James Epstein
James R. Epstein was a judge on the First District Appellate Court in Illinois. He was retained to the position in 2010 and retired in January 2015.[1][2]
Elections
2010
Epstein won the Democratic primary and was retained to the First District Appellate Court with 100% of the vote in the general election.[3][4]
- See also: Illinois judicial elections, 2010
Education
Epstein received his B.A. from Northwestern University in 1975 and his J.D. from Northwestern University in 1978.[5]
Career
- 2010-2015: Judge, First District Appellate Court
- 2005-2009: Judge, Cook Judicial Circuit Court, Chancery Division
- 1999-2005: Judge, Cook Judicial Circuit Court, Criminal Division
- 1985-1999: Partner, Epstein, Zaideman & Esrig
- 1980-1985: Assistant public defender[1]
Awards and associations
- Fellow, American Academy of Trial Lawyers
- Member, National Institute for Trial Advocacy
- Board member and former president, Illinois Judges Association
- 2009: Judge of the Year, North Suburban Bar Association
- 2009: Decalogue Award, Decalogue Society of Lawyers
- 1995-1998: "Best Lawyers in America" inclusion[6]
Noteworthy cases
Blagojevich injunction
In April 2008, Epstein exercised the authority of the judicial branch when he ordered an injunction to stop former Governor Rod Blagojevich from instituting his state-subsidized healthcare plan. This ruling was upheld by the 1st District Appellate Court of Illinois. Epstein then ordered the Blagojevich administration to submit a plan for the dismantling of the program in October 2008. This was placed on hold by the Illinois Supreme Court. Due to the differing rulings, the plan was put on hold until the Supreme Court decided whether or not to hear the case.[7]
The Informant!
In 2005, Epstein was hired to represent Mark Whitacre, the executive at the Archer Daniels Midland Co. and informant for the FBI, who was on trial for wire fraud and embezzlement. Due to federal sentencing guidelines, Whitacre was sentenced to a total of 11 ½ years in prison, convicted on charges of price fixing and fraud. The case was thoroughly documented in newspapers and other media outlets. Years later Epstein interviewed with the author of the book, The Informant!, Kurt Eichenwald. He also interviewed with Matt Damon, the main character in the 2009 film, The Informant!, to detail his involvement with the case. [8][9][10]
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Illinois Courts, "James R. Epstein," accessed December 31, 2014
- ↑ For What It's Worth, "Epstein resigns; Cobbs promoted; Palmer's appointment gets an end date," accessed December 16, 2015
- ↑ Illinois State Board of Elections, "General Election Results," 2010
- ↑ Chicago Sun-Times, "Election Results," 2010
- ↑ Chicago Tribune, "Judicial Candidate Questionnaire," archived February 19, 2010
- ↑ James Epstein's Campaign Website, "Home," accessed December 31, 2014
- ↑ healthlawyers.org "Illinois—Recent Healthcare Reform Developments," November 20, 2008
- ↑ New York Times "Clues to Sentencing Mystery In the Archer Daniels Case," July 13, 1999
- ↑ The Chicago Tribune "‘Informant!’ attorney’s true Hollywood story results in mixed emotions," September 24, 2009
- ↑ Internet Movie Database, "The Informant!" accessed December 31, 2014
 |
State of Illinois Springfield (capital) |
|---|---|
| Elections |
What's on my ballot? | Elections in 2025 | How to vote | How to run for office | Ballot measures |
| Government |
Who represents me? | U.S. President | U.S. Congress | Federal courts | State executives | State legislature | State and local courts | Counties | Cities | School districts | Public policy |
