May 23, 2019

Justices of the Illinois Supreme Court administered the attorney’s oath to 335 new attorneys on Thursday, May 9 at ceremonies across the state.

The largest group, 245, was admitted in the First Judicial District during three ceremonies at the James R. Thompson Center Assembly Hall, located at 100 W. Randolph St., in Chicago. The ceremonies were at 9 a.m., 11:30 a.m., and 2 p.m.

All of the candidates sworn in have passed the Illinois State Bar Examination and a required ethics examination and were certified by the Supreme Court Committee on Character and Fitness. They bring the total number of licensed attorneys in Illinois to approximately 96,300.

Justice Anne M. Burke presided over the 9 a.m. ceremony.

Guests of the morning ceremony included Megan Paulas, member of the Board of Governors from the Chicago Council of Lawyers.

Hon. James McCluskey, president of the Illinois State Bar Association, moved for admission of the class.

Justice P. Scott Neville, Jr. presided over the 11:30 a.m. ceremony.

Guests of the second First District ceremony included Urie Clark, president of the Cook County Bar Association and Jonathan Lubin, president of the Decalogue Society.

First District Appellate Justice Michael Hyman and Hon. Rena VanTine participated in the admission of the class.

Justice Mary Jane Theis presided over the 2 p.m. ceremony.

Guests of the afternoon ceremony included Steven M. Elrod, president of the Chicago Bar Association and Koula Fournier, 1st vice president of the Hellenic Bar Association.

Thomas Clancy of the Illinois Board of Admission to the Bar moved for admission of the class.

Kenneth G. Jablonski, clerk of the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission, served as acting marshal at all three of the First District ceremonies.

In addition to Chicago, ceremonies were held Thursday in Springfield, Elgin and Ottawa.

Supreme Court Justice Robert R. Thomas presided over the Second Judicial District ceremony at the Hemmens Cultural Center in the Elgin Civic Center Plaza, 45 Symphony Way, in Elgin.

Supreme Court Justice Thomas L. Kilbride presided over the Third Judicial District ceremony at the Third District Appellate Courthouse, 1004 Columbus St. in Ottawa.

Supreme Court Justice Rita B. Garman presided over the Fourth Judicial District ceremony in the Courtroom of the Illinois Supreme Court Building, 200 E. Capitol Ave. in Springfield.

Supreme Court Chief Justice Lloyd A. Karmeier presided over the Fifth Judicial District ceremony in the Courtroom of the Illinois Supreme Court Building, 200 E. Capitol Ave in Springfield.