David Studenroth
Carrie E. Hamilton
In the days leading up to early voting in the Nov. 8 general election, the Daily Law Bulletin will publish responses to questionnaires sent to candidates in all contested Cook County judicial races. If a candidate did not respond to a request for an updated questionnaire for the general election, the responses provided by the same candidate during the primary election will be used. Campaign finance information comes from Illinois State Board of Elections reports. All responses will be available to subscribers and non-subscribers at chicagolawbulletin.com.
Name: Carrie E. Hamilton
Age: 45
Current residence: Glencoe
Current position: Cook County circuit judge (appointed by Supreme Court effective July 17, 2015)
Past legal experience with years of each job: Assistant U.S. attorney, 2001-15; Grippo & Elden, 1999-2001; Katten, Muchin & Zavis, 1996-98
Campaign funds available, July 1, 2015, to June 30, 2016: $161,684.66
Campaign funds spent, July 1, 2015, to June 30, 2016: $144,025.09
Law school: Northwestern University School of Law, 1996
Campaign website: hamiltonforjudge.com
Family: Married to Eric H. Sussman (partner at Paul, Hastings LLP) with three children.
Hobbies/interests: Fitness, family, reading, crossword puzzles and gardening
Have you ever run for office before?
Never.
Why should voters support your candidacy?
Over the course of my legal career, as a judge, prosecutor, defense lawyer and a civil practitioner, I have tried hard to always remember that everyone with whom I was interacting — whether it was opposing counsel, a client, a defendant, a witness or a law enforcement officer — were human beings, with their own lives and their own priorities.
As a judge, I am committed to maintaining that perspective and treating each individual in my courtroom as someone deserving of my respect and the respect of everyone involved in the justice system. Based upon my deep experience, both personally and professionally, I believe that voters should support my candidacy for Cook County circuit judge.
Why do you want to be a judge?
While I was a federal prosecutor, I also served as a member of the board of directors for the James B. Moran Center for Youth Advocacy, which provides legal and social services to underprivileged youth. The Moran Center reaffirmed on a personal level what I had learned as a prosecutor: A smart, fair, compassionate and decisive judge can make a huge impact each and every day on the lives of individuals. Now, as a Cook County circuit judge, every day I am humbled by the awesome responsibility of ensuring “justice for all” who appear in front of me. I want to be a judge so that I can continue to do so.
What was the most interesting case you handled as a lawyer?
Prior to my appointment to the circuit court, I served as an assistant U.S. attorney in Chicago for more than 14 years. During my time as a federal prosecutor, I served as a deputy chief in the public corruption section and was responsible for handling many of the most significant cases in the past decade in the Northern District of Illinois, each one of which was fascinating in its own way. Certainly being one of the lead prosecutors on the corruption trials of former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich was incredibly interesting, challenging, rewarding and educational.
What would you consider your greatest career accomplishment?
When I was federal prosecutor, I worked with the FBI, the Chicago Crime Commission, the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, the Cook County State’s Attorney’s office, Chicago Public Schools and a number of other entities (including law enforcement, social services and others) to launch a child prostitution task force dedicated to exposing the problem of child prostitution in and around Chicago and encouraging discussion about the issue.
In addition to working with the child prostitution task force on a broad level, I started an internal program at the U.S. Attorney’s office to investigate and prosecute individuals involved with the prostitution of minors in the Chicago area. As part of this program, I led the seminal investigation, prosecution and conviction of a violent pimp for prostituting minors in and around Chicago, St. Louis and Phoenix, which paved the way for many other cases of this type.
What qualities do you plan to bring to the bench?
I believe that I am fair, experienced, compassionate, smart and decisive. I am proud to be the only candidate in my race found “highly qualified” by The Chicago Bar Association Judicial Evaluation Committee, which stated, “Ms. Hamilton has tried a number of complex cases and is highly regarded for her integrity, knowledge of the law, legal ability and outstanding demeanor and temperament.” Further, the Chicago Council of Lawyers stated, “Hon. Carrie Hamilton … prosecuted a number of high visibility cases in Chicago … is praised for her legal ability and for her courtroom skills. She is considered to have a good temperament. She has extensive litigation experience in complex matters.” These are all qualities that I consistently strive to maintain and will continue to bring to the bench if I am elected.
Name: David Studenroth
Age: 55
Current residence: Glenview
Current position and employer: Attorney, Law Offices of David Studenroth in Park Ridge
Past legal experience with years of each job: Law Offices of David Studenroth, 1998-present; Cook County assistant state’s attorney, 1987-98; Rule 711 clerk, Cook County State’s Attorney’s office, 1985-87; law clerk, French, Rogers, Kezelis and Kominiarek, 1985-87.
Campaign funds available, July 1, 2015, to July 30, 2016: $68,379
Campaign funds available, July 1, 2015, to July 30, 2016: $33,171.69
Law school: The John Marshall Law School, 1987
Campaign website: studenrothforjudge.com
Family: Wife of 23 years, Carole; three children
Hobbies/interests: My family, golf and the Cubs.
Have you ever run for office before?
No.
Why should voters support your candidacy?
I was a Cook County prosecutor for 11 years and a criminal-defense attorney for 17 years. I’ve also worked on civil cases. This experience from both the prosecution and defense side of the criminal justice system along with my civil experience would make me fair and balanced as a judge. In addition, I’ve been found highly recommended, qualified and recommended by 12 major bar associations.
Why do you want to be a judge?
I want to bring my trial and courtroom experience as a prosecutor, criminal defense attorney and as a civil attorney to the bench. I think that the qualities that my parents have taught me that I use every day as I practice as an attorney would be a welcome addition to the bench. I would be honored to serve the citizens of Cook County once again.
What was the most interesting case you handled as a lawyer?
I prosecuted three gang members, Michael Sullivan, Andre Mauldin and DeAngelo Anderson, for killing two and shooting six rival gang members. Sullivan and Mauldin were convicted of the murders and sentenced to natural life in prison, while less-culpable Anderson was convicted of the attempted murders and sentenced to 30 years in prison. After an appeal and an unsuccessful retrial on much less evidence, Anderson was released after serving 7½ years in prison. Two years later he saw me practicing as a private criminal-defense attorney at 26th Street and California Avenue. He retained me as his attorney and I successfully defended his felony drug case.
What would you consider your greatest career accomplishment?
The 70 felony jury trials that I tried as a Cook County prosecutor, and the two felony jury trials and two civil jury trials that I tried as a private attorney.
What qualities do you plan to bring to the bench?
Respectful, fair, hard working and professional. Extensive trial and courtroom experience.