Elected to the Bench in 2020 from what was then the 3rd Subcircuit (now the 19th Subcircuit), Judge Mescall has presided over approximately 50 civil jury trials in the First Municipal Division and has also handled preliminary hearing criminal courts. She currently serves in the Domestic Relations Division, where she oversees cases involving dissolution of marriage, parenting time, and support, matters that deeply impact families and children. Her judicial approach is guided by fairness, humility, and the moral principles of her Catholic faith.
Legal Experience
Before joining the bench, Judge Mescall served in the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office and the Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Office in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where across her career she prosecuted over 100 jury trials to verdict, including 87 felony jury trials, many involving felony child abuse and sexual assault crimes against children.
Education
• Juris Doctor, The John Marshall Law School, 2002
• Bachelor of Arts in English (Creative Writing), with a minor in Philosophy and Broadcast Journalism, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida 1999
Honors and Awards
• Co-captain of the University of Miami women’s track and field team in 1999
• Peer Judge Mentor, AOIC Peer Judge Mentor Program, 2026
• Adjunct Faculty, University of Illinois Chicago Law School, Trial Advocacy, 2025 and 2026
Community Service
• Chicago Bar Association Young Mentor Program
• Hispanic Lawyer’s Association (HLAI) JD Mentor Program
• Franciscan Outreach
• Diversity Scholarship Foundation
• Tandem runner for an autistic member of the Special Olympics Team in the Chicago Marathon
• Ronald McDonald House Charity marathon team participant and volunteer
• Sole Mock Trial Instructor and Program Lead, Christ the King School (2024–present)
Personal Life
She is a Hispanic woman who is married to a very kind and supportive man, and together they are proud parents of four children, ages 16, 15, 13, and 9. After the birth of their youngest child, she began long distance running and is now preparing for her 13th and 14th marathons in fall 2026. She enjoys much laughter with family and friends, as well as relaxing runs with her German Shepherd companion.