The Illinois Supreme Court has appointed Circuit Court Judge Thomas R. Appleton to the Illinois Appellate Court in the Fourth Judicial District. He has served by assignment on the Appellate Court since December 2001. Justice Rita B. Garman recommended the appointment of Judge Appleton to the Appellate Court. The appointment is effective June 4, 2010 and expires December 6, 2010. Judge Appleton is running unopposed for the seat in the November election and he is virtually assured of winning a full 10-year term. Judge Appleton was elected a Circuit judge in the Seventh Judicial Circuit in 1992. Before his election to the judiciary, Judge Appleton engaged in the private practice of law in Sangamon County from 1981-1992. He was a law clerk for the Fourth District Appellate Court from 1976-1978 when he became research director for the Appellate Court. In 1979, Judge Appleton was appointed Clerk of the Fourth Judicial District Appellate Court, where he served until 1981. He received his juris doctor degree from lIT/Chicago-Kent College of Law in 1976. "Since assigned to the Appellate Court in 2001, I have enjoyed my service with the Fourth District Appellate Court. I appreciate the confidence that the Illinois Supreme Court and Justice Garman has shown in appointing me to the existing vacancy on the court," said Judge Appleton. Judge Appleton is a member of the Illinois State Bar Association, the Sangamon County Bar Association and the Illinois Judges Association. The Fourth Judicial District is made up of 30 counties across central Illinois.

The Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts announced Friday that the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit judges voted to select Michael A. Wolfe as an associate judge of the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit. Mr. Wolfe received his undergraduate degree in 1981 from Marquette University, and his Juris Doctor in 1984 from John Marshall in Chicago. Mr. Wolfe is currently affiliated with the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office in Wheaton.

[caption id="attachment_6908" align="alignright" width="150" caption="Terrence J. Lavin"][/caption] The Illinois Supreme Court has named ISBA Past President Terrence J. Lavin to fill an interim vacancy on the 1st District Appellate Court, effective Feb. 1, 2010. The vacancy will be created by the retirement of Justice John P. Tully on Dec. 31. "I'm obviously delighted," Lavin said. "It's something I've always wanted and never thought would present itself." Lavin earned a degree in journalism in 1977 from the University of Illinois and his law degree from Chicago-Kent College of Law in 1983. He clerked at Corboy & Demetrio during law school and started his own practice in 1992 - which he has with some regret begun to wind down. "I just had a meeting with a client and had to tell her she'll need to find another lawyer," he said. "I will miss not being there to fight for her and for the others I represent." Lavin's appointment runs through Dec. 3, 2012. "I look forward to having the opportunity to learn more about the law," Lavin said. "We practice in such specialized areas and I have practiced in such a specialized area. This will keep the brain exercised. I look forward to putting on the robe and going to the other side of the bench."

Cynthia Y. Cobbs, Director of the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts, announced today that Margaret (Meg) Marcouiller, 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. Ms. Marcouiller received her undergraduate degree in 1984 from Northwestern University and her Juris Doctor in 1990 from Loyola University in Chicago. Ms. Marcouiller is currently affiliated with the Lake County State's Attorney's Office in Waukegan.