Organizing the Data: countywide O'Brien, Jr. 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 3/17/12

Cynthia Ramirez - #149

Candidate Website

Questionnaire Responses: Chicago Tribune, Illinios Civil Justice League

Candidate Statement: Cook County Clerk

Video Interview: NTNM

Bar Association Evaluations

The Chicago Bar Association says:

Cynthia Ramirez is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Ramirez was admitted to prac¬tice law in Illinois in 1990 and has served in both the government and private sectors. Since 2000, Ms. Ramirez has served as an Administrative Law Judge for the Illinois Department of Public Health. Ms. Ramirez has a fine demeanor and possesses the requisite legal knowledge and experience to serve as a Circuit Court Judge.

The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:

Cynthia Ramirez has been practicing law since 1990. Following her admission to the bar, Ms. Ramirez served as an Assistant Cook County Public Defender from 1990 to 1995, left the Office for private practice in 1996 to 1997, and returned to the Public Defender’s Office from 1997 to 1998. She has served as an administrative law judge with the Illinois Department of Human Services, and is currently an administrative law judge with the Illinois Department of Public Health. Ms. Ramirez is considered to have good legal ability, and is praised as an administrative law judge for her temperament and legal skills. She acquired first-hand litigation and courtroom experience both as an Assistant Public Defender and as a private practitioner. The Council finds her Qualified.

Other Bar Association Evaluations:

Asian American Bar Association of the Greater Chicago Area

Qualified

Black Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater Chicago

Recommended

Cook County Bar Association

Recommended

Decalogue Society of Lawyers

Highly Recommended

Hellenic Bar Association

Recommended

Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois

Highly Recommended

Illinois State Bar Association

Qualified

Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago

Recommended

Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois

Highly Recommended

Women’s Bar Association of Illinois

Recommended

Endorsements

Cook County Democratic Party
Chicago Federation of Labor
Illinois Committee for Honest Government
Fraternal Order of Police, Chicago Lodge No. 7
Latin American Police Association
IVI-IPO
Arab American Democratic Club
Illinois Committee for Honest Government
Chicago Fire Fighters Union, Local 2
Chicago Defender

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Gerald V. Cleary - #150

Candidate Website

Questionnaire Responses: Chicago Tribune, Illinois Civil Justice League

Candidate Statement: Cook County Clerk

Bar Association Evaluations

The Chicago Bar Association says:

Gerald Vernon Patrick Cleary, III is “Highly Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Cleary was admitted to practice law in 1989 and has extensive civil practice and trial experience. Mr. Cleary has handled a variety of complex cases and concentrates his practice in products liability, transportation and commercial litigation. Mr. Cleary possesses an even temperament and is well regarded for his legal knowledge and ability.

The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:

Gerald Patrick Cleary III has been a lawyer since 1989. He is currently a partner at SmithAmundsen, doing a variety of civil litigation. He leads the firm’s aerospace practice and also represents municipalities and corporations in civil rights matters. From 1990 to 1997 he was an associate attorney at Querrey & Harrow doing civil litigation. Mr. Cleary is considered to have good legal ability and an excellent temperament. He is praised for being exceptionally knowledgeable, hard-working, and fair. 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 Chicago

Recommended

Cook County Bar Association

Recommended

Decalogue Society of Lawyers

Highly Recommended

Hellenic Bar Association

Recommended

Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois

Qualified

Illinois State Bar Association

Qualified

Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago

Recommended

Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois

Qualified

Women’s Bar Association of Illinois

Recommended

Endorsements

Chicago Tribune
Illinois Civil Justice League

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