The Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism works to promote civility and inclusion in the legal profession, to ensure the equitable delivery of justice for the people of Illinois.
In honor of Black History Month, the Commission on Professionalism is highlighting inspiring leaders of some of the state’s predominantly Black bar associations.
In this Q&A, our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Manager Julia Roundtree Livingston spoke to Antonio C. Lee, President of the Cook County Bar Association, the nation’s oldest association of African-American lawyers and judges.
How can the Illinois legal community support the success of Black lawyers?
It is important to recognize that being a Black lawyer is a symbolic accomplishment earned through the sacrifices of our ancestors who fought, and often risked their lives, for access to the legal profession.
Currently, Black students make up approximately 7.6–7.7% of first-year law school enrollments nationwide (according to the Law School Admission Council). Moreover, the percentage of Black lawyers has remained stagnant at 5% over the past decade (according to the 2024 ABA Profile in the Legal Profession). Though these statistics may appear unsettling, there is reason for hope. That hope lies in intentional efforts to expand access, visibility, and opportunity in the next generation of Black lawyers.
The Cook County Bar Association (CCBA) has taken a comprehensive approach, exposing high school students, community college students, and law students to the legal profession while also emphasizing the importance of history, advocacy, and justice.
Even after passing the bar, CCBA’s Young Lawyers Section provides critical support to newer attorneys during the early stages of their careers. Visibility, education, and mentorship remain essential to dismantling the notion that you can’t be what you can’t see.
Additionally, the CCBA will host the largest Minority Job Fair for law students [on February 27, 2026], has established a Leadership Empowerment Institute during my presidency, and conducted local and regional Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. competitions for high school students.
Through these sustained initiatives, and because the current generation of Black lawyers has taken meaningful steps to address long-standing barriers to entry and advancement, I am hopeful that the next generation of Black lawyers will break more glass ceilings.
Members of the Illinois legal community can further support this success by committing to increased diversity, investing in mentorship, and serving as strong allies in confronting the unique challenges Black lawyers face.
How does the CCBA bridge the gap between the Illinois legal profession and the communities you serve?
Since its founding in 1914, the CCBA has been steadfast in its mission to protect and advance the civil, political, and economic rights of the Black community and its members.
The 2025-2026 bar year is no different, as the CCBA consistently rises to meet the moment by providing timely resources, advocacy, and direct engagement with the communities we serve.
For example, amid heightened tensions surrounding the potential deployment of the National Guard in Chicago, the CCBA published a guide entitled “Know Your Rights While Protesting: Protecting Yourself While Speaking Out,” which educated community members on their legal rights when protesting safely.
On September 20, 2025, CCBA hosted the “State of the Union Address: Protecting Our Communities, Our Rights, Our Freedom” in collaboration with organizations including Rainbow PUSH Coalition, Westside Justice Center, the Chicago Urban League, The DuSable Museum, the CCBA Foundation, and the NAACP South Side Branch.
This impactful program brought together legal professionals and community stakeholders to address pressing issues that affect Black communities.
During last year’s government shutdown, CCBA published a “Resource Guide for Those Impacted by the Government Shutdown,” which provided individuals and families with information related to food access, housing, financial obligations, mental health and wellness, utilities, insurance, childcare, and transportation.
From a policy perspective, CCBA’s Legislative Committee submitted a letter endorsing the Illinois reparations policy to the State of Illinois African Descent–Citizens Reparations Commission, reinforcing the Association’s role as an advocate for systemic change. Most recently, the CCBA honored the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through a Day of Service that included a free legal clinic and expungement workshop.
Beyond these direct services, CCBA plays a critical role in educating our community, particularly Black voters, about the qualifications and backgrounds of judicial candidates.
Through its Judicial Evaluations Committee, CCBA serves as both the voice and the conscience of the community, offering evaluations of judges based on their experience, impartiality, and sensitivity to issues of diversity and bias.
What is one project the CCBA is working on that you’re excited about?
There are many exciting initiatives underway at the CCBA, but one project I am particularly excited about is CCBA’s inaugural Trial Master Symposium and Larry R. Rogers, Sr. Awards Ceremony, which will be held on Saturday, May 30, 2026.
During the one-day CLE symposium, some of Chicago’s most respected trial lawyers and judges will equip attorneys and law students with skills in civil trial advocacy, advanced litigation strategies, and courtroom mastery.
The CCBA will also proudly present the inaugural Larry R. Rogers, Sr. Trial Master Award, recognizing a distinguished attorney whose exceptional trial skills and professional excellence are widely respected by their peers.
Larry R. Rogers, Sr. was a legal luminary, a highly skilled trial attorney, and a past president of the CCBA. Naming this inaugural award his honor is a fitting tribute to his legacy of excellence and service to the legal profession.
This symposium bridges the gap for practitioners seeking hands-on guidance in developing their trial skills and successfully navigating cases from start to finish. Participants will gain practical insight into every stage of trial practice, including evidence collection and discovery, witness preparation, voir dire and jury selection, opening statements, direct and cross-examination, closing arguments, and motion practice. The program will also spotlight advanced trial techniques and winning strategies for managing complex and high-profile cases.
Registration is open. Stay tuned for additional announcements, including our distinguished panelists, CLE offerings, and the inaugural Trial Master Award recipient.
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