Crowder
EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. (Legal Newsline) - Madison County Circuit Judge Barbara Crowder has been removed as presiding asbestos judge, according to an administrative order entered Monday.
In her place, Associate Judge Clarence Harrison has been assigned to handle all asbestos cases. Crowder has been reassigned to handle chancery, miscellaneous remedies and eminent domain cases in the court's civil division
The order signed by Chief Judge Ann Callis also states that Associate Judges Steve Stobbs and Thomas Chapman will help Harrison with scheduling and trials.
Messages have been left with staff at Crowder's and Callis's offices, but phone calls have not been returned.
On Dec. 1, Crowder released the 2013 trial docket, awarding 82 percent of trial slots to three local firms.
Simmons Browder captured more than 38 percent of 485 slots she granted.
She provided 128 slots, more than 26 percent, to Gori Julian of Edwardsville; and she provided 84 slots, more than 17 percent, to Goldenberg Heller of Edwardsville.