Melissa Dai, Author at Injustice Watch

Melissa Dai

She was an Injustice Watch journalism resident in winter 2026, while completing her degree in journalism at Northwestern University. 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.

Illustration of Judge James Brown, a white man with short curly hair in a tie and robe, with a red backgound.

Judicial Conduct

Illinois Supreme Court removes reinstated judge following rebuke of conspiracy-filled blog post

Weeks after two lawyer groups urged his removal over a blog post on a conservative opinion site, the state high court vacated retired Judge James R. Brown’s temporary assignment to the Cook County Circuit Court.

by Melissa Dai January 26, 2026January 27, 2026

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 26, 2026

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