Over 600 new attorneys to be admitted on Thursday

More than 600 new attorneys will be admitted to practice in Illinois on Thursday, May 9 with Justices of the Illinois Supreme Court presiding and administering the attorney’s oath at five separate locations.

All of the candidates have passed the Illinois state bar examination, an ethics examination, and have been certified by the Committee on Character and Fitness.

The largest group, 467, will be admitted in the First Judicial District during ceremonies starting at 10:30 a.m. at the Arie Crown Theatre. Illinois Supreme Court Justice Charles E. Freeman will preside, with Justices Anne M. Burke and Mary Jane Theis participating.

Appellate Court Justice Maureen E. Connors from the First Judicial District will make the motion to admit the class.

The 668 men and women were certified as candidates and will be sworn in as Illinois attorneys Thursday at ceremonies in the five Supreme Court judicial districts.

Here are the time and locations of Thursday’s ceremonies:

• Supreme Court Chief Justice Thomas L. Kilbride will preside over the Third Judicial District ceremony, 11 a.m., Appellate Court Building, 1004 Columbus Street, Ottawa.
• Justice Robert R. Thomas will preside over the Second Judicial District ceremony, 10 a.m., Hemmens Memorial Building, Elgin Civic Center Plaza, 150 Dexter Court, Elgin.
• Supreme Court Justice Rita B. Garman will preside over the Fourth Judicial District ceremony, 10 a.m., Supreme Court Courtroom, Springfield.
• Supreme Court Justice Lloyd A. Karmeier will preside over the Fifth Judicial District ceremony, 2 p.m., Gateway Convention Center, near Interstates 55/70 & Route 157, Collinsville.

The new attorneys will bring the total number of licensed attorneys in Illinois to approximately 91,500.