Chief Justice Mary Jane Theis and the Illinois Supreme Court have announced that Michael Zink has been appointed as a judge in the 20th Subcircuit of Cook County. 

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

“Mr. Zink’s extensive legal and volunteer experience have prepared him well for this next step,” Chief Justice Theis said. “I expect him to serve the people of Cook County well as a circuit judge.” 

Mr. Zink has 20 years of experience in private practice and has conducted over 100 bench trials. He has been an Equity Partner at Starr, Bejgiert, Zink & Rowells since 2012 and was previously an associate attorney at Starr and Rowells from 2004 until 2012. He has been published extensively in legal journals and newsletters and presented numerous CLE programs for the Chicago Bar Association (CBA), Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA) and local community organizations. 

“It’s an honor and a privilege to receive this appointment from the Supreme Court,” Zink said. “I will do my best to uphold the standards of the Illinois Court system during my time on the circuit court.” 

Mr. Zink earned his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and earned his Juris Doctor from the DePaul University College of Law. 

He served as President of the Advocates Society from 2015-2016 and is currently a board member. Other professional affiliations include the ISBA, the CBA, and is a Fellow of the Illinois Bar Foundation. His extensive civic involvement includes serving on the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Access to Justice Forms Committee, Lake View Citizens Council, CBA Real Property Law Committee and the ISBA Solo & Small Firm Section Council.