The Illinois Supreme Court announced Tuesday that Thomas E. Griffith, Jr., an attorney for 25 years, has been appointed a circuit judge in the Sixth Judicial Circuit. Mr. Griffith was appointed to fill the Circuit Court vacancy created by the November 3, 2010 retirement of Judge Theodore E. Paine. The appointment is effective February 4, 2011 and will expire December 3, 2012. Justice Rita B. Garman recommended the appointment of Mr. Griffith after a review process by a special citizen screening committee. The committee unanimously recommended Mr. Griffith to fill the at-large circuit court vacancy. Mr. Griffith graduated cum laude from Millikin University with a B.A. degree in History. He received his juris doctor degree from Tulsa University Law School in 1985. Before his appointment to the bench, Mr. Griffith worked for 23 years as a partner with the law firm of Erickson, Davis, Murphy, Johnson, Griffith & Walsh, Ltd. in Decatur. From 1985 to 1987, Mr. Griffith served as Macon County assistant state’s attorney. He has been a member of the Capital Litigation Trial Bar since September 2002. A resident of Decatur, Mr. Griffith is married with four children. The Sixth Judicial Circuit is comprised of six counties: Champaign, DeWitt, Douglas, Macon, Moultrie and Piatt.

The Illinois Supreme Court announced today that the Ninth Judicial Circuit judges voted to select Heidi A. Benson as an associate judge of the Ninth Judicial Circuit. Ms. Benson received her undergraduate degree in 1994 from Knox College, Galesburg, and her Juris Doctor in 1997 from the University of Illinois. Ms. Benson is currently affiliated with Flack, McRaven & Stephens in Macomb.

The Illinois Supreme Court has announced that James K. Simonian received most of the votes cast by the circuit judges in the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit and is declared to be appointed to the office of associate judge. Mr. Simonian received his undergraduate degree in 1986 from DePauw University and his Juris Doctor in 1989 from Indiana University. Mr. Simonian is currently affiliated with the Law Office of Stephen Simonian in Waukegan.

The Illinois Supreme Court has announced the appointments of Michael L. Stroh and James D. Orel to the position of associate judge. Stroh will reside in the 11th Judicial Circuit and Orel in the 18th. Mr. Stroh received his undergraduate degree in 1993 from Southern Illinois University and his Juris Doctor in 1996 from Southern Illinois University. He is currently affiliated with the Woodford County State’s Attorney’s Office in Eureka. Mr. Orel received his undergraduate degree in 1976 from Illinois State University and his Juris Doctor in 1983 from John Marshall in Chicago. He is currently engaged in practice with Garretson, Santora, Urgo & Nugent in Wheaton.