Crystal Lake attorney appointed to replace retiring circuit judge

WOODSTOCK – Crystal Lake attorney Dave Gervais has been appointed to fill the seat of retiring McHenry County Circuit Judge Michael T. Caldwell.

After 20 years of judicial service, Caldwell announced his retirement on Dec. 7, McHenry County Court Administrator Dan Wallis said Friday.

Caldwell could not be immediately reached for comment. His last day as circuit judge will be Dec. 31.

The Illinois Supreme Court on Thursday issued an order appointing Gervais as Caldwell's successor.

His appointment will take effect Feb. 5 and end Dec. 7, 2020, at which point Gervais would need to seek election to keep his judicial seat, according to the order.

Caldwell was appointed as an associate judge in August 1997. He was later elected as circuit judge in McHenry County, where he is the sitting presiding judge of the civil division.

Caldwell also has served on the Illinois Supreme Court Education Conference, Board of Directors of the Illinois Judge's Association ,and on the Illinois Lawyers Association Program, according to a court administrative newsletter.

Gervais is the founder of The Law Offices of David R. Gervais, according to the law firm's website.

He has served as a park board commissioner and former board president of the Cary Park District, is a member and past president of the McHenry County Historical Society, and is t a commissioner and former president of the McHenry County Historic Preservation Commission, according to the site.

Although Gervais will be assuming Caldwell's judicial seat, he won't necessarily be assigned all the retiring judge's duties, Wallis said.

The court has until Feb. 5, to assign sitting judges to different courtrooms if necessary, he said.