Carla Alessio Policandriotes has been an attorney since 1987, building her court room presence as an Assistant Public Defender to forming the first fully-owned female law firm in Will County, Illinois. After years of advocating for the expansion of the availability of legal services to the poor, the Illinois State Bar Association awarded her the John D. McAndrews Award to recognize this commitment of broadening access of legal services to those most in need.

In 2001, Carla accepted the appointment as an Associate Judge of the Twelfth Judicial Circuit and in 2002 was elected as a Circuit Judge of the Twelfth Judicial Circuit. Until her retirement from the bench in 2018, Carla was a forerunner in bestowing defendants the opportunity to receive and participate in requisite mental health and substance abuse treatment to master the necessary tools to maintain a healthy life according to each individuals personal abilities.

Carla lead this dramatic change in criminal justice as the presiding judge of the felony division. Further, she advocated for specialty courts and worked directly in the dockets created in Will County Problem Solving Courts including Drug Court, Mental Health Court, Adult Redeploy Court and the Veterans Court programs.

Immediately upon retiring from the bench, Carla accepted and maintains her position as an advocate and consultant for Family Guidance,Centers Inc. ,a non-profit organization, that provides mental health and substance abuse treatment throughout the State of Illinois.