Commission on Professionalism Welcomes 90 First-Generation Law Students to Annual Jumpstart Orientation, a Pre-Law School Preparation Program
From August 4 – 6, 2026, the Commission on Professionalism was thrilled to once again coordinate the annual Jumpstart Orientation, a pre-law school preparation program designed to support first-generation students at Illinois law schools.
The program was created by Judge Ann Claire Williams (Ret.), who served in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. All nine Illinois law schools select students to participate in Jumpstart. In 2026, 90 students attended.
During the three-day program, students explore the key components of academic success (including class preparation, note-taking, outlining, and exam-writing), learn the interpersonal skills needed to navigate law school and build a professional network, explore strategies for securing internships and externships, and discuss how to manage their well-being as law students.
The students also have the opportunity to engage with Illinois Supreme Court and Appellate Court Justices, Illinois judges, and federal judges and law clerks.
This year, Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice P. Scott Neville Jr. provided featured remarks during the closing reception.
Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice P. Scott Neville Jr. delivering remarks at the Jumpstart Reception
Jumpstart faculty, organizers, and speakers (L-R): Dean Hannah Brenner Johnson, SIU Simmons Law School; Dr. Karen Alicia Shaw, Loyola University Chicago School of Law; Casey Parker, SIU Simmons Law School; Julia Roundtree Livingston, Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism; Erika Harold, Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism; Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice P. Scott Neville Jr.; Tania Luma, Loyola University Chicago School of Law; Stephanie Villinski, Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism; Marsha Ross-Jackson, Chicago-Kent College of Law; Elsa Andrianifahanana, Jones Day
Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism Commissioners and staff (L-R): Judge Joseph D. Panarese, Julia Roundtree Livingston, Immigration Judge Akash Vyas, Chair John Kim, Illinois Supreme Court Justice P. Scott Neville Jr., Erika Harold, Vice-Chair Justice Sharon O. Johnson, Laura Bagby, Stephanie Villinski, Alan Pirtle, Mark C. Palmer
Dr. Ben Alba teaching Law 101
Jumpstart students listening to a class session
Dr. Ben Alba and Dr. Ana Vazquez-Rivera with DePaul University College of Law students
Legal professionals and 2L/3L law students attended a networking lunch with Jumpstart students. (L-R): Casey Parker, Peter McNamera, Grace Koh, Margaret Jemian, Lauren Leong, Chloe Arroyo, Cristina McNeiley, Marsha Ross-Jackson, Alexis Barnes
Julia Roundtree Livingston, Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Manager, addressing students
Chief Judge Virginia M. Kendall, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, welcomed students to the Dirksen United States Courthouse
Jumpstart students between sessions
A panel of federal judges addressed Jumpstart students and discussed their careers on the bench. (L R): Judge LaShonda A. Hunt, Judge Beth W. Jantz, Judge John Z. Lee, and Judge Albert Berry III
Judge Albert Berry III with a Jumpstart student
Janna Shell, Law Clerk for the Honorable Jeffrey I. Cummings, introducing the Federal Law Clerk Panel
A panel discussion with federal law clerks (L-R): Ryan Chapin, Law Clerk for the Honorable LaShonda A. Hunt; Bradford McGann, Law Clerk for the Honorable Sharon Johnson Coleman; Emilia Porubcin, Law Clerk for the Honorable Jeffrey I. Cummings; and Haley Harris, Law Clerk for the Honorable LaShonda A. Hunt
A Jumpstart student asking a question to a panel
Jumpstart students listening to a panel discussion
Dr. Karen Alicia Shaw, Loyola University Chicago School of Law, teaching Write Like a Lawyer
The Practical Skills for Navigating Law School Panel & Workshop with (L-R) Joe Scally, Illinois Lawyers’ Assistance Program; Megan Kreminski, Northwestern Pritzker School of Law; Jolynn Caroline, University of Illinois College of Law; and Dean Hannah Brenner Johnson, SIU Simmons Law School
Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism Chair John Kim delivering remarks at the Jumpstart Reception, with Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice P. Scott Neville Jr.
Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism Vice-Chair Justice Sharon O. Johnson delivering remarks at the Jumpstart Reception
Elsa Andrianifahanana, Partner at Jones Day, delivering remarks at the Jumpstart Reception
Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism Executive Director Erika Harold delivering remarks at the Jumpstart Reception
Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Manager Julia Roundtree Livingston delivering remarks at the Jumpstart Reception
Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism Chair John Kim talking with Jumpstart students
Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism Vice-Chair Justice Sharon O. Johnson talking with a Jumpstart student
Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism Executive Director Erika Harold talking with a Jumpstart student
Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism Chief Counsel Mark C. Palmer talking with Jumpstart students
Dr. Karen Shaw talking with Jumpstart students
Dean Harold Krent, Marsha Ross-Jackson, and law students from Chicago-Kent School of Law
Maria Vertuno and students from DePaul University College of Law
Students from Loyola University Chicago School of Law
Students from Northern Illinois University College of Law
Casey Parker, Dean Hannah Brenner Johnson, and students from Southern Illinois University Simmons Law School
Dean Brandi L. Welch and students from the University of Chicago Law School
Students from the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law
Students from the University of Illinois College of Law
Staff from the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism at the Jumpstart Reception
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Our mission is to promote a culture of civility and inclusion, in which Illinois lawyers and judges embody the ideals of the legal profession in service to the administration of justice in our democratic society.
The Commission was established in 2005 under the authority of the Illinois Supreme Court and is governed by Illinois Supreme Court Rule 799.
