Debra Kramer Marcus brings a wealth of experience into the crowded race for Cook County Judge—8th Subcircuit, including 27 years in the courtroom arguing for plaintiffs and defendants. She talked about interpreting the law, being a personal injury attorney and being involved in politics.
Windy City Times: You have an impressive resume, including 27 years of courtroom experience, and you've represented plaintiffs and defendants. I'm curious: Have you ever doubted the veracity of anyone you've represented?
Debra Kramer Marcus: As a defendant, I've represented multinational corporations [ such as ] Suzuki and Toyota so, on that side, I would say no. Regarding the plaintiffs' side, I've been very lucky in my career; we've been able to have been very picky, so I would say no there [ as well ] . I've really felt for the person I was representing; I felt that they had been wronged. It's an incredible feeling to see how their lives can be changed. [ Of course, ] there are people who litigate for the sake of litigating, but those are the cases that my firm has never had to take.
WCT: Your firm is a personal injury firm, correct?
DKM: Well, it's a plaintiff's personal injury firm. I had my own practice for the last 20 years that did products liability defense work and plaintiffs' work in every other area [ of torts ] ; we dissolved that firm essentially because I wanted to become a judge. We had a boutique-style practice, and when you don't have one person who doesn't give their all it wouldn't have been fair to the other partners. I became 'of counsel' to my [ current ] firm but I needed the flexibility to pursue this election.
WCT: Some people have a [ harsh ] view of personal injury attorneys. What do you say to people who might say, 'Oh, she's in that type of firm'?
DKM: Well, we don't have that type of firm—and I don't disagree who look at plaintiffs' personal injury attorneys as ambulance-chasers. I don't think that litigation for the [ sake ] of litigation is an appropriate thing. I think that litigation is required sometimes to right wrongs in all sorts of arenas, but I think some people get carried away with being litigious. If you only take quality cases—where you feel the litigation is necessary and just—that you're doing good for people.
WCT: What separates you from the other candidates?
DKM: Everyone who runs for judge has to have a certain amount of experience, but I think the quality of experience makes the difference. I've had 27 years of experience where everything I have done is courtroom-related; I've prepared cases, tried cases and argued motions—and I think that's a huge difference from others who just practice law.
Another big difference about me is that I have a lot of appellate experience. I don't know if any of my other opponents have [ my ] type of experience; I have about 30 cases on the books.
I think having worked for both sides of the fence is important because you get different perspectives. I've done it for everybody, so I have no bias in that regard. I was also chosen as an Illinois Super Lawyer in 2007.
I want to become a judge because it's something I've always aspired to do. I been lucky to have many judges mentor me, and I'd like to return some of that to the community.
WCT: You say on your Web site you want to give back to the community as a judge. Do you feel you're not giving back enough as an attorney?
DKM: Well, it's in a different way. Mentoring as an attorney is far different than mentoring as a judge.
WCT: Have you handled any discrimination-related cases?
DKM: Not really. My firm has had some employment-discrimination cases, but that has never been my main focus. I have had some exposure.
WCT: What has been your experience with the gay and lesbian community?
DKM: Growing up, my best friend was gay—I didn't know it until we got into college. He died of AIDS the year my daughter was born.
First of all, being gay is not something that [ gives me pause ] . If someone told me they were gay, I'd be like, 'OK. Where do you want to go for lunch?' I've been around gay people all my life; being gay doesn't matter to me. People are people, and if I love them, I love them.
WCT: As a judge, would you interpret the law narrowly or liberally—or is it a case-by-case situation?
DKM: Obviously, you have to look at everything in a case, but I think the bottom line in interpreting law is being fair, equitable and just. How that turns out in a given situation depends on the facts of the case.
WCT: Is politics what you thought it would be?
DKM: Politics is not what I thought it would be. Politics shouldn't play a part in judicial elections, in particular; in order to maintain or improve the quality of the judiciary, you need people who are qualified and political chicanery cannot come into the mix.
See www.Marcusforjudge.com .
