Chief Judge Gleeson announces election of two associate judges

Chief Judge Andrew J. Gleeson, on behalf of the Twentieth Judicial Circuit, State of Illinois, has announced the notification by the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts of the election of two new associate judges to fill the vacancies created by the election of Associate Judges Kevin T. Hoerner and Patrick R. Foley to the Circuit Court.

The two new associate judges are Leah A. Captain and L. Dominic Kujawa, Jr.

Ms. Captain received her undergraduate degree in 2005 from Webster University in Webster Groves, Mo., and her Juris Doctor in 2014 from Saint Louis University in St. Louis.  Ms. Captain is currently affiliated with Cook, Bartholomew, Shevlin, Cook & Jones, LLP, in Belleville, Ill.

Mr. Kujawa, Jr. received his undergraduate degree in 1995 from the University of Missouri in Columbia, Mo., and his Juris Doctor in 2006 from Washburn University in Topeka, Kan.  Mr. Kujawa was formerly a Circuit Judge with the Twentieth Judicial Circuit.

Chief Judge Andrew J. Gleeson said he is “elated to have new associates of the quality of Ms. Captain and Judge Kujawa.  They are great additions to  an already excellent group of judges.”

Judge Kujawa, upon being sworn in on Friday, Feb. 3, 2023, stated,  “I’m honored to be selected as an Associate Judge by the Twentieth Judicial Circuit Judges and I look forward to serving the people of St. Clair County again with the utmost of integrity.”

Ms. Captain said, “Being selected as Associate Judge for the Twentieth Judicial Circuit is truly one of the greatest honors of my life. My heart is filled with humility and gratitude as my new role allows me to work for and with such a remarkable team of judges whom I respect tremendously. I would like to personally thank Chief Judge Andrew Gleeson and each of the Circuit Judges for the confidence, trust and support they have shown in their selection of me. This appointment is the ultimate reward for the sacrifices that led me here. Additionally, I would like to thank my law firm for all of the support, knowledge and guidance provided to me over the last two decades. Lastly, I wish to express my gratitude to my family and all of those in the legal community who have helped shape me into the person I am today. I am beyond excited to embark on this journey that allows me to serve this wonderful community in a new way.”

Ms. Captain is scheduled to be sworn in on Feb. 15, 2023.