States Attorney
WHEATON – DuPage County State’s Attorney Joseph E. Birkett announced today that Thomas J. Stanfa, Deputy Chief of the Office’s Civil Bureau, has been appointed to serve as Associate Judge for the 16th Judicial Circuit which includes Kane, Kendall and DeKalb Counties.
As Deputy Chief, Stanfa was assigned to serve as counsel to DuPage County Sheriff John Zaruba. In this capacity, Stanfa advised Sheriff Zaruba responding to various questions that arise during the day-to-day operations of the office. As counsel for the Sheriff’s Office, Stanfa advised on various topics, including civil rights litigation; freedom of information requests; employment issues such as hiring, firing and disciplinary action; subpoena requests; civil forfeitures; the Merit Commission and represented the Sheriff on any actions filed against him, his employees or the department. In addition, Stanfa also served as counsel to the Public Safety Committee of the County Board.
“I am extremely happy for Tom,” remarked Birkett. “He is an outstanding attorney and I am sure he will prove to be an excellent Judge for the 16th Judicial Circuit. Our loss is definitely their gain.”
In 1977, Stanfa earned his Bachelor’s Degree and graduated Magna Cum Laude from Loyola University. After graduating from Loyola University Law School of Chicago in 1980, Stanfa began his career with the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office assigned to the Juvenile Division. In 1987 he accepted a position in the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office where he served as the head prosecutor for gang, drug, child sexual abuse and assault, and white collar crime cases. He also served as the lead prosecutor for the Kane County Auto Theft Task Force and supervised cases presented to the Grand Jury. Stanfa remained at the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office until 1996 when he entered private practice. In 1999, Stanfa joined the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office.
“I am both humbled and honored by the appointment and look forward to continuing my career in public service as an Associate Judge,” commented Stanfa.
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