Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism

Our Mission To promote a culture of civility and inclusion, in which Illinois lawyers and judges embody the ideals of the legal profession in service to the administration of justice in our democratic society.

Website: https://www.2civility.org/
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Latest from Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism - Page 4

Real estate broker showing office space to clients. Business people and real estate agent at empty office space, with estate broker pointing at something interesting. law firm return to office
Law firms have more than doubled their share of the U.S. office space market since before the pandemic, according to a recent report from the global real estate services company Savills, which explored trends for firms leasing over 20,000 square feet.
Law firms leased 8.3 million square feet in office spaces with over 20,000 square feet through the third quarter of 2025, well above the six-year average and indicating a strong demand as many return to the office, according to the U.S. Law Firm Activity Report Q3 2025 report.
“Law firm leasing has climbed steadily from pre-pandemic levels, driven by

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Continue Reading Law Firms Double Share of the U.S. Office Space Market Since Pre-Pandemic

in defense of the handwritten card lighthouse
The image on the front of the card was a white lighthouse beaming against an orangey sunset and darkening lake. Although metaphors associated with lighthouses can seem almost overused, they capture the role this person played during an important point in my career—an illuminating presence and a signpost along the voyage. So, I selected the card and began to write.
The note wasn’t long, but it was earnest. I thanked her for taking the time to send me encouraging messages during an important career transition and for generously investing time and emotional energy into uplifting the young lawyers around her.

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Continue Reading In Defense of the Handwritten Card

Roya Samarghandi, The Chicago Bar Foundation
Our Professionalism Spotlight series highlights Illinois legal professionals who demonstrate the ideals of professionalism in their careers.
In this Professionalism Spotlight, we spoke to Roya Samarghandi, Chief Advocacy and Innovation Officer at the Chicago Bar Foundation (CBF), the charitable arm of the Chicago Bar Association.
The CBF works to increase access to free and affordable legal assistance for people in need and to make the courts and legal system more user-friendly, fair, and accessible for people without lawyers.
After starting her career in corporate transactional work, Roya joined the CBF’s legal incubator program, the Justice Entrepreneurs Project (JEP), to make

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Continue Reading Professionalism Spotlight: Roya Samarghandi, The Chicago Bar Foundation

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Medium full shot of adult male college professor giving lecture on law in university classroom while student raising hand asking question law school application

An increasing number of aspiring lawyers are taking the LSAT and doing so because they want to help others.

A record number of lawyer hopefuls took the LSAT and applied to law school during the 2024-2025 cycle, even amid significant changes in law school administration, policies, and caps on federal graduate student loans.

The Law School Admissions Council (LSAC) asked test-takers about their motivations for pursuing a legal education and anticipated barriers in attending law school. LSAC recently issued a report with feedback, which included responses from more than 15,000 candidates who took the LSAT between August 2024 and April

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Continue Reading Why Are People Attending Law School?

Inspired young business woman talking to colleagues on brainstorming meeting, discussing work strategy, project management, creative ideas. Corporate coach training employees class of 2024 law graduates

Despite reporting the highest employment rate in nearly four decades, Class of 2024 law school graduates did not equally benefit from the strong legal job market.

The “Jobs & JDs: Employment and Salaries for New Law Graduates – Class of 2024” report from the National Association for Law Placement (NALP) found that Asian, Black, Latinx, Native Hawaiian, and other Pacific Islander graduates experienced lower overall employment rates than their white peers.

The report also identified disparities between continuing-generation JD students (those with at least one lawyer parent or guardian) and first-generation college students (those without a parent or

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Continue Reading A Look at Class of 2024 Law Graduate Employment Data from NALP

Artificial intelligence creates music concepts. Vector illustration.

Picture a tool that can quickly summarize dense, voluminous documents in short soundbites. Got your attention?

Recently, a growing number of artificial intelligence (AI) platforms have begun experimenting with turning written content into highly tailored audio. For lawyers, these tools can transform long case opinions, pleadings, or appellate briefs, for example, into audio formats that are easier to absorb during a commute, workout, or while multitasking.

These platforms allow users to upload PDFs, then use AI to generate audio overviews that are grounded strictly in those sources. This delivers more accurate and contextual answers based on the information provided

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Continue Reading Ethical Considerations for Lawyers Using AI-Generated Audio to Summarize Documents

2025 Clio Legal Trends Report Lawyers AI

What do growing law firms in 2025 have in common? They use AI in their practices, according to a 2025 report on technology use in law firms from legal software provider Clio.

The report found that growing law firms have nearly doubled their revenue over the past four years, with only a 50% increase in clients and matters. Shrinking law firms, in comparison, were less likely to use AI and have seen a 50% decline in revenue over the past four years.

Clio’s annual Legal Trends Report highlights the tools, workflows, and characteristics that distinguish growing firms from their peers

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Continue Reading Clio Legal Trends Report Outlines Ways Technology Helps Firms Earn More From Clients and Cases

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Sincerely Media, Unsplash

ardc ai guide

Illinois lawyers are increasingly asked to navigate the risks and benefits posed by artificial intelligence (AI) in their practices. While AI tools are abundant, resources outlining their implementation are limited and may not be objective when tied to a specific platform.

Thankfully, the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission (ARDC) recently released “The Illinois Attorney’s Guide to Implementing AI” (the “Guide”), providing a practical framework for legal professionals to understand and deploy AI in their practices while honoring the ethical demands of confidentiality, data security, and supervision.

“As artificial intelligence becomes woven into everyday legal work, Illinois lawyers

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Continue Reading ARDC’s Guide for Illinois Lawyers on Implementing AI Responsibly

Shari Rhode
Our Professionalism Spotlight series highlights Illinois legal professionals who demonstrate the ideals of professionalism in their careers.
In this Professionalism Spotlight, we spoke to Shari Rhode, owner of Rhode Law Firm in Carbondale, Ill. Shari practices in the areas of employment law, business law, and litigation.
She has also served as an Associate Professor at Southern Illinois University Simmons Law School, a member of the Illinois State Bar Association Board of Governors, and an Illinois State Bar Foundation Fellow.
How do you remain civil in tense situations?
Always being respectful and courteous. Take a deep breath, remember this too will

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Continue Reading Professionalism Spotlight: Shari Rhode, Rhode Law Firm

Two positive younger and elder businesswomen talking at workplace, planning cooperation, discussing occupation, partnership, startup, creative ideas for project, laughing, generations workplace
For the first time in history, five generations of lawyers are occupying legal workplaces. Each generation brings unique lived experiences (often determined by their birth date), which underlie their values, expectations, and behaviors.
Working in multigenerational teams can create challenges, but also opportunities to increase understanding and build bridges with your colleagues.
The generational breakdown by birth year is typically Traditionalists (1925 – 1945), Baby Boomers (1946 – 1964), Generation X (1965 – 1980), Millennials (1981 – 1995), and Generation Z (1995 – 2012).
If you attended our annual Future Is Now: Legal Services conference in April, you heard generational

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Continue Reading Understanding Generational Culture: 3 Practical Tips for Lawyers  

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African american girl studies for a critical law exam and reading specialty books to complete her class notes with other reliable academic information. Studying in the library before the test. NextGen bar exam

As future Illinois lawyers prepare for the NextGen Bar Exam, the Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA) is exploring its impact on legal education and the practice of law in Illinois.

Last month, the ISBA hosted the NextGen Symposium 2025, bringing together leaders of the Illinois Supreme Court, National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE), Law School Admission Council (LSAC), Illinois Board of Admissions to the Bar (IBAB), and Illinois ARDC, as well as law school faculty, practicing attorneys, and law students.

The speakers discussed the format and content of the new exam, how law schools are preparing students, and what

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Continue Reading ISBA Symposium Prepares Illinois Legal Profession For New Bar Exam

Attorney, teamwork and meeting with laptop in office for legal case brainstorming and client defence discussion. Happy lawyer people, tech and collaboration at law firm with online contract policy, hispanic heritage month lawyers
Every year, from September 15 – October 15, National Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates the contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans to our nation.
This year, the Institute for Inclusion in the Legal Profession (IILP) recognized National Hispanic Heritage Month with a webinar featuring a multi-generational panel of Hispanic lawyers who discussed their personal and career journeys.
IILP often hosts webinars celebrating cultural awareness months, which help attendees better understand the lived experiences of lawyers across backgrounds.
The panelists included Martin R. Castro, President and CEO at Casa Central; Aleida Ortega Conners, Lead Counsel, Neuromodulation at Medtronic; Iveliz R.

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Continue Reading How Culture and Community Inspire Hispanic Lawyers Across Generations

Inscription Pro bono on the plate in the form of scales. pro bono illinois
Each October, legal professionals across the nation celebrate the impact of pro bono service during National Pro Bono Week.
In October and November, Illinois legal organizations will recognize attorneys who dedicate their time and talent to serving those in need.
Illinois lawyers continue to exceed the ABA’s recommended 50 hours of pro bono service per lawyer annually. In 2024, 29,193 Illinois attorneys provided 1,710,673 hours of pro bono legal service, according to the ARDC.
Looking to get involved this year? Explore opportunities to participate in pro bono events across Illinois.
Wednesday, October 15
Twenty-Third Judicial Circuit Celebrate Pro Bono

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Continue Reading Pro Bono Week Events for Illinois Attorneys

ray j. koenig
Our Professionalism Spotlight series highlights Illinois legal professionals who demonstrate the ideals of professionalism in their careers.
In this Professionalism Spotlight, we spoke to Ray J. Koenig III, a Member at Clark Hill, where he focuses on trust and estate litigation. He has spent his 26-year career practicing in this area, which he was introduced to as a clerk in law school.
Ray served as the 2023-2024 President of the Chicago Bar Association, and as a member of the Advisory Council for the Commission on Professionalism’s Bullying in the Legal Profession initiative.
How do you remain civil in tense situations?

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Continue Reading Professionalism Spotlight: Ray J. Koenig III, Clark Hill

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Commission team poses with Chief Justice Mary Jane Theis, Justice Elizabeth M. Rochford, and ABA Past President Mary L. Smith at the ceremony for the 2024 ABA Honorable William D. Missouri Civility Award

The Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism is celebrating its 20th anniversary, marking two decades of advancing professionalism among the state’s lawyers and judges.

The Illinois Supreme Court established the Commission in 2005 under Rule 799 to serve as an educational resource on professionalism for the bench and bar, including providing guidance on issues of ethical and professional responsibility.

Illinois Supreme Court Justice Robert R. Thomas (Ret.) with original members of the Special Committee on Civility and the Commission on Professionalism (L to R): Justice Debra B. Walker, Justice Thomas, attorney Lawrence M. Templer, and Judge Sonni C. Williams. Justice Thomas was instrumental in the creation of the Commission and served as its first Supreme Court Liaison.
Illinois Supreme Court Justice Robert R. Thomas (Ret.) with original members of the Special Committee on Civility and the Commission on Professionalism (L to R): Justice Debra B. Walker, Justice Thomas, attorney Lawrence M. Templer, and Judge Sonni C. Williams. Justice

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Continue Reading Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism Celebrates 20 Years of Advancing Professionalism Among Illinois Lawyers and Judges

Illinois Supreme Court
Chief Justice Mary Jane Theis and the Illinois Supreme Court announced this week the approval in concept of a Community Justice Worker Program that will allow for certified individuals who are not lawyers to provide limited legal assistance in designated high-need areas of law under the supervision of an Illinois-licensed attorney.
While there are more than 70 civil legal aid organizations in Illinois, the Court notes that the need for free civil legal aid is greater than the services available.
The proposal will position trained and certified community justice workers in legal aid and other nonprofit organizations where they will

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Continue Reading Illinois Supreme Court Approves Vision For Community Justice Worker Program, Allowing Certified Individuals to Provide Limited Legal Assistance Under Supervision of a Lawyer