When Justice Elizabeth Rochford was elected to the Illinois Supreme Court in November 2022, she joined the most diverse Court in Illinois history. This included a historic majority of five female Justices and three Black Justices.
Throughout her career, Justice Rochford has been deeply committed to issues surrounding women and the law. Her focus has
The Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism is pleased to announce the speaker talks for the 2023 Future Is Now: Legal Services conference. The Future Is Now will be held virtually from 12 – 4:20 p.m. CDT on Thursday, April 20.
The Future Is Now will explore the intersection of legal innovation and professionalism through
Like many, I came to Chicago for the 2023 ABA TechShow knowing that ChatGPT was going to be a buzzword in the hallways, sessions, and panels. That was no surprise as it has been trending (including in legal tech circles) since its public launch in November 2022.
My goal as a TechShow attendee was two-fold:
The opportunity to register for the Future Is Now: Legal Services conference at a discounted rate is ending soon.
Wednesday, March 15, is the final day to purchase tickets at the early bird rate of $30 per ticket. The price will increase to $50 per ticket beginning March 16.
The Illinois Supreme Court Commission on
Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice Mary Jane Theis recently announced amendments to Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct 1.5, titled “Fees,” and 1.15, titled “General Duties Regarding Safekeeping Property.”
The amendments to the rule officially recognize the common types of fee agreements, with the notable additions of:
The Commission on Professionalism recently delivered our Courthouse Professionalism Training for the Circuit Court of Cook County’s Sixth Municipal District in Markham Courthouse.
The exercise allows courthouse personnel to experience their courthouse from the perspective of court users, encouraging them to discuss ways of enhancing professionalism in their protocols and procedures.
The session involves interactive skits,
In honor of Women’s History Month, this Lawyer Spotlight series highlights a remarkable woman who plays a significant leadership role in the administration of justice in Illinois.
Marcia M. Meis serves as the State Court Administrator and Director of the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts (AOIC). This is a constitutional position (Illinois Constitution, Article
At a time when the legal profession is struggling to become more inclusive and innovative, four of Illinois’ nine law schools are led by Black women. Their dynamic paths and approaches to leadership demonstrate how legal organizations can better reflect and represent the communities they seek to serve and how leaders can shepherd and shape
The Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism is pleased to announce that the Illinois Supreme Court has appointed Azam Nizamuddin to serve as a Commissioner on the Commission on Professionalism.
Additionally, Heather Kroencke, Kathleen Pine, and Trisha Rich have been reappointed as Commissioners for terms ending December 31, 2025.
“I am excited to welcome Azam
Professionalism issues were at the forefront of the American Bar Association’s 2023 (ABA) Midyear Meeting, which took place earlier this month in New Orleans.
More than 30 resolutions were considered, covering a myriad of topics from condemning antisemitism to guidelines regarding the use of artificial intelligence in the legal profession.
Notably, many of the resolutions
Photo credit: Randy Belice for Northwestern University
Our Lawyer Spotlight series highlights Illinois lawyers who are demonstrating the ideals of professionalism in their daily lives.
Laurie Mikva is a clinical professor and the Director of the Tenant Advocacy Clinic at Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law.
Previously, she worked in Champaign County as a family
The Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism is pleased to announce that Justice Elizabeth M. Rochford has been appointed as its Supreme Court Liaison. Justice Rochford assumes the role from Chief Justice Mary Jane Theis, who was sworn in as Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice in November 2022.
“The Commission on Professionalism plays an essential
The ABA Standing Committee on Professionalism is accepting nominations for its annual E. Smythe Gambrell Professionalism Awards.
The awards are given to “exemplary, innovative, and on-going professionalism programs established by law schools, bar associations, courts and other not-for-profit legal organizations that help ensure the maintenance of the highest principles of integrity and dedication to the
The courthouse is not just a building, it is a critical component of the legal system and a vital public service. It serves as a central hub for the administration of justice in communities and plays a vital role in safeguarding the rights of individuals.
Beyond its bricks and mortar, a courthouse is a place
Despite increased representation of women, people of color, and those who identify as LGBTQ among associates, progress for Black and Latina partners remains “excruciatingly slow,” according to the NALP 2022 Report on Diversity in Law Firms.
Black and Latina women each accounted for less than 1% of all partners in 2022, increasing by less
Growing up as a Black girl with a multiracial heritage in central Illinois in the 1980s, race often played a role in my experiences. And in those moments, I felt a sense of otherness.
Julia Roundtree Livingston in first grade
Whether I was the only brown face in my school, on my extracurricular teams, or