Rishi Agrawal

Name: Rishi Agrawal

Age: 44

Party: Democratic

Current residence: South Loop, Chicago

Current position: Owner, The Agrawal Firm LLC

Past legal experience: Eimer Stahl LLP, 2003-07; Segal McCambridge LLP, 2001-03; Will County Public Defender’s Office, 1998-2001

Campaign funds available, July 1 to Dec. 31: $38,418.78

Campaign funds spent, July 1 to Dec. 31: $13,473.52

Law school: Loyola University Chicago School of Law, 1998

Campaign website: rishiforjudge.com

Family: Wife; two daughters, 10 and 9 years old

Hobbies/interests: Baseball, golf, foodie, community service

Have you ever run for office before?

No.

Why should voters support your candidacy?

Because of my diversity of experience — over 19 years, I have handled approximately 100 trials ranging from murder, large commercial litigation, divorce, and small claims matters. Plus, I am a committed leader in the community as I currently serve as a parent member on South Loop Elementary LSC and as Secretary of the Indo-American Center. I have also represented a number of pro bono clients including a client that was a victim of a hate crime. This diversity of experience in both professional and community service will help serve me well on the bench.

Why do you want to be a judge?

It is so important to have good judges with everything happening in our country today. Judges have such a fundamental impact on every aspect of our society. I think it is vital that when a party comes into the courtroom, even if they don’t agree with the judge’s decision, that they have full confidence that the judge is making a fair and just decision. This is far more likely when we have judges with a range of legal experience and community related experience.

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

I represented a defendant in a double murder trial. It was interesting because he was not the shooter, but instead a driver on an alleged drive-by shooting. We were able to present a compelling case that he was not an accessory and did not know the shooters were going to shoot anyone. It brought an extra layer of issues to the trial — we were able to obtain a hung jury.

What would you consider your greatest career accomplishment?

My greatest career accomplishment is having the knowledge and experience to be able to handle and excel in a first-degree murder case, million-dollar business litigation trial, a divorce case, or many other types of cases.

What qualities do you plan to bring to the bench?

Leadership, diversity, and experience — a commitment to and a passion for the rule of law.