The First District Appellate Court has an opening for Assistant Legal Research Director. More information is available below and at http://www.illinoiscourts.gov/Employment/Appellate/2015/Legal_Research_Asst_Dir_1st.asp

The Illinois Supreme Court announced Monday the assignment of Cook County Circuit Court Judge Mary Anne Mason to the Illinois Appellate Court for the First Judicial District to fill the vacancy created by the upcoming retirement of Appellate Justice David P. Sterba on July 1, 2013.

Judge Mason, who served as an assistant U.S. attorney and worked in private practice, will continue her legal career in the very same place where she launched it: in the Appellate Court.

"To serve on the same Court where I started as a law clerk 36 years ago with Justice Daniel J. McNamara, Jr., is an honor beyond belief," Judge Mason said. "I am so grateful to the Supreme Court for this opportunity."

Judge Mason's assignment to the Appellate Court is effective July 8, 2013 and will continue until further order of the Court.

After serving as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois for five years and working in private practice for 15 years with the Chicago law firm of Kevin M. Forde, Ltd., Judge Mason was appointed to the Circuit Court in September 2000. She was subsequently elected to that position in November 2002 and was retained in 2008.

After a three month assignment to the traffic division, Judge Mason was assigned to the Juvenile Justice Division, where she presided over juvenile delinquency matters. In 2004, she was assigned to the Chancery Division where she hears matters including, among others, requests for injunctions, corporate disputes, review of final administrative decisions and trust and contract construction.

Judge Mason previously served as chair of the Supreme Court Committee on Discovery Procedures. She currently serves as chair of the Chancery Division Mediation Rule Committee.

John B. Simon was sworn-in as a Justice for the 1st District Appellate Court on Nov. 16. Mr. Simon fills the vacancy created by the death of Appellate Justice Michael J. Murphy who passed away Oct. 1. The appointment will terminate December 1, 2014 when the position will be filled by the November 2014 General Election.

Mr. Simon is a well known attorney with the Chicago firm of Jenner & Block and has a long record of public service. He currently serves as chair of the Illinois Supreme Court Rules Committee and chair of the Illinois Supreme Court Historic Preservation Commission.

Mr. Simon is the son of the late Justice Seymour F. Simon, who served as a Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court for eight years and as an Appellate Justice for six years.