Brendan Maher selected as next chief judge of 17th Judicial Circuit
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — Judge Brendan Maher has been unanimously selected by his peers in the 17th Judicial Circuit to serve as its next chief judge.
His term will begin Jan. 1. The chief judge is responsible for overseeing the administrative functions and operations of the court system in Winnebago and Boone counties.
“The circuit has made an excellent selection,” current Chief Judge John Lowry said in a news release. “Judge Maher brings a breadth of experience and collaborative spirit to the role of chief judge and has the full support of his colleagues.”
Maher was appointed to the bench by the Illinois Supreme Court on Aug. 2, 2010, and he was elected to a full term in November 2012. He is currently the presiding judge of the criminal division, overseeing felony criminal cases in Winnebago County.
“It is a distinct honor to be chosen by my colleagues to serve in this capacity,” Maher said in a news release. “I look forward to continuing the 17th Judicial Circuit Court’s longstanding tradition of excellence, while further advancing efficiency and fostering enhanced collaboration across Boone and Winnebago counties.”
Maher, who is a graduate of Augustana College and Valparaiso University School of Law, started his career in private practice at WilliamsMcCarthy. He was with the law firm from 1997 to 2008. He then served as an assistant U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, Western Division before he was appointed to the bench.
