Judicial Appointments

The Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts announced Monday that the Fifth Judicial Circuit judges voted to select Derek J. Girton and Karen E. Wall as associate judges of the Fifth Judicial Circuit. Mr. Girton received his undergraduate degree in 1988 from Pennsylvania State University in University Park, and his Juris Doctor in 1993 from Ohio Northern University in Ada. Mr. Girton has been affiliated with Acton & Sndyer, LLP in Danville. Ms. Wall received her undergraduate degree in 1994 from Illinois State University in Normal, and her Juris Doctor in 1997 from John Marshall Law in Chicago. Ms. Wall has been affiliated with Spiros & Wall, P.C. in Danville.

The Illinois Supreme Court on Tuesday appointed Associate Judge Richard A. Brown to fill the Circuit Court vacancy created by the retirement of Judge William A. Schuwerk Jr. The appointment is effective Wednesday, July 14. Judge Brown is a lifelong resident of Randolph County, served as the county’s public defender for 18 years, maintained a private law practice in the county for more than 25 years and has served as an associate judge since 2004. He has received excellent judicial advisory poll results conducted by the Illinois State Bar Association. Judge Brown is the only candidate seeking to succeed Judge Schuwerk, and will be unopposed on the November ballot. Supreme Court Justice Lloyd A. Karmeier made the recommendation to the full Court after Chief Judge C. John Baricevic of the 20th Circuit requested that the vacancy be filled before the election.

The Illinois Supreme Court has appointed Brendan A. Maher as Circuit Judge of the 17th Judicial Circuit, Third Subcircuit, Judgeship A. This appointment is effective Aug. 2, 2010 and terminates on Dec. 3, 2012.

Illinois Supreme Court Justice Lloyd A. Karmeier announced Thursday that an application process has begun for a Circuit Court vacancy in the 20th Judicial Circuit. The at-large Circuit vacancy is being created by the announced resignation of Circuit Judge Michael O’Malley, effective Aug. 1, 2010. Under the Illinois Constitution, the Supreme Court holds the authority to fill interim judicial vacancies. Justice Karmeier uses an application, evaluation and interview process to make recommendations to the Court for vacancies in the Fifth Judicial District. Notice of the vacancy will be posted in courthouses throughout the 20th Judicial Circuit. Applicants must submit a cover letter with the Requested Information of an Applicant Form to:

• Justice Lloyd A. Karmeier
• Supreme Court of Illinois
• P.O. Box 266
• Nashville, IL 62263

The form may be obtained from the office of Chief Judge John Baricevic of the 20th Judicial Circuit; the presiding judges or circuit clerks of the counties within the 20th Circuit or from Justice Karmeier. Applicants' cover letter and completed form must be received in Justice Karmeier's office no later than Friday, July 2, 2010. The person appointed to fill the vacancy will serve until the position is  filled through the November, 2012 general election. The appointment will terminate December 3, 2012. To be eligible for appointment, a person must be a resident of the Twentieth Judicial Circuit at the time of the appointment. The 20th Judicial Circuit is comprised of five counties in southwestern Illinois: Monroe, Perry, Randolph, St. Clair and Washington.