Out of order

Clout makes cut to be judge

Sixty-four highly rated lawyers did not make the cut for candidates for associate judge of Cook County Circuit Court, which pays $147,000 a year.

But 18 attorneys found unqualified by one or more bar groups squeaked in. They include:

•  Sheldon Harris, friend of state Supreme Court Justice Charles Freeman. Harris lost a judicial election in 2002 and lost the last associate judge competition in 2005. Freeman has reappointed Harris to temporary vacancies on the bench since 2000. The Chicago Council of Lawyers calls Harris "arrogant and rude" on the bench.

•  Leonard Murray, whose law license was suspended for three months for neglecting seven clients' cases, two after Murray's sister was murdered. The state lawyer discipline board said the death mitigated his neglect.

•  Michael J. Finley, who filed for bankruptcy 10 years ago. The council found him "not qualified" to be a judge.

•  Sheila Wilson-Freelon, a member of Chief Judge Timothy Evans' church. The council found her "not qualified," saying she lacks sufficient litigation and courtroom experience.

At least nine who made the cut are spouses, siblings or children of judges.

"There's nobody on this list that doesn't know somebody," said Associate Judge Jim Linn, whose girlfriend Maritza Martinez is a finalist, found qualified by eight of 11 bar groups.

A total of 267 attorneys applied for 31 vacancies on the court. Evans and his top presiding judges chose 62 finalists. Starting Friday, Cook County's 270 elected judges will choose 31 associates from that pool.

The process, if done well, can produce the best judges on the bench, said Council of Lawyers President Carrie Huff, adding, "We would like to have seen more well-qualified ighly qualified candidates on the short list."

The candidates are visiting judges' chambers, shaking hands and showing resumes. In past elections, politicians issued lists of their preferred candidates. But Evans and other judges say those days are over.

To show clout doesn't matter, some judges point to highly rated Judge James Murray, whom Ald. Edward Burke (14th) tried to get elected last year. Murray did not make the cut. Instead, the judges chose Leonard Murray, who represented the woman who tried to run against Burke for alderman.

"I believe it's a good process," Evans said. "Nobody who comes before you is perfect. They're all human. We're looking for those with potential to do great on the bench."

That's why someone like Leonard Murray was able to convince judges that he has redeemed himself since his suspension with free legal work on behalf of the poor.

Some highly rated stars made the list.

Patricia Logue, director of constitutional litigation for Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund, has briefed gay rights cases up to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Martha Mills also tried civil rights cases before the U.S. Supreme Court after working as a lawyer in Mississippi in the '60s, winning a million-dollar case against the Ku Klux Klan.

Among the finalists are such recognizable names as former Cook County Jail Director Callie Baird, wife of Judge Nicholas Ford, and former top prosecutor Tom Epach, husband of Associate Judge Lynn Kawamoto.

Also on the list is Joseph Panarese, whose father was a judge and whose brother is a judge. He was chief of staff to ex-city Clerk James Laski.