Jameika Mangum
Jameika Mangum

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: Jameika Mangum

Age: 39

Current residence: Chicago

Current position: Attorney, The Mangum Law Firm LLC in Rolling Meadows

Past legal experience: Attorney, The Mangum Law Firm LLC, 2010 to present. Responsible for the day-to-day management of a general practice law firm; handled felony and misdemeanor criminal matters; negotiated plea agreements in criminal matters; negotiated settlement agreements on personal-injury matters; engaged in civil litigation; handled a civil appeal; bench and jury trial experience.

McHenry County assistant state’s attorney, 2008 to 2010. Prosecuted traffic and misdemeanor offenses; supervised a law clerk working under Supreme Court Rule 711; handled numerous hearings (statutory summary suspension, motion to suppress evidence, bail bond, etc.); assisted with felony cases; participated in bench and jury trials. July 2008 to May 2010;

Assistant district attorney, State of New Mexico, 2007 to 2008. Responsible for the prosecution of driving while intoxicated and domestic violence related offenses; assisted with custody arraignments; attorney assigned to Mental Health Court; negotiated plea agreements with defense counsel; conducted numerous bench and jury trials.

Law clerk, Rose, Klein, & Marias LLP in California, 2006 to 2007. Assisted attorneys in the civil litigation department; interviewed potential clients regarding personal-injury matters; conducted research for attorneys; prepared discovery responses; assisted with complex civil litigation matters (asbestos, toxic torts, etc.),

Civil law clerk, Miles, Bauer, Bergstrom, & Winters LLP in Santa, Ana, Calif., 2003 to 2004. Responsible for assisting attorneys in the civil litigation department; performed research for national mortgage lender clients; drafted various motions relating to judicial foreclosure proceedings,

Law clerk, Los Angeles County, Calif., district attorney’s office, 2003. Responsible for assisting attorneys in the consumer protection division with trial preparation; received state bar certification; drafted motions relating to fraudulent transfers and bail hearings.

Campaign funds available, July 1 to Dec. 31: $7,475.37

Campaign funds spent, July 1 to Dec. 31: $7,046.54.

Chicago Bar Association finding: Did not participate in evaluation process, automatically considered “Not Recommended.”

Chicago Council of Lawyers finding: Not Recommended

Law school: Whittier Law School, 2003.

Campaign website: mangumforjudge.com

Family: I live with my husband and two children in Kenwood. I’m married to a marathon runner. My youngest child is 3 months old. My oldest son is 19 years old. I’m raising a newborn while running for judge.

Hobbies/interests: Reading and jogging.

Have you ever run for office before?

No.

Why should voters support your candidacy?

Voters should support my candidacy because I am fair and impartial. I’ve handled criminal and civil matters, and I have the ability to analyze legal issues to assist with the resolution of cases. Additionally, I have never engaged in misconduct. I hope voters will visit the ARDC’s website at iardc.org, and research the judicial candidates.

Why do you want to be a judge?

I believe I will be a great asset to the bench because I am fair, competent and hardworking. I can efficiently manage a court call. I have criminal and civil experience and can be assigned to hear any type of case.

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

I handled a matter where my client was charged with attempting to board a commercial aircraft with a weapon. My client had a loaded gun in his carry-on bag at O’Hare International Airport. The case went to jury trial, and we received a not guilty verdict after deliberations. My client was traveling for business purposes.

What would you consider your greatest career accomplishment?

My greatest career accomplishment has been the ability to manage my general practice (solo) law firm for over five years. I appreciate the ability to practice multiple areas of the law at once. I believe that greater career accomplishments are on the way. I’m always striving for excellence.

What qualities do you plan to bring to the bench?

I am ethical, even-tempered, and a great listener. All litigants will be treated fairly and with respect.

 


 

One additional candidate in this race — Cook County Associate Judge Leonard Murray, currently assigned to the 1st Municipal District — did not respond to the Daily Law Bulletin’s survey. Murray is rated as Qualified by The Chicago Bar Association and Qualified for the Circuit Court by the Chicago Council of Lawyers. Murray had no quarterly reports filed with the Illinois State Board of Elections.