Illinois Supreme Court appoints Cecilia Horan as Circuit Judge of Cook County

Justice Mary Jane Theis and the Illinois Supreme Court have announced the appointment of Cecilia A. Horan as an at-large Cook County Circuit Judge.

Ms. Horan was appointed to fill the position held by the Hon. Russell W. Hartigan, who is retiring from judicial office on Jan. 17, 2017.

The appointment takes effect January 19, 2016 and will terminate on Dec. 3, 2018, when the position will be filled by the 2018 General Election.

"I am so grateful to Justice Theis and the Supreme Court for the opportunity to serve on the bench," Ms. Horan said. "I will always strive to deliver fair and impartial justice with integrity and honor."

Ms. Horan is currently a partner with Hinshaw and Culbertson LLP, where she has practiced since 1997. She has served as Co-Chair of the firm's Chicago Office Mentoring Committee since 2012.

Justice Theis recommended Ms. Horan's appointment after candidates were reviewed by bar associations and a special judicial screening committee for a previous vacancy. She has received qualified or recommended ratings from a dozen bar groups.

Ms. Horan graduated with honors from the John Marshall School of Law. She received her Bachelor of Arts, also with honors, from Columbia College Chicago. She is currently the president of the Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago and is a member of the Chicago Bar Association and the Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel. She received a 2016 Advocate for Diversity Award from the Diversity Scholarship Foundation.