Mark C. Palmer has served as Chief Counsel of the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism since 2015, always dedicated to advancing the quality of justice and upholding the rule of law across Illinois. In this role, Mark supports efforts to promote professionalism, civility, and integrity within the legal and judicial systems.
His work includes spearheading statewide initiatives such a statewide lawyer mentoring program, courthouse professionalism trainings, and other educational programming for lawyers, judges, and law students.
Mark’s commitment to innovation in the legal profession extends to serving on the Illinois Supreme Court’s E-Business Policy Board and Illinois Judicial Conference’s AI Task Force. His thought leadership in legal technology areas earned him recognition as a 2023 vLex Fastcase 50 honoree for his contributions as one of “the law’s smartest, most courageous innovators.”
Before joining the Commission, Mark was in private practice at Evans, Froehlich, Beth & Chamley in Champaign. His practice spanned litigation and transactional matters with a focus on commercial disputes, banking law, municipal law, and appellate advocacy in state and federal courts. He also served on the federal Criminal Justice Act (CJA) panel, representing indigent defendants in federal courts.
Mark has always been actively engaged in professional and civic service. He served on the Illinois State Bar Association’s Board of Governors (2019–2025) and Assembly (2013-present), and has chaired the Public Interest Law Initiative’s (PILI) 6th Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee for over a decade. He serves on the Advisory Council of the National Legal Mentoring Consortium while mentoring undergraduate and law students.
Mark has been an adjunct professor at the University of Illinois College of Law since 2009 where he’s taught advanced trial advocacy and continues to guest lecture on ethics, professionalism, and legal technology.
Mark is a proud alumnus of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (B.A.) and the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law (J.D.). He was honored in 2024 with the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Outstanding Alumni Award.
Outside of work, he enjoys cheering on Illini sports with his family, exploring local trails at Allerton Park, or tending to their garden.
Select Publications
- Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism articles by Mark Palmer
- “Be Reasonable, People! AI’s Impact on Legal Fees,” Attorney at Work, September 24, 2024.
- “Challenge for veteran attorneys: Find someone younger as mentor,” Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, August 27, 2024.
- “Ethical Spills at the Watercooler – What to be aware of when lawyers consider sharing office space with colleagues from other firms,” Illinois Bar Journal, January 2024.
- “Effective client communication can pay off in form of referrals,” Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, January 2, 2024.
- “Competency remains paramount, AI tools included,” Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, July 11, 2023.
- “Harnessing ChatGPT: A Primer for Lawyers,” Attorney at Work, September 20, 2023.
- “Ethical Obligations for Lawyers on the Move,” ABA Law Practice Magazine, May/June 2022.
Multimedia
- “McMunigal on Trump Indictment, Simi and Glick on Georgia Grand Jury, Palmer on ChatGPT Ethics, Martini and Susler on Inside Out, and much more,” WGN Radio Legal Face-Off, August 21, 2023.
- “Ethics for Legal Tech with Mark Palmer,” Non-Eventcast Podcast, February 27, 2023.
- “The Crisis in Access to Justice in Rural America,” Talk Justice, An LSC Podcast, March 8, 2022.
- “Episode 192: Mark Palmer – Chief Counsel of the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism & Former Police Officer,” How I Lawyer Podcast, December 9, 2022.
- “Fast Food For Thought; Modern Legal Ethics; and What Would Florida Man Do? – Holiday Edition,” Legal Toolkit Podcast by Legal Talk Network, November 30, 2021.
- “Disappearance of Rural Lawyers with Mark Palmer,’ How I Lawyer Podcast, February 11, 2020.