Judge Carolyn J. Gallagher: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

Circuit Court of Cook County (Probate Division), Department - Calendar 2, Courtroom 1807

Biography

The Hon. Carolyn J. Gallagher is a circuit judge on the Circuit Court of Cook County in Illinois. She was elected to the bench on November 8, 2016.


Over the course of her judicial career, Gallagher has held assignments in the Probate Division as well as the Housing Division and the Traffic Division of the 1st Municipal District.


Gallagher earned a B.A. from St. Mary’s University and an LL.M. from Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago-Kent College of Law. She also completed a J.D. at DePaul University College of Law in 1981. She was licensed to practice in Illinois (1982).


After graduating from law school, Gallagher began her legal career as a judicial law clerk for the Hon. Helen McGillicuddy of the Illinois Appellate Court in 1982. Three years later, she entered into private practice. She handled federal and state commercial litigation as an associate at Dardick & Denlow (1985 to 1992) as well as a partner at Friedlander & Brocksmith (1992 to 2000).


In 2000, Gallagher began teaching legal writing, research, and analysis as an instructor at DePaul University College of Law. She worked in that capacity until 2004, at which time she started her own private practice.


Gallagher co-founded New Health Foundation Worldwide, an Illinois-based not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing advocacy, education, and support for transgender individuals. She has also volunteered with the Chicago Legal Clinic and the Second Chance Expungement Summit.


Raised in Chicago, Illinois, Gallagher is the mother of three children. When not presiding over the bench, Gallagher enjoys taking care of her dog and reading.


She is registered as a Democrat.

Recent Cases by Hon. Carolyn J. Gallagher

On July 17, 2026 an independent administration - without will case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cook County. Judge Carolyn J. Gallagher presiding.

Filed

Jul 17, 2026

Status

Active

Court

Circuit

County

Cook County, IL

Court Category

Independent Administration - Without Will

Practice Area

Probate

Matter Type

Estate Administration

Case Last Refreshed

Jul 17, 2026

On July 17, 2026 an independent administration - without will case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cook County. Judge Carolyn J. Gallagher presiding.

Filed

Jul 17, 2026

Status

Active

Court

Circuit

County

Cook County, IL

Court Category

Independent Administration - Without Will

Practice Area

Probate

Matter Type

Estate Administration

Case Last Refreshed

Jul 17, 2026

On July 17, 2026 an independent executor - with will case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cook County. Judge Carolyn J. Gallagher presiding.

Filed

Jul 17, 2026

Court

Circuit

County

Cook County, IL

Court Category

Independent Executor - With Will

Case Last Refreshed

Jul 17, 2026

On July 17, 2026 an independent executor - with will case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cook County. Judge Carolyn J. Gallagher presiding.

Filed

Jul 17, 2026

Court

Circuit

County

Cook County, IL

Court Category

Independent Executor - With Will

Case Last Refreshed

Jul 18, 2026

On July 17, 2026 an independent administration - without will case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cook County. Judge Carolyn J. Gallagher presiding.

Filed

Jul 17, 2026

Court

Circuit

County

Cook County, IL

Court Category

Independent Administration - Without Will

Practice Area

Probate

Matter Type

Estate Administration

Case Last Refreshed

Jul 18, 2026

On July 16, 2026 an independent administration - without will case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cook County. Judge Carolyn J. Gallagher presiding.

Filed

Jul 16, 2026

Court

Circuit

County

Cook County, IL

Court Category

Independent Administration - Without Will

Practice Area

Probate

Matter Type

Estate Administration

Case Last Refreshed

Jul 17, 2026

On July 15, 2026 an independent executor - with will case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cook County. Judge Carolyn J. Gallagher presiding.

Filed

Jul 15, 2026

Court

Circuit

County

Cook County, IL

Court Category

Independent Executor - With Will

Case Last Refreshed

Jul 15, 2026

On July 15, 2026 an independent executor - with will case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cook County. Judge Carolyn J. Gallagher presiding.

Filed

Jul 15, 2026

Status

Active

Court

Circuit

County

Cook County, IL

Court Category

Independent Executor - With Will

Practice Area

Probate

Matter Type

General Probate

Case Last Refreshed

Jul 17, 2026

On July 14, 2026 an independent administration - without will case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cook County. Judge Carolyn J. Gallagher presiding.

Filed

Jul 14, 2026

Court

Circuit

County

Cook County, IL

Court Category

Independent Administration - Without Will

Practice Area

Probate

Matter Type

Estate Administration

Case Last Refreshed

Jul 15, 2026

On July 14, 2026 an independent administration - without will case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cook County. Judge Carolyn J. Gallagher presiding.

Filed

Jul 14, 2026

Court

Circuit

County

Cook County, IL

Court Category

Independent Administration - Without Will

Practice Area

Probate

Matter Type

Estate Administration

Case Last Refreshed

Jul 15, 2026

On July 14, 2026 an independent administration - without will case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cook County. Judge Carolyn J. Gallagher presiding.

Filed

Jul 14, 2026

Court

Circuit

County

Cook County, IL

Court Category

Independent Administration - Without Will

Practice Area

Probate

Matter Type

Estate Administration

Case Last Refreshed

Jul 15, 2026

On July 14, 2026 an independent administration - without will case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cook County. Judge Carolyn J. Gallagher presiding.

Filed

Jul 14, 2026

Court

Circuit

County

Cook County, IL

Court Category

Independent Administration - Without Will

Practice Area

Probate

Matter Type

Estate Administration

Case Last Refreshed

Jul 15, 2026

On July 13, 2026 an independent administration - without will case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cook County. Judge Carolyn J. Gallagher presiding.

Filed

Jul 13, 2026

Court

Circuit

County

Cook County, IL

Court Category

Independent Administration - Without Will

Practice Area

Probate

Matter Type

Estate Administration

Case Last Refreshed

Jul 13, 2026

On July 13, 2026 an independent administration - without will case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cook County. Judge Carolyn J. Gallagher presiding.

Filed

Jul 13, 2026

Court

Circuit

County

Cook County, IL

Court Category

Independent Administration - Without Will

Practice Area

Probate

Matter Type

Estate Administration

Case Last Refreshed

Jul 14, 2026

On July 13, 2026 an independent administration - without will case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cook County. Judge Carolyn J. Gallagher presiding.

Filed

Jul 13, 2026

Court

Circuit

County

Cook County, IL

Court Category

Independent Administration - Without Will

Practice Area

Probate

Matter Type

Estate Administration

Case Last Refreshed

Jul 14, 2026

On July 13, 2026 an independent administration - without will case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cook County. Judge Carolyn J. Gallagher presiding.

Filed

Jul 13, 2026

Court

Circuit

County

Cook County, IL

Court Category

Independent Administration - Without Will

Practice Area

Probate

Matter Type

Estate Administration

Case Last Refreshed

Jul 14, 2026

On July 10, 2026 a will annexed - independent executor case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cook County. Judge Carolyn J. Gallagher presiding.

Filed

Jul 10, 2026

Court

Circuit

County

Cook County, IL

Court Category

Will Annexed - Independent Executor

Practice Area

Probate

Matter Type

Estate Administration

Case Last Refreshed

Jul 13, 2026

On July 10, 2026 a supervised administration - without will case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cook County. Judge Carolyn J. Gallagher presiding.

Filed

Jul 10, 2026

Court

Circuit

County

Cook County, IL

Court Category

Supervised Administration - Without Will

Practice Area

Probate

Matter Type

Estate Administration

Case Last Refreshed

Jul 11, 2026

On July 10, 2026 an independent executor - with will case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cook County. Judge Carolyn J. Gallagher presiding.

Filed

Jul 10, 2026

Court

Circuit

County

Cook County, IL

Court Category

Independent Executor - With Will

Case Last Refreshed

Jul 11, 2026

On July 10, 2026 an independent executor - with will case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cook County. Judge Carolyn J. Gallagher presiding.

Filed

Jul 10, 2026

Court

Circuit

County

Cook County, IL

Court Category

Independent Executor - With Will

Case Last Refreshed

Jul 10, 2026

On July 9, 2026 an independent administration - without will case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cook County. Judge Carolyn J. Gallagher presiding.

Filed

Jul 09, 2026

Court

Circuit

County

Cook County, IL

Court Category

Independent Administration - Without Will

Practice Area

Probate

Matter Type

Estate Administration

Case Last Refreshed

Jul 10, 2026

On July 9, 2026 an independent administration - without will case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cook County. Judge Carolyn J. Gallagher presiding.

Filed

Jul 09, 2026

Court

Circuit

County

Cook County, IL

Court Category

Independent Administration - Without Will

Practice Area

Probate

Matter Type

Estate Administration

Case Last Refreshed

Jul 10, 2026

On July 9, 2026 an independent executor - with will case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cook County. Judge Carolyn J. Gallagher presiding.

Filed

Jul 09, 2026

Court

Circuit

County

Cook County, IL

Court Category

Independent Executor - With Will

Case Last Refreshed

Jul 10, 2026

On July 8, 2026 an independent executor - with will case was filed in the jurisdiction of Cook County. Judge Carolyn J. Gallagher presiding.

Filed

Jul 08, 2026

Court

Circuit

County

Cook County, IL

Court Category

Independent Executor - With Will

Case Last Refreshed

Jul 09, 2026