The final months of the year bring cooler days, festive nights, and many ways for the legal community to come together.
Lawyers and judges can nurture existing relationships and build new ones at Illinois legal events hosted by bar and judicial associations.
From a makeover to a trip to the zoo and from charity galas to holiday parties, these events can expand your network while fostering belonging and collaboration within the legal profession.
We encourage you to review this list of the legal community events closing out 2025 and choose some to attend. If we missed any events, please email us at mail@2civility.org.
October
Asian American Bar Association of Greater Chicago Kickoff Reception
Thursday, October 2
5 to 7 p.m.
Will County Bar Association (WCBA) First Fridays: Coffee & Breakfast
Friday, October 3
8:30 to 10:30 a.m.
Will County Courthouse, 100 W. Jefferson St., Joliet
HLAI & HLAI Charities Black Tie Gala, Installation Ceremony, and Awards Dinner
Friday, October 3
6 to 11 p.m.
Palmer House Hotel, 17 E. Monroe St., Chicago
Chicago Bar Association Barristers Big Band Goes to the Zoo and the Circus
Saturday, October 4
6 to 8 p.m.
Ganz Hall, 425 S. Wabash Ave., Chicago
Lawyers’ Assistance Program 2025 Annual Awards Dinner: Let Your Inner Voice Roar
Wednesday, October 8
3 to 8 p.m.
Brookfield Zoo, 8400 W. 31st St., Brookfield
Decalogue Society of Lawyers Student and Young Lawyer Social: Boozin’ and Shmoozin’ in the Sukkah
Thursday, October 9
6 to 8 p.m.
Chicago Loop Synagogue, 16 S. Clark St., Chicago
St. Clair County Bar Association Chili Cook-Off
October 10 – 11
Justinian Society of Lawyers 2025 Columbus Day Parade
Monday, October 13
11 a.m.
State St., from Wacker Dr. to Van Buren St., Chicago
Advocates Society Annual Judges Night
Thursday, October 16
5 to 9 p.m.
Polish Museum of America, 984 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago
Illinois Bar Foundation 2025 Gala Honoring Mark D. Hassakis
Friday, October 17
6 p.m.
Four Seasons Hotel, 120 E. Delaware Pl., Chicago
South Asian Bar Association of Chicago 2025 Gala
Friday, October 17
6:30 to 10:30 p.m.
Venue SIX10, 610 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago
Women’s Bar Association of Illinois (WBAI) Makeup and Mingling
Thursday, October 23
5 to 8 p.m.
Goldplaited River North, 161 W. Illinois St., Chicago
DuPage County Bar Association (DCBA) and Justinian Society of Lawyers Charity Ball Benefitting St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital
Thursday, October 24
Venuti’s, 2251 W. Lake St., Addison
Korean American Bar Association of Chicago 2025 Gala
Friday, October 24
5:30 to 10:30 p.m.
Allegro Royal Sonesta Hotel, 171 W. Randolph St., Chicago
Black Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater Chicago (BWLA) Sips for Scholarships
Tuesday, October 28
Sinclair Chicago, 17 N. Wabash Ave., Chicago
Illinois Defense Counsel (IDC) Day of Service: Ronald McDonald House
Thursday, October 30
3:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Ronald McDonald House near UChicago Medicine Corner Children’s Hospital, 5444 S. Drexel Ave., Chicago
Kane County Bar Association (KCBA) SIDEBAR @ Immigration Law Office of Moises L. Barraza
Thursday, October 30
5 to 7 p.m.
1981 W. Downer Pl., Aurora
Champaign County Bar Association Sixth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Week Happy Hour
Thursday, October 30
5 to 6:30 p.m.
Seven Saints, 32 E. Chester St., Champaign
More October highlights
In addition to these events, mark your calendars for these important Illinois and national initiatives in October.
National Bullying Prevention Month
The Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism urges lawyers to join its Stand Up to Bullying Challenge, which includes six days of brief actions lawyers can take to address and prevent workplace bullying.
Celebrate Pro Bono Week
From October 19 – 25, legal organizations across Illinois will host in-person and virtual events recognizing the vital role of pro bono service. Stay tuned for more information on Pro Bono Week events on the Commission’s blog.
November
Hellenic Bar Association of Illinois 75th Annual Scholarship Ball
Saturday, November 1
6 p.m.
Hilton Oak Brook Hills Resort, 3500 Midwest Rd., Oak Brook
Sangamon County Bar Association (SCBA) Annual Dinner
Thursday, November 6
WCBA First Fridays: Coffee & Breakfast
Friday, November 7
8:30 to 10:30 a.m.
Will County Courthouse, 100 W. Jefferson St., Joliet
Appellate Lawyers Association 2025 Hudson Memorial Moot Court Competition
November 7 – 8
Puerto Rican Bar Association of Illinois 31st Annual Gala
Saturday, November 8
6 p.m.
Fountain Blue Banquets & Conference Center, 2300 Mannheim Rd., Des Plaines
The Decalogue Society of Lawyers 3rd Annual Salute to Veterans in the Legal Profession
Wednesday, November 12
5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Union League Club, 65 W. Jackson Blvd., Chicago
WBAI 2025 Top Women Lawyers, Legislators, & Legal Employers in Leadership Awards
Thursday, November 13
5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Salon 61, 61 W. Hubbard St., Chicago
KCBA Wine-Down Wednesday
Wednesday, November 19
5 to 7 p.m.
The Wine Exchange, 1 Illinois St., #140, St. Charles
Justinian Society of Lawyers Annual Scholarship Dinner
Thursday, November 20
6 to 8 p.m.
Erie Cafe, 536 W. Erie St., Chicago
December
SCBA Winter/Holiday Smoker
Thursday, December 4
McHenry County Bar Association Christmas Party
Thursday, December 4
4:30 to 8:30 p.m.
MCBA Office, 666 Russel Ct., Unit 201/202, Woodstock
Northwest Suburban Bar Association Annual Holiday Party
Thursday, December 4
5 p.m.
5464 N. River Rd., Rosemont
WBAI Cocktail Party
Thursday, December 4
5 p.m.
DCBA, DuPage Association of Women Lawyers, and Justinian Society of Lawyers Holiday Gala
Thursday, December 4
5:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Danada House and Gardens, 3S501 Naperville Rd., Wheaton
Champaign County Bar Association Annual Holiday Mingle
Thursday, December 4
5 to 7 p.m.
Lincolnshire Fields Country Club, 2000 Byrnebruk Dr., Champaign
St. Clair County Bar Association Annual Holiday Party
Friday, December 5
WCBA First Fridays: Coffee & Breakfast
Friday, December 5
8:30 to 10:30 a.m.
Will County Courthouse, 100 W. Jefferson St., Joliet
KCBA Holiday Party
Tuesday, December 9
5 to 8 p.m.
Riverside Receptions, 35 N. River Ln., Geneva
Public Interest Law Initiative Annual Awards Luncheon
Wednesday, December 10
11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Palmer House Hotel, 17 E. Monroe St., Chicago
WCBA Christmas Party
Wednesday, December 10
5 to 9 p.m.
Mistwood Golf Club, 1700 W. Renwick Rd., Romeoville
IDC Holiday Party
Thursday, December 11
5 to 7:30 p.m.
The Berghoff, 17 W. Adams St., Chicago
Southwest Bar Association 2025-2026 Installation Dinner
Thursday, December 11
5 to 9 p.m.
Zachary’s Grill, 13415 S. Ridgeland Ave., Palos Heights
Advocates Society Holiday Party & General Meeting
Thursday, December 11
6:30 to 9 p.m.
Copernicus Annex @ The Copernicus Center, 5216 W. Lawrence Ave., Chicago
Illinois State Bar Association/Illinois Judges Association Joint Midyear Meeting
December 11 – 12
JW Marriott Chicago, 151 West Adams St., Chicago
Justinian Society of Lawyers President’s Holiday Cocktails & Appetizers Event
Tuesday, December 16
Staying up to date on issues impacting the legal profession is vital to your success. Subscribe here to get the Commission’s weekly news delivered to your inbox.
ABA Adopts Anti-Bullying Resolution Based on Commission’s ‘Bullying in the Legal Profession’ Report
Two Ways to Prioritize Disability Inclusion in Your Law Firm