The Honorable James E. Snyder has been installed as President of the Illinois Judges Association during the annual meeting on June 1, 2018, at Chicago-Kent College of Law, in Chicago.
The oath of office was administered by the Honorable Mary Jane Theis of the Illinois Supreme Court. "Judge Snyder embodies commitment to social justice and service to all communities" Justice Theis said.
The Illinois Judges Association, which represents 1,500 active and retired Illinois state court judges, was founded in 1972 to provide services, support, and education to its member judges and raise public understanding of the Illinois judicial system.
Judge Snyder was appointed to the bench by the Illinois Supreme Court in 2007. Prior to his appointment to the bench he served as General Counsel of Illinois Human Rights Commission and has taught and written about the law of work place sexual harassment, employment discrimination, fair housing, and disability access. He is a former president of the Alliance of Illinois LGBT Judges.
Judge Snyder has been an active in judicial education teaching peer education classes in advanced discovery, consumer fraud and civil procedure. He has served on the Supreme Court Committees for Judicial Performance Evaluation, Judicial Education and served as the Chairperson for the Illinois Advanced Judicial Academy. He presides over a Commercial Litigation docket in the Circuit Court of Cook County and is a former president of the Alliance of Illinois LGBT Judges.
"Judge Snyder is a legend in legal community, known for his steadfast leadership, commitment to principal, compassion and his great sense of humor", said Hon. Mary S. Trew, president of the Alliance of Illinois LGBT Judges.
"We couldn't be more proud that Jim will represent our community as the first openly LGBTQ president of the statewide organization that speaks for allIllinois judges, Judge Trew said.
