The Illinois Supreme Court has announced that Cook County Circuit Judge LeRoy K. Martin, Jr. has been assigned as an Appellate Court Justice in the First District.

Judge Martin was assigned to fill the vacancy created by the appointment of Justice Robert E. Gordon to the Appellate Court of Illinois effective December 7, 2020. Justice Gordon is filling the vacancy of Justice Shelvin Louise Marie Hall and his appointment is through December 5, 2022. The assignment of Judge Martin takes effect on January 4, 2021 and will remain in effect until further order of the court. Judge Martin will occupy the rotation position of Justice Hall in the Fourth Division of the First District and will be assigned Justice Hall’s cases. Justice Gordon will continue with his current case assignments. 

“I am honored and humbled that the Supreme Court has assigned me to the Appellate Court,” Judge Martin said. “I see this as a further opportunity to serve the citizens of the First District.”

Judge Martin was first appointed to the bench in 2002. Since 2015, he has served as the Presiding Judge of the Criminal Division in Cook County and brings an understanding of the current dynamics in the criminal justice system to the Appellate Court. He previously served in the Chancery Division.

“I would like to offer my warm congratulations to Judge LeRoy Martin on his assignment to the appellate court. He has done an exceptional job in the last five years as Presiding Judge of the Criminal Division, a busy and important part of our judicial system,” Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans said. “Judge Martin has a reputation for great legal knowledge, unquestioned integrity and a strong work ethic. In the last eight months of the coronavirus pandemic, he has made tremendous efforts to both ensure that the needs of justice are served while protecting the safety of judges, courthouse staff, attorneys and visitors to the courthouse. He brings strong leadership abilities to the appellate court, and we all wish him well in his next endeavor.”

Prior to his appointment to the bench, Judge Martin worked for 15 years in private practice. He was a Partner at Martin & Duckworth from 1987 to 1995 and was a solo practitioner at the Law Offices of LeRoy K. Martin from 1995 to 2002. From 1985 to 1987, Martin served as a Cook County Public Defender.

Judge Martin has been appointed to several Illinois Supreme Court committees, including the Civil Justice Committee. He has presented at New Judges School and the Judicial Education Conference. He was the 2016 recipient of the Earl B. Dickerson Award.

Judge Martin earned his Bachelor of Arts from DePaul University and his Juris Doctor from the North Carolina Central University School of Law. He taught trial practice at the Loyola University School of Law in 2012 and 2014.