The Appellate Lawyers Association offers its best wishes to Justice Mary Ann Mason on her retirement from the Illinois Appellate Court, effective July 26, 2019. Justice Mason began her legal career as an Assistant U.S. Attorney and later worked at Kevin M. Forde, Ltd. for 16 years. She was appointed to the Circuit Court of Cook County in 2000, serving most recently in the Chancery Division, until her appointment to the Illinois Appellate Court in 2013. Justice Mason served the judiciary with distinction for 19 years. The ALA wishes to recognize Justice Mason’s service by making a donation in her name to the Chicago Bar Foundation, where she will co-chair a task force to examine how professional rules affect innovation and sustainable legal practices. She also will join JAMS as an arbitrator in the Fall. 

The ALA also congratulates Judge Mary Ellen Coghlan on her appointment to the First District Appellate Court, effective July 30, 2019. Since 2010, Judge Coghlan has served as the Presiding Judge of the Probate Division of the Circuit Court of Cook County. She first joined the Circuit Court in 1995, after serving as an Assistant Attorney General, an Assistant Public Defender, and a private practitioner. Congratulations to Judge Coghlan.