Gary W. Seyring
Gary W. Seyring
Kevin O'Donnell
Kevin O'Donnell

In the days leading up to the March 15 primary election, the Daily Law Bulletin will publish responses to questionnaires sent to candidates in all contested Cook County judicial races. Campaign finance information comes from Illinois State Board of Elections reports.


Name: Kevin Michael O’Donnell

Age: 54

Party: Republican

Current residence: Arlington Heights

Current position: President of Kevin M. O’Donnell Ltd. in Park Ridge for nearly 24 years.

Past legal experience: I had positions with two small law firms before opening my own firm.

Campaign funds available, July 1 to Dec. 31: $29,350

Campaign funds spent, July 1 to Dec. 31: $2,500.

Chicago Bar Association finding: Not Recommended

Law school: DePaul University College of Law, 1988

Campaign website: ODonnellForJudge.com

Family: Married to wife Cynthia for 25 years; three daughters: Catherine, Claire and Colleen.

Hobbies/interests: Travel, watching my daughters play in the University of Notre Dame Marching Band, reading where I constantly search for new and creative authors and ideas and working out.

Have you ever run for office before?

No.

Why should voters support your candidacy?

My broad range of life and legal experiences and being trusted by more than a thousand clients has prepared me well to serve as knowledgeable and well-prepared judge. I am not part of the political establishment and I will pursue the truth tirelessly and be a thoughtful, fair and impartial judge. I care deeply about the dignity and respect of everyone and will bring that same caring to the bench.

Why do you want to be a judge?

I want to serve the public and apply my passion for truth and justice. Community service has always been important, and I organized Chicago’s first fire museum and have been its pro bono attorney for the 1,000 members for 17 years. I organized and represent the Chicago Fire Department Charities and am a volunteer attorney for Chicago Lighthouse for the Blind in honor of my late mother.

What was the most interesting case you handled as a lawyer?

This is hard to pick, but a high point was being thrust into a situation with a well-known wealthy family where I succeeded in an in-person presentation to have an heir’s business venture funded. I convinced the company’s CEO, CFO, chairman of the board, general counsel and the elder statesman of the family and was told afterward that the heir was lucky to have me as his attorney.

What would you consider your greatest career accomplishment?

Building a successful law firm, which I opened when my oldest girl was only 3 weeks old. All of my work comes on referral, I have had more than 1,000 clients, and I have balanced that with raising a family. I have given opportunity to young lawyers and I am also very proud of having mentored three young women who wanted to explore a career in the law. All of them trained with me and went on to top law schools.

What qualities do you plan to bring to the bench?

The ability to listen with open-mindedness without bias coupled with a great passion for justice and the truth. I am able to see both the big picture and the details given my great deal of litigation experience. I will also bring something important that many litigators do not have: my transactional and business matter experience. My training at the No. 1 mediation program in the country will serve me well.

 


 

Name: Gary W. Seyring

Age: 65

Party: Republican

Current residence: Schaumburg

Current position: Attorney/CPA at Law Offices of Gary W. Seyring in Schaumburg

Past legal experience: More than 37 years of private practice in numerous areas of civil law.

Campaign funds available, July 1 to Dec. 31: No reports filed in current election cycle. Final report from Dec. 16, 2014, indicated he had no cash on hand.

Campaign funds spent, July 1 to Dec. 31: No report filed with the Illinois State Board of Elections.

Chicago Bar Association finding: Qualified

Law school: The John Marshall Law School, 1978

Campaign website: SeyringforJudge.com

Family: Married for more than 42 years to wife Theresa; two sons, Brendan (Erin) and Bryan

Hobbies/interests: Family activities: hiking in national parks; visiting Disney World and historical sites; vacationing in Yellowstone and watching the Chicago Bears, Blackhawks, Fire and White Sox with my family.

Have you ever run for office before?

In 1978, for the school board of Schaumburg Township Elementary School District 54; in 2014, for judge in the 13th Judicial Subcircuit

Why should voters support your candidacy?

Voters should support me primarily because of my 37 years of legal experience coupled with my CPA background and my record of public service. Both the Illinois State Bar Association and The Chicago Bar Association have found me “qualified” to serve as a judge of the Cook County Circuit Court. The Women’s Bar Association of Illinois has found me “recommended.” Under the subcircuit system, Cook County has been divided into 15 subcircuits so residents from a specific geographical area can elect a judge from their community. I have lived in the 13th Subcircuit for more than 41 years, I raised my family in the 13th Subcircuit, I work in the 13th Subcircuit and I have contributed to this community for more than 41 years.

Why do you want to be a judge?

I have been encouraged by a number of friends, clients and colleagues to run for judge. They believe my 37 years of legal experience coupled with my CPA background and my record of public service qualifies me to be a judge.

What was the most interesting case you handled as a lawyer?

Either: A federal breach-of-contract suit in which I represented a short-line railroad that had a seven-year lease with a national trade organization for 55 grain cars at the rate of $55,000 per month. Early in the lease the trade organization defaulted on the lease due to the U.S. grain embargo placed on the Soviet Union. Or: A family fight over control of a closely held company in probate court. This case was interesting not so much for the legal aspects of the case but because of the high-profile attorneys in the case including brothers of a mayor, a former federal prosecutor, a former chief probate judge and their interaction with the litigation process.

What would you consider your greatest career accomplishment?

At the early age of 10, I decided to be a lawyer so I could help people. I believe I have accomplished that goal by providing to clients from all walks of life, young persons and seniors, individuals, both blue collar and professional, with affordable legal representation. Further, over my legal career I have volunteered in numerous civic and local organizations, providing many not-for-profit groups with free legal services thereby accomplishing my goal.

What qualities do you plan to bring to the bench?

Integrity, temperament and legal experience. Over my legal career I have represented clients from all walks of life and volunteered in many civic and local organizations. I believe involvement with these organizations has further increased my sensitivity for diversity. Many years of working with these communities has heightened my ability to listen to people from different backgrounds. Since I have represented a wide range of parties in my career, I am not hampered by one perspective, which enhances my ability to be fair and impartial to all litigants.