Illinois Supreme Court Appoints Tony Thedford as At-Large Judge in Cook County

Chief Justice Mary Jane Theis and the Illinois Supreme Court have announced that D’Anthony (Tony) Thedford has been appointed as an At-Large Judge for the Circuit Court of Cook County.

Mr. Thedford is being appointed to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Paul Karkula. Mr. Tedford’s appointment is effective December 2, 2024, and will continue through Dec. 7, 2026.

“Mr. Thedford has extensive experience in civil and criminal matters and was rated highly qualified by the Chicago Bar Association,” Chief Justice Theis said. “He will be a welcome addition to the Cook County judiciary.”

Mr. Thedford has been a Partner at Thedford Garber Law, LLC since 2016 specializing in the areas of criminal defense and civil rights. From 2005 to 2016 he practiced at his own firm, the Law Office of Tony Thedford, P.C., and previously served from 1997 to 2005 as an Assistant Public Defender in the Law Office of the Cook County Public Defender representing indigent clients.

“I am profoundly honored to have been selected to serve the citizens of Cook County in this role,” Thedford said. “I am committed to serving with dignity and respect for those who stand before me.”

Mr. Thedford has served as adjunct professor for The Croak Community Legal Clinic at DePaul University College of Law since 2019, teaching students about issues of access to justice. From 2017 to 2019 he was Director of Trial Advocacy at Valparaiso University School of Law.

Mr. Thedford earned his Bachelor of Arts from Southern Adventist University and earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Alabama School of Law. He is a board member of the Illinois Prison Project, a former board member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and a former President of the Illinois Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.