Joliet Lawyer Says She's Running for Will Judgeship

Dawn Underhill issued this news release Wednesday announcing plans to run as a Democrat in the March 2014 primary for a Will County judicial post:

After more than 20 years practicing law, local attorney Dawn Underhill says she will bring her strong experience and deep integrity to the Will County Courthouse
as she has officially announced her candidacy for Judge in Will County Subcircuit 2.

Underhill is a graduate of Valparaiso University School of Law, Loyola University of Chicago, Joliet Junior College and Lincoln-Way High School.

“I believe I’m the best candidate to serve the needs of the residents of Subcircuit 2,” Underhill stated. “Courtrooms have always required judges to be fair and have a full understanding of the law, but today’s judges also need a deep understanding of the people they serve. As a practicing local attorney for more than two decades, I’m experienced in representing clients in a wide variety of legal issues. Additionally, I’m a working Mom who is well aware of the biggest concerns and pressures facing working families today.”

Prior to establishing the The Law Office of Dawn R. Underhill, P.C. in 2006 where she specializes in General and Family Law, Underhill served for more than eight years in the Will County State’s Attorney’s Office as an Assistant in both the Civil and Criminal Divisions. She spent several years as a Prosecutor in the Domestic Battery courtroom and provided legal assistance to many Will County agencies including the Medical and Environmental Divisions of the Will County Health Department, Liquor Commission, Highway Department, Child Support Division, Land Use Department, Will County Board, Will County Superintendent of
Schools, and Civil Process Service at the Will County Sheriff’s Department.

Dawn Underhill’s practice focuses on Family Law with cases that involve the
dissolution of marriage, custody, paternity, legal separations, adoptions, guardianships and orders of protection. She was appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court as a Member of the 3rd Circuit of the Committee on Character and Fitness, Illinois Board of Admissions to the Bar.

She is extremely active in the local community, and is a member of the Will County Bar Association, Will County Women’s Bar Association, where she served as Secretary, past President of the Joliet Chamber of Commerce’s Council For Working Women, former Secretary and Board Member of St. Paul The Apostle School Board, and a former member of the Joliet Rotary Club.

Underhill’s husband Mark is a union member and Machinist for Caterpillar. They have been married for 18 years and are the proud parents of two daughters who attend a local parochial school in Joliet.