How would you rate your most recent interaction with the Illinois court system? The Illinois Supreme Court and the Illinois Judicial Conference want to know.
The Illinois Judicial Branch is requesting feedback from lawyers, their clients, and members of the public about their recent court experiences through the Illinois Circuit Court User Experience Survey.
The survey

Our Professionalism Spotlight series highlights Illinois legal professionals who demonstrate the ideals of professionalism in their careers.
In this Professionalism Spotlight, we spoke with Howard Ankin, a partner at Ankin Law, the Chicago-based firm he owns with his father and fellow partner, Paul B. Ankin.
Howard focuses his practice on plaintiff’s personal injury and petitioner’s workers’

Key points:

• AI can now be used to perform many rudimentary legal tasks that lawyers have traditionally performed.
• Human skills such as relationship building, problem-solving, leadership, and collaboration — which have always been at the heart of good lawyering — are, therefore, becoming increasingly important.
• While many of these human skills do not come naturally to lawyers,

The Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism is pleased to announce that Executive Director Erika Harold received the Cook County Bar Association’s (CCBA) Donald Hubert Historical Award. The award was presented on Friday, June 26, at the CCBA’s 112th Installation and Awards Banquet.
The award

Our Professionalism Spotlight series highlights Illinois legal professionals who demonstrate the ideals of professionalism in their careers.
In this Professionalism Spotlight, we spoke to Katherine (Kathy) Keefe, Circuit Clerk for McHenry County, Illinois, where she oversees an office of 53 Deputy Clerks.
Prior to being elected Circuit Clerk in 2008, Kathy had worked in the McHenry County Circuit Clerk’s

Key points

• Summer internships can help law students gain practical experience while exploring different legal career paths and work environments.
• Illinois legal professionals share recommendations for getting the most out of summer internships, including leaning into curiosity, honing professional communication skills, and learning from peers.
• Lawyers emphasize that taking advantage of every opportunity, including those beyond what

The Illinois Judicial Conference (IJC) Remote Access Task Force is asking attorneys to participate in a survey on the implementation of Illinois Supreme Court Rule 45, Remote Appearances in Circuit Court Proceedings.
The survey explores Rule 45 and its role in lawyers’ practices and communities, including local rules, administrative orders, and standing orders related

Key Points

• Empathy is more than feeling—it can involve thinking about and understanding others’ thoughts and emotions
• Lawyers can better serve clients and support colleagues by knowing when to exercise different types of empathy, including emotional, cognitive, and stoic empathy
• Different practice and workplace situations will call for

The Illinois Supreme Court has announced a new Policy on Transparency, providing the public with more data and information on the judicial branch.
The new policy furthers the Illinois Supreme Court’s commitment to transparency, while formalizing and standardizing existing information-sharing practices.
“Transparency means making data, budgets, and financial reports accessible to the public. It is

The Illinois Judges Foundation (IJF) has opened applications for the Harold Sullivan Scholarship Program.
The scholarship program recognizes Illinois law students who demonstrate a commitment to service, integrity, and the pursuit of justice. The scholarship funds may be applied toward law school tuition and fees.
In addition, the IJF has launched a new award

The Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Access to Justice and the Access to Justice Division of the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts (AOIC) have opened applications for the 2026–2027 Access to Justice (ATJ) Improvement Grant Program.
Courts across Illinois are encouraged to apply for funding to support innovative

Our Commissioner Spotlight series highlights the judges and lawyers from across Illinois who have been appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court to serve as our Commissioners.
These individuals are known for their commitment to professionalism and contributions to the bar and their communities.
This Commissioner Spotlight highlights Daniel Hernandez. Daniel is the Founder, CEO, and Principal Attorney at