Timothy John Leeming

Name: Timothy John Leeming

Age: 56

Party: Democratic

Current residence: Oak Park

Current position: Cook County assistant public defender

Past legal experience with years of each job: Cook County assistant public defender, 1988-present; Robert Eugene Pincham & Associates, 1987-88; Levenfeld Gallagher & Gold, 1986-87.

Campaign funds available, July 1 to Dec. 31: $35,584.68

Campaign funds spent, July 1 to Dec. 31: $30,467.68

Law school: Loyola University Chicago School of Law, 1986.

Campaign website: TimLeemingforJudge.com

Family: Homeowner, married, and raising four children

Hobbies/interests: Visual art — painting, printmaking, educated at University of Illinois, School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago Palette and Chisel Academy. Art is on display and in collections around Chicago. Also guitar player and founding member of a band — “Rotisserie Chickens.”

Have you ever run for office before?

I ran unsuccessfully as candidate in the 7th Judicial Subcircuit. To the best of my knowledge I think it was in 1998. Also, I campaigned and I was elected to serve multiple terms as one of five members of the Executive Board for Cook County Public Defender’s Union, AFSCME 3315.

Why should voters support your candidacy?

I have 30-year legal experience. I am involved in a broad range of complex legal litigation. But the experience outside the profession gives me a thorough understanding of the importance of the courts to serve the people of Cook County.

I have, for many decades, fully participated in the life of my community; as a husband, father of four, youth baseball coach, Scout leader, chaperone for high school, summer service trips to Appalachia, a neighbor, and a friend. I am also a musician, I play the guitar. I am in a band. All of experiences as a husband, a father, an artist, a musician, baseball coach and community service volunteer give me a better insight into people and their particular circumstances. I am independent, honest, and hardworking.

Why do you want to be a judge?

I have served almost my entire career in public service, I would like to further serve the public by becoming a judge.

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

In 1987, a year after graduating law school, Muhammad Ali (the boxer), arrived in the reception of the small law office where I had been working for a year. He kidded around with us by introducing himself as “Joe Frazier.” After certain papers were signed, I asked if I could be the one to present him in-person at the prestigious Chicago firm that handled the trust for the daughters of Mr. Ali. I introduced myself at the reception desk as “the attorney for Muhammad Ali.” I still have my ‘pocket calendar’ for that day, signed with the shaking hand: “Tim, the good deeds you do in the world, is the rent you pay for your life in the hereafter. Muhammad Ali.”

What would you consider your greatest career accomplishment?

People v. Charles Green involved an “innocence challenge” raised under the Post-Conviction Act brought by a man who, at age 16, was convicted (by accountability) of four counts of murder and sentenced to natural life. (See related opinion, 179 Ill.App.3d 1, 535 N.E.2d 413, (1st Dist. 1988). I believe the 56-page dissent by Appellate Justice R. Eugene Pincham was the longest dissent in a criminal case in Illinois jurisprudence).

Mr. Green had lost at trial, on direct appeal, petition for leave to appeal denied, and his first four collateral challenges were dismissed. He had served 24 years of a natural-life sentence, when, after examining and advocating his case for four years, I was able to get him released from prison, time considered served.

What qualities do you plan to bring to the bench?

To paraphrase the findings of The Chicago Bar Association’s recent evaluation, I have extensive civil, criminal, and appellate practice experience. I have tried many complex cases and am well-regarded for my knowledge of the law, work ethic, legal ability and calm demeanor.

Not only do I bring my 30-year extensive legal experience, but I bring my life experiences, having fully participated in my community as a friend, neighbor, parent, coach and high school mentor. All these non-legal experiences give me a better understanding of my fellow citizens and their lives. I have a calm demeanor and a firm belief that everyone has a right to be treated fairly and with dignity and respect.

I have also been found “qualified” or “recommended” by the Illinois State Bar Association, the Cook County Bar Association, the Women’s Bar Association of Illinois, the Decalogue Society of Lawyers and the Puerto Rican Bar Association, and more to come.