Fil-Am lawyer named Circuit Court judge in Illinois

Jasmine Villaflor Hernandez is now a Circuit Court judge in Cook County, Illinois. FALA

CHICAGO –  Lawyer Jasmine Villaflor Hernandez was among the newest associate judges named to the Circuit Court of Cook County, making her the first Filipino American to be appointed to the state bench in 16 years.

The Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts announced Hernandez’s appointment Sept. 9, following the casting of ballots that were distributed to the 249 sitting circuit court judges.

The Filipino American Lawyers Association of Chicago (FALA Chicago) celebrated Hernandez’s selection, “which is the latest milestone in a distinguished career dedicated to public service,” said Mark Calaguas, president of FALA Chicago.

Hernandez is a Staff Attorney in the Office of Chief Counsel – Midwest District of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. She previously served as an Assistant State’s Attorney in the Juvenile Justice Bureau of the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office and as an Administrative Supervisor & Compliance Officer at the Circuit Court of Cook County.

“Our organization has supported Jasmine’s candidacy from day one, as we know firsthand her qualities of fair-minded, diligent, and resourceful leadership. I have no doubt that Jasmine will make a lasting impression on the judiciary and help make our justice system more representative of the people it serves,” added Calaguas.

Hernandez was a founding board member and past president of FALA Chicago, as well as a past president of the Asian American Bar Association of the Greater Chicago Area (AABA Chicago) and a regional governor of the National Filipino American Lawyers Association (NFALA).

She earned a B.A. from Boston University, a J.D. from the University of Illinois College of Law, and a Masters in Labor and Industrial Relations from the University of Illinois School of Labor and Employee Relations.