Anthony C. Swanagan

Name: Anthony C. Swanagan

Age: 58

Current residence: Flossmoor

Current position: Cook County circuit judge, appointed April 2017

Past legal experience: Law clerk to U.S. District Judges Sharon Johnson Coleman and Andrea R. Wood, 2010-17; law clerk to Illinois Appellate Justices Jill K. McNulty, Leslie E. South and Sharon Johnson Coleman, 2002-10; in-house counsel, Covia Partnership/Galileo International, 1991-2001; small-firm and solo civil appellate practice and law clerk to Appellate Justice William S. White, pre-1991

Campaign funds available, Aug. 10-Dec. 31: $35,269.61

Campaign funds spent, Aug. 10-Dec. 31: $26,109.92

Law school: University of Chicago Law School, 1984

Campaign website: friendsofjudgeswanagan.com

Family: Married, two daughters, 17 and 15

Hobbies/interests: Photography

Have you ever run for office before?

No.

Why should voters support your candidacy?

I believe that my current service on the bench demonstrates that I am a thoughtful, fair, and patient judge. My years of experience working for judges gave me insight into the jurist’s approach to a broad range of civil and criminal matters in state and federal court and at the trial and appellate level. My in-house experience also added to the breadth of my legal background by allowing me to direct my company’s varied legal activities in litigation, regulatory matters, employment, intellectual property, and mergers and acquisitions.

Why do you want to be a judge?

I have seen at close range the difference that good judges can make to litigants and advocates, and I believe that I am well-equipped to make that difference for those who come before me.

What was the most interesting case you handled as a lawyer?

During my in-house tenure, my corporation wanted to terminate the services of the company that served as our sales force. The company that served as our sales force was our largest owner, had three members on our board of directors, and did not want to be terminated. I had been the primary negotiator of the contract on our company’s side, was the legal advisor for senior management in making the decision that we could terminate the contract, and in the arbitration of the dispute, I waived attorney-client privilege to be the company’s primary witness as to the intended extent of our termination rights and our motives in ending the contract. Participation in the matter from contract formation to successful litigation after waiving privilege and testifying myself was a unique experience.

What would you consider your greatest career accomplishment?

My appointment to the bench.

What qualities do you plan to bring to the bench?

I believe that I am a careful and thoughtful judge, even in high-volume courtrooms, and I also believe that I have the capacity to approach both new areas of law and in-court developments with an open mind. I also believe that I am patient and respectful to all parties.