DPDC Test Blog: Spotlight - Judge Jennifer Barron & Judge Leah Setzen

Spotlight: Judge Jennifer Barron & Judge Leah Setzen

DON’T SAY YOU DON’T KNOW YOUR JUDGES! WE’RE INTRODUCING THEM TO YOU RIGHT HERE!

DuPage County is the second most populous county in Illinois and its trial court system is identified as the 18th Judicial Circuit. Within DuPage’s trial courts, there are seven subcircuits and our trial judges are elected by subcircuits.

For residents of Naperville and then heading North from there for subcircuit 2 and East from there for subcircuit 3, we have two excellent, sitting Democratic judges who deserve your vote. Both were originally appointed to their roles by a unanimous vote of the Illinois Supreme Court. This matters because they applied for the role and among many, many candidates, they were selected based on their legal acumen and experience. They were chosen as the most qualified and have proven themselves to be excellent judges. We need to elect them so they keep their seats on the bench. One of their opponents is not even recommended by bar association professionals!

Judge Jennifer Barron - DuPage County Subcircuit 2

Judge JENNIFER BARRON is our DuPage Subcircuit 2 Judge, which includes most of Naperville, part of Lisle, Warrenville, Winfield, and West Chicago.

Before becoming a judge, Jennifer Barron was a civil litigation attorney. What is that? It’s the person who goes to trial in front of judges every day. This matters because many attorneys don’t actually go to trial. Even if someone is a litigation attorney, they may not actually practice in the courtroom very often. It’s vitally important for a judge to know the rules and what is practical for the lawyers and their clients. Judge Barron had the experience and published cases that proved her abilities.

All four of Judge Barron’s grandparents fled antisemitism in Europe, seeking religious freedom and opportunity in the United States. As the first Jewish Circuit Court Judge appointed in DuPage County, Judge Barron works hard to honor their struggles every day by treating each litigant with respect and dignity, noting that, “the judge sets the tone in the courtroom, and when the judge treats each person fairly and equally it sets an example for everyone else.” She remains humble in her success. “We are just lawyers in black robes, and I am grateful to have found something I love that I get to do every day. I wish that for everyone.”

Fun fact: She too had an early job working at McDonalds! Just like another great candidate, we know!

Click below to learn more about Judge Barron.

Judge Barron Website

Judge Leah Setzen - DuPage County Subcircuit 3

Judge LEAH SETZEN is our Subcircuit 3 Judge, which includes a part of Naperville (the most Southeast side) part of Lisle, Woodridge, Downers Grove, Westmont, and part of Darien.

Judge Leah Setzen was an experienced litigation attorney before she became a judge. Judge Setzen practiced family law and recognized the uniquely difficult and emotional toll these types of cases have on the clients. She built her expertise and then she spent significant additional time volunteering and providing training on family law to attorneys in her field. Every month for 17 years, she provided case law updates to other members of the DuPage County Bar Association. She also committed her time to providing free legal services, winning a service award for her pro bono work with the DuPage Legal Aid Foundation.

Fun fact: Judge Setzen is always active, and has spent more than a decade volunteering with the Naperville Swim Conference, currently serving as her team’s referee!

Click below to learn more about Judge Setzen.

Judge Setzen Website

Judge Setzen, like Judge Barron, has been an extremely active parent, volunteering in school and community activities. Both judges also requested assignments on the bench that utilized their expertise. Judge Barron requested and received an assignment to the Law division and Judge Setzen requested and received an assignment to the Domestic Relations division. Their connection to the community and their commitment to the law helps create a DuPage County Court system that serves the community members who are in their courtrooms.

If JENNIFER BARRON or LEAH SETZEN is on your ballot, please use your vote to elect an excellent judge, and keep her in the courthouse!

Another reminder is that every Democratic candidate for judge is recommended and deserves your vote, including all three of our Appellate candidates.