The U.S. Senate has confirmed an Illinois Wesleyan University graduate as a new federal judge in the central district of Illinois.
Colleen Lawless has also been an associate judge in Sangamon County and a partner in the powerhouse law firm of Londrigan Potter Randle in Springfield.
“We are pleased that the Senate has confirmed the nomination of Judge Colleen Lawless to fill a judicial vacancy in the Central District of Illinois. Her experience and qualifications will strengthen our federal bench, and she will be ready to serve central Illinois on day one,” said U.S. Sens. Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth from Illinois.
Lawless was one of three people the senators recommended to the White House as potential judges. She graduated in 2005 from IWU in Bloomington, and earned a law degree from Northern Illinois University.
Lawless takes the spot of Judge Sue Myerscough who is taking senior status. Federal judges have a life appointment.
The central district of Illinois has 47 counties in it. The courthouses for the Central District's four divisions are in Peoria, Rock Island, Springfield, and Urbana.
