Gamrath was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1994 and concentrated her practice in family law before her appointment to the bench in 2010. Judge Gamrath treats lawyers and litigants with respect and receives high marks for her knowledge of the law, fine temperament, and efficiency in managing her courtroom. Judge Gamrath has participated in teaching family law to other judges and was appointed as a Peer Review Editor for the Family Law Benchbook.
The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:
Judge Celia Louise Gamrath was appointed to the Circuit Court in 2010. She was admitted to practice in 1994. Before becoming a judge, she was a partner at Schiller DuCanto and Fleck where she handled family law litigation, complex motion practice, and appeals. From 1994 to 1997, she served as a judicial law clerk in the Illinois Appellate Court. The vast majority of her cases settled before trial, but she did substantial numbers of evidentiary and dispositive motions. She reported handling about 50 appeal cases. Judge Gamrath is exceptionally active in bar association activities and has published numerous articles in legal texts. Lawyers report that as a lawyer, Judge Gamrath had good legal ability and was considered to be a zealous, ethical advocate who is hard-working. She has a good temperament and is praised for her community service. The Council finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court.
Other Bar Association Evaluations:
Asian American Bar Association of the
Greater Chicago Area		Qualified
Black Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater ChicagoRecommended
Cook County Bar AssociationRecommended
Decalogue Society of LawyersRecommended
Hellenic Bar AssociationRecommended
Hispanic Lawyers Association of IllinoisQualified
Illinois State Bar AssociationQualified
Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of ChicagoRecommended
Puerto Rican Bar Association of IllinoisQualified
Women’s Bar Association of IllinoisRecommended

Endorsements
Chicago Tribune
Chicago Federation of Labor
Fraternal Order of Police, Chicago Lodge No. 7
Personal PAC
Italian American Political Coalition
Chicago Fire Fighters Union, Local 2

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James A. Shapiro - #183


Campaign Website

Questionnaire Response: Chicago Tribune

Video Interviews: NTNM(1), NTNM(2)

Bar Association Evaluations

The Chicago Bar Association says:
Judge James A. Shapiro is “Highly Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Judge Shapiro was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1985 and has experience in both government and private practice. Judge Shapiro was appointed to the Circuit Court in 2007 and was recalled for subsequent terms. Judge Shapiro is currently assigned to the Circuit Court’s Fourth Municipal District in Maywood and is well regarded for his fine demeanor, temperament, and work ethic.
The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:
Judge James Anthony Shapiro was admitted to practice in 1985. He was appointed to the bench by the Illinois Supreme Court in 2007 and continues to sit by appointment. As a private lawyer, he has been in private practice as (simultaneously) a solo practitioner, a partner in Shapiro & Schwartz, and of counsel to Applegate, Valauskas. His practice involved criminal law, employment, personal injury, appeals, and commercial litigation. He served as an Assistant United States Attorney from 1989 to 1995. From 1985 to 1989, he was in private civil practice doing commercial, tort, and labor litigation. Mr. Shapiro was also a hearing officer with the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission and a Cook County Arbitrator.

As a lawyer, Judge Shapiro was considered to have good legal ability and temperament. He had litigation experience in both civil and criminal law matters. He had demonstrated a laudable commitment to community service. As a judge, he is respected for his fairness, temperament, and ability to communicate with all those in the courtroom. The Council finds Judge Shapiro Qualified to serve in Circuit Court.
Other Bar Association Evaluations:
Asian American Bar Association of the
Greater Chicago Area		Qualified
Black Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater ChicagoRecommended
Cook County Bar AssociationRecommended
Decalogue Society of LawyersHighly Recommended
Hellenic Bar AssociationRecommended
Hispanic Lawyers Association of IllinoisQualified
Illinois State Bar AssociationQualified
Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of ChicagoRecommended
Puerto Rican Bar Association of IllinoisQualified
Women’s Bar Association of IllinoisRecommended

Endorsements
IVI-IPO
Personal PAC
Citizen Action Illinois
Jewish Chicago
Illinois Committee for Honest Government

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Thomas N. Osran - #184


No Candidate Website known

Questionnaire Response: Chicago Tribune

Bar Association Evaluations

The Chicago Bar Association says:
Thomas Osran is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Osran was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1990 and has worked in both the government and private sector. Mr. Osran has extensive trial experience and is well regarded for his knowledge of the law, fine demeanor, and temperament. Mr. Osran is also an active volunteer in the community.
The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:
Thomas N. Osran was admitted to practice in 1990. Prior to becoming an attorney, he was a newspaper reporter in Waukegan. Between 1991 and 2000, he served as an Assistant Corporation Counsel for the Chicago Department of Law. From 2000 to 2001, he worked at a public relations firm as an account executive. From 2001 to 2002, he worked at Arthur Andersen. Since 2002, he has been in private practice doing tort and insurance defense litigation. Mr. Osran is considered to have good legal ability. He has substantial litigation experience in more complex matters. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.
Other Bar Association Evaluations:
Asian American Bar Association of the
Greater Chicago Area		Qualified
Black Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater ChicagoRecommended
Cook County Bar AssociationRecommended
Decalogue Society of LawyersRecommended
Hellenic Bar AssociationRecommended
Hispanic Lawyers Association of IllinoisQualified
Illinois State Bar AssociationQualified
Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of ChicagoRecommended
Puerto Rican Bar Association of IllinoisQualified
Women’s Bar Association of IllinoisRecommended


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Posted by Jack Leyhane at 6:53 PM
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