Attorney L. Dominic (Nick) Kujawa Jr. will be appointed resident circuit judge for St. Clair County later this month to fill a vacancy created by the resignation of Stephen McGlynn, who was appointed to the federal bench last month at the Southern District of Illinois.
Kujawa, 48, of Belleville, is a Democrat. He was appointed at the recommendation of Illinois Supreme Court Justice Lloyd Karmeier, a Republican, who will retire in December. McGlynn, a Republican, was nominated by President Trump to replace former District Judge Michael Reagan who retired in 2019.
He will be sworn into office Oct. 22, and his term will conclude Dec. 5, 2022, when the vacancy will be filled by the winner of the November 2022 general election.
“Mr. Kujawa was highly recommended by a selection committee I assembled for another recent vacancy and I am confident he will do an outstanding job,” Karmeier stated in the announcement.
“He has broad experience in the practice of law. Over the course of his career, he has handled both civil and criminal cases and represented plaintiffs as well as defendants. He is well respected in the legal community, and his experience as a sole practitioner will bring a useful perspective to his judicial service.”
Kujawa has worked in solo practice at Dominic Kujawa P.C. since 2007. According to his firm's website, he has represented clients in general civil litigation matters and felony cases as well as advocated for those who have suffered traumatic personal injuries.
He is a member of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, American Association for Justice, Illinois Bar Association, St. Clair County Bar Association, East St. Louis Bar Assocition and American Bar Association.
Earlier on, he worked as a law clerk with Kujawa, Bryan, Lykins, Hetjmanek and Fincher, PA, and Pauzauskie Law Office, both in Topeka, Kansas, and was a licensed student attorney at the Washburn Law Clinic in Topeka.
“I would like to think Justice Karmeier for nominating me to this position,” Kujawa stated in a release. “I look forward to serving the people of St. Clair County and the Twentieth Judicial Circuit.”
Kujawa earned his bachelor of arts degree from the University of Missouri and his juris doctor from Washburn University School of Law.
The Twentieth Judicial Circuit encompasses five counties: Monroe, Perry, Randolph, St. Clair and Washington.