That does not mean that judge selection should be based upon superficialities. One should focus when choosing a judge on their integrity, their knowledge of the law, their administrative skills, their experience in dealing with people in a courtroom situation, and perhaps most important, their temperament in dealing with litigators and litigants.
The Chicago Council of Lawyers praised me for being well prepared and having a good temperament, both necessary qualities in a good judge. The Chicago Bar Association also commends me for my "excellent demeanor and temperament."
JB: That's encouraging. Anything you'd like to add before we wrap this up?
BA: When litigants appear in court, one of the key elements in whether they leave with a feeling that, win or lose, they had their fair day in court, is dependent on the judge's temperament. Too many judges leave those appearing before them with a feeling that they did not get a chance to present their cases, that the judges were rude or impatient with them or their attorneys, and they felt they never got a proper hearing. This is a complaint which I have heard too often in family law courts where judges without proper experience or temperament lose control of their courtrooms. The bar associations which made specific comments on my abilities all cited my good demeanor and temperament. Those attributes, combined with my knowledge and experience will make me a good judge.
JB: Thanks so much for talking with me, Brian. I understand the whole process much better now and our readers will, too. Good luck on March 18th!
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