Additional Judgeship A

For Cook County Circuit Court - 3rd Subcircuit

Democratic Primary:

- Daniel Malone
     - Website: http://www.electjudgemalone.com/
     - Campaign Committee: Committee to Elect Daniel Malone
     - Campaign Committee: Joint Committee to Elect E Harmening-D Malone-A Murphy
     - Response to the Chicago Tribune Questionnaire
     - Rated "Qualified" by the Chicago Bar Association
     - Rated "Qualified" by the Chicago Council of Lawyers
     - Rated "Highly Qualified" by the Illinois State Bar Association
     - Endorsed by the Chicago Tribune
     - Endorsed by the Chicago Sun-Times

- Ronald Joseph Hurley
     - 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

- Mary McNamara
     - 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

- Bernadette McNicholas
     - Rated "Qualified" by the Chicago Bar Association
     - Rated "Qualified" by the Chicago Council of Lawyers
     - Rated "Qualified" by the Illinois State Bar Association

- Pamela Cotten
     - Website: http://www.electpamelacotten.org/
     - Campaign Committee: The Committee to Elect Pamela Cotten
     - Response to the Chicago Tribune Questionnaire
     - Rated "Not Recommended" by the Chicago Bar Association
     - Rated "Not Qualified" by the Chicago Council of Lawyers
     - Rated "Qualified" by the Illinois State Bar Association

Republican Primary:

- No Republican Filed For This Vacancy

ENDORSEMENTS:
- Chicago Federation of Labor: Malone
- Fraternal Order of Police - Chicago Lodge 7: Malone
- Illinois Committee for Honest Government: Malone

CBA Candidate Capsules:

Malone: "Daniel B. Malone is "Qualified" for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Malone was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1986 and has extensive trial experience. Mr. Malone is a seasoned practitioner who possesses all the requisite qualifications to serve as a Circuit Court Judge."

Hurley: "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."

McNamara: "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."

McNicholas: "Bernadette McNicholas is "Qualified" for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. McNicholas was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1986 and concentrates in domestic relations law. Ms. McNicholas is well respected for her knowledge of the law and legal experience."

Cotten: "Pamela Rose Cotten is "Not Recommended" for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Ms. Cotten was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1995 and serves as an Assistant General Counsel for the Chicago Housing Authority. Ms. Cotten is dedicated to helping residents of the CHA and is well regarded for her diligence, fine temperament, and integrity. Ms. Cotten's practice with the CHA has been limited and additional experience in handling varied and complex legal matters is needed for service as a judge. At this stage of her career, Ms. Cotten does not possess the requisite breadth and depth of legal experience to serve as a Circuit Court Judge."

CCL Candidate Capsules:

Malone: "Judge Daniel B. Malone was admitted to practice in 1986. He was appointed to the bench by the Illinois Supreme Court in February 2009 and currently sits in Traffic Court hearing minor and misdemeanor traffic cases. Before taking the bench, Judge Malone had been in private practice throughout his career with a focus on personal injury and workers’ compensation litigation. He has both jury and bench trial experience in more complex matters. Judge Malone is considered to have good legal ability and as a judge, is praised for his temperament and courtroom management. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court."

Hurley: "Ronald Joseph Hurley refused to be evaluated. He is Not Recommended for the Circuit Court."

McNamara: "Mary McNamara refused to be evaluated. She is Not Recommended for the Circuit Court."

McNicholas: "Bernadette McNicholas was admitted to practice in 1986. She is a sole practitioner focusing on domestic relations. She reports acting as lead counsel in four jury trials and more than 45 bench trials. Ms. McNicholas has substantial experience in more complex litigation matters. Lawyers report that she has good legal ability and a good temperament. She is praised for being hardworking and for her courtroom skills. The Council finds her Qualified for the Circuit Court."

Cotten: "Pamela Cotten was admitted to practice in 1995. She is currently employed by the Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) as Assistant General Counsel II for Housing Policy and Legislation. She represents the CHA in complaints and petitions for certiorari in state and federal courts and in inquiries before various state and federal agencies. She represents the CHA in state and federal court. From 2000 to 2009, she represented the CHA at trial and arbitrations. From 1998 to 2000 she reviewed contracts as an attorney for the CHA. She was a law clerk to Justice Charles Freeman of the Illinois Supreme Court. She reports having no jury trial experience and has acted as lead counsel in two personal injury bench trials. She is also president of Urban Comforts Company, which is a family business. Ms. Cotten is reported to be smart and diligent. However, the Council is concerned that she has little significant trial experience, including litigation of more complex matters. The Council finds her Not Qualified for the Circuit Court."