1.

Name (State full name and any former names used)

Scott D. McKenna

2. Age

47

3. Education (List schools, years attended, and degrees received)

St. Laurence H.S. (Burbank, IL): 1984-1988

Loyola University of Chicago: 1988-1993 - B.A. English/B.A. Political Science
Chicago-Kent College of Law: 1993-1996 - J.D.

4. Current occupation and employer

Attorney/Partner - Best Vanderlaan & Harrington

5. Current hometown, and neighborhood if Chicago. If subcircuit candidate: How long have you lived there?

Tinley Park, IL (15​th​ Subcircuit) - resident for 13 years

6. Work history (List with years)

Garretson & Santora: 1996-1997

Richard B. Rogich & Associates: 1997-2000
Best Vanderlaan & Harrington: 2000-present

7. In what areas of law do you have experience?

Personal Injury (plaintiff and defense), Insurance Coverage, Commercial Claims

8. List your bar association memberships.

Illinois State Bar Association, Southwest Bar Association

9. List all professional, business, fraternal, scholarly, civic, charitable, or other organizations to which you
belong

Member of Risk Insurance Management Society, Humane Society of the United States and ASPCA

10. Describe your civic involvement.

I have volunteered my time to be a judge for mock trials through the John Marshall Law School trial
advocacy program and to be an attorney/mentor for the Chicago Coalition for Law-Related Education
(CCLRE) for Chicago high school students. I have frequently donated money to the Humane Society of
the U.S., the ASPCA, PAWS of Tinley Park and Pacific Gardens Mission.
11. Describe your current and former political involvement.

I was a committee member on Brendan O’Brien for Judge.

12. Have you run for judge before? When and for which seat?

I have not.

13. List your published writings, with dates and with links if available.

N/A

14. Why do you want to be a Cook County judge?

I have always felt that being a judge was the highest calling in my profession. While I have been
zealously advocating for my clients’ positions in my 21 years of litigation and trial experience, to be able
to make decisions as a judge that are unbiased to any party and based solely on the law and the facts of
the case before me is what I want to do with the remainder of my legal career.

15. What are the most pressing issues facing the justice system and why?

I believe that the most pressing issues are transparency and efficiency. Unfortunately, I believe the
general public has a perception that the justice system is “rigged” against them and in favor of
“institutions” like government, police departments, high-priced lawyers, etc. I believe the true role of a
judge is to be a steward of the court system that is supported by public tax revenues and ensure that all
people - regardless of race, color, creed, gender, sexual orientation or financial wherewithal - are treated
fairly and equally and that all people have equal access to the justice system when it is needed. A
courtroom that is run efficiently and transparently will generate trust in how the justice system works and
hopefully change the perception that exists in the general public.

16. How will your experiences help you serve as a good judge?

I believe that an experienced and qualified judge can make an immediate difference in the lives of
litigants and allow the taxpayer-supported court system provide the best and most efficient services
possible. I know from my extensive litigation and trial experience how much a judge can impact a
particular case and the public’s perceptions of the court system in general. I believe I have the
temperament, as has been exhibited throughout my 21 years of experience, to deal with litigants and
attorneys with fairness but also with a decisiveness that I know I appreciated in a judge as a practicing
lawyer.

17. What do you wish voters knew about you?

While some people I know have run for judge because it is considered a good and secure job, I have a driving
desire to use that position to become the best judge possible and help litigants and their cases get a fair,
impartial and thorough hearing. After working my way through college and law school, and a legal career
that has been buttressed by hard work, I am ready to work equally hard as a judge to be prepared, efficient
and thorough in every decision I make and every case I help shepherd through the justice system​.