Marcia M. Meis, Director of the Administrative Office of Illinois Courts, and John S. Lowry, Chief Judge of the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit Court, are pleased to announce that the 17^th Circuit Judges have selected Attorney Tamika R. Walker as an Associate Judge of the 17^th Judicial Circuit.  This associate judge vacancy is based on the impending retirement of Associate Judge Mary Linn Green, effective July 5, 2022.   Ms. Walker will take her oath of office on Wednesday, July 6, 2022.

“Tamika Walker’s range of experience in criminal, family law and juvenile courtrooms and exceptional interpersonal skills will serve her well as an associate judge,” said Chief Judge John Lowry.  “Her contributions to the legal profession through organized bar activities reflect her genuine commitment to the law. Ms. Walker was selected from a group of outstanding candidates. We are confident she will do an excellent job and look forward to working with her.”

Ms. Walker received a Bachelor of Social Work from Indiana University in 2001, a Master of Science in Social Administration from Case Western Reserve University in 2002, and a Juris Doctor from Case Western Reserve University School of Law in 2005.  Ms. Walker served as an assistant public defender in the Winnebago County Public Defender’s Office between 2005 and 2010. In 2010, she joined the law firm of Sreenan & Cain, P.C. Sreenan & Cain, P.C. was reorganized as Schafer DeRango & Cain, LLP and again as DeRango & Cain, LLC, where Ms. Walker currently practices law representing clients in family law disputes and juvenile abuse, neglect and dependency proceedings.

Commenting on her selection, Ms. Walker stated, “I am honored to be selected as an associate judge. It is truly a privilege to serve in the 17th Judicial Circuit. I am looking forward to working with the judges, clerks, and other courthouse staff in an effort to continue to provide access to justice in our community.” 

Ms. Walker is a member of the Winnebago County Bar Association and the Illinois State Bar Association, where she currently serves on the Assembly and Board of Governors, and previously served as Chair of the Illinois State Bar Association Family Law Section Council. She is an Administer Justice volunteer attorney and serves on the boards of the Illinois Bar Foundation, The Lawyer’s Trust Fund of Illinois, and the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Access to Justice’s Justice for All Advisory Committee. Her involvement with community and civic organizations includes associations with Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., the YWCA of Rockford, and Careers Etc.

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