Debra B. Walker, a member of the legal community for two decades, sports impressive credentials, including being named an Illinois Super Lawyer last year and having been a president of the Women's Bar Association of Illinois. Walker talked about her qualifications and answered charges about her campaign efforts and her range of experience.
Windy City Times: When did you know you wanted to be a judge?
Debra B. Walker: I think [ it happened ] when I was in law school. It was an early aspiration but I knew I needed some seasoning, so I didn't make any attempts or strides until 1999, [ when ] I first started seeking federal and state judgeships. I had made the first cut the last two times I've tried for the federal magistrate judge position. Sometimes it's a matter of staying at it for a while—that persistence.
Last winter, I made the short list for associate judge in Cook County, who are appointed by Circuit Court judges. Then, you do a different form of campaigning, where you ask all the Circuit Court judges to vote for you; that was my fourth application. I just put in my fifth in case I don't win this election, and I've also asked for interim appointments from two Supreme Court justices. So, it's something I've been working towards, and I think that my mind-skill set is very well-suited to the bench, because I'm a CPA with work experience in the business world.
WCT: Now, how would being a CPA help with being a judge?
DBW: It helps in a lot of areas, especially in the civil system. For example, in divorce court, most matters that go to trial [ involve ] money, so to have a judge who understands financial statements is very beneficial. The same thing would be true in the county division with the tax courts ... and in the chancery division, where commercial litigation is handled.
I've always been motivated to help with community service activities, and that's where I get my life satisfaction. I love being a lawyer—don't get me wrong—but the work I do, where I defend people who are sued for malpractice, [ doesn't ] provide that much life satisfaction in affecting other lives and giving back. I believe that a transition to the bench would give me that—a chance to help litigators, lawyers and even other judges.
WCT: What do you feel is your biggest disadvantage in this race?
DBW: I think [ it was ] that I wasn't slated by the Democratic Party but, honestly, if there was a year for someone more independent to run, this may be the year—so maybe it's not such a disadvantage. I went through the slating process, and was very disappointed that I wasn't slated. I presume that they have palm cards with my opponent's [ Thaddeus Wilson ] face on it perhaps, but I don't how powerful that will be when it comes down to counting votes. I'm hoping that the residents of Cook County are becoming more aware of the need to have a more independent judiciary—and I hope that we have an informed electorate.
I have more legal experience that either one of my opponents, and I have more independence from the Democratic machine—and I have far more leadership in the legal community; neither of my opponents has really done anything in the legal community. And I have been out there, serving my fellow lawyers, working hard to improve professionalism and civility. I have been on the Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism since its inception in 2001, and we've been working hard on ethics, civility and professionalism [ as well as ] improving diversity and improving sensitivity to diversity.
If they take a close look at me, they will pick me—and that's symbolized by the number of endorsements I have been receiving. I have received all of the major endorsements, from groups like the IVI-IPO, Personal PAC and Chicago firefighters; my slated opponent has received none. I cherish each and every [ endorsement ] .
WCT: I spoke with one of your opponents last night. When asked about what edge he has in the race, he said that you're pigeonholed in one practice area—insurance defense—and that you haven't been campaigning hard enough. Here's your chance to respond.
DBW: Let's take campaigning first. I'm out every night; I don't know that he has the ability to judge my campaigning and how hard I'm working. I'm out every night [ and ] on the weekend; I'm doing every method of campaigning possible—advertising, door-to-door, precinct working. I'm trying to meet people. I would never make that comment about an opponent, because you're not in the position to judge that.
With respect to me being pigeonholed in one practice area, it is true that I have always been civil and commercial litigation, but I have done everything under the sun that has been quite complex: multi-party litigation, third-party complaints, counterclaims. I have done products liability work, professional liability work, vehicular negligence, ERISA work. I have had a case argued before the U.S. Supreme Court by then-attorney-now-Chief Justice John Roberts. So I have handled very, very complex matters in the state and federal court systems—and I can take on anything.
WCT: What's the most important quality a judge should have?
DBW: I think the very, very most important quality is to be fair—to enter with an open mind and to treat everyone equally.
WCT: What has your involvement been with the gay and lesbian community?
DBW: As a past president of the Women's Bar Association of Illinois, I worked with the president of the Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Greater Chicago in putting together the Alliance of Bar Association's judicial screening. I have a number of the colleagues at the firm who are gay, and I certainly have supported their equal opportunity here. My pastor [ Rev. John Hobbs of the Church of the Three Crosses ] is gay, and our church has done a lot with regard to social justice issues.
WCT: Is politics what you thought it would be?
DBW: [ Laughs ] I love that question.
There are a few times that I have been blown away by things that have been said by my slated opponent that have been race-based—and they have no place in any political race, but especially in a judgeship. Those things really hurt, because I've spent my entire professional career working for equal opportunities for women and minorities.
See www.DebraBWalker.com .
