Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism

Our mission is 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.

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2Civility
Laura Bagby
Mark C. Palmer
Dan Davies
Sloane Oxley-Hase
Jayne Reardon
Stephanie Villinski
Ryan Wells

Latest from Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism

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As Education Manager at the Commission on Professionalism, I have the opportunity to attend a lot of CLEs. Surveying these courses is integral to our mission of fostering high-quality professional responsibility education for lawyers in Illinois and beyond. While the CLEs we evaluate include a broad range of providers and topic areas, one commonality that has struck me is the similarity of course format, no matter the size or composition of the learner audience. This…
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This week, five years after the U.S. Supreme Court declared marriage a fundamental right for same-sex couples, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that federal anti-bias law covers LGBTQ+ workers. This landmark decision comes during Pride Month 2020, as the Illinois LGBTQ+ community reflects on the progress they have made and what steps still need to be taken to promote great societal diversity and inclusion. In honor of Pride Month, the Commission is highlighting some of…
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In a year that is not half complete and already full of unimaginable heartbreaks and disappointments, the U.S. Supreme Court delivered an opinion that is a cause for celebration. Fittingly handed down during Pride Month, as we recognize the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan, Bostock v. Clayton County, Georgia held that an employer who fires an employee for being homosexual or transgender violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Title VII prohibits…
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To say we are experiencing challenging times is an understatement. Yet, there is also momentum brewing to change the status quo. Within that, lawyers must work to build the public’s trust in the justice system. The time to act is now. Our Current Climate COVID-19 has brought the world to a standstill with the sobering number of cases, deaths, and unknown future consequences. In the middle of this global pandemic, the world witnessed the horrific…
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Imagine you’ve been asked to dip your toe into online learning by delivering a CLE course virtually. Congratulations, you will soon be a vILT (virtual instructor-led training) instructor. Sure, you’re excited about the opportunity, but with all the other work on your plate, you don’t have time to develop a new PowerPoint. Fortunately, you already have one from an in-person CLE you presented on the topic last year. Now, all you have to do is…
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The bar exam is a rite of passage for lawyers. It is a proctored, in-person examination administered across all U.S. jurisdictions on the same two days each February and July. This year, the February exam took place as planned. But the coronavirus and social distancing requirements have caused uncertainty for 2020’s second bar exam, which has been scheduled for July 28-29. Graduated law students who intend to sit for the upcoming bar exam face three…
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For most Illinois attorneys, day-to-day work patterns have been upended since the coronavirus pandemic hit. In fact, our entire workforce has been challenged to find new avenues for delivering their goods and services. As the “how” is redefined along the way, hopefully the “why” can be reimagined and improved. Nevertheless, our remote work environment and social distancing guidelines are no reason to pause your professional development, including your mentoring relationships. In fact, it is…
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Today, the National Taskforce on Lawyer Well-Being kicks off its first annual Lawyer Well-Being Week. From May 4-8, the Taskforce, the American Bar Association, and other participating organizations will sponsor activities, CLEs, and events around the five dimensions of well-being: physical, spiritual, occupational & intellectual, social, and emotional. A significant number of lawyers struggle with mental health and substance abuse disorders. Up to 36% of attorneys qualify as problem drinkers, 28% report…
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The American Inns of Court celebrated Professionalism Month in April. However, the professionalism challenges its members are facing in 2020 are a bit different than in years past. The American Inns of Court is a nationwide professional association consisting of more than 30,000 members across the legal community, including federal and state judges, lawyers, law professors, and law students. The organization promotes professional excellence through networking, mentoring, and continuing education opportunities centered on ethics…
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We are re-examining litigation practices through the prism of a global pandemic. Courts are issuing orders designed to keep the public and court personnel safe while still delivering essential court services. Lawyers are representing clients and trying to make a living despite courts that are only hearing emergency or essential business. But where are we drawing the line on what constitutes emergency or essential business? Judges Make the Tough Call Right now, it’s up to…