Cook County Circuit Court Judge – Appointed June 2023
Education
- Northern Illinois University College of Law; Juris Doctor, 1984
- Northern Illinois University; Bachelor ofArts, PoliticalScience; Journalism, 1981
Bar Admissions
- Illinois Supreme Court, 1984
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois, 1984 (First Chair Qualified)
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, 1997
- United States Supreme Court, 1990
Legal Experience
Masuda, Funai, Eifert & Mitchell. Ltd..1984-2023
- Primarily represent clients in complex and basic commercial litigation, commercial transactions, and Article 9 (“UCC*) disputes.
- Responsible for handling numerous appeals before the Illinois Appellate Court and the
U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit, resulting in reported case decisions. - Lead-counsel in numerous federal and state courts proceedings, including dozens of civil
and criminal jury and bench trials. - Represent clients in alternative dispute resolution (“ADR”) proceedings, including
mediations and arbitrations. - Client representation in probate matters, including will contests and limited criminal
representation in state and federal court.
Dekalb county State’s Attorney, 1983-84
- 7-11 license to practice law.
- Management of traffic proceedings in court.
- Argued against motions to quash arrests and suppress evidence.
SELECTED REPORTED COURT DECISIONS:
- Mid-Continent Engineering, Inc., v. Toyoda Machinery USA Corp., et al., 676 F.Supp. 2d 823
(2009) - IFC Credit Corp. v. Magnetic Technologies, Ltd., 2006 WL 3299866 (Il. App. Ist Dist. 2006)
- Toyoda Machinery, Inc. v. Gorski, 2003 WL 22956016 (N.D. I . 2003)
- Elmendori Grafica, Inc. .V D.S. America (East), Inc., 48 F.3d 46 (Ist Cir. 1995)
- Classic Flotels, Ltd. V. Lewis, 259 IL.App.3d 3, 020 N.B.2d 1167, 197 1. Dec. 43 (Il. App.
Ist Dist., 1994) - Munters Corp. v. Matsui America, Inc., 730 F.Supp. 790, 14 U.S.P.Q.2d 1993 (N.D. I . ,
1989) - Washington Courte condominium Association-Four v. Adreani, 169Ill. App.3d
1082, 523 N.B.2d 1248, 120 Il. Dec. 337 (Il.App. Ist Dist. 1988)
LEGAL PUBLICATIONS
- “Limiting the Time-Period for Claims in U.S. Arbitration Agreement,” Japan Commercial Arbitration Association Journal, July, 2013
- “‘Statutes of Limitation and Arbitration: Limiting Your Client’s Exposure,” Illinois Bar
Journal, May ,1 2013 - “Taking Charge of Your Sale,” Posted on Firm’s Website, September 26, 2012
- “What’s in a Name? For UCC Filings Under Revised Article 9, Everything, “Illinois Bar
Journal, June 2006
AWARDS
- NIU College of Law (COL*) Outstanding Service Award (2016)
- Northern Star (NIO student newspaper) Hall of Fame selection (2005)
- NIU COL Distinguished Young Alumni Award (1995)
- First Place, Chicago Lawyer’s Annual Fiction Contest (1988)
COMMUNITY SERVICE
- Judicial Evaluation Committees.
- Investigatory and Hearing Officer for the Chicago Bar Association Judicial Evaluation
Committee, 2005-2015. - Investigatory and Hearing Officer for the Alliance of Bar Associations (representing
LAGBAC), 2018-2019. - Court-appointed Arbitrator, Circuit Court ofCook County.
Arbitrator for the Commercial Calendar Section, Law Division, Circuit Court of Cook - County, conducting court-mandated arbitrations pursuant to Supreme Court Rule 20
(2013 to present) - Illinois State Treasurer’s Advisory Council, representing the LGBTQ+ community (2018
to present. - Coach for Look County Court Public High School’s Mock Irial Program (Austin High
School) (2003 to 2010). - Circuit Court of Cook County/ Illinois State Bar Association, “Courtroom in the
Classroom” Program Presenter (2010). - NO College of Law (*COL”), Alumni Association, former Board member and President
(1986-1996). - Legal advisor to the Northern Star, the student-managed newspaper oFNIU (1984-2012).
- Pro bono services to indigent members of the LGBTQ+ community in estate-planning area
(2000 to present).
PRIOR BAR RATINGS
In 2016 and 2018, was found qualified, recommended or highly recommended by al bar
associations.
