The Honorable Laura Ayala-Gonzalez ‘93
Meet the Honorable Laura Ayala-Gonzalez ‘93, one of the newest members of Trinity High School’s Board of Directors. After graduating from Trinity in 1993, Laura went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree from Bradley University and a Juris Doctorate degree from the John Marshall School of Law. Laura has devoted her legal career to public service and In 2020, she was sworn in as a Cook County Circuit Court Judge.
Laura Ayala-Gonzalez was born in El Paso, Texas and was raised in Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, Mexico until she was about six years old. She then moved to Melrose Park, Illinois with her mother, grandparents, and two younger sisters.
Laura attended Melrose Park Elementary School and then Trinity High School. After graduating from Trinity in 1993, she received her B.A. from Bradley University in Peoria where she majored in the Administration of Criminal Justice, Sociology, and Spanish. After graduating from college, she returned to Melrose Park where she got married and had her first son. She then worked at the Chicago Bar Association while attending the John Marshall Law School where she received her Juris Doctorate in 2002.
With over 19 years of experience, she has devoted her legal career to public service and worked primarily as an Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney. Prior to ascending to the bench, she was a Supervisor in the Felony Trial Division at the George N. Leighton Criminal Courthouse. She supervised 18 Felony Trial Assistants ensuring that cases were prosecuted fairly and handled properly. She has extensive criminal experience and has tried a variety of jury and bench trials.
Judge Laura Ayala-Gonzalez was elected to a Cook County-wide vacancy on November 3, 2020. She was sworn in as a Cook County Circuit Court Judge on December 7, 2020. Her first assignment was serving in the Traffic Division. Currently, she is assigned to the First Municipal Division where she presides over Eviction cases.
Laura is married and is the proud mother of three sons, ages 23, 18, and 15. She is very active in the community and has assisted in immigration, domestic violence, and gang conflict initiatives. She especially enjoys mentoring students of all ages from elementary, high school, college, and law school.
COMMUNITY SERVICE HIGHLIGHTS
- Led first joint service project with CCSAO & Women Everywhere at the Hephzibah Children’s Association in Oak Park in 2019.
- Organized first fundraiser in the CCSAO as the Co-leader of the Hispanic ASAs Employee Resource Group to benefit hurricane & earthquake relief for victims in Puerto Rico and Mexico.
- Partnered with Mujeres Latinas en Acción and held panel discussions to help renew bonds between the Hispanic community and the CCSAO.
- Organized DACA renewal trainings for ASAs and assisted in workshops.
- Assisted with the CCSAO El Humanitario Award Ceremony from 2017-2019
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
- Member of the Illinois Latino Judges Association Board of Directors
- Member of the Trinity High School Board of Directors
- Member of the Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois, Puerto Rican Bar Association, Hispanic National Bar Association, Illinois State Bar Association, Women’s Bar Association, Trinity High School Bar Association, and Chicago Bar Association
