This month, we’re recognizing the achievements and contributions of women in the judiciary. The following features Illinois Supreme Court Justice Elizabeth M. Rochford and her thoughts on her career, the legal profession, and more.
What led you to pursue a career in the legal profession?
The truth is, I went to law school because my father told me to. I was a teacher first, a profession he greatly admired, but he strongly suggested I should obtain my law degree. I am so grateful now for his firm advice and encouragement, because I might not otherwise have had the vision or confidence to pursue a career in law. He saw something in me, that I did not initially see in myself.
I share that because I think it is important to listen to the people who truly know us, and have our very best interests at heart, sometimes they envision a path that we might not have imagined for ourselves. These reliable advisors include teachers, friends, professional colleagues, neighbors, family members or anyone else that has had an opportunity to observe our talents and to provide valuable direction toward success.
What female role models have you looked up to both personally and professionally?
So many magnificent women have paved my path and inspired me, but no one more than my mother “LuLu”: a model of intelligence, grace, and kindness. And I have been greatly influenced by so many classy, smart ladies who preceded and accompanied me in law.
But, most recently I am especially energized by my young female colleagues. I gratefully find myself included as a guest among a courageous crew of fabulous women, all significantly younger than me, each uniquely talented, variously professionally focused, but singularly united in joyful and reliable support of each other. In the courtroom, the classroom, the conference room, and the family room, they are establishing a new standard in our profession for excellence and fun.
Enjoying the company of these exceptional younger ladies fills me with boundless optimism for the future of our profession and our world.
How has the legal field changed over the years for women?
Women are present in our profession in far greater numbers than when I began to practice. But the most exciting change I have witnessed is that women are organizing, both formally and informally, to offer each other encouragement and support. Women are making referrals, sharing meaningful navigation tools, serving as mentors to female colleagues, and the positive impact is immeasurable and exciting.
I am extremely optimistic for the future of women in law. Women are ready to lead the way, and not just on their own behalf, but for all people who have been historically marginalized. Women have a growing power base and a unique opportunity to speak up, and open minds, on human and professional inequities across the board including race, sexual identity, social circumstances, religious affiliation, ethnicity, income, and gender.
I envision a bright future for our profession.
If you could tell your younger self one thing, what would it be?
The title of Ina Garten’s recent book,
Be Ready When the Luck Happens sums up the advice I would share with my younger self. Put your head down, do the work, build relationships, engage in meaningful service, emulate great leaders, and when luck presents itself in the form of opportunity, don’t hesitate, SEIZE IT!
If you could meet and talk to any woman in history, who would it be and why?
Such a vast array of magnificent women to choose from, I would prefer to host a dinner party and fill the table with a broad scope of them and resign myself to just listen.
But, if I were to choose just one, it would likely be Eleanor Roosevelt. Our longest serving first lady translated a lifetime of both access and challenges, into a model of bold leadership delightfully seasoned with humor. Her outspokenness and influence in support of women, civil rights, and human rights, is unmatched. I have always especially admired her modesty and self-deprecating charm, which made her gloriously relatable. Although she considered herself homely, at age 14 she had the confidence and presence to write, “no matter how plain a woman may be, if truth and loyalty are stamped upon her face, all will be attracted to her.”
In 2022, the Illinois Supreme Court had its first female majority in history. What does it mean for you to be part of this historical achievement?
Our current Illinois Supreme Court looks different than it has at any other time in the past. We have a female majority of five women, and three Black justices, both historic achievements.
The visual of our Court creates a powerful image. We know that a diverse bench is vital to achieving a fair system of justice, and in promoting public trust. But in truth, the work of this Court is not persuaded by alliances of gender, race, ethnicity, or politics, but rather by a measured and competent commitment to follow the rule of law, the same established methods of dispute resolution on which our predecessors confidently relied.
Although much of our work is properly steeped in tradition and adherence to precedent, there is also always room for improvement.
Our Chief Justice Mary Jane Theis takes an open-minded and progressive approach to this Court’s administration. She encourages suggestions and discussion about better procedures, in favor of reliance on merely the way things have always been done.
Perhaps best of all, the makeup of this historical Court, now more than two years in existence, has become familiar and doesn’t look so unusual anymore!
What advice do you have for young women entering the legal field today?
Be a joiner!
Seek out groups of attorneys through bar membership! Intentionally place yourself in the company of people you admire. Get involved. As an active member of a legal organization, you will be afforded an opportunity for service, personal and professional development, and camaraderie, all of which is powerful and satisfying.
As I suggested earlier,
be ready when the luck happens, but it is equally important to be ready when the bad luck happens. There will inevitably be difficult days ahead, personal and professional challenges currently unimaginable. But, when you experience a time of need, the colleagues and friends that you know through bar membership will be there to help pick up the pieces and buoy your spirit when you need it most. Active membership in the Illinois bar community guarantees that you will flourish professionally, and you will never be alone personally.