Thank you for sharing your time to learn more about my campaign.  My wife Peggy and I have been married 26 years, and have three children.  We are lifelong residents of the Southwest side of Chicago.  I attended St. Justin Martyr Grammar School, Mt. Carmel High School, Northwestern University and DePaul University College of Law.

I have been a lawyer for 28 years.  Importantly, my experience has been varied.  I began my career as a prosecutor, serving six years as an Assistant State's Attorney of Cook County.  I then spent two years in a Loop law firm practicing civil law.  Since 1989, I have owned and operated my own firm.  During that time, I represented the Chicago Housing Authority in over 70 personal injury lawsuits, including several significant "wrongful death" cases.  I also have represented plaintiffs in numerous personal injury actions, and have handled residential and commercial real estate transactions and estate matters.

Unlike most other attorneys, I have a great deal of litigation experience.  I have tried 30 jury cases, and several hundred bench trials.  I also have written over 40 appellate briefs, and presented oral argument before the Illinois Appellate Court and Illinois Supreme Court.

I have volunteered in my community, coaching youth baseball and basketball for many years, serving on a local athletic board and as lector for several years at St. Barnabas Church.

It would be an honor and privilege to serve as judge in Cook County.  I would appreciate you telling your family and friends of my candidacy, and that you vote for me in the Primary Election on February 2, 2010.  Thank you.