First Assistant Callinan says her goal as the First Assistant State’s Attorney is to keep the office thriving by maintaining strong, positive relationships with all our justice partners and to make Lake County a fairer and safer place.   

“I am honored to be working alongside Mr. Rinehart in a position that will help shape the future of the office and our community. I am excited to utilize the leadership skills that I have developed in managing the Domestic Violence Division for the good of the entire community of Lake County,” First Assistant Lauren Callinan said. 

Callinan lives in Vernon Hills with her husband and two children. After graduating from law school in 2008, Callinan’s first job was at the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office. First Assistant Callinan has worked in every division of the office and has prosecuted thousands of cases. Like Judge Manak before her, Callinan will continue to prosecute several murders even as she takes on her new responsibilities.  

In December 2020, State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart appointed Callinan to be the Chief of the Domestic Violence Division.   

“Lauren will be an excellent First Assistant as we continue to focus on violent crimes, increased cyber-crimes investigations, and enhanced victim services. First Assistant Callinan has already led our efforts to improve our domestic violence prosecutions, and she was critical to implementing the office’s first law enforcement enhanced screening protocol. In addition, Lauren has also been our primary point of contact with our partners: A Safe Place, Prairie State Legal Services, and North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic – all of which provide first rate legal services to survivors of domestic violence,” said State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart.  

Sharmila Manak started in the State’s Attorney’s Office in December 2020 as First Assistant/Chief Deputy of Criminal. Manak was not only the first woman to ever hold this position in Lake County, but she was also the first person of color to ever serve in that role. Before working at the State’s Attorney’s Office, Manak was at the Lake County Public Defender’s Office for over 17 years.  

As First Assistant, Manak managed 12 division chiefs and was the office’s representative on the Lake County Major Crimes Task Force. In that role, Manak worked with the Task Force on dozens of investigations. Manak oversaw the winning of millions of dollars in new grants – including the Department of Justice’s Human Trafficking Grant. Manak also helped create the first Chief of Victim Services position along with current Chief, Jacqueline Herrera Giron and helped establish the first Violent Crimes Unit. 

“Sharmila Manak was a critical partner in the formation of this new administration's policies and personnel. She has worked tirelessly for the people of Lake County – for their safety and for the fairness of the justice system. I will miss her and the partnership we forged; but I know First Assistant Callinan will also be great,” said Mr. Rinehart after Judge Manak’s swearing in.   

Manak says she is excited about leaving her position to Lauren Callinan, who she knows will do a phenomenal job as First Assistant. Manak said her goal was to leave her position in a better place for the next person who takes over.