Edward J. Underhill
Edward J. Underhill
Anna Loftus
Anna Loftus

In the days leading up to the March 15 primary election, the Daily Law Bulletin will publish responses to questionnaires sent to candidates in all contested Cook County judicial races. Campaign finance information comes from Illinois State Board of Elections reports.


Name: Anna Loftus

Age: 47

Party: Democratic

Current residence: Chicago

Current position: Cook County circuit judge (appointment effective April 14, 2014)

Past legal experience: Partner, Hall, Prangle & Schoonveld LLC, 2003-14; associate, Peterson & Ross LLC, 2000-03; law clerk to 1st District Appellate Court Justice Michael J. Gallagher, 1998-2000

Campaign funds available, July 1 to Dec. 31: $88,435

Campaign funds spent, July 1 to Dec. 31: $33,094.90

Chicago Bar Association finding: Qualified

Chicago Council of Lawyers: Qualified

Law school, year graduated: Loyola University Chicago School of Law, 1998

Campaign website: LoftusforJudge.com

Family: N/A

Hobbies/interests: Mountain climbing, hiking and travel.

Have you ever run for office before?

No.

Why should voters support your candidacy?

I am the most qualified and well-rounded candidate in my race. After a review of my qualifications, experience and demeanor, the Illinois Supreme Court appointed me to the bench in April 2014. I have been a sitting judge for almost two years, and therefore, have direct experience in the job I now seek.

Prior to taking the bench, I gained experience clerking for an appellate court justice as well as years of trial experience. Finally, I have been found qualified or recommended by all reviewing bar associations.

In addition to being the most qualified, my work as a social worker at a nonprofit organization before law school makes me the most well-rounded candidate. That experience heightened my sense of compassion and my desire to make a difference.

Why do you want to be a judge?

My nonprofit work and volunteer experiences both at home and abroad instilled in me a desire to serve the public. I now do so every day that I sit on the bench and it is a privilege. I enjoy the process of allowing both sides to present their arguments, weighing those arguments and deciding the case based upon the law. that, within the bounds of the law, I can use my discretion to allow litigants time to utilize the resources offered by the court and the community to attempt to avoid foreclosure.

What would you consider your greatest career accomplishment?

My greatest career accomplishment is the appointment by the Illinois Supreme Court to the bench.

What qualities do you plan to bring to the bench?

I work hard every day to display patience, listening skills and compassion in all cases, but especially, when pro se litigants are involved. I also bring a knowledge of the law to the bench, along with the ability to explain decisions to the litigants so everyone understands the process was fair.

My goal with every single case is to make the right decision based upon the law and facts of that case.

Finally, it is important to respect every litigant that comes into the courtroom, regardless of their experience or knowledge.

 


 

Name: Edward J. Underhill

Age: 57

Party: Democratic

Current residence: Chicago

Current position: Senior partner, Masuda, Funai

Past legal experience: I have spent virtually all of my career (30-plus years) at the same downtown law firm, where I primarily handle commercial litigation, including trial and appellate work as well as some probate and limited criminal defense.

Campaign funds available, July 1 to Dec. 31: $79,475

Campaign funds spent, July 1 to Dec. 31: $34,149.40

Chicago Bar Association finding: Qualified

Chicago Council of Lawyers finding: Qualified

Law school: Northern Illinois University College of Law, 1984.

Campaign website: edunderhillforjudge.com.

Family: Married to Liam Paul Nolan.

Hobbies/interests: I am a writer, both of fiction and non-fiction. Currently completing a nonfiction book titled “Abraham Lincoln: Chicago Lawyer.” It was the first winner of Chicago Lawyer magazine’s legal fiction contest for a short story titled, “Call the Next Case.”

Have you ever run for office before?

No.

Why should voters support your candidacy?

Our neighborhoods are seeking qualified, experienced and independent judges; judges who come from the city and are a part of the city. I have lived in Bucktown for 14 years and am active in the community (the Bucktown Community Organization). I will bring to the bench more than 30 years of courtroom and appellate experience, a commitment to my community and the best bar ratings of any candidate in my race.

Why do you want to be a judge?

I grew up on the South Side, attended Bogan High School and worked hard to get a great legal education at NIU College of Law. Thirty-some years later, I feel blessed to have achieved so many of the professional goals I set for myself back in 1984.

Now, it’s time to give back to the legal community; I want to help our court recommit itself to advancing the interests of social and criminal justice — to protecting our constitutional and civil rights. I believe I am uniquely qualified to serve our community and courts as a judge.

What was the most interesting case you handled as a lawyer?

A case filed here in the Cook County Circuit Court where I represented the young families of two men who died in a private helicopter crash that occurred in Arlington Heights. Both men were educators on temporary assignment from Japan.

There were many legal, cultural and emotional issues that had to be addressed in pursuing claims on behalf of their widows and minor children. Fortunately, our Cook County judge understood the complexities of protecting the rights of foreign citizens and her rulings enabled us to obtain substantial justice for our clients through a settlement of the case.

I remain in regular contact with these wonderful people nearly 20 years later.

What would you consider your greatest career accomplishment?

Balance. Balancing the practice of law with the demands of managing a law office and a litigation practice group. Balancing the interests of clients with the responsibilities of supervising and training lawyers, legal assistants and secretaries.

Balancing the need to bring value to each matter with the need to meet payroll and manage cash flow. Balancing a demanding law practice with the desire to spend time with my husband and dog, write, run and enjoy all the benefits of living in Bucktown and the greatest city in the world.

Can’t say I have always or even mostly succeeded, but I have enjoyed nearly every minute of it.

What qualities do you plan to bring to the bench?

I plan to bring integrity, patience, diligence and fairness.

 


 

One additional candidate in this race — Carlos Claudio, of Aspira Inc. of Illinois — did not respond to the Daily Law Bulletin’s information request. Claudio did not participate in The Chicago Bar Association’s evaluation process and is automatically considered Not Recommended. Claudio is rated as Not Recommended by the Chicago Council of Lawyers. Claudio had $15,078.74 in campaign funds available from July 1 to Dec. 31 and spent $2,060.19 during the same time period.