The number of aspiring lawyers is surging in Illinois and nationally in what the Wall Street Journal has called “one of the most competitive years” for law school hopefuls in recent memory.
Applications submitted to ABA-accredited law schools in the U.S. have jumped 23% and the number of applicants has increased almost 20%, according to the Law School Admission Council…
Continue Reading Applications to Illinois Law Schools Soar 29% Compared to Last Year

In previous installments of my “Disappearing Rural Lawyer” series (Part I, Part II, Part III), I have examined the alarming shortage of attorneys in rural Illinois and explored initiatives across the state and country to address this problem to better serve rural communities, from financial incentives for relocating lawyers to technology tools to easier cross geographical…
Continue Reading The Disappearing Rural Lawyer, Part IV: The Persistent Legal Desert Crisis

University of Illinois Professor Thomas Rudolph, Head of the Department of Political Science and Erika Harold at the awards ceremony
The Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism is pleased to announce that Executive Director Erika Harold has received the 2025 Distinguished Service Award from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Department of Political Science.
The award recognizes individuals who have significantly…
Continue Reading Executive Director Erika Harold Honored with University of Illinois Department of Political Science Distinguished Service Award

Each year during the first week in May, the Institute for Well-being in Law hosts Well-Being Week in Law (WWIL) to raise awareness and encourage action around mental health challenges facing legal professionals.
This year, WWIL will spotlight the importance of social connection in our health with its theme “The Social Rx: Boosting Well-Being with Connection.”
From May 5 –…
Continue Reading How Lawyers Can Boost Social Connection During Well-Being Week in Law 

This year’s Law Day theme, “The Constitution’s Promise: Out of Many, One,” encourages us to reflect on what unites us as a nation and the shared values that have guided the United States as it approaches its 250th anniversary.
Observed annually on May 1, Law Day honors the importance of the rule of law in American life. In 2025,…
Continue Reading How Illinois Lawyers Can Celebrate Law Day 2025

Our Professionalism Spotlight series highlights Illinois legal professionals who demonstrate the ideals of professionalism in their careers and a commitment to equitable, efficient, and effective justice.
In this Professionalism Spotlight, we spoke to Josh Rohrscheib, Founder and Managing Attorney of Onward Injury Law, which has locations throughout central Illinois.
As a personal injury lawyer, Josh said he finds this work…
Continue Reading Professionalism Spotlight: Josh Rohrscheib, Onward Injury Law

Earlier this month, the Illinois Supreme Court and the Supreme Court Executive Committee on the Practice of Law adopted three significant proposals that will amend or create new rules aimed at addressing the significant unmet legal need in the state.
The move will impact the way lawyers practice in Illinois, more clearly defining avenues for lawyers to connect with consumers…
Continue Reading Supreme Court Adopts Proposals Addressing Alternative Fee Arrangements, CLE for Pro Bono, and Intermediary Connecting Services

More lawyers think that AI has become mainstream in the legal profession compared to last year, but some lawyers still hesitate to adopt AI into their practice.
The ABA’s annual Legal Technology Survey Report, which analyzes survey responses from 512 attorneys in private practice across various firm sizes, found that 13% of lawyers say that AI is mainstream in…
Continue Reading Nearly Half of Lawyers Think AI Will be Mainstream in the Legal Profession With Three Years

In just two weeks, the Commission will host its annual Future Is Now: Legal Services conference, showcasing key issues at the forefront of legal professionalism.
If you are one of the more than 600 lawyers already registered for the virtual conference, we look forward to engaging with you on Thursday, April 24.
If you are not registered but would…
Continue Reading 5 Things Illinois Lawyers Will Learn at the Future Is Now 2025

Our Professionalism Spotlight series highlights Illinois legal professionals who demonstrate in their careers the ideals of professionalism and a commitment to equitable, efficient, and effective justice.
In this Professionalism Spotlight, we spoke to Diana M. Law, a Partner at Law Hesselbaum LLP in Aurora, Ill. Diana has concentrated her career in estate planning, guardianship, and nursing home Medicaid planning.
How…
Continue Reading Professionalism Spotlight: Diana M. Law, Law Hesselbaum LLP

Imagine this scenario: Margaret, a seasoned lawyer with 35 years of experience, is assigned to co-lead a litigation case with a younger associate named Alex, who recently passed the bar.
During a strategy meeting, Margaret suggests conducting in-person depositions and client meetings. She values detailed research memos and prefers printed case files for review. On the other hand, Alex proposes…
Continue Reading How Generations Show Up Differently in Legal Workplaces

As an attorney, how often do you think about how a case impacts you mentally and emotionally? Do you take time to move beyond the outcome to consider how you may have internalized all that happened during the case?
From my experience, lawyers are focused on their clients and don’t often see the traumatic impact a case can have…
Continue Reading Understanding How Vicarious Trauma Impacts Lawyers

Women’s History Month is an opportunity to celebrate the contributions and achievements of women throughout U.S. history. Each year during March, bar associations and other legal organizations across the state honor Women’s History Month by recognizing the important work of women lawyers, who make up 40% of the Illinois legal profession.
During Women’s History Month, I spoke to Audrey C. Thompson,…
Continue Reading East Central Illinois Women Attorneys Association President Shares Advice for Women Lawyers