Vacancy of the Hon. Richard B. Berland

For Cook County Circuit Court - Circuitwide

Democratic Primary:

- William H. Hooks
     - Website: http://www.votejudgehooks.com/
     - Campaign Committee: Committee to Elect Judge William H Hooks
     - Response to the Chicago Tribune Questionnaire
     - Rated "Highly Qualified" by the Chicago Bar Association
     - Rated "Well 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

- Deidre Baumann
     - Website: http://www.deidrebaumannforjudge.com/
     - Campaign Committee: Deidre Baumann for Judge
     - Response to the Chicago Tribune Questionnaire
     - 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

- William Burnett Raines
     - Website: http://www.raines4judge.com/
     - Campaign Committee: Citizens for Raines
     - Response to the Chicago Tribune Questionnaire
     - Rated "Qualified" by the Chicago Bar Association
     - Rated "Qualified" by the Chicago Council of Lawyers
     - Rated "Qualified" by the Illinois State Bar Association

Republican Primary:

- No Republican Filed For This Vacancy

ENDORSEMENTS:
- Cook County Democratic Party: Hooks
- Independent Voters of Illinois (IVI-IPO): Hooks
- Chicago Federation of Labor: Hooks
- Fraternal Order of Police - Chicago Lodge 7: Raines
- Illinois Committee for Honest Government: Hooks

CBA Candidate Capsules:

Hooks: "William H. Hooks is "Highly Qualified" for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Hooks was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1981 and has extensive litigation experience in both the state and federal courts. Mr. Hooks has served as a prosecutor and defense attorney and has taught Advanced Trial Advocacy at DePaul University College of Law, Trial Advocacy at IIT-Kent College of Law, and Intense Trial Advocacy at the University of Chicago's Mandel Legal Clinic. Mr. Hooks also served as Chair of the Hearing Division of the Illinois Attorney Registration & Disciplinary Commission from 1994-2007. Mr. Hooks is highly regarded for his knowledge of the law and exceptional trial skills. Mr. Hooks is also actively involved in community service and is committed to continuing legal education and pro bono practice. Mr. Hooks is highly regarded by members of the bench and the bar and will be an asset to the Circuit Court of Cook County."

Baumann: "Deidre Baumann is “Not Recommended” for the office of Associate Judge. While Ms. Baumann was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1992, she has not been diligent or timely in managing her cases and meeting court deadlines. Concerns were raised about Ms. Baumann’s lack of organizational skills and ability to effectively manage a high volume court call."

Raines: "William Raines is "Qualified” for the office of Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Raines was admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1993 and has concentrated his practice in criminal law. Mr. Raines has extensive trial experience and is well regarded for his knowledge of the law and legal experience."

CCL Candidate Capsules:

Hooks: "William H. Hooks received his law degree from ITT Chicago-Kent in 1981 and was admitted to the Illinois bar in that year. An officer in the U.S. Marine Corps and Reserves, he resumed active duty as a Judge Advocate, and in that capacity prosecuted and defended criminal cases. He left active duty in 1985 (though remained in the Reserves for an additional 10 years) and until 1991 practiced civil litigation (mainly insurance defense) with Pretzel & Stouffer, Hinshaw & Culbertson, and Garland W. Watt and Associates. Since 1995, he has practiced on his own and in partnership with others, concentrating on criminal defense and a wide range of civil litigation. He has extensive jury and bench trial experience in both federal and state courts, and since 1992 has served as a hearing officer and hearing board chair for the ARDC. He has taught at the DePaul University College of Law and the Mandel Legal Aid Clinic of the University of Chicago Law School. He lectures frequently in continuing legal education and public information seminars, and has published practice-related articles. Mr. Hooks is regarded as a knowledgeable, skillful, and aggressive advocate. His professional conduct and personal integrity are above reproach. He convincingly expresses his desire to take the bench as a wish to devote himself to public service. The Council finds him Well Qualified."

Baumann: "Deidre Baumann was admitted to practice in 1992. She has spent her career in private practice with a small firm or as a sole practitioner. She handles civil litigation primarily, in both state and federal courts. She reports acting as lead counsel in 12 civil and 8 criminal cases. She also reports having significant appellate experience. While many respondents had a favorable impression of her litigation experience, a significant number questioned whether she had been knowledgeable enough in the cases they had opposed her. Ms. Baumann has been the subject of unfavorable written opinions by two judges. Most respondents say that she has a good temperament. While Ms. Baumann appears to be a respected attorney by many, there are attorneys who question her level of knowledge in some of her cases. On balance, the Council finds her Not Qualified for the Circuit Court."

Raines: "William B. Raines was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1993 after a number of years in law enforcement. The candidate worked as a Cook County State’s Attorney for a little over one year, from January 1994 through June 1995, in the Narcotics Division. He was Special Counsel to the Freemont Corporation Insurance Company from May 1995 through May 2001. He then became Special Counsel to the National Insurance Crime Bureau’s criminal and civil fraud prosecution department. He remained in this last position until November 2001 when he opened his law practice. During the last few years, Mr. Raines has acquired substantial trial experience to go along with his substantial non-litigation experience. He is considered to have good legal ability and temperament. The Council finds him Qualified for the Circuit Court."