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 Who is Judge Sharon Johnson Coleman?
Judge Sharon Coleman was born in Chicago on July 19, 1960 and spent most of her first ten years on Chicago's Southside. Most of her adult life has been spent in Cook County. She graduated from Northern Illinois University with honors in History. After attending Washington University School of Law in St. Louis on a fellowship, she returned to Chicago where she began her legal career in the Cook County State's Attorney's Office. It was here where Judge Coleman began what was to become a life's career in public service. As a prosecutor, Judge Coleman's mission was to fight for victims while at the same time bringing fairness and her diverse life experience to the criminal system for all involved. She ultimately tried hundreds of misdemeanor and felony cases, honing her trial technique with the help of excellent judges, knowledgeable colleagues, and worthy opponents.
Judge Coleman excelled in her first assignment in the criminal appeals division. She was involved in the preparation of more than 30 briefs and more than 50 appellate motions in less than two years. At the age of 25, Judge Coleman had the rare opportunity to present oral argument before the Illinois Supreme Court. She argued a total of three cases before the state's highest court and multiple cases before the Illinois Appellate Court, and the U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit. Judge Coleman defended the case of People v. James, and after losing at the appellate level, she presented her argument to the Illinois Supreme Court and was successful on a four to three decision. The case of Illinois v. James was eventually argued in the United States Supreme Court on the brief prepared, in major part, by Judge Coleman.
Judge Coleman next took her trial skills to the federal level when she was hired by U. S. Attorney Anton Valukas as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois. Judge Coleman chose to work in the civil division where she handled medical malpractice, labor disputes, construction cases, FDA, and illegal drug forfeiture matters. The opportunity to work before jurists such as James Parsons, Ann Williams, James Holderman, Illana Rovner and others, helped shape her ideal of what makes an excellent judge.
In 1993, Judge Coleman was given the opportunity to return to her legal roots in a supervisory capacity with the State's Attorney's Office as head of the Public Interest Bureau. The bureau of more than 75 attorneys handled matters of special interest such as child support enforcement, consumer fraud, environmental law, mental health, and utilities regulation. Judge Coleman created a unit to handle the growing problem of elder abuse. Under her leadership the bureau grew and had increased success in addressing the needs of the citizens of Cook County.
In 1996 Judge Coleman was elected to the Circuit Court, where she undertook two of the most challenging assignments in the system. As a judge in the Child Protection Division, Judge Coleman's rulings often saved children from abusive or neglectful situations. Whenever possible she tried to repair and reunite families. As a judge in the Law Division, the challenges were often less emotional but legaly more complex as Judge Coleman heard some of the best personal injury lawyers in the state, litigating various matters including asbestos, automobile accidents, construction injuries, medical negligence, and products liability. Almost all of her trial experience has required post-trial orders, which she often researches and prepares without assistance.
Judge Coleman has been an instructor for new Cook County judges since 1998, when then Chief Judge Donald O'Connell asked her to join a panel that addressed the subjects of judicial conduct and ethics. She was honored and humbled to join Justice Warren Wolfson, Judge Timothy Evans, and Judge Stuart Nudelman in preparing new judges for their transition to the bench. Judge Coleman has participated in this program every year since her inaugural involvement. For the past two years, diversity training has been added to the topics that she teaches. Chief Judge Evans regularly asks Judge Coleman to speak to groups that visit the Daley Center, such as school children, law students, and foreign visitors. She sees this as an integral part of her public service commitment.
Throughout her career, Judge Coleman has participated in bar associations; she is often asked to lecture on various legal topics. She has been a member of the faculty of the National Institute of Trial Advocacy. Judge Coleman often presides over mock trials for participants of all levels, including her favorite program, the Chicago Coalition on Law-Related Education that exposes public high school students to the law.
Although Judge Coleman is quite proud of her professional accomplishments, her family brings her the utmost joy. Her best friend and partner for more than 25 years is her husband Wheeler Coleman. Sharon would not be a judge without his support and encouragement throughout the years. Her role as a mother to James, age 18, and Kara, age 9, is her most cherished. She enjoys being just "Mom" and participating in their many activities. Her family is anchored by their faith which they celebrate at Trinity United Church of Christ; they have been active members for more than 20 years.
Judge Coleman's entire career has prepared her for the next step, the appellate court. Her experience as a judge, a trial lawyer, and an appellate lawyer make her uniquely qualified. Her life experience and personal background complete the picture of an appellate judge who has the ability, the desire and the perspective to render justice on every case she handles.
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