Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism

Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism We promote integrity, professionalism, civility, and inclusion among Illinois lawyers and judges. Illinois Supreme Court

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Social Media Usage Policy

The Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism (2Civility) has created social media pages to engage members of the profession and the public in an informative conversation about our ongoing commitment to professionalism, civility, and inclusiveness within the legal and judicial systems and to promote more equitable, effecti

ve and efficient legal and judicial systems. Our goal is to facilitate constructive dialogue, and we want our social media pages to be an appropriate forum for everyone. In administering our social media pages, we are cognizant of the Rules of Professional Conduct, including Rule 8.4 that provides that it is professional misconduct for a lawyer to “violate the Rules of Professional Conduct or knowingly assist another to do so” or “engage in conduct involving dishonesty” or that is “prejudicial to the administration of justice.” We are also guided by the Preamble to the Rules of Professional Conduct which provides that lawyers “should seek improvement of the law, access to the legal system, the administration of justice and the quality of service rendered by the legal profession.”

Therefore, all conversations and posts herein should be constructive, respectful, and contain language that is appropriate for lawyers and judges as well as all groups and ages. We, therefore, reserve the right to disallow comments that are:

i) obscene, indecent, profane, or vulgar
ii) contain threats or personal attacks of any kind
iii) contain offensive terms directed to ethnic or racial groups
iv) are defamatory, libelous, or contain ad hominem attacks
v) promote or endorse a product or service
vi) excessively repetitive or constitute 'SPAM'
vii) or otherwise would, in the sole judgment of the 2Civility staff, tend to violate the Rules of Professional Conduct. Comments that do not adhere to the above guidelines will, without exception, be removed. In cases of repeat offenses, we will take action to block offenders from the page.

We recently spoke to Illinois bar leaders about what separates a respected lawyer from merely successful lawyers.While r...
09/03/2026

We recently spoke to Illinois bar leaders about what separates a respected lawyer from merely successful lawyers.

While respect and success are both important, these bar leaders emphasize how values like integrity, credibility, and civility can make a difference when building your reputation as a lawyer.

Thank you to Judge Patrice Ball-Reed (Illinois Judges Association), Judge Lisette C. Mojica (Illinois Latino Judges Association - ILJA), Michael R. Bertucci (Justinian Society of Lawyers of Illinois), Timothy J. Cavanagh (Illinois Trial Lawyers Association), Raleigh D. Kalbfleisch (DuPage County Bar Association), and Nydia Molina (Kane County Bar Association) for sharing your perspectives!

In this Professionalism Spotlight, we spoke to Carla Bender, Fourth District Appellate Court Clerk. In this role, which ...
09/02/2026

In this Professionalism Spotlight, we spoke to Carla Bender, Fourth District Appellate Court Clerk.

In this role, which she has held since 2009, Carla oversees the court’s administrative operations, including case processing, records management, scheduling, and case assignments, and serves as a liaison between the justices, attorneys, and the public.

She manages the full lifecycle of civil and criminal appeals. https://hubs.li/Q04w8kV80

On September 10, Erika Harold will speak at the Illinois State Bar Association’s 8th Annual Abraham Lincoln’s Legal Lega...
09/01/2026

On September 10, Erika Harold will speak at the Illinois State Bar Association’s 8th Annual Abraham Lincoln’s Legal Legacy seminar, co-presented by the Illinois Supreme Court Historic Preservation Commission. The event will explore Lincoln’s legal philosophy and the ways it animated his career in the law and his presidency.

In preparation for this seminar, Erika’s recent newsletter reflected on Lincoln’s commitment to hearing and understanding all sides and his belief that this is foundational to effective lawyering.

Sign up for the CLE here. https://hubs.li/Q04w4pnS0

Read the newsletter and subscribe for future newsletters from Erika Harold straight to your inbox. https://hubs.li/Q04w4p4g0

If you identify these 4 characteristics in an upcoming conversation, buckle up ⚠ It may be a bumpy ride.Our free, online...
08/27/2026

If you identify these 4 characteristics in an upcoming conversation, buckle up ⚠ It may be a bumpy ride.

Our free, online CLE on communicating during conflict offers tips for staying on track during difficult conversations: https://hubs.li/Q04sYlxg0

The Supreme Court of Illinois Rules Committee is accepting public comments on four proposals covering a range of topics....
08/26/2026

The Supreme Court of Illinois Rules Committee is accepting public comments on four proposals covering a range of topics. Public comments will be accepted until Thursday. https://hubs.li/Q04vnKLY0

A public hearing to discuss the proposed changes will be held at 10 a.m. Sept. 3 at the AOIC in Chicago and via livestream.

Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts contains Supreme, Appellate and Circuit Court information, including judges, and the opinions of the Supreme and Appellate Courts.

Commission Vice-Chair Justice Sharon O. Johnson and Executive Director Erika Harold welcomed Loyola University Chicago S...
08/24/2026

Commission Vice-Chair Justice Sharon O. Johnson and Executive Director Erika Harold welcomed Loyola University Chicago School of Law weekend 1Ls as they took the Pledge of Professionalism and committed themselves to serving others without prejudice and conducting themselves with civility and professionalism.

Justice Johnson reminded students, “No one cares how much you know until they know how much you care,” encouraging them to consider how their interactions with others can shape a person’s experience with the justice system.

Congratulations, Loyola 1Ls!

08/21/2026
At the University of Illinois College of Law, Supreme Court of Illinois Justice Lisa Holder White led 1Ls in the Pledge ...
08/21/2026

At the University of Illinois College of Law, Supreme Court of Illinois Justice Lisa Holder White led 1Ls in the Pledge of Professionalism, during which they committed to building careers based in service without prejudice, integrity without compromise, and respect for others.

In her remarks, Justice Holder White encouraged students to start building their professional identity today, while also keeping in mind the things that bring them joy. She shared her own love of music and her experience singing every weekend in her choir as a reminder of the importance of making time for yourself along the way.

Justice Holder White was joined at the professionalism orientation by Commission Chair John Kim, Chief Counsel Mark C. Palmer, and DEI Manager Julia Roundtree Livingston.

Thank you to the University of Illinois College of Law for hosting this important event and welcoming us into the start of these students' legal careers!

Photos 1-4: Photo Credit - University of Illinois College of Law
Photo 5: Photo Credit - Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism

08/20/2026

Meet the 1Ls who are attending Illinois law schools!

Earlier this month, the Commission coordinated the Jumpstart Orientation program, which helps first-generation 1L students at all nine Illinois law schools prepare for the academic year and their future legal careers.

Students choose to come to Illinois' top-notch law schools from all over our state and the nation! They bring unique stories, reasons for attending law school, and passion for their new profession.

We asked the students to tell us why they want to be a lawyer, what they learned from Jumpstart, and the things they're looking forward to in law school.

We’re so proud of this group!

Continue following us for more tips on navigating law school and what to expect from the next generation of lawyers.

DePaul University College of Law Loyola University Chicago School of Law Northern Illinois University College of Law Southern Illinois University Simmons Law School UIC Law University of Illinois College of Law

What is a lawyer's responsibility to serve others? At the Chicago-Kent College of Law professionalism orientation for 1L...
08/20/2026

What is a lawyer's responsibility to serve others? At the Chicago-Kent College of Law professionalism orientation for 1Ls, Commissioner Judge Bonita Coleman emphasized the importance of service in the legal profession and Deputy Director Stephanie Villinski asked students to focus on their professional identity. The students then recited the Pledge of Professionalism, in which they committed to building careers grounded in civility, integrity, and ethics.

Address

Two Prudential Plaza 180 N Stetson Avenue Suite 1950
Chicago, IL
60601

Opening Hours

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Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+13123636210

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