On the Bar with the Kane County Bar Association
The Kane County Bar Association has a podcast!
On the Bar with the Kane County Bar Association is a behind the scenes look into the local legal community. The second series of podcast episodes, titled Characters of the Kane County Bar Association, is hosted by KCBA member Chrissie White. Chrissie spends time talking with other members about their experiences and inspirations.
About the Host
Christina (“Chrissie”) White is a family law attorney and certified mediator. She owns and operates Co-Family Mediation, a completely virtual, pay-as-you-go mediation firm dedicated to providing user-friendly access to mediation services in divorce and parentage matters in Kane, DuPage, Cook, DeKalb, Kendall, McHenry, and Will Counties.
Chrissie grew up in a small town in Indiana. After studying English at Indiana University, she attended DePaul University College of Law, where she graduated and received a Certificate in Child and Family Law. Chrissie is a special needs mom in Batavia, Illinois and member of the Kiwanis Club of St. Charles. She currently serves as a co-chair for the New Member Committee for the KCBA.
Future series are in the works and will be announced.
Find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Anchor.
Episode #10 – On The Bar with KCBA Member Carolyn Jansons
In this episode of On the Bar, Chrissie chats with KCBA member and former president Carolyn Jansons about her family law background and meeting her real-life hero Ruth Bader Ginsburg at the United States Supreme Court. Carolyn shares her inspiring encounter and applies it to her law career and success as a trailblazing woman in law who should never be underestimated.
Carolyn D. Jansons is a graduate of Northern Illinois University and a 2001 graduate of Northern Illinois University College of Law, magna cum laude. She graduated from Northern Illinois University College of Law and was a member of the Law Review. Carolyn is a partner at Drendel & Jansons Law Group, the same firm in which she began her career in 2001. Carolyn is an active member of the Kane County Bar Association having served on its board of directors and eventually elected Secretary/Treasurer. Carolyn ascended through the ranks and was the KCBA President in 2017-2018. Carolyn continues to be an active member of the Family Law Committee and focuses her practice on family law.
Carolyn grew up in Oswego, Illinois and actively practices in Kendall County as well. She currently lives in Elburn with her husband, Pete, and their two children. Carolyn enjoys being involved in her community and has provided volunteer service to several boards and organizations including Fox Valley Hands of Hope and local Scout Troop 7 in Elburn. In her spare time (what is that?) Carolyn enjoys reading, 80’s music and cooking.
Listen to Episode #10 on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Anchor.
Episode #9 – On the Bar with KCBA Member Otto Hurtado
Host Chrissie White welcomes Family Law Attorney Otto Hurtado to the On the Bar Podcast. Otto cleverly presents his Top Five List of characters from film that have inspired him in his legal career. From Matthew McConaughey to Joe Pesci and more, Otto shares an in-depth perspective about how these fictional characters influence and translate to his real life law practice. Otto shares his background and experience with a unique blend of humor and charisma.
Otto S. Hurtado is a family law attorney, certified mediator, Guardian ad Litem, and co-chair of the Judicial Evaluation Committee. He owns and operates The Law Office of Otto S. Hurtado, located in Geneva, Illinois, and primarily handles family matters (Divorce, Parentage, Adoptions, Orders of Protection, etc.) in Kane, DuPage, Kendall, and DeKalb Counties.
Otto was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois (Humboldt Park), and relocated to DeKalb for law school (Northern Illinois College of Law). It was there that he met his wife, Marissa Hanson. Otto is an active member of the Kane County Bar Association and has participated in various activities such as, Ask A Lawyer Day, and Lawyer in the Library.
Listen to Episode #9 on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Anchor.
Episode #8 – On the Bar with KCBA President Andrew Whitfield
In this episode, Chrissie White meets with KCBA President Andrew Whitfield to discuss the ways Vincent Bugliosi, an American prosecutor and author, and Neil Mink, the attorney from HBO hit show, The Sopranos, have inspired him and influenced his legal career. Andrew grew up on the east coast, as his New York accent reveals. He now serves as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Illinois. He speaks openly about his career as a lawyer and his role as president of the Kane County Bar Association while adding many entertaining anecdotes along the way.
Andrew G. Whitfield is the current President of the Kane County Bar Association. Andrew is an Assistant Attorney General at the Illinois Attorney General’s Office where he is assigned to the Statewide Grand Jury Bureau. In that capacity, Andrew investigates and prosecutes multi-county drug trafficking, gunrunning, money laundering offenses that are brought through various federal, state, and local agencies. Andrew has prosecuted cases in the following counties: Boone, Cook, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kendall, Lake, Lee, Whiteside, and Will.
Andrew was also an Assistant State’s Attorney in Kane County for eleven years. Andrew is a member of the Judicial Evaluation Committee for Counties Outside Cook and the Corrections and Sentencing Committee, the Prosecutor Bar Association, and has given several presentations regarding topics such as drug-induced homicide, Fourth Amendment search and seizure issues, jury instructions, and other criminal law related topics to other prosecutors and law enforcement during his time at the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office and Illinois Attorney General’s Office.
Listen to Episode #8 on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Anchor.
Episode #7 – On the Bar with Judge Julio Valdez
In this episode, Chrissie White meets with Judge Julio Valdez to discuss the ways Atticus Finch sets a precedent for being an incredibly humble, wise, and effective attorney. Judge Valdez grew up in the same community where he now serves as a Circuit Judge in Kane County. He speaks openly about his career as a lawyer, his values as a judge, and what he hopes to convey to the attorneys and self-represented litigants who appear before him in court.
Born in Guanajuato, México, Judge Valdez and his family moved to Elgin, Illinois, when he was a child. He graduated from Larkin High School and then went on to study political science and public administration at Augustana College. His law degree is from the University of Iowa. He practiced law in Elgin for twenty years, the last ten as a solo practitioner offering services in criminal, family and real estate law. He was appointed as an associate judge in 2019 and then as a circuit judge in 2022.
Listen to Episode #7 on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Anchor.
Episode #6 – On the Bar Call Out for Characters of the KCBA with host Chrissie White
In this episode, KCBA member and host Chrissie White introduces the second series of podcasts entitled Characters of the KCBA. Chrissie is excited to interview and share the stories of her colleagues for the KCBA podcast and encourages any interested members to join her for a conversation about their experience practicing law, lessons they’ve learned, and the variety of characters who inspire them to do their best legal work. Listen in for all this and more.
Characters of the KCBA is recorded on Mondays and Tuesday evenings at the St. Charles Public Library. Call or text Chrissie for more information at 630-423-6377. Or contact the KCBA office to learn how to get involved.
Listen to Episode #6 on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Anchor.
On the Bar with the Kane County Bar Association first series features former KCBA president, Emily Rapp, interviewing judges from the 16th Circuit Courts. This five part series launched on Monday, May 23, 2022. Check the complete series out below.
Episode #5 – On the Bar with Judge René Cruz
KCBA President Emily Rapp sits down with Judge René Cruz in the fifth and final episode of a five part series interviewing judges of Kane County. Judge Cruz discusses his current role as a circuit judge for misdemeanor/traffic, branch courts, DUI and domestic violence. Enjoy this conversation about his experiences as a judge, his previous experience in general practice and pet peeves in the courtroom. He also shares about his childhood, original career aspirations and his hobbies. Listen in for all this and more.
Listen to Episode #5 on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Anchor.
Episode #4 – On the Bar with Judge Betsy Flood
KCBA President Emily Rapp sits down with Judge Elizabeth “Betsy” Flood in the fourth episode of a five part series interviewing judges of Kane County. Judge Flood discusses her current role as a circuit judge in the family division and moving into the criminal division. Enjoy this conversation about her experiences as a prosecutor and litigator, pet peeves in the courtroom and how she got into the profession. She also shares her favorite authors, including Fredrik Backman, and a little about her life outside the courtroom. Listen in for all this and more.
Elizabeth Flood is a graduate of Larkin High School in Elgin. She received degrees in both Finance and Law at the University of Illinois. She worked at the the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office for seventeen years in both the criminal and civil divisions, before being appointed as an Associate Judge in 2013. In October of 2019, the Illinois Supreme Court appointed Judge Flood to Circuit Judge, and she was the fifth female in Kane County to be elected Circuit Judge in 2020. As a judge, she has presided over Traffic/Misdemeanor, Family, and Criminal Felony courtrooms, and served as the Presiding Judge of the Family Division.
Listen to Episode #4 on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Anchor.
Episode #3 – On the Bar with Judge Bradley David
KCBA President Emily Rapp sits down with Judge Bradley David of the 16th Circuit Court in the third episode of a five part series interviewing judges of Kane County. Enjoy this conversation about family and divorce court divisions, Judge David’s appointment to the bench in 2019 and what it’s like to be a new judge. Judge David also talks about how he got into the profession, his hobbies and family life. Listen in for all this and more.
Judge Bradley David was appointed to the position of Associate Judge in 2019. Since being appointed to the bench, he has previously served in Traffic/Misdemeanor and Family Court and currently sits in Divorce Court. Prior to his appointment to the bench, Judge David was in private practice and took on a variety of roles at David & Associates. David is a graduate of Dundee-Crown High School, the University of Illinois and Northern Illinois University School of Law.
Listen to Episode #3 on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Anchor.
Episode #2 – On the Bar with Judge Mark Pheanis
KCBA President Emily Rapp sits down with Judge Mark Pheanis of the 16th Circuit Court in the second episode of a five part series interviewing judges of Kane County. Enjoy this conversation about divisions of the court, background of civil law and courtroom pet peeves. Judge Pheanis also talks about how he ended up in the profession of law, his cool hobbies & collections and fun fact: he is in a band! Listen in for all this and more.
Listen to Episode #2 on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Anchor.
Episode #1 – On the Bar with Chief Judge Clint Hull
KCBA President Emily Rapp sits down with Chief Judge Clint Hull of the 16th Circuit Court in the first episode of a five part series interviewing judges of Kane County. Enjoy this conversation about how the courts are set up, judges are selected or elected and the responsibilities of the Chief Judge. Chief Judge Hull also talks about his career highlights and beginnings, his current hobbies and interests and what it means to be the Chief Judge of the 16th Circuit.
The Honorable Clint Hull is the current Chief Judge of the 16th Judicial Circuit. Judge Hull was appointed to the position of Associate Judge in March of 2009. He presided over various courtrooms including Traffic/Misdemeanor, Juvenile Delinquency and Criminal Felony including the Treatment Alternative Court. The Illinois Supreme Court appointed Hull to Circuit Judge September 1, 2016. He was later elected as Circuit Judge of the 16th Judicial Circuit in November of 2018.
Hull is a graduate of St. Charles High School, the University of Illinois and DePaul University School of Law.
Listen to Episode #1 on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Anchor.
