It has become apparent to me in the cases that I hear that the issue of economic injustice is prevalent. My ambition to become a judge blossomed about 20 years ago when I realized the importance of having judges from diverse backgrounds who were experienced and qualified and who look like me.Īs a judge, what has surprised or impressed you most in the cases you’ve heard so far? When did you get ambitions to be a judge, or did it just happen with the appointment? Also, as a civil rights lawyer, representing clients who were victims of discrimination was the highlight of my career. In your career so far, what things stand out the most to you?Īs I just mentioned, one of the most memorable achievements of my legal career was my service as a pro bono attorney with legal clinics in the community that provide free legal advice, consultations, and services to individuals who cannot afford an attorney. In law school and throughout my legal career, I actively participated in legal service programs as a pro bono attorney providing free legal services to those who cannot afford a lawyer. I wanted to become a lawyer to make a difference and help others have access to justice. And I’m a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.Īs a young black woman in college, I understood the importance of laws and the court system and how they impact the lives of all Americans, particularly the African-American community. I received my undergraduate degree from the University of California, Berkeley, and my law degree from the University of California, Davis. I was raised on the South Side in the Woodlawn community, and attended James McCosh Elementary and Englewood High School. What’s your background and upbringing where were you born and raised? A judge has the responsibility to be independent and impartial so that all decisions are fair and just based on the law and the evidence presented. Yvonne Coleman: The primary role of a judge is to hear and decide cases that are assigned to his/her courtroom. N’DIGO: What do you do as judge what is the scope of your responsibilities? N’DIGO recently sat with Judge Coleman to discuss her candidacy and her work. Commission on Civil Rights.Ĭoleman was a strong and outspoken advocate for access to justice as Executive Director of the Community Law Project, Inc., and she served as President of the Cook County Bar Association Foundation, which is a non-profit association of lawyers providing pro bono legal clinics, community legal education forums, and law student scholarships to needy students. She served as a former member of the Illinois Advisory Committee to the U.S. Her public sector legal experience includes employment as Chief of the Civil Rights and Disability Rights Bureaus for the Illinois Attorney General and as General Counsel with the Chicago Independent Police Review Authority. Most recently, she was a solo practitioner concentrating in civil litigation, civil rights, and employment law and discrimination in state and federal court. Her previous employment includes legal work in the public and private sectors. Prior to her appointment, Coleman practiced law for over 25 years. She is running in the March primary to keep her seat on the bench.Ĭoleman has been endorsed by the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Federation of Labor, and Independent Voters of Illinois (IVI-IPO), as well as Toni Preckwinkle, Kwame Raoul, Larry Rogers Jr., Stephanie Coleman, Leslie Hairston and Rod Sawyer, among others. The areas covered by her district include Bronzeville, Hyde Park, Woodlawn, Park Manor, South Shore, and Englewood.Ĭoleman currently is a sitting Circuit Court Judge, appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court in March 2017 to fill the vacancy of Patricia Banks and assigned to the First Municipal District, Civil Nonjury Trial Section. Yvonne Coleman is a candidate for judge in the 5th Subcircuit in the March 20 primary election.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |