Over 600 new attorneys admitted throughout state
Justices of the Illinois Supreme Court administered the attorney’s oath to 600 new attorneys on Thursday, May 7 at five separate locations across the state.
The largest group, 403, were admitted in the First Judicial District during three ceremonies at the James R. Thompson Center Assembly Hall, 100 W. Randolph St. in Chicago. The ceremonies were held at 9 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
Justice Anne M. Burke presided over the 9 a.m. ceremony in the First District. Guests of the morning ceremony included Thomas A. Clancy, of the Illinois Board of Admissions to the Bar; Celestia L. Mays, president of the Cook County Bar Association; and Anita DeCarlo, president of the Justinian Society who moved for admission of the class.
Justice Charles Freeman and Appellate Justice Cynthia Cobbs presided over the 11:30 a.m. ceremony. Guests of the second First District ceremony included: Sheila B. Kennedy, of the Illinois Board of Admissions to the Bar; Illinois State Bar Association President Richard D. Felice; and John Litchfield, president of the Lesbian and Gay Bar Association.
Justice Theis presided over the 2:30 p.m. ceremony in Chicago. Retired Cook County Circuit Judge Philip L. Bronstein, father of candidate Andrew Brott Bronstein, made the motion to admit the class at the afternoon ceremony. Attorneys Lawrence N. Hill, of the Illinois Board of Admissions to the Bar; Daniel Cotter, president of the Chicago Bar Association; and Maria Gonzalez, president-elect of the Puerto Rican Bar Association, seconded the motion.
In addition to Chicago, ceremonies were held Thursday in Elgin, Ottawa, Springfield and Carbondale.
Supreme Court Chief Justice Rita B. Garman presided over the Fourth District ceremony at the Supreme Court Courtroom in the Illinois Supreme Court Building at Second Street and Capitol Avenue in Springfield. The speaker for the ceremony was Circuit Judge April G. Troemper in Springfield of the Seventh Judicial Circuit. Other speakers included Illinois State Bar Association President-Elect Umberto S. Davi, a solo practitioner in Western Springs, and William F. Moran III, a managing partner at Stratton, Giganti, Stone, Moran & Radkey in Springfield.
Supreme Court Justice Robert R. Thomas presided over the Second District ceremony at Hemmens Cultural Center in the Elgin Civic Center Plaza, located at 150 Dexter Court in Elgin. Appellate Justice Ann B. Jorgensen made the motion to admit the class. Cook County Circuit Judge Russell W. Hartigan, third vice president of the Illinois State Bar Association, and Lisle attorney James McCluskey, who is a member of the ISBA Board of Governors, seconded the motion.
Supreme Court Justice Thomas L. Kilbride presided over the Third District ceremony held at the Third District Appellate Court Building, 1004 Columbus St. in Ottawa. Joliet attorney Vincent F. Cornelius, second vice president of the Illinois State Bar Association, also gave remarks.
Supreme Court Justice Lloyd A. Karmeier presided over the Fifth District ceremony at the Southern Illinois University School of Law Auditorium, 1150 Douglas Drive in Carbondale. The speaker for the ceremony was Russell K. Scott, a member of the Illinois State Bar Association Board of Governors.