On the Bar with the Kane County Bar Association

In the fifth episode of the Life Before Law podcast series, we bring you a special edition, featuring newly-installed 16th Circuit Chief Judge Robert Villa. Host Andrew Whitfield interviews Chief Judge Villa in his first week on the job. They discuss his new responsibilities as Chief Judge and how those responsibilities differ from his previous judgeships. Andrew and Judge Villa also discuss his early law career and private practice experiences that led him to the pivotal decision to become a judge. Judge Villa also lays out his ambitions, plans and goals for his three-year term as Chief Judge to benefit the judicial system in Kane County. The Circuit Judges of the 16th Judicial Circuit elected Robert K. Villa as Chief Judge effective Monday, December 4th, 2023. Judge Villa is a graduate of the University of Illinois, Urbana (LAS '92) and the DePaul College of Law ('95). From 1995-1998, Judge Villa served in the Illinois Attorney General's Criminal Appeals Division as lead counsel on appeals involving statutory and constitutional issues before the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, the Supreme and Appellate Courts of Illinois and the United States District Courts of Illinois. After leaving government service, Judge Villa was a litigation partner in the Chicago offices of Dykema Gossett PLLC and in 2007, he founded the Villa Law Firm, LLC in St. Charles, which became Griffin/Villa/Williams LLP in 2011. Judge Villa was appointed to the position of Associate Judge in April, 2013. On December 17, 2018, the Illinois Supreme Court appointed Judge Villa to the position of Circuit Judge. He was later elected as Circuit Judge of the Sixteenth Circuit, Third Sub-circuit in November of 2020. He has presided over all manner of civil and criminal cases, recently serving as the Presiding Judge of the Misdemeanor/Traffic Division. In 2021, Judge Villa was assigned to the Civil Law Division where he presided until his Chief Judge term began.

Host Andrew Whitfield interviews Mark Stajdohar, Assistant Kane County State’s Attorney, for the fourth episode of the Life Before Law podcast series. Mark shares his fascinating path to his law career that began with his military service followed by his various jobs at the iconic Chicago heavy-metal club, The Thirsty Whale. After completing his undergrad degree at Illinois State University, Mark attended Duke University Law School, which gave him the opportunity to intern in D.C. and experience the U.S. Supreme Court basketball court. All of that led Mark to the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office, where he has served the people of Illinois since 2000, including participating in 20 murder trials. Mark Stajdohar is an Assistant State's Attorney who has worked in the criminal division of the Kane County SAO for over 23 years. He is currently assigned to the Major Crimes Unit. Mark grew up in Naperville and studied political science at Illinois State University. He then went on to Duke University School of Law. He lives in Kane County with his wife, his son and his daughter.

In the third episode of the Life Before Law podcast series, host Andrew Whitfield welcomes guest Lori Schmidt, Assistant Kane County State’s Attorney and Executive Director of the Kane County Child Advocacy Center. Lori discusses her career journey from her first job at the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals and on to the Office of the Cook County Public Guardian. With the influence of a mentor, Lori made the decision to attend law school while working full time. Her experience not only prepared her for managing work and life balance, but also sparked her passion to be a prosecutor. Lori Schmidt is a an Assistant State’s Attorney with the Kane County State’s Attorneys Office. She has served as a Prosecutor for over 20 years. She is the Executive Director of the Kane County Child Advocacy Center and the Supervisor of the Crimes Against Children Prosecution Unit. Prior to becoming an Assistant Kane County State’s Attorney, she was employed with the Cook County Public Guardian’s Office. She is a member of the Illinois Child Death Review Team. She has previously served as a co-chair of the Kane County Bar Association Criminal Law Committee. She was awarded the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office Prosecutor of the Year Award in 2014. She was previously sworn in as a special prosecutor in DuPage and Kendall Counties in Illinois. She received her J.D. from The John Marshall Law School.   

In the second episode of the Life Before Law podcast series, host Andrew Whitfield interviews one of his best friends, Dr. Sameer Vohra, Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health. They discuss the M.D./J.D. program offered by Southern Illinois University, where they became roommates, and how the M.D./J.D. program set Dr. Vohra on his path to being Illinois’ top doctor. Dr. Vohra reveals many insights and experiences along the way and talks about his commitment to health in the state of Illinois. Sameer Vohra, MD, JD, MA, was appointed as the director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, effective August 1, 2022, by Governor JB Pritzker.  Dr. Vohra is a general pediatrician who holds degrees in law and public policy. He is a cross-disciplinary leader in state and national health policy formulation, and his recent focus has been on improving health outcomes in Central and Southern Illinois. Prior to his appointment, Dr. Vohra was the Founding Chair of the Department of Population Science and Policy, a practicing primary care pediatrician, and an Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Public Health, Medical Humanities, and Law at the Southern Illinois University – School of Medicine (SIU-SOM) in Springfield, Illinois, where he also served the State of Illinois as the Interim Chair of the Children’s Mental Health Partnership.  A graduate of the University of Chicago, where he earned a Master of Arts in public policy, Dr. Vohra completed his medical residency in pediatrics at the University of Chicago. He holds a medical doctorate from SIU-SOM; a juris doctorate from SIU School of Law graduating first in his class; and a Bachelor of Arts in political science and science in human culture with honors from Northwestern University.  Dr. Vohra previously served on the Illinois State Board of Health, the Illinois Medicaid Advisory Committee, the Governor’s Rural Affairs Council, the Illinois COVID-19 Response Fund Steering Committee as well as national committees for the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Association of American Medical Colleges, the American Medical Association, and on the Board of Trustees for the Illinois State Medical Society and Chicago Medical Society.  He has received numerous honors including a United States Fulbright Scholarship in 2009, an American Medical Association Foundation’s Excellence in Medicine Leadership Award in 2014 and was named an Edgar Fellow in 2016 as one of 40 emerging political and policy leaders in Illinois. In 2020, he was named a Presidential Leadership Scholar, chosen by the George W. Bush Presidential Center, the Clinton Presidential Center, the George and Barbara Bush Foundation, and the LBJ Foundation.  Dr. Vohra resides in Springfield with his wife, Tasnim, and two children.  Host Andrew Whitfield can be reached at whitfieldandrewg@gmail.com The music for this series is "We'll Be Here Tomorrow" by the Effigies.

In this “Life Before Law” podcast series debut, host Andrew Whitfield interviews John Kezdy, friend, former boss and former Bureau Chief of the Statewide Grand Jury Bureau at the Office of the Illinois Attorney General. Prior to beginning his stellar law career, John and his band, The Effigies, were at the forefront of the Chicago punk rock scene in the early 1980s. In their discussion, John expresses to Andrew his love of the punk rock scene and his experiences touring with the band. John also details his transition into law and throws in a few of his favorite courthouses in the state. Tragically, John Kezdy passed away shortly after recording this podcast. That sad reality makes this episode that much more important to all of us at the Kane County Bar Association and we would like to offer this as a tribute to John Kezdy, his legacy and his memory. John Kezdy graduated from Northwestern University and DePaul College of Law. He became a prosecutor following law school and spent over twenty years at the helm of the Statewide Grand Jury Bureau at the Office of the Illinois Attorney General. There, John prosecuted thousands of drug traffickers and firearms traffickers over his esteemed career. He was a frequent lecturer to law enforcement and was well known for his willingness to take on the tough cases. His career was filled with accolades from numerous local, state and federal law enforcement partners. He was constantly seeking to improve the law and to hold bad actors accountable.   Last year, John was in the process of retiring when he and his wife were both shot in the Highland Park mass shooting on the 4th of July. John did not let his injuries deter his efforts to continue to serve the residents of Illinois. Though retired, he returned to serve as a trusted adviser to the State-Wide Grand Jury team. John was an avid cyclist often competing in road races throughout the Midwest. He was a brilliant and passionate man who led a full life.  About the Host Andrew G. Whitfield is the Immediate Past President of the Kane County Bar Association. Andrew is an Assistant Attorney General at the Illinois Attorney General’s Office, where he is the Deputy Chief of the Statewide Grand Jury Bureau. In that capacity, Andrew investigates and prosecutes multi-county drug trafficking, gunrunning, and money laundering offenses that are brought through various federal, state, and local agencies. Andrew has prosecuted cases in the following counties: Boone, Cook, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kendall, Lake, Lee, Whiteside, and Will. Andrew was also an Assistant State’s Attorney in Kane County for eleven years. Andrew is a member of the Judicial Evaluation Committee for Counties Outside Cook and the Corrections and Sentencing Committee, the Prosecutor Bar Association, and has given several presentations regarding topics such as drug-induced homicide, Fourth Amendment search and seizure issues, jury instructions, and other criminal law related topics to other prosecutors and law enforcement during his time at the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office and Illinois Attorney General’s Office. Andrew can be reached at whitfieldandrewg@gmail.com The music for this series is "We'll Be Here Tomorrow" by the Effigies.

In this episode of On the Bar, Chrissie chats with KCBA member and former president Carolyn Jansons about her family law background and meeting her real-life hero Ruth Bader Ginsburg at the United States Supreme Court. Carolyn shares her inspiring encounter and applies it to her law career and success as a trailblazing woman in law who should never be underestimated. Carolyn D. Jansons is a graduate of Northern Illinois University and a 2001 graduate of Northern Illinois University College of Law, magna cum laude.  She graduated from Northern Illinois University College of Law and was a member of the Law Review.  Carolyn is a partner at Drendel & Jansons Law Group, the same firm in which she began her career in 2001.  Carolyn is an active member of the Kane County Bar Association having served on its board of directors and eventually elected Secretary/Treasurer.  Carolyn ascended through the ranks and was the KCBA President in 2017-2018.  Carolyn continues to be an active member of the Family Law Committee and focuses her practice on family law. Carolyn grew up in Oswego, Illinois and actively practices in Kendall County as well.  She currently lives in Elburn with her husband, Pete, and their two children. Carolyn enjoys being involved in her community and has provided volunteer service to several boards and organizations including Fox Valley Hands of Hope and local Scout Troop 7 in Elburn.  In her spare time (what is that?) Carolyn enjoys reading, 80’s music and cooking.

Host Chrissie White welcomes Family Law Attorney Otto Hurtado to the On the Bar Podcast. Otto cleverly presents his Top Five List of characters from film that have inspired him in his legal career. From Matthew McConaughey to Joe Pesci and more, Otto shares an in-depth perspective about how these fictional characters influence and translate to his real life law practice. Otto shares his background and experience with a unique blend of humor and charisma. Otto S. Hurtado is a family law attorney, certified mediator, Guardian ad Litem, and co-chair of the Judicial Evaluation Committee. He owns and operates The Law Office of Otto S. Hurtado, located in Geneva, Illinois, and primarily handles family matters (Divorce, Parentage, Adoptions, Orders of Protection, etc.) in Kane, DuPage, Kendall, and DeKalb Counties. Otto was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois (Humboldt Park), and relocated to DeKalb for law school (Northern Illinois College of Law). It was there that he met his wife, Marissa Hanson. Otto is an active member of the Kane County Bar Association and has participated in various activities such as, Ask A Lawyer Day, and Lawyer in the Library.

In this episode, Chrissie White meets with KCBA President Andrew Whitfield to discuss the ways Vincent Bugliosi, an American prosecutor and author, and Neil Mink, the attorney from HBO hit show, The Sopranos, have inspired him and influenced his legal career. Andrew grew up on the east coast, as his New York accent reveals. He now serves as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Illinois. He speaks openly about his career as a lawyer and his role as president of the Kane County Bar Association while adding many entertaining anecdotes along the way. Andrew G. Whitfield is the current President of the Kane County Bar Association. Andrew is an Assistant Attorney General at the Illinois Attorney General’s Office where he is assigned to the Statewide Grand Jury Bureau. In that capacity, Andrew investigates and prosecutes multi-county drug trafficking, gunrunning, money laundering offenses that are brought through various federal, state, and local agencies. Andrew has prosecuted cases in the following counties: Boone, Cook, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kendall, Lake, Lee, Whiteside, and Will. Andrew was also an Assistant State’s Attorney in Kane County for eleven years. Andrew is a member of the Judicial Evaluation Committee for Counties Outside Cook and the Corrections and Sentencing Committee, the Prosecutor Bar Association, and has given several presentations regarding topics such as drug-induced homicide, Fourth Amendment search and seizure issues, jury instructions, and other criminal law related topics to other prosecutors and law enforcement during his time at the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office and Illinois Attorney General’s Office.

In this episode, Chrissie White meets with Judge Julio Valdez to discuss the ways Atticus Finch sets a precedent for being an incredibly humble, wise, and effective attorney. Judge Valdez grew up in the same community where he now serves as a Circuit Judge in Kane County. He speaks openly about his career as a lawyer, his values as a judge, and what he hopes to convey to the attorneys and self-represented litigants who appear before him in court. Born in Guanajuato, México, Judge Valdez and his family moved to Elgin, Illinois, when he was a child. He graduated from Larkin High School and then went on to study political science and public administration at Augustana College. His law degree is from the University of Iowa. He practiced law in Elgin for twenty years, the last ten as a solo practitioner offering services in criminal, family and real estate law. He was appointed as an associate judge in 2019 and then as a circuit judge in 2022. Music by Blissful Thinking by Sounds Like Sander

In this episode, KCBA member and host Chrissie White introduces the second series of podcasts entitled Characters of the KCBA. Chrissie is excited to interview and share the stories of her colleagues for the KCBA podcast and encourages any interested members to join her for a conversation about their experience practicing law, lessons they’ve learned, and the variety of characters who inspire them to do their best legal work. Listen in for all this and more. Characters of the KCBA is recorded on Mondays and Tuesday evenings at the St. Charles Public Library. Call or text Chrissie for more information at 630-423-6377. Or contact the KCBA office to learn how to get involved. About the Host Christina ("Chrissie") White is a family law attorney at Shaw Sanders, P.C., in St. Charles. Prior to joining Shaw Sanders, she ran her own law firm where she represented a wide variety of clients in family law, real estate transactions, adoptions, and civil litigation in Cook County and the surrounding suburbs. Chrissie is trained in mediation and has significant litigation experience. An Indiana native, she attended Indiana University until she moved to Chicago for law school where she attended DePaul University College of Law and graduated in 2014.

KCBA President Emily Rapp sits down with Judge René Cruz in the fifth and final episode of a five part series interviewing judges of Kane County. Judge Cruz discusses his current role as a circuit judge for misdemeanor/traffic, branch courts, DUI and domestic violence. Enjoy this conversation about his experiences as a judge, his previous experience in general practice and pet peeves in the courtroom. He also shares about his childhood, original career aspirations and his hobbies. Listen in for all this and more.

KCBA President Emily Rapp sits down with Judge Elizabeth “Betsy” Flood in the fourth episode of a five part series interviewing judges of Kane County. Judge Flood discusses her current role as a circuit judge in the family division and moving into the criminal division. Enjoy this conversation about her experiences as a prosecutor and litigator, pet peeves in the courtroom and how she got into the profession. She also shares her favorite authors, including Fredrik Backman, and a little about her life outside the courtroom. Listen in for all this and more.

KCBA President Emily Rapp sits down with Judge Bradley David of the 16th Circuit Court in the third episode of a five part series interviewing judges of Kane County. Enjoy this conversation about family and divorce court divisions, Judge David’s appointment to the bench in 2019 and what it’s like to be a new judge. Judge David also talks about how he got into the profession, his hobbies and family life. Listen in for all this and more.

KCBA President Emily Rapp sits down with Judge Mark Pheanis of the 16th Circuit Court in the second episode of a five part series interviewing judges of Kane County. Enjoy this conversation about divisions of the court, background of civil law and courtroom pet peeves. Judge Pheanis also talks about how he ended up in the profession of law, his cool hobbies & collections and fun fact: he is in a band! Listen in for all this and more.

KCBA President Emily Rapp sits down with Chief Judge Clint Hull of the 16th Circuit Court in the first episode of a five part series interviewing judges of Kane County. Enjoy this conversation about how the courts are set up, judges are selected or elected and the responsibilities of the Chief Judge. Chief Judge Hull also talks about his career highlights and beginnings, his current hobbies and interests and what it means to be the Chief Judge of the 16th Circuit.