Local attorney appointed to McHenry County circuit court
On Nov. 12, the Illinois Supreme Court appointed Justin M. Hansen to Circuit Judge of the 22nd Judicial Circuit, Third Subcircuit. The appointment is effective Feb. 4, 2019, and ends Dec. 7, 2020, pending the results of the general election in 2020.
Hansen's appointment fills the vacancy due to the retirement of Circuit Judge Michael J. Sullivan.
Before his appointment, Hansen was an attorney in the Libertyville office of Swanson, Martin & Bell. He successfully represented individual, corporate and municipal clients in a wide variety of matters including medical malpractice, breach of contract, land use and zoning, and landlord/tenant issues.
Prior to joining Swanson, Martin & Bell, Hansen practiced at Cowlin, Naughton, Curran & Coppedge in Crystal Lake, representing clients in criminal and juvenile matters, real estate transactions, and business disputes. He also prosecuted DUI and traffic citations for various local municipalities. Hansen also served the 22nd Judicial Circuit of McHenry County as a Special Public Defender, representing indigent clients on misdemeanor and felony matters.
Hansen attended Augustana College in Rock Island, earning his Bachelor of Arts and received his Juris Doctor from DePaul University College of Law. Before attending law school, Hansen worked for a nonprofit in Milwaukee providing advocacy for children affected by domestic violence.
Hansen lives in Nunda Township, in an unincorporated area of McHenry County, with his wife and children.