6th Circuit - Clem Vacancy

Questions & Answers

What is the importance of a 6th Circuit Judge to your constituents in Champaign County?

Circuit Judges are responsible for almost every legal dispute. They dispense justice, serve as the guardians of our civil liberties, and appoint assisting (“associate”) judges to help in this endeavor. They also make the rules for how our local court system handles cases. In short, Circuit Judges wield tremendous power over just about every facet of our lives. It is essential that Citizens are actively engaged in the process of choosing the people who sit in judgment over the rest of us.

Why are you qualified to be a 6th Circuit Judge?

I have the right combination of management skills, broad experience with the law, leadership in my community, and temperament for judicial office. In addition to being a lawyer, I’ve managed a law firm with offices in 3 counties, 20 employees and a multi-million dollar annual budget. I am a small business owner, a basketball coach, a volunteer at my church, OSF Hospital and the Boy Scouts of America. This experience, taken along with my 20 years of working with clients from all walks of life will benefit our community and those who appear before the court.

What is a key difference between you and your Opponent?

I am a lawyer who has made my living handling just about every type of case there is a remedy for, representing clients who sought my services in state, federal and appellate courts. I’ve done it for 20 years throughout the 6th Circuit and beyond.

Any other information you would like to add for undecided voters in Champaign County?

I will always live by the words of a now-retired judge who once said to me:

"The citizens of this community have elected me to come here every day and resolve their disputes. They've given me the best job in the world and I owe it to them to do so patiently and fairly."

If I am elected, this quote will serve as my personal code of judicial conduct. Being a Judge is the best job in the world, and, if elected, I will strive every day to be worthy of it.