The courtroom should be a place where fairness reigns, every voice is heard, and every person is treated with dignity and respect.
Why Katie Is Running
Experience: 18 years practicing law, the last 8 years serving as a Cook County Assistant State’s Attorney
Values: Integrity, compassion, and community service
Commitment: Making justice accessible and fair for all
Her Philosophy
Justice isn’t just about knowing the law - it’s about making sure the law works for everyone. Every case represents someone’s story and will affect someone’s future.
Ready to Serve
Chicago has given Katie everything - opportunity, community, purpose. Now she’s ready to give back from the bench with the integrity this city deserves.
She will listen. She will lead with integrity. She will deliver justice fairly.
KATIE’S STORY
3 Pillars That Shaped a Future Judge
Deep Chicago Roots
Katie grew up in East Rogers Park and Sauganash, one of five children in a tight-knit family where helping others and fighting for what’s right weren’t just values — they were a way of life.
Katie attended law school at Loyola University Chicago, and has practiced law here for over 17 years. Now she lives in Lincoln Park with her husband, Ryan, and their three children, Ava, Leo, and Finn. She loves watching them discover the city, including playing soccer at the lakefront, baseball at Oz Park, and sailing on Lake Michigan.
Chicago isn’t just where Katie lives - it’s who she is.
service before self
In high school at St. Ignatius College Prep, Katie learned to be “a woman for others” — a lesson that defined her path. After graduating from Providence College, she joined the Jesuit Volunteer Corps, working alongside labor unions to advocate for better working conditions for low-waged workers and help pass a living wage ordinance.
This wasn’t theoretical work. Katie saw firsthand how policy affects real families, how advocacy can change lives, and how the law can be a tool for justice.
Her commitment to service started early and has never wavered.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Beyond her legal career, Katie lives her values daily. She’s a marathon runner - bringing the same persistence and discipline to her community involvement. She and her family are active parishioners at St. Clement, and she understands that strong neighborhoods require engaged citizens.
As a working mom, she understands multiple perspectives to every challenge. She knows what litigants need from their courts, what communities expect from their leaders, and what justice looks like in practice.
This city shaped Katie. Now she’s ready to serve it from the bench.
Built for the Bench
A Judge Needs Legal Knowledge + Wisdom + Unwavering Commitment to Justice
Following law school, Katie clerked for two federal judges. This judicial mentorship provided the opportunity for Katie to learn from the best.
Judge Michael Mihm, U.S. District Court for the Central District
Taught Katie how to make the court system work at its best
Showed her how to motivate jurors to understand their crucial role
Demonstrated compassion in protecting victims from trauma
Judge William Bauer, Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
Infinite wisdom
Universally respected and kind to all
Proved that knowing law isn’t enough - judges must embody dignity and integrity
LEGAL EXPERIENCE: READY TO LEAD
McGuireWoods LLP (Nearly 7 years)
High-profile cases and internal investigations
Mentored by brilliant legal minds
Built sophisticated litigation skills
Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office (8 Years)
Lead Attorney: Taking on challenges head-on
Deputy Supervisor: Managing other attorneys
Courts: State and federal courts, Illinois Human Rights Commission, Illinois Labor Relations Board
Focus: Employment discrimination cases defending Cook County agencies
Leaders Know What It Takes to Serve Chicago
Bar Association Ratings
Chicago Bar Association: Qualified
LAGBAC: Recommended
Illinois State Bar Association: Qualified
Puerto Rican Bar Association: Recommended
Arab American Bar Association: Recommended
Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois: Qualified
Current Endorsements
Lucy Moog, 43rd Ward Committeeman
Alderman Brian Hopkins, 2nd Ward
Alderman Walter Burnett, 27th Ward
Larry Suffredin, Former Cook County Commissioner
State Senator Margaret Croke, 12th District
Why Leaders Support Katie
Proven experience in state and federal courts
Community roots spanning decades
Integrity demonstrated through service
Vision for accessible, fair justice
Join Our Growing Coalition
This is Katie’s first campaign for judge, but she’s not running alone.
Every day brings new supporters who believe Chicago deserves a judge committed to:
Integrity in every decision
Fairness for every litigant
Community values on the bench
Ready to Get Involved?
Email friendsforkathleenori@gmail.com to volunteer to collect signatures starting in August.
Donate, either through the link below or by mailing a check to:
Friends to Elect Kathleen Cunniff Ori
77 W. Washington St. Suite 2120
Chicago, IL 60602