Judge Colleen Lawless Confirmed to Federal District Court

Sangamon County Judge Colleen Lawless has been confirmed by the U.S. Senate for a position on the federal bench. Lawless will serve in the Central District of Illinois, filling the vacancy left by Sue Myerscough, who announced her move to senior status upon approval of her successor last year.

Lawless earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Illinois Wesleyan University in 2005 and a Juris Doctor from the Northern Illinois University College of Law in 2009. With a decade of experience as a lawyer and shareholder at Londrigan, Potter & Randle P.C. in Springfield, Lawless went on to become an associate judge in Sangamon County in 2019.

Her nomination for the federal judgeship was confirmed by the Senate with a vote of 51-41 on March 2, 2023. Lawless is now awaiting her judicial commission, which will officially appoint her to the position.

In a joint statement, Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth expressed their pleasure over the confirmation saying, "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.”