My Law Life

  

  

  

As an attorney, I have found that neither age nor experience is a primary factor in judicial performance.

  

Honestly.

  

Time and again, what matters most is a willingness to listen (to the unique facts of each case) and a judge’s desire to follow the law.  Courtesy to litigants should follow, naturally.

  

I was pleased Tuesday when the Illinois House of Representatives (for various reasons) rejected a measure that would have required at least ten years of attorney licensure prior to judicial service.  [A great attorney can become a so-so judge, and a so-so attorney can become an outstanding judge.  The roles differ . . . substantially].

   

  

For what it’s worth, here’s a listing of the acting judges in our circuit – including identification of the year in which he or she first became admitted to the practice of law:

  

  

Fourth Judicial Circuit

The counties of:  Christian, Clay, Clinton, Effingham, Fayette, Jasper, Marion, Montgomery and Shelby

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Elected Judges   Daniel E. Hartigan  - 1977 Douglas L. Jarman – 1985 Michael P. Kiley – 1977 Kimberly G. Koester – 1988 Kelly D. Long – 1969 Kathleen P. Moran – 1976 David L. Sauer – 1977 S. Gene Schwarm – 1981 Ronald D. Spears – 1977 W. Robin Todd – 1973 Sherri L. E. Tungate – 1979 Newton Hillsboro Shelbyville Effingham Hillsboro Carlyle Centralia Vandalia Taylorville Flora Flora        Appointed Judges   William J. Becker – 1975 James J. Eder – 1979 James R. Harvey – 1975 Michael D. McHaney – 1982 Dennis E. Middendorff – 1980 Bradley T. Paisley – 1994 James L. Roberts – 1986 Ericka A. Sanders – 1998 Breese Effingham Effingham Salem Salem Taylorville Hillsboro Hillsboro

  

(Information provided solely by the Illinois Courts and Attorney Registration websites, as of today’s date).   

  

  

     

In the Fourth Judicial Circuit we enjoy one of the most able judiciaries in the state, in my opinion. 

  

    

Scott Ealy