Alison C. Conlon
Michael I. O’Malley
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: Michael I. O’Malley
Age: 40
Party: Democratic
Current residence: Chicago
Current position: Cook County assistant state’s attorney
Campaign funds available, July 1 to Dec. 31: $16,143
Campaign funds spent, July 1 to Dec. 31: $12,963.67
Law school: The John Marshall Law School, 2005
Campaign website: omalleyforjudge.us
Family: Single
Hobbies/interests: Avid reader of American history, biking, fishing and barbecuing.
Have you ever run for office before?
No.
Why should voters support your candidacy?
Voters should support my candidacy because of my qualifications. I have been an assistant state’s attorney for more than a decade. During that time, I have tried hundreds of bench trials and more than 15 jury trials. I have also participated in more than 500 evidentiary hearings. Additionally, I have practiced in several separate and distinct areas of law.
I worked in the family law, criminal law and civil law areas. While working in the public corruption and financial crimes unit I prosecuted corrupt public officials and public employees who stole from the taxpayers of Cook County. I have a wide range of experience which will enable me to sit in any courtroom the day I am sworn in as a judge.
Why do you want to be a judge?
As an assistant state’s attorney, I have practiced in multiple courthouses through Cook County and appeared before dozens of judges. I have practiced before some of the best judges in Cook County, and some of the worst. This experience has taught me the attributes which make a good judge and the attributes that make a bad judge. I know that I possess the skills that will enable me to be a good judge for the people of Cook County.
What was the most interesting case you handled as a lawyer?
As an assistant state’s attorney, I have handled a number of interesting cases. I have handled violent criminal prosecution including sexual assaults and white-collar criminal prosecutions. If I had to choose one as my most interesting, I would pick the criminal prosecution of two family members who were charged with embezzling several hundred thousand dollars from a governmental entity.
What made this case interesting was the sheer volume of financial transactions involved in this case. Because of my prior work experience as a CPA, I was able to wade through the voluminous amount of transactions and organize them in a manner that a lay person could follow the stolen funds as they were funneled into the defendants’ bank accounts, and how the defendants spent the embezzled funds.
What would you consider your greatest career accomplishment?
My greatest accomplishment is helping the most vulnerable and least fortunate citizens of Cook County who have been victims of violent and heinous crimes achieve justice in our criminal courts. Too often, the victims of crime in our society are the people who know the least about the court system. I am proud that I was able to give these victims the justice our system allows.
What qualities do you plan to bring to the bench?
I will bring a strong work ethic, a sense of fairness and a desire to ensure justice is meted out in Cook County from the bench. I will also be a judge who believes punctuality is a needed quality in the judiciary.
Name: Alison C. Conlon
Age: 43
Party: Democratic
Current residence: Chicago
Current position: Cook County circuit judge (appointment effective Feb. 2, 2015)
Past legal experience: Partner and co-chair of commercial litigation practice group, Barnes & Thornburg LLP, 2010-15; partner, Wildman, Harrold, Allen & Dixon LLP, 2003-10; assistant corporation counsel, city of Chicago, 2001-02; law clerk for U.S. District Judge Charles P. Kocoras, 2000-01
Campaign funds available, July 1 to Dec. 31: $126,795.87
Campaign funds spent, July 1 to Dec. 31: $73,181.37
Law school: Duke University School of Law, 2000
Campaign website: electjudgeconlon.com
Family: One daughter, age 15
Hobbies/interests: Golf, music, watching my daughter’s volleyball team
Have you ever run for office before?
No.
Why should voters support your candidacy?
On Feb. 2, 2015, after a thorough vetting process, the Illinois Supreme Court appointed me to the circuit court to fill a retirement vacancy. I currently sit in the Jury Section of the 1st Municipal Division at the Daley Center and have presided over more than 70 trials, 18 of which were jury trials. Previously, I was a partner and co-chair of the commercial litigation practice group at Barnes & Thornburg where I had an award-winning pro bono practice (2010-15); partner and associate in the litigation department of Wildman, Harrold, Allen & Dixon (2003-10); assistant corporation counsel for the city of Chicago specializing in constitutional and commercial litigation (2001-02); and law clerk to U.S. District Judge Charles P. Kocoras (2000-01).
All of the reviewing bar associations have found me “qualified” or “highly qualified” to serve as a judge based on my legal experience, reputation and temperament, and I have a broad base of political and institutional support including the endorsements of the Cook County Democratic Party, dozens of state and local elected officials and the Chicago Federation of Labor.
Why do you want to be a judge?
Every day I serve the public as a judge is a privilege. People do not bring casual problems to court. The issues they raise are important to them and are important to me. I enjoy the challenge and reward of giving every party the time they deserve to present their case; weighing what they say; applying the law and using my discretion where appropriate; and making the best decisions I can to help people resolve their legal problems.
What was the most interesting case you handled as a lawyer?
As a lawyer, I represented people, businesses and municipalities in a broad range of complex civil litigation including commercial, personal injury, class actions, real estate, insurance coverage, antitrust and environmental law.
I handled many interesting issues. Some of my favorite cases involved helping victims of business fraud obtain recoveries, including two brothers who were lured into investing the hard-earned profits of the family business they started from their garage into a fraudulent tax shelter. More generally, it was always interesting and gratifying to work collaboratively with clients and colleagues to figure out solutions to tough problems.
What would you consider your greatest career accomplishment?
Having the honor of being appointed as a circuit judge by the Illinois Supreme Court.
What qualities do you plan to bring to the bench?
Every day I strive to bring fairness, impartiality and kindness to the bench, treating each party and lawyer with dignity; giving them the time they need to say what they want to say; carefully considering their position; and providing a clear explanation for my rulings. Several longtime courtroom personnel have commented that I am patient and respectful toward litigants, which is very meaningful to me.