Illinois State Bar Association

10/19/2026

ISBA President Perry Browder and President Elect Sarah Toney attended the Supreme Court of Illinois’s Balance the Scales of Justice campaign kickoff.

Chief Justice P. Scott Neville Jr. gave remarks, calling on bar associations, legal assistance organizations, and law school leadership to support the campaign’s purpose of expanding access to justice in rural areas where legal deserts are most commonplace. The Supreme Court is working directly with law schools to lessen the justice gap in rural areas across Illinois.

10/19/2026

🍃 Join us in Lombard on November 12 as we honor the 2026 class of Distinguished Counselors at our Fall Member Appreciation Reception! 🍃

Celebrate this year’s class of Distinguished Counselors, connect with your ISBA friends and colleagues, and enjoy an evening of networking at The Westin Chicago Lombard. The reception will feature hors d’oeuvres, b**r, and w**e.

📅 November 12, 2026
🕰️ 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
📍 The Westin Chicago Lombard | Lombard, IL

Visit isba.org/events/fall-member-reception to register and learn more. We hope to see you there!

10/19/2026

ISBA 2nd Vice President Heather McPherson recently participated in the ARDC’s panel discussion on the widening justice gap alongside Tim Eaton and Mary Andreoni.

“Rural practice is a subject near and dear to my heart. Thank you, Dennis Orsey, founder of the Illinois State Bar Association Rural Practice Initiative, for your vision and dedication to strengthening rural practice in Illinois. I was thrilled to talk about ISBA’s and the Illinois Bar Foundation's work along with ISBA Mutual Insurance Company’s support. Tim shared how important this issue is to the Supreme Court of Illinois.

The best part of rural practice is the people. I am forever grateful to our amazing clients, the relationships, trust, and opportunity to make a difference.” – Heather McPherson, ISBA 2nd Vice President.

10/19/2026

👉 Participate in the ISBA’s Membership Survey❗

The Illinois State Bar Association is dedicated to supporting Illinois attorneys and strengthening the legal profession at every career stage. As we work to better understand the needs, priorities, and experiences of legal professionals across Illinois, we are conducting research to inform how we serve the profession going forward.

To support this work, we have engaged McKinley Advisors, an association strategy consulting firm, to conduct a confidential survey on our behalf. Your input is critical to helping the ISBA refine its offerings, identify unmet needs, and ensure the association remains a relevant and valuable home for legal professionals like you. We hope you will take a few moments to share your candid thoughts.

Complete the 10-minute survey ➡️ 🔗 https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/9018044/ISBAValueSurvey

Five participants will be selected at random to each receive a prize! 🎁

For more info, visit The Bar News at https://ow.ly/mLHO50ZYY5E

10/19/2026

📢 The Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA) Committee on Judicial Advisory Polls is conducting a poll on the qualifications of candidates running for associate judgeship vacancies in the Seventh Judicial Circuit.

Ballots were distributed October 15 to ISBA members in the Seventh Circuit. Voting closes October 29, 2026, at 4:30 p.m.

📧🔗➡️🗳️ Votes may be cast via the link in an email from “Illinois State Bar [email protected].”

Any licensed attorney having sufficient knowledge as to the qualifications of a candidate(s) to give a fair, informed opinion as to those qualifications may request a ballot. Ballots may be requested at isba.org/judicialevaluations/japollrequest October 15 through October 27, 2026. Emails and phone calls will not be accepted.

The following applicants will appear on the ballot: Aaron E. Bellm, Robert V. Bonjean, Ryan D. Byers, Michael J. Drake, Emily A. Fancher, Kyle J. Frericks, Jordan J. Garrison, Kelli E. Gordon, Rex L. Gradeless, Craig M. Grummel, Michael S. Hampleman, Robert V. Hogue, Amy L. Jackson, Kateah M. McMasters, Craig R. Miller, Ian W. Murphy, Michael P. Murphy, Felicia Page, J. W. Pierceall, J. Tyler Robinson, Abby L. Sgro, James S. Shovlin, Chad E. Turner, and Devin E. Vaughn.

For information about the rules and operation of the ISBA Judicial Advisory Polls Committee, please visit: isba.org/judicialevaluations.

The results of this poll will be released to the public. The results will be provided to Chief Judge Ryan M. Cadigan on November 4.

10/19/2026

✨ The ISBA is proud to support the Illinois Bar Foundation’s 27th Annual Gala! ✨

✨ **Thank You to Our 27th Annual Gala Sponsors!** ✨

The Illinois Bar Foundation extends our heartfelt thanks to our generous sponsors for helping make our 27th Annual Gala a memorable evening of celebration, impact, and commitment to justice.

Your support makes our work possible, helping us expand access to justice for Illinoisans with limited means and support lawyers in need.

We are grateful to each of you for standing with us as we celebrate 75 years of impact and look toward the future. Together, we are making a difference across Illinois! 💙

Benefactor Sponsors
Amari & Locallo
Third Private Bank
Gallagher & Kosner Law
Illinois Trial Lawyers Association

Program Book Sponsor
Law Offices of Michael T. Reagan

Valet Sponsor
Smith LaCien Trial Lawyers

Photo Experience Sponsor
Romanucci & Blandin, LLC

Table Sponsors
Advocus National Title Insurance Company
Bartholomew, Shevlin & Flack, LLP
Cogan & Power
Cook County Bar Association
Kaveny Sarmas Injury Lawyers
Loftus & Eisenberg
Feagans Law Group P.C.
Hurley McKenna & Mertz
Illinois State Bar Association
ISBA Mutual Insurance Company
Peck Ritchey, LLC
Riley Safer Holmes & Cancila LLP
Veritext

10/16/2026

🇮🇹 October is Italian-American Heritage Month! 🇮🇹

The ISBA proudly recognizes and honors the enduring legacy, culture, and contributions of Italian Americans to our communities and to the legal profession. This month, we celebrate a rich heritage that continues to inspire excellence, service, and leadership.

Buona serata! ❤️🤍💚

10/15/2026

📢 The Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA) Committee on Judicial Advisory Polls is conducting a poll on the qualifications of candidates running for associate judgeship vacancies in the Seventh Judicial Circuit.

Ballots were distributed today, October 15, to ISBA members in the Seventh Circuit. Voting closes October 29, 2026, at 4:30 p.m.

📧🔗➡️🗳️ Votes may be cast via the link in an email from “Illinois State Bar [email protected].”

Any licensed attorney having sufficient knowledge as to the qualifications of a candidate(s) to give a fair, informed opinion as to those qualifications may request a ballot. Ballots may be requested at isba.org/judicialevaluations/japollrequest October 15 through October 27, 2026. Emails and phone calls will not be accepted.

The following applicants will appear on the ballot: Aaron E. Bellm, Robert V. Bonjean, Ryan D. Byers, Michael J. Drake, Emily A. Fancher, Kyle J. Frericks, Jordan J. Garrison, Kelli E. Gordon, Rex L. Gradeless, Craig M. Grummel, Michael S. Hampleman, Robert V. Hogue, Amy L. Jackson, Kateah M. McMasters, Craig R. Miller, Ian W. Murphy, Michael P. Murphy, Felicia Page, J. W. Pierceall, J. Tyler Robinson, Abby L. Sgro, James S. Shovlin, Chad E. Turner, and Devin E. Vaughn.

For information about the rules and operation of the ISBA Judicial Advisory Polls Committee, please visit: isba.org/judicialevaluations.

The results of this poll will be released to the public. The results will be provided to Chief Judge Ryan M. Cadigan on November 4.

10/15/2026

Ready for a chance to lead? Election season is in full swing! 🗳‼️

Sign nominating petitions for candidates or create your own petition for candidacy today! Nominating petitions are available online and can be signed no later than 4:30 p.m. on January 8, 2027.
For a complete list of offices to be filled, important dates, and a link to create your own nominating petition, please visit isba.org/election/notice. ⬅

10/14/2026

Exploring an underused domestic violence treatment program available in Illinois courts, administrative law after Loper, seeking a new trial on damages only, will depositories are coming, and a primer of person-first language.

Log into your ISBA account to read the October IBJ ➡️ isba.org/ibj/2026/10

Want to raise your profile in the Illinois legal community and earn MCLE credit and other benefits in the process? ✏️ Consider writing for the Illinois Bar Journal, the Illinois State Bar Association's award-winning monthly magazine: isba.org/publications/benefitsofauthorship