2Civility Blog

The 2Civility Blog is a thought-provoking platform of the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism. It is a forum that provides the space to dive deeply into key issues impacting the legal profession.

Through the blog, the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism advances its mission to promote a culture of civility and inclusion within the following topics: civility, diversity and inclusion, ethics, future law, justice, law school, leadership, legal profession, mentoring, professionalism, technology, and wellness.  These topics demonstrate that the law can be both a rewarding and challenging vocation.

The 2Civility Blog is a tool to think critically about and navigate the straight lines, curves, and detours of the legal profession. Our intent is to foster an open and ongoing dialogue. Don’t delay. Join the 2Civility Blog community and conversation.

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By: Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism

Blog Authors

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

Latest from 2Civility Blog

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The Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism is pleased to announce that Commissioner and First District Appellate Court Justice Mary Ellen Coghlan will receive the Hon. Mary Heftel Hooton Award from the Women’s Bar Association of Illinois (WBAI). The Award will be presented virtually at the WBAI’s 22nd Annual Judicial Reception on Friday, March 5. The WBAI honors members of the judiciary with the Mary Heftel Hooton Award for their exceptional leadership, professionalism, and efforts…
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A lack of diversity and inclusion has plagued the legal profession for decades. Despite incremental progress in hiring, law firms haven’t been successful in retaining women of color lawyers in the associate ranks or promoting them to partner. While the COVID-19 pandemic has laid bare the stark realities of the legal profession’s diversity, equity, and inclusion challenges it may offer a catalyst for positive change—if the right steps are taken. COVID-19’s Impact on Women…
In this episode of Reimagining Law, we talk to Cook County Circuit Court Judge Diane M. Shelley and Kenyatta S. Beverly, Labor and Employment Counsel at The Davey Tree Expert Company. Judge Shelley and Kenyatta talk about COVID-19’s impact on women of color lawyers, the importance of diversity in law firms and on the bench, and how legal organizations can recruit and retain diverse attorneys. Subscribe to our YouTube channel to stay up to date on new episodes of…
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It’s no secret the legal profession has changed drastically in the last past year. Despite initial hesitation, lawyers have been forced to embrace technology and new ways of practicing law, many of which have cut costs and increased efficiency. However, pandemic aside, the profession has been exploring new ways of doing business for some time now. An example is the growing role of alternative legal service providers (ALSP) in the legal landscape. ALSPs offer …
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Our Lawyer Spotlight series highlights Illinois lawyers who are demonstrating the ideals of professionalism in their daily lives. These attorneys are teaching us how to adapt and thrive in the changing legal environment. Shayla Louise Maatuka was the first African-American woman to open a sole-ownership law firm in Champaign County. She currently serves as managing partner for Maatuka Al-Heeti Emkes LLC, where she combines her expertise as an entrepreneur – successfully establishing four businesses –…
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It’s no secret the legal profession has changed drastically in the last past year. Despite initial hesitation, lawyers have been forced to embrace technology and new ways of practicing law, many of which have cut costs and increased efficiency. However, pandemic aside, the profession has been exploring new ways of doing business for some time now. An example is the growing role of alternative legal service providers (ALSP) in the legal landscape. ALSPs offer …
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Diversity, equity, and inclusion have rightfully dominated the conversation over the past year, especially since the death of George Floyd. In Illinois, we’re fortunate that the Illinois Supreme Court has recognized the need for diversity and inclusion (D&I) education for some time, even amending Illinois Supreme Court Rule 794(d)(2)(i) in 2017 to require every licensed Illinois attorney take one hour of D&I CLE every two years.  The Court used data from the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism to make this change. At the time of…
In this interview, we talk to Cathy L. Cupp and Grant Ossler, a mentor and mentee in the Commission’s mentoring program. Cathy and Grant discuss how mentoring has helped them weather job changes and expand their career prospects as well as an attorney’s obligation to pass the torch to the younger generation. Cathy and Grant participate in the Commission’s mentoring program through the Chicago Bar Association.  Want to jumpstart your professional development and earn…
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The bar exam may look different in a few years based on recommendations from a National Conference of Bar Examiners’ (NCBE) Testing Task Force that is aimed at taking the exam into the next generation. In late January, NCBE’s Board of Trustees approved several changes to the bar exam that were the culmination of the Task Force’s three-year, comprehensive study into the design and content of the exam. The preliminary recommendations are targeted at ensuring…