Nearly two years after he was appointed to fill a vacancy created by the death of circuit judge Robert LeChien, the Illinois Supreme Court has once again picked William D. Stiehl, Jr. to fill an at-large vacancy in the Twentieth Judicial Circuit.
Stiehl is assuming the seat of Ron Duebbert who was removed by the Illinois Courts Commission in January.
The appointment takes effect July 15, and will conclude on Dec. 5, 2022, when the vacancy will be filled by the winner of the November 2022 general election.
Justice Lloyd Karmeier recommended the appointment to the full court following a review of applicants by a seven-person screening committee consisting of lawyers who live in the Twentieth Judicial Circuit. The members of the committee were Don Bigham, Stephen Buser, Paul Koeneman, William Norton, Dawn Sallerson, Mark Scoggins and Tom Speedie.
“The selection process for this vacancy was particularly challenging,” Karmeier said in a press release announcing the appointment. “The precautions required by the current health crisis, coupled with the high number of outstanding applicants, presented serious logistical challenges for the screening committee. I want to commend them for the outstanding job they did in assisting me and the court. Despite the obstacles, the process worked well, yielding a highly qualified nominee with a demonstrated ability to carry out the responsibilities of this important office.”
According to the press release, Stiehl has worked in private practice for nearly 40 years and has appeared in every courtroom in St. Clair County. He has served as the sole practitioner of the Law Offices of William Stiehl, Jr., since 2011, handling civil and criminal matters in state and federal courts.
Prior to that he spent 27 years as a partner at law firms in Belleville and began his career as a St. Clair County assistant public defender.
“I am honored that Justice Karmeier nominated me for the position,” Stiehl said. “This appointment is another opportunity to serve the people of the Twentieth Judicial Circuit and I look forward to doing so.”
Stiehl filled the LeChien vacancy for a very brief time in 2018 - three months - until Christopher Kolker was elected to the vacancy in the general election.
Stiehl earned his bachelor of arts degree from Vanderbilt University and his juris doctor from the Tulane University School of Law.
He has provided pro bono representation of indigent clients for the Land of Lincoln Legal Foundation, and serves as a board member for Family Hospice in Belleville. He has also served on the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners for the City of Belleville.
The Twentieth Judicial Circuit includes Monroe, Perry, Randolph, St. Clair, and Washington counties.