Schwartz Cooper Mourns Hon. Harry G. Comerford, 1921-2008

Schwartz Cooper Chartered mourns the loss of the Honorable Harry Comerford, formerly Of Counsel with the firm.  Judge Comerford died of pulmonary fibrosis on Tuesday, January 29, in Glenbrook Hospital in Glenview, IL.  He was 86 years old.

“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Judge Comerford,” said Dick Schultz, an attorney with Schwartz Cooper.  “He led the court through a difficult time with unmatched integrity and strength. He was a remarkable attorney and an outstanding judge.  He will be greatly missed.”

Judge Comerford served as Chief Judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County from 1978 to 1994.  He is remembered for numerous achievements during his 16-year tenure, including the establishment of the Special Commission on the Administration of Justice in Cook County, appointed to study ways to reform the court system following the “Operation Greylord” scandal.

During his tenure, Judge Comerford expanded the suburban court branches in Rolling Meadows, Skokie, and Bridgeview, as well as the Criminal Courts Building in Chicago.  He also is credited with creating a random judicial assignment system to prevent cases from being assigned to particular judges; developing an orientation program for new judges; and, creating a research department for judges.  

Judge Comerford retired in 1994 after 16 years as Chief Judge and returned to private practice. He was elected to the Municipal Court of Chicago in 1960 after 13 years in private practice, and was a Presiding Judge in the County Division from 1967-1978.  Before being elected judge, he was a special assistant attorney general, ran a private practice, and worked as a lawyer for the Chicago Park District.