Cook County Circuit Court Levander Smith's seat

ISBA:

Judge Smith was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1993, and the Missouri bar in 1999. He was appointed to the circuit court in March 2019; appointed as an Associate Judge in January 2020 serving briefly in Traffic Court and Domestic Violence Court. After his election to a countywide vacancy in 2020, he has been assigned to the Child Protection Division of Juvenile Court, where he conducts bench trials and hearings. He also volunteers twice a month for ‘benchmark hearings’, which are proactive meetings with youth (16 - 20) in foster care who are focused on transitioning them to independence as they become adults.

Prior to taking the bench, Judge Smith’s legal career focused on family and child protection issues. He is a member of several bar associations, has volunteered in the community and has received awards for his judicial service. ISBA recommends Judge Levander Smith, Jr. be retained to the Circuit Court of Cook County.