Suburban Bar Coalition |
The Suburban Bar Coalition of Cook County, Illinois (SBC) is composed of the following bar associations located in Cook County, Illinois:
- North Suburban Bar Association (NSBA)
- Northwest Suburban Bar Association (NWSBA)
- West Suburban Bar Association (WSBA)
- Southwest Bar Association (SWBA)
- South Suburban Bar Association (SSBA)
Every two years, the coalition convenes to evaluate the retention judges for the November general election. This is done in an effort to (1) educate voters, (2) hold the judges accountable, and (3) improve bench/bar relations. Attorneys from the five participating bar associations collectively spend over 500 hours investigating, interviewing, and evaluating the judges running on the retention ballot. The criteria considered fall within the following four categories.
- Legal Ability: The intellectual capacity and industry needed to learn and understand the rules of law applicable to the facts and the dedication with which, the rules of law are applied. It also encompasses the diligence in performing judicial duties and the administration of the court's calendar in an efficient manner keeping in mind the fair opportunity for the litigants to present the facts of the controversy.
- Judicial Temperament: The consistent demonstration of the appropriate attitude and behavior toward the litigants, the merits of the case, witnesses, the attorneys before the court and personnel assigned to work with the Judge.
- Integrity: The commitment to follow the law and applicable ethical codes regardless of whether such judicial conduct is known to anyone other than the jurist.
- Impartiality: The consistent ability to apply the law evenly and objectively and rule without regard to personal bias, political consequences or the likelihood of appeal.
For more information about the SBC, please contact:
Michael Rothmann - Chair
c/o Law Office Martin L. Glink
1655 N Arlington Heights Rd., Ste 100E
Arlington Heights, IL 60004
(847)394-4900