Devlin J. Schoop
Brian J. O’Hara
Mary Kathleen McHugh
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: Mary Kathleen McHugh
Age: 47
Current residence: Hinsdale
Current position: Partner at Parrillo, Weiss LLC
Past legal experience: I have been employed as an attorney with Parrillo, Weiss, & O’Halloran for 22 years. I clerked at the Cook County state’s attorney’s office for two years.
Campaign funds available, July 1 to Dec. 31: $37,324.38
Campaign funds spent, July 1 to Dec. 31: $24,501.67
Law school: Loyola University Chicago School of Law, 1993
Campaign website: citizensformchugh.org
Family: Married with two daughters, ages 10 and 12.
Hobbies/interests: Coaching basketball, playing tennis, skiing and travel.
Have you ever run for office before?
No.
Why should voters support your candidacy?
I believe that I am the most qualified candidate in my race based on my extensive trial experience and strong character. I have had the welcome privilege of trying more than 120 jury trials, numerous bench trials and hundreds of arbitrations. After thorough judicial screening, all 11 bar associations found me qualified or recommended to serve as circuit judge. I was honored that The Chicago Bar Association noted that “Ms. McHugh is well regarded by her peers for her knowledge of the law, legal ability and excellent demeanor.”
Why do you want to be a judge?
Having spent nearly every working day in the courtroom for more than 20 years, I can appreciate the importance of a fair, honest and just legal system. I would love the opportunity to contribute to that process.
What was the most interesting case you handled as a lawyer?
I’ve had the benefit of handling cases in a wide array of practice areas including personal injury, wrongful death, declaratory judgment actions, breach of contract cases, consumer fraud actions, wrongful termination cases, probate matters, criminal cases and traffic offenses. I have enjoyed the exposure to many types of cases. I’ve learned that each case is unique and brings with it new complexities and issues.
What would you consider your greatest career accomplishment?
My greatest career accomplishment is becoming a skilled and well-respected female trial attorney in a field dominated by men. In the early years of my career it was rare to see more than one woman in the Daley Center elevators at a time. I remained committed, worked very hard and achieved great results.
What qualities do you plan to bring to the bench?
I intend to bring honesty, fairness, diligence, impartiality and respectfulness to the bench.
Name: Brian J. O’Hara
Age: 60
Party: Democratic
Current residence: River Forest
Current position: Self-employed at Brian J. O’Hara, Attorney at Law in River Forest
Past legal experience: Associate, Arnold & Kadjan, 1980-87; sole practitioner, 1987-present
Campaign funds available, July 1 to Dec. 31: No report filed with the Illinois State Board of Elections.
Campaign funds spend, July 1 to Dec. 31: No report field with the Illinois State Board of Elections.
Law school: Northwestern Pritzker School of Law, 1980
Campaign website: brianjohara.com/campaign
Family: Single
Hobbies/Interests: Biking, reading, watching sports
Have you ever run for office before?
No.
Why should voters support your candidacy?
I deserve the voters’ support because of my experience, independence and compassion. Over the past 35 years I’ve represented thousands of clients who are ordinary average citizens — voters — in matters ranging from real estate, probate, wills and more. I’ve always been independent, never working for the government or any special interests. Since 1989, I’ve been appointed to represent hundreds of indigent clients at juvenile court to assist in rebuilding families seeking to serve the best interest of the children involved.
Why do you want to be a judge?
I am motivated to be a judge to serve the public. I have learned a lot in my career and think I can use that knowledge to resolve issues before me.
What was the most interesting case you handled as a lawyer?
In the mid 1990s, I handled the estate of a single retired schoolteacher who passed away at more than 90 years old. Her family would send her monetary gifts to assist her in paying her bills. As it turned out, she had an intestate estate with a value more than $500,000 and, because of her age, had 57 multigenerational heirs. It was quite interesting interacting with them all.
What would you consider your greatest career accomplishment?
No doubt, my greatest career accomplishments have been in reunifying families in juvenile court. The problems some families face with addiction, poverty, mental health issues and splintered family structure can be heartbreaking. When I have been able to assist mothers and fathers to get the services they need and get their family back together it is amazing. One client had lost custody of several children when I was appointed to represent her in her newborn’s case and we were able to get that baby returned to her and eventually her other children were returned as well.
What qualities do you bring to the bench?
I have been told I have a great ability to read people and resolve conflict. I am a patient listener and try to see issues from every point of view. My clients have come from all walks of life and all ethnic groups and lifestyles giving me the experience to be fair and compassionate to all.
Name: Devlin J. Schoop
Age: 44
Party: Democratic
Current residence: Chicago
Current position: Cook County circuit judge (appointment effective Aug. 10, 2015)
Past legal experience: Partner, Laner, Muchin Ltd.. 2003-15; hearing board member, Illinois Attorney Registration & Disciplinary Commission, 2008-15; arbitrator, Cook County Mandatory Arbitration Program, 2008-15; litigation associate, Wildman, Harrold, Allen & Dixon LLP, 1999-2003; law clerk to U.S. district judge Blanche M. Manning, 1997–99
Campaign funds available, July 1 to Dec. 31: $107,250.86
Campaign funds spent, July 1 to Dec. 31: $58,894.96
Law school: University of Illinois College of Law, 1997
Campaign website: judgedevlin.com
Family: Married to Lynda, a librarian
Hobbies/interests: Completed seven marathons, including Chicago and New York Marathons
Have you ever run for office before?
Yes. In 2010, I was elected to a two-year term on the Local School Council for Esmond Elementary School located on the Far South Side of Chicago.
Why should voters support your candidacy?
I am the only sitting judge of my race and I have the highest bar ratings of any of the candidates, having been found “well qualified” by the Chicago Council of Lawyers and “highly recommended” by the Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago, and “qualified” and/or “recommended” by all of the remaining bar associations which conduct judicial evaluations.
At the time I was appointed to the bench by the Supreme Court, I had 18½ years of significant litigation experience in a wide variety of civil and commercial litigation. I have been actively involved in community organization and bar associations, including a term on the board of managers for The Chicago Bar Association and on the associate board for Jane Addams Hull House Association.
Why do you want to be a judge?
As a practicing attorney I saw instances where individuals were deprived of their legal rights. As a judge, I have the power to ensure that all litigants are treated with basic fairness and respect which some of us take for granted, but is frequently denied to the under-privileged and populations traditionally under-represented among the practicing bar and the judiciary.
What was the most interesting case you handled as a lawyer?
While I am proud of all my work on all of the cases, one that stands out is a case where I represented the city of Chicago in a false-arrest case where war protesters who were arrested during the 2006 Taste of Chicago raised a First Amendment challenge to the city’s disorderly conduct ordinance alleging that it was unconstitutional on its face and as applied to peaceful anti-war demonstrations. The 7th Circuit dismissed the facial challenge on the basis that a post-judgment settlement of the as-applied claims stripped the plaintiffs of standing to further pursue the facial challenge.
What would you consider your greatest career accomplishment?
Having the Supreme Court, based on the nomination of Justice Mary Jane Theis, appoint me to the Cook County Circuit Court. I enjoyed my time in traffic court and am learning my newest assignment in the Child Protection Division, working under its presiding judge, Patricia M. Martin, and our team of wonderful judges.
What qualities do you plan to bring to the bench?
I would like to think that I bring a strong knowledge of the law, a good sense of humor, genuine interest in all aspects of the law (as opposed to just a small niche) and respect for teamwork. A courthouse cannot function without dedicated staff. I pride myself in trying to treat my co-workers and everyone who appears in my courtroom with the respect and admiration that they earn on a daily basis. I also try to not let the robe go to my head.