Organizing the Data: Countywide O'Brien 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.

Elizabeth Anne Walsh - #211

Campaign Website

Law Bulletin Questionnaire

Bar Association Evaluation Narratives

The Chicago Bar Association says:

Elizabeth Anne Walsh is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Walsh was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2006 and concentrates her practice in personal injury and insurance defense matters. Ms. Walsh has had extensive trial experience and possesses the legal knowledge and experience to serve as a Circuit Court Judge.

The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:

Elizabeth A. Walsh was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 2006. Since 2007, she has been an Attorney at Bruce Farrel Dorn & Associates, where she handles insurance defense cases. From 2006 to 2007, she was an Associate Attorney at Paul H. Wharton & Associates, where she defended personal injury actions.

Ms. Walsh is considered to have good legal ability. She is praised for her temperament and for her responsiveness to opposing counsel. She has substantial litigation experience. The Council finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court.

The Illinois State Bar Association says:

Elizabeth Anne Walsh has been licensed since 2006. She handles insurance defense cases at Bruce Farrell Dorn and Associates. She is a past president and current board members of the Southwest Bar Association and is involved with the Women’s Bar Association of Illinois.

Attorneys respect her for her legal knowledge, preparation, temperament, and professionalism. She has substantial civil trial experience. ISBA finds Ms. Elizabeth Anne Walsh 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
Italian-American Police Association of Illinois
Citizens in Action for Better Government
New 26th Ward Independent Democratic Party

------------------------------------------------------

Lloyd James Brooks - #212

Campaign Website

Law Bulletin Questionnaire

Bar Association Evaluation Narratives

The Chicago Bar Association says:

Judge Lloyd James Brooks is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Judge Brooks was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2000 and was appointed to the bench in 2018 and is currently assigned to the First Municipal District. Judge Brooks presides over a high volume courtroom and hears a variety of cases involving wage garnishments, citations to discover assets, evictions, and supplementary proceedings. Judge Brooks is well regarded for his knowledge of the law, legal experience, and excellent demeanor.

The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:

Lloyd James Brooks was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 2000. Since 2013, he has been a partner at the Consumer Legal Group, P.C., where he focuses on insurance coverage, consumer protection, and real estate and mortgage foreclosure defense. Previously, he was owner of The Brooks Law Firm (2004-2013); an associate at Lord, Bissell & Brook (2002-2004); and an associate at Zevnik Horton (2000-2002). Since 2008, he has taken on pro bono cases for the Access to Justice Program at Chicago Volunteer Legal Services.

Mr. Brooks is considered to have good legal ability. He is considered to be well-prepared with a good grasp of the law and procedure. He is reported to have an excellent temperament – a zealous advocate while showing respect for opposing counsel and judges. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court.

The Illinois State Bar Association says:

Lloyd James Brooks was admitted to the Illinois bar in 2000. In December 2018 he was appointed to the circuit court and currently sits in the First Municipal District. After being licensed he worked for two law firms before opening his own practice in 2004 where he concentrated on consumer advocacy cases. In 2013 he became a founding partner of the Consumer Legal Group where he worked until his appointment. He has some bar association memberships and engages in community speaking.

He is considered to be professional and well-prepared with excellent legal knowledge. As a practicing attorney he was a zealous advocate with a diverse clientele. ISBA finds Judge Lloyd James Brooks 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 candidate

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: Recommended

Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois: Recommended

Women's Bar Association of Illinois: Recommended

Endorsements

Cook County Democratic Party
Chicago Tribune
IVI-IPO
Chicago NOW PAC
Personal PAC
Cong. Danny Davis
The Soul Slate
Dorothy Brown
Advocates Society (Recommended)

------------------------------------------------------

Heather Anne Kent - #213

Campaign Website

Law Bulletin Questionnaire

Bar Association Evaluation Narratives

The Chicago Bar Association says:

Heather Anne Kent is “Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Kent was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 2006 and has served as an Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney for the past 13 years. Ms. Kent is currently assigned to the Felony Trial Division at the George M. Leighton Criminal Court. Ms. Kent has extensive trial experience and is well regarded by defense counsel and the judges before whom she appears for her knowledge of the law, legal ability, and excellent demeanor.

The Chicago Council of Lawyers says:

Heather Kent Jacobsmeier was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 2006. Since that time, she has served as an Assistant State’s Attorney at the Cook County State’s Attorney Office, where her assignments have included Second Chair, Felony Trial Division (2016-present);Trial Supervisor, Felony Review Unit (2018); and Third Chair, Felony Trial Division (2013-2016); Preliminary Hearings and Grand Jury Unit (2013); Felony Review Unit (2011-2013); Delinquency Division (2009-2011), Child Protection Division (2007-2009) of the Juvenile Justice Bureau; and the First Municipal Division of the Criminal Prosecutions Bureau (2006-2007).

Ms. Kent Jacobsmeier is considered to have good legal ability. She is reported to have good temperament and respondents noted her high integrity. She has substantial litigation experience. The Council finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court.

The Illinois State Bar Association says:

Heather Anne Kent has been licensed since 2006. She is a career assistant state’s attorney who has been assigned to the Felony Trial, Sexual Assault and Juvenile Justice divisions. She has coached mock trial teams, lectured, is a member of several bar associations, and participates in community activities.

She has criminal jury trial experience and is considered to be prepared, even-handed and of high character. ISBA finds Ms. Heather Anne Kent 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

41st Ward Regular Democratic Organization
38th Ward Ald. Nicholas Sposato
Fraternal Order of Police, Chicago Lodge No. 7
Italian American Police Association
United Hellenic Voters of America
Indo-American Democratic Organization
Chicago NOW PAC
Advocates Society (Recommended)

------------------------------------------------------

Back to "Start here for the most complete information about every 2020 Cook County judicial race"