Hawthorn Woods Attorney Sworn in as Lake County Associate Judge

Two Lake County attorneys received a very special holiday surprise when they heard the voice of Chief Judge Fred Foreman on the phone advising them that they had been selected as the next associate judges of the 19th Judicial Circuit.  Judge Foreman had welcomed the news from Michael Tardy, Director of the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts, announcing that Elizabeth Rochford and Joseph Salvi had received the necessary votes to serve as associate judges.  “We congratulate these well respected and experienced attorneys,” said Judge Foreman, “and we look forward to their joining the Lake County bench very soon.” 

Salvi was sworn into office on Jan. 2 and Rochford was sworn in on Dec. 27. 

Joseph V. Salvi of Hawthorn Woods is a partner in the firm of Salvi, Salvi & Wifler, P.C.   After his admission to the Illinois Bar in 1991, Mr. Salvi started his legal career with the above named law firm, first as an associate and then became a partner in 1996.  He is experienced in a wide range of practice areas of law, with most of his time spent handling criminal misdemeanors, DUIs and traffic cases, probate and estate planning, and family law matters.  He has represented clients in over 10 counties in Illinois as well as in Federal Court.

A Lake Zurich native, Salvi graduated from Carmel High School in Mundelein.  He received his undergraduate degree from Knox College in Galesburg and earned his Juris Doctor in 1991 from IIT-Chicago Kent College of Law.  He is a member of the Lake County and the Illinois State Bar Associations.  He is involved in not-for-profit organizations that provide assistance for families in need, and works with youth groups

Salvi is married to attorney, Bridget Salvi, and they have four children.  His siblings, Patrick, Michael, Albert and Catherine, his brother-in-law, Peter Wifler, and sister-in-law, Kathleen Salvi, are also licensed attorneys who practice, in part, in Lake County.

Elizabeth M. Rochford is a sole practitioner and is engaged in the general practice of law.  In addition to her private practice, she has also had the honor of serving the people of Illinois as a commissioner of the Court of Claims for the past twenty-two years hearing claims that have been filed against the State.  These claims may include cases involving contracts, torts, prisoner claims, claims in accordance to the Law Enforcement and Firemen’s Compensation Act, the Crime Victim’s Compensation Act, and lapsed appropriations claims.  As a commissioner, she would preside over these trials at the State of Illinois building in Chicago, at various prison locations around the State, by videoconference, and other locations as necessary. 

Prior to her admission to the Illinois Bar in 1986, Rochford began her legal experience as a legal assistant in the law offices of Corboy & Demetrio in Chicago.  She went on to serve as an assistant state’s attorney in the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office and was hired as an adjunct English professor for the City Colleges of Chicago.  She has also served as an administrative hearing officer for several villages.

Rochford received her undergraduate degree from Loyola University and earned her Juris Doctor from the Loyola University School of Law in 1986.  She is a member of the Lake County Bar Association where she held the position of President during 2010-2011; and is a current member of the Illinois State and Chicago Bar Associations; and the Association of Women Attorneys of Lake County.  She is a volunteer for the Lake County Small Claims Mediation Program; the Guardianship Help Desk; Habitat for Humanity; and the annual Law Day Program.  She is also a member of several civic and community organizations.

 Rochford and her husband have two children and are members of the Lake Forest community.

This news release was submitted by Lake County 19th Judicial Circuit Court.