Diversity
2Civility | Diversity, Education | September 29, 2026

Commission, Illinois Justices and Judges Partner with Illinois Law Schools on 20th Annual Professionalism Orientations for 1Ls (Photos)

For two decades, the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism has collaborated with Illinois’ law schools to lead professionalism orientations for first-year law students.

The professionalism orientations, which are held annually at the beginning of law school, introduce 1L students to the principles of legal professionalism and emphasize the importance of these principles in their careers.

Illinois Supreme Court and Appellate Court Justices, federal judges, Illinois circuit court judges, local lawyers, Commissioners, and Commission staff participate in the orientations.

This includes leading students in the Pledge of Professionalism, during which students commit to upholding the principles of professionalism in law school and their legal careers.

Law School Orientations 2026

Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice P. Scott Neville Jr. leading DePaul University College of Law students in the Pledge of Professionalism
Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice P. Scott Neville Jr. leading DePaul University College of Law students in the Pledge of Professionalism
Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice P. Scott Neville Jr. leading DePaul University College of Law students in the Pledge of Professionalism
Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice P. Scott Neville Jr. leading DePaul University College of Law students in the Pledge of Professionalism
(From L to R) DePaul University College of Law Dean Geoffrey Rapp, alumnus Robert N Hermes, Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice P. Scott Neville Jr., Executive Director Erika Harold, Associate Dean of Academic Affairs Max Helveston, Student Bar Association President Brayden Roberts, Assistant Dean of Student Affairs Maria Vertuno, and Assistant Dean of Law Admissions Amanda Noascono
(From L to R) DePaul University College of Law Dean Geoffrey Rapp, alumnus Robert N Hermes, Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice P. Scott Neville Jr., Executive Director Erika Harold, Associate Dean of Academic Affairs Max Helveston, Student Bar Association President Brayden Roberts, Assistant Dean of Student Affairs Maria Vertuno, and Assistant Dean of Law Admissions Amanda Noascono
DePaul University College of Law students reciting the Pledge of Professionalism
DePaul University College of Law students reciting the Pledge of Professionalism
(From L to R) Assistant Dean of Students Affairs Jenna Abhijeet, Commissioner Amanda Hamilton, Dean Harold Krent, Illinois Supreme Court Justice Mary K. O'Brien, and Executive Director Erika Harold at the Chicago-Kent College of Law professionalism orientation
(From L to R) Assistant Dean of Students Affairs Jenna Abhijeet, Commissioner Amanda Hamilton, Dean Harold Krent, Illinois Supreme Court Justice Mary K. O'Brien, and Executive Director Erika Harold at the Chicago-Kent College of Law professionalism orientation
Illinois Supreme Court Justice Mary K. O'Brien addressing Chicago-Kent College of Law students
Illinois Supreme Court Justice Mary K. O'Brien addressing Chicago-Kent College of Law students
Illinois Supreme Court Justice Mary K. O'Brien administering the Pledge of Professionalism
Illinois Supreme Court Justice Mary K. O'Brien administering the Pledge of Professionalism
Commissioner Amanda Hamilton addressing Chicago-Kent College of Law students
Commissioner Amanda Hamilton addressing Chicago-Kent College of Law students
(From L to R) Dean Michèle Alexandre, Illinois Supreme Court Justice Sanjay T. Tailor, and Executive Director Erika Harold at the Loyola University Chicago School of Law professionalism orientation
(From L to R) Dean Michèle Alexandre, Illinois Supreme Court Justice Sanjay T. Tailor, and Executive Director Erika Harold at the Loyola University Chicago School of Law professionalism orientation
Illinois Supreme Court Justice Sanjay T. Tailor addressing Loyola University Chicago School of Law students
Illinois Supreme Court Justice Sanjay T. Tailor addressing Loyola University Chicago School of Law students
Illinois Supreme Court Justice Sanjay T. Tailor addressing Loyola University Chicago School of Law students
Illinois Supreme Court Justice Sanjay T. Tailor addressing Loyola University Chicago School of Law students
Loyola University Chicago School of Law students reciting the Pledge of Professionalism
Loyola University Chicago School of Law students reciting the Pledge of Professionalism
(From L to R) DEI Manager Julia Roundtree Livingston, Illinois Supreme Court Justice Lisa Holder White, Dean Jamelle Sharpe, Chair John Kim, and Chief Counsel Mark Palmer at the University of Illinois College of Law professionalism orientation
(From L to R) DEI Manager Julia Roundtree Livingston, Illinois Supreme Court Justice Lisa Holder White, Dean Jamelle Sharpe, Chair John Kim, and Chief Counsel Mark Palmer at the University of Illinois College of Law professionalism orientation
Illinois Supreme Court Justice Lisa Holder White addressing University of Illinois College of Law students (Photo credit: University of Illinois College of Law)
Illinois Supreme Court Justice Lisa Holder White addressing University of Illinois College of Law students (Photo credit: University of Illinois College of Law)
Chair John Kim addressing University of Illinois College of Law students (Photo credit: University of Illinois College of Law)
Chair John Kim addressing University of Illinois College of Law students (Photo credit: University of Illinois College of Law)
DEI Manager Julia Roundtree Livingston addressing University of Illinois College of Law students (Photo credit: University of Illinois College of Law)
DEI Manager Julia Roundtree Livingston addressing University of Illinois College of Law students (Photo credit: University of Illinois College of Law)
University of Illinois College of Law students reciting the Pledge of Professionalism (Photo credit: University of Illinois College of Law)
University of Illinois College of Law students reciting the Pledge of Professionalism (Photo credit: University of Illinois College of Law)
(From L to R) SIU Co-Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Marc Morris, Illinois Supreme Court Justice David K. Overstreet, Dean Hannah Brenner Johnson, Commissioner Alan Pirtle, and Chief Counsel Mark Palmer at the Southern Illinois University Simmons Law School professionalism orientation
(From L to R) SIU Co-Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Marc Morris, Illinois Supreme Court Justice David K. Overstreet, Dean Hannah Brenner Johnson, Commissioner Alan Pirtle, and Chief Counsel Mark Palmer at the Southern Illinois University Simmons Law School professionalism orientation
Southern Illinois University Simmons Law School students preparing to recite the Pledge of Professionalism
Southern Illinois University Simmons Law School students preparing to recite the Pledge of Professionalism
(From L to R) Communications Director Laura Bagby, Northwestern President Mung Chiang, Northwestern Pritzker School of Law Dean Zachary Clopton, U.S. District Judge Edmond E. Chang, and Associate Dean and Dean of Students Susan Spies Roth at the Northwestern Pritzker School of Law professionalism orientation
(From L to R) Communications Director Laura Bagby, Northwestern President Mung Chiang, Northwestern Pritzker School of Law Dean Zachary Clopton, U.S. District Judge Edmond E. Chang, and Associate Dean and Dean of Students Susan Spies Roth at the Northwestern Pritzker School of Law professionalism orientation
Judge Edmond E. Chang addressing Northwestern Pritzker School of Law students
Judge Edmond E. Chang addressing Northwestern Pritzker School of Law students
Judge Edmond E. Chang administering the Pledge of Professionalism
Judge Edmond E. Chang administering the Pledge of Professionalism
Northwestern Pritzker School of Law students reciting the Pledge of Professionalism
Northwestern Pritzker School of Law students reciting the Pledge of Professionalism
(From L to R) Executive Director Erika Harold, Vice-Chair Justice Sharon O. Johnson, and Dean Michèle Alexandre at the Loyola University Chicago School of Law professionalism orientation
(From L to R) Executive Director Erika Harold, Vice-Chair Justice Sharon O. Johnson, and Dean Michèle Alexandre at the Loyola University Chicago School of Law professionalism orientation
Justice Sharon O. Johnson addressing students at the Loyola University Chicago School of Law students
Justice Sharon O. Johnson addressing students at the Loyola University Chicago School of Law students
Vice-Chair Justice Sharon O. Johnson administering the Pledge of Professionalism
Vice-Chair Justice Sharon O. Johnson administering the Pledge of Professionalism
Executive Director Erika Harold addressing Loyola University Chicago School of Law students
Executive Director Erika Harold addressing Loyola University Chicago School of Law students
(From L to R) Commissioner Azam Nizamuddin, Justice Mary S. Schostok, Dean Cassandra Hill, Justice Margaret J. Mullen, and Deputy Director Stephanie Villinski at the Northern Illinois University College of Law professionalism orientation
(From L to R) Commissioner Azam Nizamuddin, Justice Mary S. Schostok, Dean Cassandra Hill, Justice Margaret J. Mullen, and Deputy Director Stephanie Villinski at the Northern Illinois University College of Law professionalism orientation
Justice Mary S. Schostok and Justice Margaret J. Mullen addressing Northern Illinois University College of Law students
Justice Mary S. Schostok and Justice Margaret J. Mullen addressing Northern Illinois University College of Law students
Commissioner Azam Nizamuddin addressing Northern Illinois University College of Law students
Commissioner Azam Nizamuddin addressing Northern Illinois University College of Law students
(From L to R) Assistant Dean of Student Life and Leadership Daniel Amato, Justice Rena M. Van Tine, and Executive Director Erika Harold at the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law
(From L to R) Assistant Dean of Student Life and Leadership Daniel Amato, Justice Rena M. Van Tine, and Executive Director Erika Harold at the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law
Justice Rena M. Van Tine addressing University of Illinois Chicago School of Law students
Justice Rena M. Van Tine addressing University of Illinois Chicago School of Law students
Justice Rena M. Van Tine administering the Pledge of Professionalism
Justice Rena M. Van Tine administering the Pledge of Professionalism
(From L to R) Assistant Dean of Student Life and Leadership Daniel Amato, Justice Jesse G. Reyes, and Deputy Director Stephanie Villinski at the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law
(From L to R) Assistant Dean of Student Life and Leadership Daniel Amato, Justice Jesse G. Reyes, and Deputy Director Stephanie Villinski at the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law
University of Illinois Chicago School of Law students reciting the Pledge of Professionalism
University of Illinois Chicago School of Law students reciting the Pledge of Professionalism
(From L to R) Deputy Director Stephanie Villinski, Dean Harold Krent, and Commissioner Judge Bonita Coleman at the Chicago-Kent College of Law professionalism orientation
(From L to R) Deputy Director Stephanie Villinski, Dean Harold Krent, and Commissioner Judge Bonita Coleman at the Chicago-Kent College of Law professionalism orientation
Commissioner Judge Bonita Coleman administering the Pledge of Professionalism
Commissioner Judge Bonita Coleman administering the Pledge of Professionalism
Commissioner Judge Bonita Coleman addressing Chicago-Kent College of Law students
Commissioner Judge Bonita Coleman addressing Chicago-Kent College of Law students
Deputy Director Stephanie Villinski addressing Chicago-Kent College of Law students
Deputy Director Stephanie Villinski addressing Chicago-Kent College of Law students

 

The 2026 professionalism orientations included:

  • Chicago-Kent College of Law
    • Speakers: Illinois Supreme Court Justice Mary K. O’Brien, Commissioner and Cook County Circuit Court Judge Bonita Coleman, Commissioner Amanda Hamilton, Commission Executive Director Erika Harold, Commission Deputy Director Stephanie Villinski
  • DePaul University College of Law
    • Speakers: Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice P. Scott Neville Jr., Executive Director Erika Harold
  • Loyola University Chicago Law School
    • Speakers: Illinois Supreme Court Justice Sanjay T. Tailor, Commission Vice-Chair and Illinois Appellate Court Justice Sharon O. Johnson, Commission Executive Director Erika Harold
  • Northern Illinois University College of Law
    • Speakers: Illinois Appellate Court Justice Margaret J. Mullen, Illinois Appellate Court Justice Mary S. Schostok, Commissioner Azam Nizamuddin, Commission Deputy Director Stephanie Villinski
  • Northwestern Pritzker School of Law
    • Speakers: U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois Judge Edmond E. Chang, Communications Director Laura Bagby
  • Southern Illinois University Simmons Law School
    • Speakers: Illinois Supreme Court Justice David K. Overstreet, Commissioner Alan Pirtle, Chief Counsel Mark Palmer
  • University of Chicago Law School
    • Speakers: U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois Judge Rebecca R. Pallmeyer, Commission Executive Director Erika Harold
  • University of Illinois Chicago School of Law
    • Speakers: Illinois Appellate Court Justice Jesse G. Reyes, Illinois Appellate Court Justice Rena M. Van Tine, Commission Executive Director Erika Harold, Deputy Director Stephanie Villinski
  • University of Illinois College of Law
    • Speakers: Illinois Supreme Court Justice Lisa Holder White, Commission Chair John Kim, Commission Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Manager Julia Roundtree Livingston

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