Raising triplets as a single mother, representing the people of Cook County as an Assistant State’s Attorney, and being an active member of our community has prepared Marcia O’Brien Conway to serve as a judge.
Marcia grew up in a close-knit family where family and community were an integral part of life. As a family they supported each other through successes and failures, always encouraging the application of perseverance and humor in both the best and worst of times.
Marcia and her siblings were taught the importance of giving back to their community and helping others whenever possible. For Marcia the opportunity to give back through legal work began while in law school. She worked at her school’s legal clinic.
The clinic represented people who were unable to afford legal representation. While at the clinic, she successfully represented a client with intellectual disabilities who had previously been denied Medicare benefits. She presented the facts, and the law, and as a result, an administrative law judge reversed the prior decision and ordered Medicare benefits for the client. This was the moment she realized a good judge can make a difference in peoples’ lives.
Marcia raised her children from birth as a single mother, while working. Mike, Maggie and Jack have undergone numerous surgeries, therapies and doctors’ visits. Marcia understands what it is like for herself and others to struggle medically, physically, emotionally and financially, and to be viewed as outsiders as a result. Her life experiences have made her a more compassionate person to those who are struggling in any area of life.
In addition to her legal work, Marcia has served for several years on various local commissions in the community. At her children’s school, she served as room mom, art mom and Cub Scout leader, for multiple years. Marcia is active in the community through volunteer work, including the River Forest Civic Association, Mothers Against Violence Everywhere, National Alliance on Mental Health, Organization for Autism Research, American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
Marcia will bring a unique perspective to the job of Judge of the Circuit – it is wisdom gained through adversity and her life, community and legal experience makes her more compassionate and knowledgeable. The law needs to be balanced with common sense and compassion.
