What makes the American Dream possible? According to the American Bar Association, the rule of law – or the idea that no person is above the law – ensures the rights of people and the ability to pursue their dreams. It is the basis for the Law Day 2026 theme “The Rule of Law and

Key takeaways

• Fewer U.S. law firms and lawyers contributed demographic data to the 2025 NALP Report on Diversity, which may affect analysis of overall trends. Participation declined by roughly 29% of lawyers and 32% of law offices.
• NALP leadership points to a growing reluctance among legal employers to publicly share demographic information.
• Women remain the majority of

Our Professionalism Spotlight series highlights Illinois legal professionals who demonstrate the ideals of professionalism in their careers.
In this Professionalism Spotlight, we spoke to Nathan Henderson, an Associate at Saul Ewing LLP in Chicago where he is a commercial litigator. He previously clerked with Federal Magistrate Judge Eric Long in the Central District of Illinois. Nathan

Whether it is happening in our schools, our workplaces, or online, bullying is a significant challenge in our society.
In 2024, the Commission on Professionalism issued a report on the impact of bullying in the Illinois legal profession. The report, which was based on a study of more than 6,000 Illinois lawyers, found bullying to be pervasive

Lawyers are under pressure to modernize the way they deliver legal services without sacrificing the trust, judgment, and professionalism that define the profession. Clients expect clearer communication, more transparency around costs, and a smoother experience at every step of the matter. At the same time, artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies are reshaping how legal work gets done.
At the

Women’s History Month is an opportunity to celebrate the contributions and achievements of women today and throughout U.S. history.
Our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Manager Julia Roundtree Livingston recently spoke to Natalie Lamphier, president of the DuPage Association of Women Lawyers, one of the many bar

Women’s History Month is an opportunity to celebrate the contributions and achievements of women today and throughout U.S. history.
Our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Manager Julia Roundtree Livingston recently spoke to Katherine A. Twardak, president of the Women’s Bar Association of Illinois (WBAI), which

The Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism is pleased to announce that the Illinois Supreme Court has appointed Cook County Circuit Court Associate Judge Joseph D. Panarese to serve as a Commissioner on the Commission on Professionalism.
“I am happy to welcome Judge Panarese to serve as a Commissioner with the Commission on Professionalism,” said John Kim, Chair of the

Our Professionalism Spotlight series highlights Illinois legal professionals who demonstrate the ideals of professionalism in their careers.
In this Professionalism Spotlight, we spoke to Amrith Kaur Aakre, Chief Civil Rights Enforcer for the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in the Midwest region. Amrith oversees all federal employment discrimination investigations and prosecutions across Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota,

You don’t have to look hard to find conflict in the world. It’s everywhere. Add to this the conflict that is inherent to the practice of law, and it’s no wonder that lawyers are stressed.
Spend a day in a courthouse, and you are likely to see litigants arguing, opposing counsel raising their voices at each other,

The Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism is joining The Chicago Bar Association (CBA) and the CBA Alliance for Women to stage a unique Women’s History Month CLE, spotlighting the relationship between pageantry and lawyering.
“Pageants, Professionalism, and Power: Unexpected Lessons for Lawyers from Pageantry ” will take attendees behind the scenes, as a panel of Illinois lawyers and

The Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism works to promote civility and inclusion in the legal profession, to ensure the equitable delivery of justice for the people of Illinois.
In honor of Black History Month, the Commission on Professionalism is highlighting inspiring leaders of some of the state’s predominantly Black

Our Professionalism Spotlight series highlights Illinois legal professionals who demonstrate the ideals of professionalism in their careers.
In this Professionalism Spotlight, we spoke to Michelle Sanders, Chief Public Defender for the Macon County Public Defender’s Office.
When Michelle began practicing law in 2007, she served as an Assistant Public Defender in