Michael Cook, 36, of Belleville, has been elected as an associate judge for the 20th Judicial Circuit.
He is the son of politically influential attorney Bruce Cook, who has given more than $60,000 to state and local Democratic candidates over the years.
Michael Cook's practice has been primarily in the areas of criminal, family, personal injury and workers' compensation law with a concentration in trial work taking 12 cases to a jury verdict. He previously was employed as a trial attorney by the St. Clair County Public Defender and now is a member of the Belleville firm of Cook, Ysursa, Bartholomew, Brauer & Shevlin.
Cook has participated in continuing legal education including federal criminal trial and Illinois evidence programs.
He is a graduate of Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville where he was a member of the National Anthropology Honor Society.
He graduated from the University of Tulsa Law School and was a board member of the College of Law Boards of Advocates. He was licensed by the Supreme Court of Illinois to practice law in 1999 and is a member of the Illinois Bar, St. Clair County Bar, East St. Louis Bar and Illinois Trial Lawyers Association. He currently serves as a board member of the St. Clair County Bar.
He has participated in continuing legal education including federal criminal trial and Illinois evidence programs. His practice has been primarily in the areas of criminal, family, personal injury and workers' compensation law with a concentration in trial work taking 12 cases to a jury verdict.
He previously was employed as a trial attorney by the St. Clair County Public Defender and now is a member of the Belleville firm of Cook, Ysursa, Bartholomew, Brauer & Shevlin.
Cook is active with the Stookey Township Park project, Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance and Parents as Teachers for Mascoutah School District.
A swearing-in ceremony has not yet been scheduled.