About Stephen
Stephen Judge earned his Juris Doctor from The John Marshall Law School in 2013. He attended law school during a period of robust debate over legal education and entered the bar shortly thereafter. His academic record at John Marshall provided a foundation in civil procedure and federal practice.
After law school, Judge built a practice that moves between state and federal courts. He is admitted to the Illinois bar and is authorized to practice before the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. Over the years he has handled filings, briefings and oral arguments in matters that required coordination between trial courts and appellate review.
Colleagues describe him as methodical in his preparation. He approaches filings with attention to procedural detail and timetables. He has taken on cases that required both district-court litigation and appellate briefing, which has shaped how he evaluates legal risk for clients. He has experience drafting pleadings and appellate briefs and preparing witnesses for testimony, work that requires both tactical thinking and careful written advocacy.
Judge’s professional approach is practical. He aims to identify the discrete legal issues that will matter on appeal, then trace those issues back to what happened at the trial level. That process can narrow complex disputes into manageable legal questions. It also guides how he counsels clients through settlement talks, motions practice and trial strategy.
Outside the courtroom, Judge has been involved in the procedural aspects of appellate practice, including preserving the record and handling jurisdictional questions. He keeps current on changes in federal appellate rules and Illinois court procedure, which informs the timing and substance of filings he prepares. He also places emphasis on clear client communication, explaining how appellate standards of review differ from trial standards.
As of 2026, Judge continues to practice in Illinois and appears before the Seventh Circuit. He maintains a caseload that includes matters originating in state trial courts as well as appeals in the federal appellate system. He currently practices handling matters in Illinois and cases before the Seventh Circuit.
