Practice News

The Illinois Supreme Court has announced that 376 of the 384 Illinois associate judges who filed requests for reappointment to their office for a new four-year term have been retained. Having certified the results of more than 466 total ballots cast in Illinois’ twenty-four circuit courts. Director Tardy informed that each successfiul candidate received votes that tallied three-fifths or greater in favor of their reappointment. Five associate judges in the Third Judicial Circuit, one in the Sixth Judicial Circuit, one in the Twelfth Judicial Circuit and one in the Twentieth Judicial Circuit did not receive the requisite number of votes for reappointment. The new term of office for each reappointed associate judge will begin on July 1, 2015 and terminate on June 30, 2019.

Pursuant to Illinois’ Constitution, associate judges serve a term of office of four years. The Illinois Constitution vests in the Supreme Court the authority to provide, by rule, for the associate judges appointment process in Illinois. With the adoption of Supreme Court Rule 39 in 1971, the quadrennial reappointment election of associate judges is accomplished through the casting of secret ballots by circuit court judges eligible to vote. The Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts administers all associate judge elections on behalf of the Supreme Court. The 2015 quadrennial reappointment election is the eleventh reappointment election since the 1970 amendments to the judicial article of the Illinois Constitution.

Michael J. Tardy, Director of the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts, announced Wednesday that the Twelfth Judicial Circuit judges voted to select Elizabeth D. Hoskins Dow and Kenneth L. Zelazo as associate judges of the 12th Judicial Circuit.

Ms. Hoskins Dow received her undergraduate degree in 1989 from the Yale University in New Haven, CT and her Juris Doctor in 1993 from Boston College Law School in Newton, MA. Ms. Hoskins Dow is currently affiliated with Bailey & Glasser LLP in Joliet.

Mr. Zelazo received his undergraduate degree in 1979 from the Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI, and his Juris Doctor in 1983 from Loyola University in Chicago, IL. Mr. Zelazo is currently affiliated with The Law Office of Bob O'Dekirk, LLC in Joliet.

Attorney Nerino Petro explores portable power options for attorneys, while comparing the battery life of the most popular mobile devices on the market today.

Q.  In the past I represented a client on a number of different matters. I never sent a formal letter ending the attorney-client relationship. Am I still the client’s attorney?