23 Lake County Lawyers Apply To Become Associate Judge

WAUKEGAN, IL — Members of the public have an opportunity to submit comments about the 23 Lake County attorneys seeking to replace a retiring associate judge in the 19th Judicial Circuit. Chief Judge Jay Ukena Thursday announced the list of lawyers looking to succeed associate Judge John Scully, whose retirement is effective March 1.

The applicants to the nearly $200,000-a-year post will be interviewed by circuit judges and evaluated by the Judicial Selection and Retention Committee of the Lake County Bar Association, which will also poll its membership on the candidates' qualifications.

Following the initial review, a nominating committee of circuit judges — elected to 6-year terms — will narrow down the list to two finalists. Ballots will be sent to all circuit judges, who will vote to elect Scully's successor. The applicants for his seat include prosecutors, solo practitioners and attorneys at various area firms:

• Robert O. Ackley of Round Lake
• Paul J. Augustyn of Lake Barrington
• Jeffrey A. Berman of Buffalo Grove, counsel at Anderson and Wanca
• James C. Bertucci of Libertyville, partner at Bertucci & Bertucci
• Nandia P. Black of Kildeer
• Michael J. Conway of Lake Villa
• Roderick A. Drobinski of Wauconda
• Lisa L. Dunn of Deerfield, partner at Massucci, Blomquist, Anderson & Dunn
• Joann M. Fratianni-Atsaves of Lake Forest, Chair of the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission
• Deborah L. Goldberg of Highland Park, partner at Goldberg & Kane
• Bolling W. Haxall, III of Barrington, Assistant United States Attorney
• John L. Joanem of Wadsworth
• Christopher M. Kennedy of Libertyville, Office of the Special Deputy Receiver
• Kenneth W. LaRue of Waukegan, Assistant Lake County State’s Attorney
• Megan V. McAlister of Lake Forest, principal at McAlister Law
• Daniel Naranjo of Barrington, Assistant Cook County Public Defender
• Gretchen A. Neddenriep of Gurnee
• James R.M. Newman of Lake Villa, Assistant Lake County State’s Attorney
• Danielle M. Pascucci of Long Grove, Assistant Lake County State’s Attorney
• Michael J. Perillo of Grayslake, partner at Noonan, Perillo & Thut
• Franklin H. Top, III of Lincolnshire, managing partner at Chapman and Cutler
• Donald R. Tyer of Long Grove, Assistant Lake County State’s Attorney
• David S. Weinstein of Gurnee

Last month, a vacancy on the 19th Circuit was filled by Associate Judge Patricia Cornell, a family lawyer in Waukegan, after she received more votes than the other finalist selected by the nominating committee, Bolling Haxall, a federal prosecutor and Barrington resident who applied for multiple vacancies last year and now seeks Scully's seat. Several other applicants have also repeatedly sought past vacancies.

The 19th Circuit includes 15 circuit court judges and 24 associate judges, who are appointed to four-year terms. Whether from circuit judges or voters, retention on the bench requires the support of 60 percent of the vote.

Ukena said his office will accept written comments about the candidates from members of the public until March 4. Letters regarding any of the above attorneys should be addressed to the Office of the Chief Judge, Lake County Courthouse, 18 N. County Street, Waukegan, IL 60085.