Stacey L. Seneczko of Libertyville will become the next associate judge of the 19th Judicial Circuit, according to Chief Judge Jorge Ortiz.

Ortiz was notified last week by Michael Tardy, Director of the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts, that Seneczko had received the majority number of votes cast and is declared eligible for appointment to serve as an associate judge of Lake County, according to a news release from Ortiz's office. Stacey will fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Associate Judge Sarah P. Lessman.

“Ms. Seneczko’s breadth of experience, organizational skills, professional demeanor, fair-mindedness, and extensive knowledge of complex areas of the law are but a few of the attributes that will serve her well in her position as a judge,” Ortiz said in the news release. “We congratulate Stacey and look forward to her joining the 19th Circuit in the very near future.”

Recently, Stacey received the rating of “highly recommended” by members of the Lake County Bar Association.

Admitted to practice law in Illinois in 1989, Seneczko served as a judicial law clerk for then Judge Lawrence D. Inglis, Justice of the Illinois Appellate Court, Second District. She is currently a partner in the firm of Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP in Lake Bluff, where she practices civil law. Prior to 1996, she was an associate of the firm of Brydges, Riseborough, Peterson, Franke, et al.

Seneczko received her undergraduate degree from Southern Illinois University. In 1989, she earned her Juris Doctor, graduating magna cum laude, from Southern Illinois University School of Law. She is a current member of several bar associations and legal organizations including the American, Illinois State, and Lake County Bar Associations, the Association of Women Attorneys of Lake County, the American Inns of Court, among others.

Seneczko will assume her new duties later this month.