Organizing the Data: Countywide Coghlan vacancy

Updated March 16, 2020
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.

Kelly Marie McCarthy - #184

Campaign Website

Bar Association Evaluation Narratives

The Chicago Bar Association says:

Kelly Marie McCarthy is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. McCarthy was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2001 and has served the majority of her career as a Cook County Assistant Public Defender. Ms. McCarthy is currently serving as Chief of the Indigent Defense-Appeals and Post Convictions Division. Ms. McCarthy has excellent organizational skills and is well regarded for her knowledge of the law, integrity and excellent temperament.

The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:

Kelly M. McCarthy was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 2001. She works as a supervisor in the First Municipal Division of the Law Office of the Cook County Public Defender. Other positions that she has held at the Public Defender’s Office include Assistant Public Defender in the Homicide Task Force (2 years); Felony Trial Division (12 years); and Civil Division (1½ years). She is a former board member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the Illinois Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. She has volunteered as an evaluator and coach for mock trial and moot court competitions.

Ms. McCarthy is considered to have good legal ability and temperament. She is reported to be knowledgeable and hard-working. The Council finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court.

The Illinois State Bar Association says:

Kelly Marie McCarthy has been licensed in Illinois since 2001. She is a career assistant public defender currently holding the position of Attorney Supervisor. She spent two years on the Homicide Task Force and twelve years in the Felony Trial Division. She is a member of several bar associations, is active in community events and has been a continuing legal education presenter.

She has extensive criminal jury and bench experience, including complex litigation experience. She received praise for her knowledge and her ability to handle complex matters. ISBA finds Ms. Kelly Marie McCarthy 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: Qualified

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

Democratic Citizens of Berwyn
New 26th Ward Independent Democratic Party
Advocates Society (Recommended)
LGBTQ Impact

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Aileen Bhandari - #185

Campaign Website

Law Bulletin Questionnaire

Bar Association Evaluation Narratives

The Chicago Bar Association says:

Aileen Bhandari is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Bhandari was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2002 and has served as an Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney for 16 years. Ms. Bhandari is assigned to the Community Justice Center-West. Ms. Bhandari has extensive trial experience and is well regarded for her work ethic, knowledge of the law, legal experience, and excellent temperament.

The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:

Aileen Bhandari was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 2002. She is an Assistant State’s Attorney in the Cook County State’s Attorney Office, where she prosecutes criminal cases, including Armed Robbery, Criminal Sexual Assault, Attempted Murder, and Murder cases, for the Felony Trial Division. Her pro bono activities include participation in Lawyers in the Classroom (2015).

Ms. Bhandari is considered to have good legal ability and has substantial trial experience in more complex criminal law matters. Her temperament is described as calm and affable. She is a well-respected prosecutor who is described as having a commitment to understanding the needs of different communities and of crime victims from different backgrounds. The Council finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court.

The Illinois State Bar Association says:

Aileen Bhandari was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2002. She is a career assistant state’s attorney currently assigned to the Felony Trial Division. She has been active with various bar associations, including serving as treasurer of the Indian American Bar Association, has spoken on various legal issues, works on diversity issues with the Sate’s Attorney’s Office, and helped organize a naturalization drive.

Ms. Bhandari has extensive criminal jury and bench trial experience. Attorneys report that she is punctual, prepared, follows court rules, and presents evidence honestly and straightforwardly. ISBA finds Ms. Aileen Bhandari qualified to serve as a judge for the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Other Bar Association Evaluations

Arab American Bar Association: Recommended

Asian American Bar Association: Qualified

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: Highly Recommended

Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois: Highly Recommended

Women's Bar Association of Illinois: Recommended

Endorsements

IVI-IPO
AMVOTE PAC
Indo-American Democratic Organization
45th Ward Independent Dems
Citizens in Action for Better Government
Fraternal Order of Police, Chicago Lodge No. 7 (Well Qualified)
Advocates Society (Recommended)

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Elizabeth "Beth" Ryan - #186

Campaign Website

Law Bulletin Questionnaire

Bar Association Evaluation Narratives

The Chicago Bar Association says:

Elizabeth “Beth” Ryan is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Ryan was admitted to practice law in 2004 and is currently a solo practitioner concentrating in personal injury, corporate litigation, and social security disability law. Ms. Ryan is well regarded by her peers and by the judges before whom she has appeared for her knowledge of the law and legal ability.

The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:

Elizabeth Ryan was admitted to practice in 2004 and concentrates her practice on civil litigation. After law school, she was a judicial clerk for Judge Martin Agran in the Chancery Division of Cook County Circuit Court. Ms Ryan focuses her practice on representing plaintiffs in auto accidents, animal attacks, slip-and-falls, sexual battery, and Social Security disability claims.

Ms. Ryan is considered to have good legal ability and temperament. She is praised for her litigation skills and she has substantial litigation experience in more complex matters. The Council finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court.

The Illinois State Bar Association says:

Elizabeth “Beth” Ryan has been licensed since 2004. Since 2011 she has been a solo practitioner handling mainly personal injury matters. Earlier in her career, she spent two years as a law clerk in Chancery followed by three years in a law firm. She is a member of various bar associations and has been a guest lecturer at IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law.

Ms. Ryan reports that she has tried eight civil jury trials. She received overall positive comments for her legal knowledge and ability; a few questioned the extent of her experience in complex matters. She is considered to be very professional, diligent and punctual, with a good temperament and high ethical standards. ISBA finds Ms. Elizabeth Ryan 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

Endorsements

Chicago Federation of Labor
41st Ward Regular Democratic Organization
38th Ward Nicholas Sposato
30th Ward Regular Democratic Organization
United Hellenic Voters of America
Chicago NOW PAC
Personal PAC
Italian American Police Association
Fraternal Order of Police, Chicago Lodge No. 7 (Well Qualified)
Advocates Society (Recommended)

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James T. Derico, Jr. - #187

Candidate Website

Law Bulletin Questionnaire

Bar Association Evaluation Narratives

The Chicago Bar Association says:

Judge James Derico is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Judge Derico was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1985 and was appointed to the Circuit Court in 2019. Judge Derico is assigned to the First Municipal District and hears a variety of contract and non-jury matters. Judge Derico has extensive legal experience and is well regarded for his legal knowledge, ability, diligence and fine demeanor.

The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:

James Thomas Derico was admitted to practice in Illinois in 1985 and was appointed to the Circuit Court by the Illinois Supreme Court in 2019. Before taking the bench, he was a partner and founding member of Derico & Associates, providing legal services to small and medium-sized businesses regarding real estate, contract negotiations, dispute resolution, and employee relations.

Judge Derico is considered to have good legal ability and is praised for his temperament and pro bono work. Much of his practice involved legal counseling to businesses. However, he also had substantial litigation experience in the Probate and Chancery Divisions of the Circuit Court and in the Federal courts. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.

The Illinois State Bar Association says:

James T. Derico, Jr. was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1985. He was appointed to the Circuit Court in January 2019 and is currently assigned to the Municipal Department, District 1. Prior to his appointment, he had his own firm for 26 years handling mainly real estate and corporate matters. Previously, he had worked as an assistant corporation counsel for Gardner, Carton & Douglas and for Borg-Warner. He had some appellate and federal experience as well.

He was a founder of a legal clinic based at Trinity Church of Christ and is a recipient of the Distinguished Service Award from Chicago Volunteer Legal Services.

The majority of attorneys interviewed reported that Judge Derico is even keeled and personable; and he is considered by most to have sufficient legal knowledge and ability. A few expressed concerns that at times he could be uncivil. He is generally considered to be fair and impartial. ISBA finds Judge James T. Derico, Jr. 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: 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

Cook County Democratic Party
Chicago Tribune
Cong. Danny Davis
Dorothy Brown
Advocates Society (Recommended)

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