The History Project shares the perspectives and wisdom of distinguished members of the legal community. Here you will find a collection of videos that serve as a tribute to outstanding role models who have shaped our legal system.
Jill Wine-Banks shares unique perspectives gained from decades of experience as a lawyer. She started her legal career at a time when help wanted ads were divided by gender and people generally stayed at one firm for thirty years…
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Retired Judge Martha Mills was a champion for civil rights throughout her storied career. As a judge in the Circuit Court of Cook County and since she has retired, Judge Mills has promoted restorative justice as a method for resolving…
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I was so honored to have had the opportunity to interview Chicago attorney James Montgomery. In this video of our conversation, he reflects on what drew him to the law as a career, his work in both the public and…
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Judge Bauer of the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals shares his perspectives about mentoring and the source of his greatest hope about the future of the profession. He talks about how the rule of law as the bedrock of our…
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In this portion of the interview of James Montgomery, he provides frank and candid recollections of race relations in the practice of law. Despite, or perhaps because of, the pain of being excluded by fellow law students from study groups…
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Judge William Bauer has been a lawyer, trial judge and appellate court judge. He has been on the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals since 1975. It is clear that Judge Bauer has an un-abiding respect and love for the…
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As he humbly recounts his heroic accomplishments of cleaning up the traffic court, instituting night court for criminal drug cases in order to best use limited resources in the fairest manner, and presiding over the historical impeachment trial of former…
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Judge Ilana Rovner discusses the importance of civility in our legal culture and how her passion for civility led her to pursue a career in the law, leading to her current position as judge for the United States Court of…
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There is only so little time in a young lawyer’s work schedule to engage in pro bono, Judge Ann Claire Williams of the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals readily acknowledged in my interview with her. However, it is important that…
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You may separately read about his landmark accomplishments in criminal and civil litigation at Jenner & Block and as the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois. Thomas P. Sullivan is a legend and icon in the legal community. In…
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With her appointment by President Ronald Reagan, at the age of 35, Judge Williams became one of the youngest judges ever appointed to an Article III federal judgeship. At that time, she was the first African American woman appointed to…
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Chief Justice McMorrow (Ret.), who died on February 23, 2013, was the first woman to serve on the Illinois Supreme Court and the first woman to serve as chief justice. Justice McMorrow was a pioneer as a woman in the…
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