Retired Lake County chief judge Fred Foreman returns to private practice
Retired Lake County Chief Judge Fred Foreman is returning to private practice at the Chicago law firm where he once worked, officials said in a news release Wednesday.
Foreman, who stepped down in January as chief judge of the 19th Judicial Circuit of Lake County, will join Freeborn And Peters LLP in the government and regulatory law practice group and the complex litigation and antitrust team.
He previously worked for the firm as a civil litigator, including as outside counsel on behalf of the state of Illinois v. Philip Morris.
Foreman said Wednesday the part-time consulting position will keep him active in the legal profession.
"It gives me an additional challenge to tackle, but it's something that is not full-time or puts me in charge of 300 people," he said.
Foreman has tried more than 200 cases in federal and state courts, the news release states. He worked at Freeborn and Peters after serving as United State's Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois from 1990 through 1993 and as Lake County State's Attorney from 1980 until 1990.
He was named to the Lake County bench in 2003.
"Freeborn & Peters is pleased to welcome our former colleague Judge Foreman back to the firm," said Michael Kelly, the firm's comanaging partner. "Like the firm itself, Judge Foreman is known for his litigation and regulatory knowledge, which will be a tremendous asset to our clients."
Foreman's experience also includes trials involving antitrust, securities, RICO, environmental, constitutional law, civil rights, fraud and murder, the law firm said. He has extensive experience in advising clients on matters pending before state and federal regulatory agencies, and has successfully assisted clients in passing legislation.
Foreman also is a member of the Illinois Judges Association and the Illinois Judges Association Foundation board. He has also served on the Lake County Bar Association board.
A graduate of the John Marshall Law School, Foreman also is a member of U.S. Senator Mark Kirk's Judicial Review Commission of nonpartisan legal professionals, which screens applicants to fill judicial vacancies.