Veronica M. O'Malley

If I could have given zeros and still been able to rate her I would have. She’s rude, unprofessional, unfair and decisive prior to even hearing cases. She over talked me and cut me off at every point possible. She should be removed from the bench and never again able to practice law. She lost my job of 25 years for me ( which wound up landing me a much better job) so thanks be to god! I do believe that what comes around goes around so she will likely wind up exactly where she’s supposed to be

Judge O’Malley has shown a deep lack of understanding and sensitivity in family court matters, particularly in cases involving domestic violence and child welfare. Instead of resolving the issues brought before her, she has consistently escalated them, leading to irreversible harm to families and children. After surviving an abusive marriage and obtaining a divorce years ago, I have had to return to court repeatedly due to the other party’s failure to pay court-ordered child support and alimony. What should have been resolved in a few court dates dragged on for over two years, only to have the outstanding support obligations dismissed entirely by Judge O’Malley. Despite a clear 50/50 custody agreement, she appointed a Guardian ad Litem (GAL) who charged us $10,000—a financial burden neither of us could afford. This decision added more stress to an already difficult situation. Ironically, while the other party continued to withhold child support payments, they were expected to pay the GAL, essentially resulting in compensation being diverted from the children’s needs. My parenting time was routinely denied without consequence. When I sought enforcement, Judge O’Malley instead suggested the opposing party seek a two-year order of protection against me—despite no evidence of harm or threat. This resulted in my child being unjustly separated from me for two years, causing deep emotional trauma that was completely ignored by the court. In court, I was interrupted and not allowed to speak. Judge O’Malley displayed no insight into the dynamics of domestic abuse or the needs of children in high-conflict situations. Her conduct was biased, unprofessional, and dismissive of justice and the best interests of the child. Rather than resolving conflict, her courtroom decisions seem to inflame it. For families already in crisis, this causes additional suffering. It’s deeply disheartening to say that this experience has eroded my trust in the legal system. I no longe

Judge is unhinged without a court reporter present, she runs the only family court, pro-se, which is not wired for you to obtain a transcript. Judge acts extremely different when a court reporter is present. Judge is biased, does not take filings seriously, biased against Dads, succumbs to fake tears of Moms. Ejects a family observer from the courtroom for asking litigant a question, but allows constant chatter and laughs throughout cases from respondent with the Intact worker as if they are buddies. Judge fails to hold respondent accountable to provide work history, much less a job search log and allows claim of indigent w/out accountability and grants fee waiver with zero skin in the game. Judge issues order to provide job history to litigant and when she fails to provide specifics, the judge allows her to skate. Yet judge refuses to grant lowering of child support to account for litigant shouldering 100% of costs for GAL & unnecessary Child Rep this judge assigned. Money grab galore. This judge earned $226,800 in 2024 according to the IL State Comptroller website. This judge should be re-assigned to traffic court, or preferably out of the court system entirely. Judge makes statement that GAL she assigns is one of the best, yet, but my experience was polar opposite, unbalanced, bias, due diligence lacking, contempt, acting as counsel for other party, seems to be collusion. Judge ignored conflict of interest raised regarding GAL on board of organization that provided legal services, housing and legal costs to respondent in previous years. Unethical.

Worst judge ever especially for children completely biased against fathers ,does not go by laws decides on personal opinion instead even with evidence ,a stain on the lake county court system.this woman does not care about children's well being at all

On January 2, 2025, I had my first encounter with this judge in family court. I cannot adequately express how disappointed I was by her lack of insight and intelligence, especially for someone tasked with overseeing a pro se family courtroom. According to voting results, 58% of voters chose not to retain her, and my experience reflects why. When I filed a motion regarding my son’s college expenses, the judge completely derailed the proceedings. Instead of focusing on the motion at hand, she shifted the discussion to matters concerning my older children, based solely on the information provided by my ex, which he had already prepared beforehand. The entire process was utterly disorienting and frustrating. The family court system feels fundamentally broken, and I hope others recognize this and push for change. After this experience, I withdrew my motion the same day and decided I would never return to court to pursue what is legally my son’s right. This judge, rather than helping families, caused unnecessary harm. I agree with the negative reviews she has received—it’s the truth.

THIS WOMAN SHOULD BE STRIPPED OF ALL HER POWER AND AUTHORITY IN THE COURT ROOM. AND SHAME ON ALL OF THE EMPLOYEES WHO WORK ALONG SIDE OF OMALLEY, SHAME ON THEM for watching this woman DEGRADE EVERY SOUL IN HER COURT ROOM SHAME ON THEM FOR NOT REPORTING OMALLEY FOR HER CONSTANT UNETHICAL AND BIAS BEHAVIOR . This WOMAN IS TOO EMOTIONAL TO BE A JUDGE! IM COMPLETELY SHOCKED AT WHAT SHE GETS AWAY WITH SAYING TO EACH PERSON WHO STANDS BEFORE HER DURING THE COURT HEARINGS I HAVE ATTENDED THUS FAR . I HAVE SPOKEN TO A FEW LAKE COUNTY ATTORNEYS WHO KNOW HER PERSONALLY AND BOTH HAVE SAID THE SAME THING SHES VERY EMOTIONAL ! ONE ATTORNEY EVEN WENT AS FAR AS TELLING ME HES KNOWN VERONICA FOR YEARS AND SHE MUST HAVE NOT “LIKED ME” !! FORTUNATELY THERE IS SOMEONE WHO SITS HIGHER THAN OMALLEY . OUR CREATOR AND HE IS JUST . I DO BELIEVE THIS WOMAN WILL REAP WHAT SHE SOWS AND HER WAYS WILL CATCH UP TO HER ONE DAY .

Even after hearing the evidence, not having all proper documentation needed to make a just decision on my case , judge O’Malley made a bias decision .. this woman is led by her emotions .. [Redacted by Ed] . She should not be allowed to make decisions regarding children period! In Judge Omalley’s court room It does not matter that one Knows the LAW or their rights as a PARENT in the state of Illinois , Judge OMalley felt as if she WAS THE LAW . Something needs to be done about this woman . I don’t see how she has not been taken off the bench ..

Does not give an even, fair chance to speak and talks over you and cuts you off constantly. Does not care about the welfare of children. Is a very unfair, and not pleasant jusge.