Melissa Dai, Author at Injustice Watch

Melissa Dai

Melissa Dai is a senior at Northwestern University, where she’s pursuing a career in investigative journalism. She is working at Injustice Watch in winter 2026 as part of Northwestern's journalism residency program. Previously, she interned with NBC Chicago’s investigative unit and nonprofit newsroom Investigate Midwest. She’s also reported for ProPublica, MindSite News, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Worcester Telegram & Gazette, and The Daily Northwestern. Born and raised in Massachusetts, she moved to the Chicago area for college in 2022.

Five silhouettes on a purple background with words from the Cook County Bar Association's letter against Judge James Brown inside the heads. The words "blatantly disrespectful" and "bias based on race, ethnicity, gender" are highlighted.

Judicial Conduct

‘Blatantly disrespectful’: Lawyer groups push for removal of reinstated judge

The Illinois Supreme Court brought Judge James R. Brown back to Cook County to address a judge shortage — but two bar groups say his recent comments in a conservative blog should disqualify him.

by Melissa Dai January 22, 2026January 22, 2026

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