Organizing the Data: 9th Subcircuit - Axelrood vacancy

Updated March 14, 2020
Updated March 12, 2020

Candidates are listed in the order that they appear on the ballot in the Democratic primary; no Republican filed for this vacancy.

Pamela "Pam" Stratigakis - #231

Campaign Website

Bar Association Evaluation Narratives

The Chicago Bar Association says:

Pamela “Pam” Stratigakis is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Stratigakis was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2001 and is currently engaged in private practice concentrating in civil litigation, medical malpractice, healthcare, and the Nursing Home Care Act. Ms. Stratigakis served as an Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney from 2003-2019 and served as First Chair in the Felony Trial Division. Ms. Stratigakis served on the Internet Sex Crimes Against Children Task Force and was engaged in groundbreaking litigation against people involved in Internet sex crimes. Ms. Stratigakis has extensive trial experience and is well regarded for her fine temperament and knowledge of both criminal and civil law.

The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:

Pamela J. Stratigakis was admitted to practice in 2001. She is Partner/Of Counsel at Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith LLP, where she handles cases involving long-term care and elder law, health care, and medical malpractice. From 2003 to August 2019, she served as an Assistant State’s Attorney in the Cook County State’s Attorney Office, where her assignments included Felony Trial Division, First Chair, Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Division; Special Prosecutor, Office of Violence Against Women, Women VOICES Campus Initiative Grant (2015-2018); the Special Litigation Unit; the Post-Conviction Unit; the Narcotics Division; and the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. From 2001 to 2003, she was an Associate Attorney at the Huppert Richard and Wood Law Firm, where she handled civil litigation, contracts for commercial and corporate transactions, business agreements, acquisitions, and sales mergers.

Ms. Stratigakis is considered to have good legal ability and has litigation experience in both criminal and civil matters. She is praised for her litigation skills and for her temperament. The Council finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court.

The Illinois State Bar Association says:

Pamela Stratigakis was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2001. In August 2019, after spending sixteen years as an assistant state’s attorney, she joined Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith as a partner handling insurance defense for medical malpractice cases. As an assistant state’s attorney, her assignments included Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Division, Child Support, Narcotics, and Felony Review. She has spoken on legal topics and internet safety, is a member of several bar associations, and is on the board of the North Suburban Bar Association.

She has substantial criminal jury and bench trial experience. Attorneys praised her legal knowledge and ability, her diligence, demeanor, and professionalism. ISBA finds Ms. Pamela Stratigakis qualified to serve as a judge to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Other Bar Association Evaluations

Arab American Bar Association: Recommended

Asian American Bar Association: Not evaluated through no fault of the candidate

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: Recommended

Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago: Recommended

Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois: Highly Recommended

Women's Bar Association of Illinois: Recommended

Endorsements

Chicago Federation of Labor
Fraternal Order of Police, Chicago Lodge No. 7
Italian American Police Association
41st Ward Regular Democratic Organization
39th Ward Democratic Organization
United Hellenic Voters of America
Indo-American Democratic Organization
Chicago NOW PAC
Personal PAC

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Thomas M. Cushing - #232

Campaign Website

Bar Association Evaluation Narratives

The Chicago Bar Association says:

Thomas Cushing is “Highly Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Cushing was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1988 and was engaged in private practice from 1988-2005 concentrating in civil trial and appellate work. Mr. Cushing worked for the Chicago Climate Exchange from 2006-2010 and as the Managing Director of Public Policy for the Delta Institute, after which he re-entered private practice as of counsel to a small firm. Mr. Cushing has extensive trial experience and is well regarded for his knowledge of the law, legal ability, diligence, work ethic, and fine temperament.

The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:

Hon. Thomas Maloney Cushing was admitted to practice in Illinois in 1988. He was appointed to the bench by the Illinois Supreme Court in 2019. Before taking the bench, he was of counsel to the offices of Christopher A. Kreid and Associates, focusing on commercial and chancery litigation. From 2006-2010, Mr. Cushing was Senior Vice President for Membership at the Chicago Climate Exchange, applying his legal skills in a business/environmental policy role. From 2005-2006, he was principal in his own law practice, specializing in personal injury practice. During this time, he also assisted Counsel to the Shakman Decree Monitor. From 1988-2005, he was an associate at Ambrose & Cushing, specializing in civil trials, particularly personal injury, professional malpractice, and municipal liability. Since 2013, he has volunteered as a Hearing Board Member at the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission.

As a lawyer Judge Cushing is reported to have been a solid practitioner with very good ability and an excellent temperament. He has substantial litigation experience in complex matters, and is praised for his litigation skills and for his temperament. He has been involved with numerous community activities, including teaching and environmental advocacy. The Council finds him Well Qualified for the Circuit Court.

The Illinois State Bar Association says:

Thomas M. Cushing has been licensed since 1988. He was appointed to the circuit court in June 2019 and is currently assigned to Domestic Violence. Prior to his appointment he had been ‘of counsel’ to Christopher Kreid & Associates since 2010. Before joining that firm, from 2006 to 2010 he had been senior vice president at the Chicago Climate Exchange. He also had his own practice for many years before that handling professional and municipal liability matters. He was assisting counsel on the Shakman Decree case. He has taught trial practice, written and spoken on legal matters; was a hearing board member for the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission; and a volunteer with Chicago Volunteer Legal Services.

He has extensive civil jury and bench trial experience in both state and federal courts. Attorneys universally praised his experience, diligence and demeanor; he is considered to be well-versed in evidence. ISBA finds Judge Thomas M. Cushing qualified to serve as a judge to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Other Bar Association Evaluations

Arab American Bar Association: Not evaluated through no fault of the candidate

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: Recommended

Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago: Recommended

Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois: Recommended

Women's Bar Association of Illinois: Recommended

Endorsements

Chicago Tribune
Democratic Party of the 49th Ward

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Ira I. Silverstein - #233

No known Campaign Website

Bar Association Evaluation Narratives

The Chicago Bar Association says:

Ira I. Silverstein is “Not Recommended” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Silverstein was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1985 and is currently a sole practitioner engaged in the general practice of law. Mr. Silverstein served as an Illinois State Senator from 1999-2018. In 2017, a complaint involving harassment was filed against Senator Silverstein, which was investigated by the Inspector General who found in 2018 that Senator Silverstein’s conduct was unbecoming of a legislator. This incident and Mr. Silverstein’s limited practice and court experience resulted in a “Not Recommended” finding.

The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:

Ira I. Silverstein was admitted to practice in 1985. He was an elected official serving as a State Senator of the 8th District from 1999 to 2018. He has been a sole practitioner from July 1988 to the present, handling civil litigation and probate. From 1988 to approximately 1990, he co-counseled for a collection law firm, handling more than 30 trials a year. He was accused of harassment but was cleared after an investigation by the legislative inspector general. But the inspector general’s report found that he have behaved in a way “unbecoming of a legislator.” He lost his re-election bid in 2018.

Mr. Silverstein is considered to have good legal ability and temperament. He has had litigation experience throughout his extensive legal career. The Council is concerned about his past ethical lapse. On balance, the Council finds him Not Qualified for the Circuit Court.

The Illinois State Bar Association says:

Ira I. Silverstein was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1985. He is a sole practitioner focusing on domestic relations, real estate and guardianship. From 1999 to 2018 he was a state senator in the Illinois Legislature representing the Eighth District. He was chair of the Illinois Senate Judiciary Committee and a member of both the Illinois Guardianship and Advocacy Commission and the Holocaust and Genocide Commission.

While some attorneys gave positive comments about his diligence and knowledge, concerns were raised about the depth and breadth of his legal experience and his lack of litigation experience. In addition, a harassment complaint filed against him in 2017 resulted in a finding by the Inspector General that his conduct was unbecoming for a legislator, with a recommendation for ethics counseling. ISBA finds Mr. Ira I. Silverstein not qualified to serve as a judge to the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Other Bar Association Evaluations

Arab American Bar Association: Not evaluated through no fault of the candidate

Asian American Bar Association: Not evaluated through no fault of the candidate

Black Women Lawyers' Association: Not Recommended

Cook County Bar Association: Not Recommended

Decalogue Society of Lawyers: Recommended

Hellenic Bar Association of Illinois: Recommended

Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois: Not Recommended

Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago: Not Recommended

Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois: Not Recommended

Women's Bar Association of Illinois: Not Recommended

Endorsement

Niles Township Democrats

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Timothy Patrick Carter - #234

Campaign Website

Bar Association Evaluation Narratives

The Chicago Bar Association says:

Timothy Patrick Carter is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Carter was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1995 and served as an Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney for 16 years before entering private practice. Mr. Carter is currently engaged in private practice concentrating largely in criminal matters. Mr. Carter has extensive trial experience and is well regarded for his knowledge of the law, legal ability, diligence and fine demeanor.

The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:

Timothy Patrick Carter was admitted to practice in 1995. He has been in private practice since 2012 and served as an Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney from 1992 to 2012. He is considered to a solid practitioner with good legal ability and temperament. He is praised for his litigation skills, and has substantial litigation experience. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.

The Illinois State Bar Association says:

Timothy Patrick Carter has been licensed since 1995. He has been in private practice since 2012 currently with Carter & Opdyke, PC focusing on criminal defense. From 1996 to 2012 he was an assistant state’s attorney serving in the Appeals, Traffic, Juvenile, and Felony Trial divisions. He has been a moot court judge, is a member of several bar associations and is a past president of the Northfield Bar Association.

He has extensive jury and bench trial experience including in complex matters. He is well-respected for his legal knowledge and ability, integrity and professionalism. He treats all with respect and is fair and diligent. ISBA finds Mr. Timothy Patrick Carter qualified to serve as a judge 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: Recommended

Hellenic Bar Association of Illinois: Recommended

Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois: Recommended

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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