Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism

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Late last year, our Digital and Social Media Manager Marin McCall asked members of the Commission’s staff to share one professionalism-related goal they are concentrating on in 2025.
While the responses were meant for our social media, we wanted to share them with you as well, as they touch on important foundational lessons for our personal and professional lives.
Continue Reading 4 Professionalism Goals the Commission Staff is Focusing On This Year

Record numbers of women, people of color, and LGBTQ lawyers were represented in U.S. law firms in 2024, according to a new report from NALP, an association focused on the advancement of law careers. But the report also suggests that growth in the number of Black or African American lawyers specifically may be “sluggish in the coming years” due
Continue Reading NALP Report Finds Slow Progress in ‘Fragile’ Pipeline of Diverse Talent in the Legal Profession


The Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism is pleased to announce that the Illinois Supreme Court has appointed Akash Vyas, Assistant Chief Counsel with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, to serve as a Commissioner on the Commission on Professionalism.
The Illinois Supreme Court has also reappointed John Kim, Associate General Counsel for Edward Jones in Bloomington, Ill., as Commission
Continue Reading Illinois Supreme Court Appoints Akash Vyas to Serve on Commission on Professionalism

At the end of last year, Illinois welcomed 1,604 new attorneys to the legal profession. We checked in with two attorneys who were recently admitted to the Illinois bar, to ask about the joys and challenges of being a new attorney.
Rheann J. Lucas is an associate at Goldenberg Heller & Antognoli in Edwardsville, Ill., where her practice focuses on
Continue Reading Two New Illinois Lawyers Share an Update on Their First Year of Legal Practice


Despite the litigious and growing digital nature of our profession, developing soft skills is important. I wrote about this two years ago and my opinion remains unchanged.
Soft skills are social, emotional, and behavioral skills — like communication, leadership, problem-solving, teamwork, and active listening — that help us interact and work better with colleagues and clients.
Research from Deloitte Insights
Continue Reading 3 New Soft Skills I Am Prioritizing as a Lawyer


The Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism is pleased to announce that early bird registration is open for its ninth annual Future Is Now: Legal Services conference. The legal professionalism conference will be held virtually from 12 – 4:30 p.m. CDT on Thursday, April 24, 2025.
Early bird tickets are available for $30 through February 28. The price will increase on March
Continue Reading Early Bird Registration Opens for 2025 Future Is Now: Legal Services Conference


A 2024 analysis of the legal profession by legal services provider Clio found that roughly three-quarters of hourly billable tasks have the potential to be automated by AI.
Areas primed for automation include documenting and recording information (which scored a high 86% for its automation potential), information gathering (which scored 70%), and analyzing data or information (which scored 69%).
Messages
Continue Reading 3 Areas of ‘Friction’ Between Law Firms and Generative AI Developers


As a lawyer, time is one of your most valuable assets – but it’s also a limited resource. Between client meetings, court appearances, research, drafting, and managing your practice, the demands on your work schedule can feel overwhelming.
These struggles raise two questions: (1) How should you best prioritize your tasks and (2) How should you best utilize the time
Continue Reading 3 Time Management Strategies for Lawyers


To brighten up the chilly Illinois winter days, we have compiled a list of upcoming events in the legal community.
From a Battle of the Bands to comedy shows, and from service days to judicial receptions, these events can expand your network and foster a deeper sense of belonging within the legal profession.
If we missed any events, please email
Continue Reading Upcoming Events to Attend in the Illinois Legal Community


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 Hannah R. Lamore, a partner at Mahoney, Silverman & Cross, LLC in Joliet, Ill. Hannah concentrates her practice in municipal law and civil litigation.
Hannah is an active member
Continue Reading Professionalism Spotlight: Hannah R. Lamore, Mahoney, Silverman & Cross, LLC


In December, the Illinois Supreme Court announced a policy governing the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in Illinois courts.
The policy says that: “The use of AI by litigants, attorneys, judges, judicial clerks, research attorneys, and court staff providing similar support may be expected, should not be discouraged, and is authorized provided it complies with legal and ethical standards.
Continue Reading Illinois Supreme Court Releases Policy on AI in State Courts


The Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Access to Justice (ATJ Commission) and the Access to Justice Division of the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts (AOIC) are accepting proposals for the new Reducing Barriers to Meaningful Access in Court Grant.
The grant encourages new programming that increases the public’s ability to participate in the court system. Organizations like administrative agencies,
Continue Reading Illinois Supreme Court Access to Justice Commission Accepting Proposals for New Grant Addressing Barriers for Court Users


Year Two of my role as Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Manager at the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism brought new and exciting opportunities to interact with a wide range of Illinois lawyers and judges.
I see these interactions as important to my ongoing education in DEI and a vital part of my effectiveness in developing programming that is
Continue Reading 4 Meaningful Conversations I Had as a DEI Manager in 2024


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 Judith (Judy) Conway, an attorney at Cooney & Conway LLP in Chicago. Judy represents victims of mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis, and other asbestos-related diseases across the country. She
Continue Reading Professionalism Spotlight: Judy Conway, Cooney & Conway LLP