Vacancy of the Hon. Leslie E. South

For Appellate Justice - First District

Democratic Primary:

- Mary Katherine Rochford
     - Response to ICJL Questionnaire
     - Candidate Narrative
     - Website: http://www.judgerochford.org/
     - Campaign Committee: Mary Katherine Rochford for Appellate Court Committee
     - Response to the Chicago Tribune Questionnaire
     - Rated "Qualified" by the Chicago Bar Association
     - Rated "Well Qualified" by the Chicago Council of Lawyers
     - Rated "Qualified" by the Illinois State Bar Association
     - Endorsed by the Chicago Tribune
     - Endorsed by the Chicago Sun-Times

- Sebastian T. Patti
     - Response to ICJL Questionnaire
     - Response to the Chicago Tribune Questionnaire
     - Campaign Committee: Citizens to Elect Sebastian Patti
     - Rated "Qualified" by the Chicago Bar Association
     - Rated "Qualified" by the Chicago Council of Lawyers
     - Rated "Qualified" by the Illinois State Bar Association

- Kevin Rogers
     - Website: http://www.kevinrogersforjudge.com/
     - Rated "Not Recommended" by the Chicago Bar Association
     - Rated "Not Recommended" by the Chicago Council of Lawyers
     - Rated "Not Qualified" by the Illinois State Bar Association

- William D. O'Neal
     - Campaign Committee: Citizens to Elect Judge William O'Neal
     - Rated "Not Recommended" by the Chicago Bar Association
     - Rated "Not Qualified" by the Chicago Council of Lawyers
     - Rated "Not Qualified" by the Illinois State Bar Association

- Anthony Lynn Burrell
     - Campaign Committee: Burrell for Justice
     - Rated "Not Recommended" by the Chicago Bar Association
     - Rated "Not Recommended" by the Chicago Council of Lawyers
     - Rated "Not Qualified" by the Illinois State Bar Association

Republican Primary:

- No Republican Filed For This Vacancy

ENDORSEMENTS:
- Cook County Democratic Party: Patti
- Independent Voters of Illinois (IVI-IPO): Patti
- Chicago Federation of Labor: Rochford
- Personal PAC: Patti
- Fraternal Order of Police - Chicago Lodge 7: Rochford
- Illinois Committee for Honest Government: Burrell

CBA Candidate Capsules:

Rochford: "Judge Mary Katherine Rochford is “Qualified” for the office of Justice of the Illinois Appellate Court. Judge Rochford was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1979 and served as an Associate Judge from 1991-2006. Judge Rochford was elected to the Circuit Court in 2006 and has presided over both civil and criminal calls. Judge Rochford is currently assigned to the Chancery Division. Prior to assuming the bench, Judge Rochford had an extensive appellate practice. Judge Rochford is a highly respected legal scholar who possesses all the requisite qualifications for service on the Illinois Appellate Court."

Patti: "Justice Sebastian Thomas Patti is “Qualified” for the office of Justice of the Illinois Appellate Court. Justice Patti was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1982 and was appointed a Circuit Court Judge in 1995. Justice Patti has distinguished himself on the bench and is highly regarded for his work ethic, fairness, and outstanding demeanor."

Rogers: "The candidate declined to participate in the Judicial Evaluation Committee (JEC) screening process and, therefore, according to The Chicago Bar Association's governing resolution for the JEC, is automatically found NOT RECOMMENDED."

O'Neal: "The candidate declined to participate in the Judicial Evaluation Committee (JEC) screening process and, therefore, according to The Chicago Bar Association's governing resolution for the JEC, is automatically found NOT RECOMMENDED."

Burrell: "The candidate declined to participate in the Judicial Evaluation Committee (JEC) screening process and, therefore, according to The Chicago Bar Association's governing resolution for the JEC, is automatically found NOT RECOMMENDED."

CCL Candidate Capsules:

Rochford: "Judge Rochford was admitted to practice in 1979. She became an Associate Judge in 2001 and was elected to the bench in 2006. Since July 2007 she has served in the Chancery Division. She has also been assigned to the Law Division in the Second Municipal District where she presided over bench and jury trials involving both civil and criminal law matters. Before becoming a judge, she was in private practice and then worked for the Chicago Department of Law in the Appeals Division, where in 1985 she rose to the position of Chief Assistant Corporation Counsel. Since 2005 Judge Rochford has participated as an instructor in weekend trial practice classes at the University of Notre Dame Law School. She is the author or co-author of a series of published articles. While serving in the Law Division in the Second District she was responsible for coordinating the mandatory arbitration program and authored a handbook regarding that program. She was the Chair of the Second District Community Safety Initiatives Committee and
was a member of the Second District Family Violence Coordinating Committee, which addresses issues relating to domestic violence cases. Judge Rochford is considered to have very good legal ability and temperament. She is praised for her courtroom management skills. She is praised as being exceptionally well-prepared, hardworking, and fair to all parties. She has demonstrated her ability to be an excellent appellate lawyer, to make the successful transition to being a highly respected trial judge in the Law Division, and to make the successful transition to being a Chancellor. She is involved in substantial community service efforts, and has demonstrated her writing ability. The Council finds her Well Qualified for the Appellate Court."

Patti: "Judge Sebastian T. Patti was appointed as a Circuit Judge in March 1995 and was elected to the bench in the following year. In 1998 he was transferred to the First Municipal District to assist in the reorganization of the Housing Court. He was appointed to the Illinois Appellate Court in August 2009. Before being appointed to the Appellate Court, Judge Patti served as Supervising Judge of the Housing Section of the First Municipal District. Judge Patti is considered to have excellent legal ability and judicial temperament. He is widely respected for his courtroom management skills and is exceptionally knowledgeable and hard-working. He is viewed as a leader among judges and a mentor to new judges. The Council finds Judge Patti Qualified for the Appellate Court."

Rogers: "Kevin Rogers did not submit materials for evaluation. He is Not Recommended for the Appellate Court"

O'Neal: "Judge William D. O’Neal was admitted to practice in 1972 and was elected to the Circuit Court in 1992. He has spent most of his judicial career in the Markham Courthouse. Although lawyers who practice before him report that Judge O’Neal’s fairness and integrity are unquestioned, many state that he takes an unduly informal approach in handling the legal issues before him. A significant number of lawyers complain about his temperament and impatience on the bench. In addition, he has not demonstrated the writing ability necessary to be on the Appellate Court. The Council finds him Not Qualified for the Appellate Court."

Burrell: "Anthony Lynn Burrell did not submit materials for evaluation. He is Not Recommended for the Appellate Court."