H Yvonne Coleman
H Yvonne Coleman

Name: H. Yvonne Coleman

Current residence: Chicago

Current position: Cook County circuit judge, appointed March 27, 2017

Past legal experience: Attorney with primary areas of practice in civil litigation and civil rights concentrating in employment discrimination, Law Office of H. Yvonne Coleman P.C., 2004-09, 2010-17; general counsel, Independent Police Review Authority, 2009-10; manager and chief hearing officer for appeals division, Illinois Department of Employment Security, 2003-04; bureau chief, civil rights and disability rights bureaus, Office of the Illinois Attorney General, 1999-2003; Law Office of H. Yvonne Coleman, 1992-99; executive director, Community Law Project Inc., 1990-94; staff labor attorney, National Labor Relations Board-Region 13, 1988-90

Law school: University of California, Davis School of Law, 1978

Campaign website: electjudgecoleman.com

Family: Two adult children

Hobbies/interests: Reading, theater, music, writing

Have you ever run for office before?

No. (However, I circulated petitions for judge but withdrew.)

Why should voters support your candidacy?

I was appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court to a judicial vacancy in March 2017. Prior to my appointment, I was evaluated by 12 local bar associations and I was rated qualified or recommended by all bar associations to serve as a circuit court judge. In my courtroom, I treat everyone with dignity and respect and ensure that everyone has an opportunity to be heard. As a judge, I am a public servant and it is my job to pursue fairness and justice in every legal case.

Why do you want to be a judge?

Since becoming a judge 11 months ago, I realize that it was the best decision of my legal career not only for me but also for the people of Cook County. I love the law and I love my community and being a judge provides me with an extraordinary opportunity to work everyday doing what I love while serving the public.

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

I practiced law over 25 years and I can honestly say that every case I handled was interesting because the law is so interesting. One case that stands out was an employment discrimination case in which my client was denied a job with a large corporation. The company claimed that the reason he was not hired was because he did not pass one of the hiring tests. However, we were able to prove that the real reason the company refused to hire him was because of his race and his disability, not because of a valid non-discriminatory reason.

What would you consider your greatest career accomplishment?

My appointment by the Illinois Supreme Court to serve the citizens of Cook County as a circuit court judge has been my greatest honor and achievement.

What qualities do you plan to bring to the bench?

My experience, integrity, work ethic, compassion and my dedication to fairness and justice.