THE FOLLOWING IS A FIFTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT OF ILLINOIS RELEASE
Chief Judge Thomas M. O’Shaughnessy today announced the appointment of Danville attorney Nicolas J. Boileau as an associate judge for the Fifth Judicial Circuit, filling the vacancy which will result from the retirement of Hon. Derek J Girton on July 2, 2024. Boileau was elected by vote of the Circuit’s twelve circuit judges from thirteen applicants. Judge O’Shaughnessy described the selection process as “extremely difficult and competitive amongst a highly qualified field.”
Responding to the appointment, Boileau commented “I am grateful and humbled by the appointment to serve as the next Associate Judge in the Fifth Judicial Circuit. Judicial service is service to the public and profession, and I will strive for excellence in performing that service.”
Boileau (44), a native of Marquette, Michigan earned his Bachelor of Arts degree (Criminal Justice) from Western Michigan University, where he was a member of its collegiate hockey team. He received his Juris Doctor from the University of Minnesota. In 2008, he was admitted to the practice of law in Illinois and is a partner in the Danville firm of Acton & Snyder, LLP. He is affiliated with the Illinois State and Vermilion County Bar Associations, active in community civic and social service organizations, and is currently a member of the Danville YMCA Board.
The Fifth Judicial Circuit encompasses five counties: Clark, Coles, Cumberland, Edgar, and Vermilion. The new associate judge will primarily be assigned to Danville and is expected to take office on July 3, 2024.
Four associate judges are assigned to Vermilion County and they primarily handle high-volume court calls, routinely presiding over civil small claims, eviction, traffic, misdemeanor, divorce, and order of protection cases, and are occasionally appointed to hear law division cases. During 2021, because an increase in the felony division caseload and a backlog resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, two judges were assigned to handle the felony division, one of whom is an associate judge.
Remarking upon the appointment, Judge O’Shaughnessy said, “The diverse nature of the associate divisions requires the judges to be knowledgeable, resourceful, and versatile. Mr. Boileau’s practice of law has demonstrated the depth and breadth of legal knowledge, abilities, and experiences to signal a successful judicial career. While his practice generally focused on civil litigation in both the State and Federal courts, where he earned a reputation as a skillful advocate, he also has practiced in all of the areas of the law historically handled by our associate judges. He consistently adheres to high ethical standards, and has a reputation for honesty, diligence, and fairness. He is thorough, prepared, exacting, hard-working, and pragmatic. His practice of law has evidenced a devotion to upholding the time-honored obligations to our profession and responsibilities to the public, and he has earned this opportunity to serve as an associate judge. We congratulate him and welcome him to the Bench.”
