James L. Kaplan
James L. Kaplan is a judge on the Cook Judicial Circuit Court, Domestic Relations Division in Illinois. He was appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court to fill the vacancy of Patrick O'Brien on the Cook Judicial Circuit Court. His circuit court term began on February 1, 2015.[1] He was reappointed in 2019.[2]
Kaplan was first appointed to the Illinois Court of Claims by Governor Rod Blagojevich in 2005. The Illinois Supreme Court appointed him in December 2010 to the Cook County 8th Subcircuit, but he lost in the March 2012 Democratic primary election. His appointment to that court remained effective through December 3, 2012.[3][4] The Illinois Supreme Court then appointed him to the Cook County 12th Subcircuit, but he was defeated in the 2014 general election. His last day on the court was November 30, 2014.[5][6]
Elections
2014
See also: Illinois judicial elections, 2014
Kaplan ran for election to the Cook County 12th Subcircuit.
Primary: He was successful in the Democratic primary on March 18, 2014, receiving 38.3 percent of the vote. He competed against James Edward Hanlon, Jr., Ralph Eugene Meczyk and Samuel Bae.
General: He was defeated in the general election on November 4, 2014, after receiving 49.4 percent of the vote. He competed against James Paul Pieczonka.
[5]
Evaluations
The Illinois State Bar Association rated James L. Kaplan as Qualified for election in 2014.[7]
2012
Kaplan ran for election to a full term on the Cook County 8th Subcircuit in 2012 to fill the seat vacated by Melvin J. Cole. He was defeated by John H. Ehrlich in the Democratic primary on March 20, 2012. Kaplan received 19.41% of the vote in the six-way race.[8][9]
- See also: Illinois judicial elections, 2012
Education
Kaplan graduated from Lake View High School in 1961 and earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Arizona in 1967. He received his J.D. from the Chicago-Kent Law School in 1971.[4]
Career
- 2015-Present: Judge, Cook Judicial Circuit Court
- 2012-2014: Judge, Cook County 12th Subcircuit
- 2010-2012: Judge, Cook County 8th Subcircuit
- 2005-2010: Judge, Illinois Court of Claims
- 2009-2010: Attorney of counsel, Sheldon Sorosky, Ltd.
- 1972-2009: Managing partner, Kaplan & Sorosky, Ltd.
- 1968-1972: Paralegal and assistant corporation counsel, City of Chicago Department of Law
- 1967-1968: Claims adjuster, Liberty Mutual Insurance Company[10]
Awards and associations
Awards
- 2008: Charles E. Curry Spirit of Excellence Award, West-Side Association for Community Action
- 2006: Designated Champion Award for the Rights of Disabled Students, Southern Illinois University
- 2006: Illinois Community Colleges Trustees Association
- 2006: Action for Children Award, Illinois Children’s Resources Community Advocacy
- 2004: Distinguished Citizen Award, Presented by State Senator Daniel Cronin
- 2004: Distinguished Alumnus Award, Chicago-Kent College of Law
Associations
- Member, Chicago Bar Association
- Member, Illinois State Bar Association
- Member, Workers’ Compensation Lawyers’ Association
- Past member, American Bar Association
- Past member, Illinois Trial Lawyers Association
- Past member, Chicago-Kent College of Law School Association[10]
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Illinois Supreme Court, "MR 1403: In re: Judicial Vacancy," November 10, 2014
- ↑ Illinois State Bar Association, "Director of AOIC Announces Results of Associate Judges Reappointments," accessed June 24, 2019
- ↑ Medill Watchdog, "James L. Kaplan: In search of judicial robes, willing to travel," accessed August 6, 2014
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Chicago Democrat Examiner, "Spotlight: Judge James L. Kaplan," August 7, 2011
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Illinois State Board of Elections, "Candidate List- General Primary," March 18, 2014
- ↑ Illinois State Board of Elections, "Official Canvass, General Primary Election," March 18, 2014
- ↑ Illinois State Bar Association, "Judicial Evaluations," October 2014
- ↑ Illinois Judges.net, "Vacancy of Melvin J. Cole - Candidates for Cook County Circuit Judge - 6th Subcircuit," accessed February 16, 2015
- ↑ Board of Election Commissioners for the City of Chicago "Judge, 8th Subcircuit (Vacancy of Cole), Primary results," 2012
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 James Kaplan Campaign Website, "Biography," accessed August 6, 2014
