This article originally appeared in the Winter 2025 edition of The Gavel.
by Justice Elizabeth M. Rochford
Below zero temperatures can’t slow us down! Illinois judges hotly impress with fervent commitment to
advancing excellence in the judiciary, promoting the legal profession, and aiding in our communities.
Let’s join in celebrating the fine work and achievements of our colleagues.
I am proud to share that JUDGES ARE . . .
ON THE WALL OF FAME . . . Hosted by CHIEF JUDGE BRAD WALLER, a large and enthusiastic
crowd gathered at the historic DeKalb County Courthouse in Sycamore Illinois to celebrate the judicial
service of former Supreme Court CHIEF JUSTICE ROBERT R. THOMAS, Ret., and to formally install
his judicial portrait in its new home.
LEADERS AMONG WOMEN (AND THE REST OF THE POPULATION TOO) . . . The Women’s
Bar Association of Illinois (WBAI) will be honoring Illinois Appellate Court JUSTICE MARY K.
ROCHFORD and JUDGES DIANN MARSALEK, JUDITH RICE, and PATRICIA SHEEHAN with
the prestigious “Mary Heftl Hooton Award”. This award will be bestowed upon them in
recognition of their exceptional leadership, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to
advancing the causes of women lawyers. These remarkable judges have made significant
contributions and extraordinary efforts in promoting gender equality within the legal profession,
and a whole bunch of other amazing stuff too.
(On a personal note, I had the privilege of knowing Mary Heftl Hooton, and I proudly call each of
these honorees a dear, trusted and respected friend/family. I can say with absolute confidence
that Mary Heftl Hooton would be dancing in celebration of these honoree selections made in her
name.)
DESERVING OF APPLAUSE . . . JUSTICE JOY V. CUNNINGHAM received the Cook County Bar
Association’s George M. Leighton award, JUDGE FREDRICK H. BATES received the Kenneth E
Wilson Award, and JUDGES RIVANDA DOSS BEAL, YOLANDA SAYRE, and KENYA
JENKINS-WRIGHT received Judicial Awards.
SCHOLARLY . . . Supreme Court JUSTICE MARY KAY O’BRIEN has been selected as a member of
the American Law Institute (ALI), the leading independent organization in the United States producing
scholarly work to clarify, modernize, and otherwise improve the law.
SIMPLY EXCELLENT . . . JUDGE JUDITH RICE received the American Bar Association’s Judith S.
Kaye’s Award for Judicial Excellence.
LEADERS FIRST, FIRST LEADERS . . . JUDGE VERONICA ARMOUTI was the first Illinois judge
to earn a certificate in Judicial Executive Leadership from Harvard University Law School Education
Program.
INVESTING IN THE FUTURE . . . JUDGE DANIEL A. TREVINO annually hosts a pre-law internship
for four high school students from Jones College Prep as part of a year-long program which offers an
opportunity to observe court proceedings, experience business meetings, and get a behind-the-scenes look
at a career in law. Judge Trevino gives back by investing in the future of the legal profession.
PROVIDING GENEROUSLY WHERE THERE IS NEED . . . Thanks to donations from 400 Cook
County judges, more than 200 backpacks were filled with supplies for the 2024-2025 school year and
distributed among residents at Cook County Circuit Court’s Juvenile Temporary Detention Center. This
annual project is organized under the leadership of JUDGE DIANN MARSALEK and with the support
and encouragement of CHIEF JUDGE TIMOTHY EVANS.
COMMITTED TO ACCESS TO JUSTICE . . . JUDGE WILLIAM B. SULLIVAN was awarded the
prestigious Court of Honor Award from Chicago Volunteer Legal Services in recognition for his work in
making courts accessible to people without attorneys and self-represented litigants; for treating pro bono
attorneys and self-represented litigants with respect and honor; and for helping to make equal access to
justice a working reality in Cook County.
TRIAL TECHNIQUE TEACHERS . . . JUDGE THOMAS V. LYONS was a leading speaker at the
Illinois Trial Lawyers Association seminar,
“Getting Your Case Prepped for Trial.”
JOINING FORCES . . . The Illinois Bar Association and Illinois Judges Association joined forces at the
Joint Midyear Meeting in December. Featured speakers and panelists included: JUDGE JANELLE K.
CHRISTENSEN, JUDGE RICHARD D. FELICE, JUDGE JOHN FITZGERALD LYKE JR., Appellate
Court JUSTICES EUGENE DOHERTY and SANJAY T. TAILOR, and Supreme Court JUSTICES JOY V. CUNNINGHAM and ELIZABETH M. ROCHFORD.
ADVANCING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT . . . JUDGE CORINNE C. HEGGIE spoke at the
graduation of the inaugural cohort of the ISBA Mutual Leadership and Entrepreneurship Academy. The
group brought together solo and small firm lawyers from across Illinois for nine months of professional
development.
PROMOTING DIVERSITY . . . The Diversity Scholarship Foundation 2025 Unity Gala awarded
scholarships to 21 worthy law students, swore in many bar presidents, and recognized Advocate for
Diversity Honorees. Among those honored where JUDGES JUDITH C. RICE and KENYA A.
JENKINS-WRIGHT. The event was graciously presided over by Appellate Court JUSTICE JESSE G.
REYES, and the oaths of the bar presidents was administered by CHIEF JUDGE REBECCA R.
PALLMEYER of the Northern District of Illinois.
ADMINSTERING OATHS . . . CHIEF JUSTICE MARY JANE THEIS did the honors of swearing in our
very own IJA President JUDGE MARY COLLEEN ROBERTS.
CHIEF JUDGE TIMOTHY EVANS swore in Chicago Bar Association President John C. Sciaccotta and
JUDGE MARYAM AHMAD administered the oath to the CBA’s incoming Officers and Board of
Managers including JUDGES KENYA A. JENKINS-WRIGHT, and Appellate Court JUSTICES
MARGARET STANTON McBRIDE, and RENA MARIE VAN TINE.
Supreme Court JUSTICE P. SCOTT NEVILLE JR. led the first-year students at Loyola University School
of Law in the Pledge of Professionalism at the school’s orientation event.
BEING CELEBRATED BY THEIR ALMA MATER . . . Northern Illinois University of Law clocked 50
years on the calendar and celebrated the achievement by honoring some of its most distinguished
graduates. JUDGE DIANN MARSALEK received the Public Service Award, CHIEF JUDGE BONNIE
WHEATON was presented the Founding Champion Award, and JUDGE VINCENT F. CORNELIUS was
honored with the Diversity in Legal Education Award. Justice ELIZABETH ROCHFORD received the Distinguished Jurist Award from Loyola University
School of Law.
VALUING FIRST GEN . . . Chicago Kent College of Law First-Generation Law Student Association
hosted its inaugural First Gen Scholarship Reception. Chicago Kent Alum JUDGE OWENS SHELBY
gave the keynote address, and Appellate Court JUSTICE JESSE G. REYES was honored for his
contributions to the school’s First Gen community.
STANDOUTS . . . JUSTICE SANJAY T. TAYLOR, and JUDGES JEANNE M. REYNOLDS and
DIANN K. MARSALEK were honored as “Judges of the Year” by the North Suburban Bar Association.
HALL OF FAMERS . . . Cook County Bar Association inducted JUSTICE JOY CUNNINGHAM, and
JUDGES TOMMY BREWER, H. YVONNE COLEMAN, SOPHIA H. HALL, and LEWIS NIXON in
CCBA’s Hall of Fame for their long and outstanding service.
TIP TOP . . . Supreme Court JUSTICE JOY V. CUNNINGHAM and Illinois Appellate Court JUSTICE
MARGARET MULLEN were among recipients of the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin’s “Top Women in
Law Awards.”
HONORING HERITAGE . . . The Order of Themis Hellenic Judges Association installed its officers
including JUDGES ANTHONY C. KYRIAKOPOULOS (President), JEFFREY G. KRONES (Vice
President), NICHOLAS GEANOPOULOS (Treasurer), STEPHANIE SALTOUROS (Secretary), and
THOMAS SIANIS, ATHENA JAMES FRENTZAS, and GEORGE CANELLIS as board of directors.
The group was sworn by CHIEF JUDGE TIMOTHY C. EVANS.
CHAMPIONS . . . The Illinois Bar Foundation (IBF) named JUSTICE MARGARET J. MULLEN as one
of its champions for extraordinary contributions to the IBF and the legal community.
FETED BY ETHNIC BAR GROUPS . . . Supreme Court JUSTICE DAVID K. OVERSTREET was
honored by The Advocates Society, an association of Polish American attorneys.
JUDGE ROUHY SHALABI was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Arab American
Bar Association Judicial Reception. He was noted as one of the founders of the organization. Other
honorees included: JUDGES MICHAEL BETAR, MOHAMMAD AHMAD, LAKSHMI JHA, and
MONIQUE O’TOOLE.JUSTICE CELIA GAMRATH received the William Paca Award from the Italian American Political
Coalition.
JUDGE DIANN MARSALEK received the Public Service Award from the Polish American Congress.
CELEBRATING HERITAGE . . . Members and supporters of the Polish American Judges Association
joined in the 2024 Polish Constitution Day Parade in Chicago. The 134th annual parade acknowledged the
1791 signing of the Polish Constitution. Celebrants included JUDGES DIANN MARSALEK, STEPHEN
KOZICKI, DANIEL KUBASIAK JONATHAN CLARK GREEN, and JAMES PIECZONKA.
The Nordic Law Club of Chicago hosted its annual Probate Night Dinner, and the event was well attended
by the Illinois judiciary including JUSTICE JESSE G. REYES and JUDGE DANIEL B. MALONE.
SERVING THE WORLD COMMUNITY . . . Under the stewardship of JUDGE VERONICA
O’MALLEY, Lake County Judges hosted a day of service to combat world hunger at “Feed My Starving
Children.” Volunteers included JUDGES CHUCK SMITH, MATTHEW DeMARTINI, GEORGE
PAPPAS, REGINALD MATHEWS, JOHN JOANEM, RANDI BRUNO, SHARMILA MANAK,
PATRICIA CORNELL, GABE CONROE, DJ VORDERSTRASSE, JIM SIMONIAN, CHRIS
LOMBARDO, and JUSTICE ELIZABETH ROCHFORD.
TEACHING TOP TEENS . . . On a cold January Sunday afternoon JUDGE HEINZ RUDOLPH drew a
crown of “Top Teens” to discuss the legal elements of stalking and the process of obtaining a No Contact
Order.
ADVANCING ETHICS . . . JUSTICE DAVID K. OVERSTREET was a featured speaker at the Chicago
Daily Law Bulletin’s Ethics 2024 conference which brought together leaders from the Illinois Attorney
Registration & Disciplinary Commission, the Supreme Court’s Commission on Professionalism, and the
Lawyers’ Assistance Program, among other experts in lawyer conduct and professionalism.
INSPIRING INTERNS . . . Lake County hosted 6 judicial interns for several months which culminated
in a mock trial led by JUDGES REGINALD MATHEWS, PATRICIA FIX, and JACUELYN MELIUS
STARTING ANEW . . . Former Supreme Court CHIEF JUSTICE THOMAS I. KILBRIDE joined the
law firm of Croke Fairchild Duarte & Beres LLC as a partner.
Former JUDGE DAVE CARLSON opened the Carlson Law Group P.C.
LEADERS IN THE JUDICIARY . . . The Illinois Judicial Council installed Cook County JUDGE
ALLEN P. WALKER as its president, along with officers JUDGES TIANA S. BLAKELY (President
Elect), TOYA T. HARVEY (Secretary) LIONEL JEAN-BAPTISTE (Assistant Secretary), KEVIN T. LEE
(Treasurer), TYRIA B. WALTON (Assistant Treasurer), and JUDGES BONITA COLEMAN, STEVEN
G. WATKINS, SHEREE D. HENRY and JUSTICE FREDDRENNA M. LYLE, as Executive Board
Members.
PROLIFIC VOLUNTEERS IN SCHOOLS . . . n November of 2024 JUDGE HEINZ RUDOLPH
marked his 86th “In Schools” presentation on behalf of the IJA, and he’s still counting!
Along the way he has been joined by other colleagues including St. Clair County CHIEF JUDGE
ANDREW GLEESON, JUDGES JOHN O’GARA, CHRIS KOLKER, ZINA CRUISE, JEFFREY
WATSON, ELAINE LeCHIEN, JULIA GOMRIC, TAMEEKA PURCHASE, STACEY CAMPBELL,
BILL CLAY, LEAH CAPTAIN, TOM CANNADY, and NICK KUJAWA.
And with colleagues from the 20th Judicial Circuit including JUDGES DAN EMGE, and CHRIS
HITZMANN.
Some of the schools that have been the grateful beneficiaries of their presentations have included
Washington County: Nashville Community High School, Nashville Grade School, and Okawville Grade
School.
Perry County: DuQuoin Middle School, DuQuoin High School, Pinckneyville Middle School,
Pinckneyville Community High School, Tamaroa Elementary School. Randolph County: Chester
Elementary School, Coulterville Elementary School, Red Bud Elementary School, Steeleville Elementary
School, Sparta High School.
Monroe County: Columbia Middle School, Columbia High School, Waterloo High School, Immaculate
Conception School, St. Peter & Paul Catholic School, Gibault Catholic High School.St. Clair County: Belle Valley Middle School, Blessed Sacrament Catholic Grade School, Belleville East
High School, Belleville West High School, Lebanon High School, Althoff Catholic High School, Dupo
High School, Freeburg Consolidated Elementary School, Freeburg High School, St. Joe’s Catholic Grade
School, High Mount Middle School, Lebanon Junior High School, Marissa Junior High, Marissa High
School, Mascoutah Middle School, Mascoutah High School, Millstadt Consolidated Elementary Grade
School, St. James Grade School, New Athens Junior High and High School, O’Fallon Central Elementary
School, O’Fallon High School, Queen of Peace Catholic Grade School, Shiloh Middle School, Smithton
Grade School, Smithton Elementary School, St. Clare Catholic Grade School, St. John the Baptist in
Smithton, Whiteside Elementary School, Wolf Branch Grade School, West Junior High School, Abe
Lincoln Grade School, Grant Middle School, Fulton Junior High School, St. Libory Grade School,
Wingate Elementary Middle School, and East St. Louis High School.
The presentations were small and large, with the one in Freeburg, Illinois, exceeding 700 student
attendees! HOLY COW!