Andrea Michelle Webber

Name: Andrea Michelle Webber

Age: 41

Current residence: Bucktown, Chicago

Current position: Homicide Task Force attorney with the Cook County Public Defender.

Past legal experience: Cook County Public Defender’s Office, 2004-present; personal-injury firm, 2003-04; in law school, clerked for L. David Wolfe P.C. in Atlanta, Ga., and Law Office of Larry Axelrood; 711 law clerk for the Cook County Public Defender’s Office

Law school: 2002

Campaign website: friendsofandreawebber.com

Family: I️ currently live in Bucktown with my two children, Jackson, 10 and Samantha, 8, They both attend a Chicago Public School in the Old Town neighborhood.

Hobbies/interests: I️ am a single mom to two very active children who are involved in many activities. When I️ have time I️ try to work out and do yoga. I️ love spending summers near the lake and hiking whenever possible.

Have you ever run for office before?

No.

Why should voters support your candidacy?

My background demonstrates a strong commitment to diversity and social justice that is extremely relevant to my suitability to the bench. I️ have worked as a Cook County public defender for almost 16 years and I️ am currently assigned to the Homicide Task Force. I️ have spent my legal career helping people of diverse backgrounds, making sure their rights are protected and that they understand their rights.

My litigation experience makes me suitable for the bench. My career has been spent as a trial attorney which allowed me to gain significant experience and skills in the courtroom. I️ have tried almost 200 jury and bench trials combined. These cases have ranged from misdemeanor driving under the influence to felony charges ranging from drug possession to murder cases. I️ have litigated and argued hundreds of motions. Having worked in multiple court rooms I️ have learned the dynamics of the courtroom and how important the courtroom personal is to an efficient process.

I️ believe all the experience I️ have acquired both professionally and personally make me a well-rounded candidate to be a judge. I️ would strive to always run a courtroom which exudes fairness and justice. By doing so, every individual who comes into that courtroom, be it a plaintiff or defendant, will feel respected and have faith in the fairness of the justice system. Furthermore, I️ possess other qualities which make for a good judge. In my personal and professional life, I️ am a careful listener. I️ research and look at all perspectives before making a decision. I️ am careful not to rush to judgments or all emotions to interfere with making the most rational decisions.

Why do you want to be a judge?

I️ have learned so many lessons while working in the court system, with my clients, others attorneys and judges. I️ want to take the lessons I️ have learned and knowledge I️ have gained and use it to run and fair and just courtroom where everyone is respected.

I️ have been lucky enough to appear before many exemplary judges, judges who have calm and respectful demeanor and strong work ethic. Those judges have made me a better attorney. I️ will strive to do the same to those attorneys who appear before me.

I️ have dedicated my life to a job of public service and this would allow me to continue that service in another way and continue my commitment to the law. It would be an honor to have such a responsibility to society, mostly the to litigants, to be just and fair every time I️ take the bench. While I️ truly love my job as a defense attorney, advocating for the side of my client, I️ would still be an advocate, an advocate for justice.

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

Based on the nature of my job I️ have had many fascinating cases. One that stands out is a trial from two years ago. The case involved a man who was ultimately found guilty of first-degree murder and aggravated sexual assault of two separate women. The woman were his clients on his Comcast route.

The case involved complex forensic matters, an investigation that spanned over a long period of time and media attention.

What would you consider your greatest career accomplishment?

My greatest accomplishment was my promotion to Homicide Task Force, which is the highest department in my office.

What qualities do you plan to bring to the bench?

I️ will bring legal knowledge and experience to the bench. I️ have done a vast amount of litigation in complex legal issues. I️ have also worked with a wide variety of expert witnesses. This experience will allow me to make fair and accurate decisions during litigation.

I️ will bring a calm demeanor, integrity, patience and a willingness to do what the law requires. I️ am very organized, timely and efficient which will be helpful attributes.