James R. Epstein was admitted to practice in 1978. He served in the Cook County Public Defender's office from 1979-85, spending the final three years as a member of the Homicide Task Force. He practiced law as a partner at Epstein, Zaideman & Esrig, P.C. until March, 1999. Judge Epstein tried complex civil and criminal cases in state and federal courts. He taught trial advocacy for 15 years at Northwestern University School of Law and coached the trial team to a national championship in 1992. Judge Epstein also taught trial advocacy at the National Institute for Trial Advocacy (NITA) for 15 years and has taught at the NITA teachers course. Judge Epstein was appointed to the bech in 1999, elected in 2000 and retained in 2006. He presided over a Chicago felony call for seven years and now sits in the Chancery Division. He was appointed an associate member of the Education Committee by the Supreme Court and has served for five years planning and teaching and serves on the editorial board for the preparation of bench books for the Illinois judiciary.