EXPERIENCE
Judge Ade-Harlow has served as an Associate Judge in the Fourth Judicial Circuit since 2016, where she currently presides over civil and criminal proceedings. Judge Ade-Harlow has presided in 8 of the 9 nine counties in the 4th Judicial Circuit. In addition to overseeing the civil and criminal calls, Judge Ade-Harlow oversees juvenile and drug court proceedings as assigned by the Chief Judge. Judge Ade-Harlow also serves as a member of the 4th Judicial Circuit's Technology Committee.
Judge Ade-Harlow began her legal career in a private law firm where she represented clients in a wide variety of legal areas, including criminal defense, family and divorce law, juvenile abuse and neglect, personal injury, collections and bankruptcy, and appeals. She served as the attorney for the city of Pana, Illinois from 2007 to 2012.
While in her private practice, Ade-Harlow was appointed by judges in the Fourth Judicial Circuit as a court appointed guardian as litem and conflict public defender in Shelby, Christian and Montgomery counties.
In 2012, Ade-Harlow left her private practice to serve the citizens of Shelby County as an Assistant State's Attorney in Shelby County where she prosecuted drug conspiracy cases, traffic, juvenile abuse and neglect cases and assisted in providing legal advice to the County Board.
Ade-Harlow continued her public service as an Assistant State’s Attorney in Fayette County where she prosecuted felony, misdemeanor and traffic, and juvenile abuse cases. She again assisted in providing legal advice to county officials on a number of topics from personnel to collective bargaining negotiations on behalf of the County.
In 2016, Ade-Harlow had the privilege to serve Shelby County again when she was appointed as the first full-time Public Defender in Shelby County. As the Public Defender for Shelby county she represented indigent parties in cases ranging from class X felonies to juvenile matters. She also served as the administrative head of the Public Defender office where she managed all administrative and budgetary functions of the office.
Judge Ade-Harlow began her legal career in a private law firm where she represented clients in a wide variety of legal areas, including criminal defense, family and divorce law, juvenile abuse and neglect, personal injury, collections and bankruptcy, and appeals. She served as the attorney for the city of Pana, Illinois from 2007 to 2012.
While in her private practice, Ade-Harlow was appointed by judges in the Fourth Judicial Circuit as a court appointed guardian as litem and conflict public defender in Shelby, Christian and Montgomery counties.
In 2012, Ade-Harlow left her private practice to serve the citizens of Shelby County as an Assistant State's Attorney in Shelby County where she prosecuted drug conspiracy cases, traffic, juvenile abuse and neglect cases and assisted in providing legal advice to the County Board.
Ade-Harlow continued her public service as an Assistant State’s Attorney in Fayette County where she prosecuted felony, misdemeanor and traffic, and juvenile abuse cases. She again assisted in providing legal advice to county officials on a number of topics from personnel to collective bargaining negotiations on behalf of the County.
In 2016, Ade-Harlow had the privilege to serve Shelby County again when she was appointed as the first full-time Public Defender in Shelby County. As the Public Defender for Shelby county she represented indigent parties in cases ranging from class X felonies to juvenile matters. She also served as the administrative head of the Public Defender office where she managed all administrative and budgetary functions of the office.