Our Commissioner Spotlight series highlights the Illinois judges, lawyers, and educators who have been appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court to serve as Commissioners for the Commission on Professionalism.
These individuals are selected for their commitment to professionalism and contributions to the bar and their communities. During their term, they provide essential support and guidance for the Commission’s work.
This special spotlight celebrates three Commissioners who will complete their terms this year:
- Judge Alicia Washington, a former civil and legal aid attorney who presides in civil court in the Tenth Judicial Circuit in Peoria.
- Trisha Rich, a Partner at Holland & Knight in Chicago, where she practices litigation, legal ethics, and professional responsibility law. Rich is also First Vice President of the Chicago Bar Association.
- Kathleen Pine, who represented hospitals and physicians in her practice at Sandberg Phoenix & von Gontard P.C. in Carbondale before retiring in 2022.
These Commissioners represent distinct professional and geographic areas, providing valuable insight into the unique professionalism challenges lawyers and judges face in delivering justice across the state.
Judge Washington and Rich were appointed to the Commission in 2017, and Pine was appointed in 2021. Since then, they have been instrumental in our programming, including Law School Orientation, Lawyer-to-Lawyer Mentoring, Courthouse Professionalism Training, and diversity and inclusion initiatives, among others.
Below, they reflect on their time at the Commission, the evolution of legal professionalism, and their proudest accomplishments as Commissioners.
How have the professionalism challenges lawyers and judges face changed during your time as a Commissioner?
Judge Washington: The evolution of technology has increased judges’ ability to utilize Zoom and other electronic tools in court proceedings. However, judges’ requirement to maintain the highest ethical standards set by the Illinois Supreme Court remains, whether they are in person, at home, or at an office.
Rich: When I first joined the Commission, conversations around diversity, equity, and inclusion and lawyer well-being were still gaining traction. Today, they are central to how we think about professionalism, and the profession is better for it.
At the same time, the rise of technology and artificial intelligence has introduced new ethical and practical questions that were not nearly as prominent when I began. Issues such as safeguarding client data, navigating virtual courtrooms, and managing the risks and opportunities of generative AI have become part of daily professional life.
Pine: I am worried about the relentless attacks on the rule of law, which are even creeping into the day-to-day work of many attorneys and judges.
Attorneys and judges should be making decisions using professional and ethical norms and requirements. Most of us really want to do that. Unfortunately, too often outside noise tries to impact our independent professional judgment.
How have you seen the Commission’s programming impact the legal community?
Judge Washington: One program I particularly value is the Courthouse Professionalism Training. This program fosters collaboration with stakeholders throughout the courthouse, providing opportunities for everyone — whether a clerk, a security guard, or a judge — to explore professionalism challenges in the courthouse and interact on a personal basis.
These events build relationships and appreciation for the way in which each member of the courthouse community serves the public, and remind everyone that we must work together to execute fairness and justice.
The courthouse belongs to everyone, and I am proud of our Commissioners and staff who work diligently to share information not just in Illinois, but globally, backed by research and evidence.
Rich: Law School Orientation programs have set an important tone for future lawyers, introducing professionalism and wellness at the very start of their careers.
I have also seen the Lawyer-to-Lawyer Mentoring Program strengthen our profession by connecting newer lawyers with more experienced practitioners in ways that foster both competence and confidence.
Pine: The study and report on Bullying in the Legal Profession, spearheaded by our Executive Director Erika Harold, is groundbreaking.
To have the data to back up the anecdotal worries about bullying in the profession is empowering. Judges and lawyers can call out bullying behavior and implement policies prohibiting it and may even recognize their own bad behavior with the information they learn from this study.
How can mentoring help bridge differing expectations among the generations?
Judge Washington: I recently had a lawyer turn 91, and I see lawyers who might be four decades older than me, as well as those two decades younger. I have the privilege of observing everyone work. One thing is clear: the law is the same for everyone, no matter their age. How you conduct yourself in court should always be professional.
Bridging generational gaps requires conversation — on and off the bench — in safe environments.
Younger lawyers may use Zoom and other technology but might not have opportunities to observe experienced lawyers in action. Mentoring helps fill that gap, teaching soft skills like welcoming the court, introducing oneself, and showing kindness to clerks or bailiffs.
These skills are essential for courts to function smoothly, and the public certainly appreciates them. There’s no expiration date on kindness.
How has your professional service made you a better lawyer?
Rich: Bar and community service have been central to my professional life, and I feel fortunate to have served in a number of leadership roles within the legal profession and the community.
These experiences have been deeply meaningful, both personally and professionally. They have sharpened my leadership skills, expanded my network, and given me the opportunity to better understand the wide range of issues and perspectives that shape our profession and the world around us.
Most importantly, they have reinforced for me the critical role lawyers play in upholding the rule of law and the professional norms on which society depends.
How has practicing in southern Illinois shaped your career?
Pine: The great advantage of practicing in southern Illinois is that you really get to know the attorneys and judges who work in your area of law. We may not always agree, but we will be meeting again and again, and that impacts our interactions.
“Your word is your bond” is not just a saying; it’s a southern Illinois reality. And if you don’t adhere to it, you and everyone else will hear about it.
“What goes around, comes around” is another southern Illinois reality. If you need to continue a matter for a personal reason, you are likely to get cooperation – if you have extended the same courtesy to others.
“Your reputation precedes you” is yet another southern Illinois reality, and word gets around fast in a small community. If you want to build a good reputation, you have to do that from day one.
How can law firms and other organizations outside large metro areas recruit and retain lawyers?
Pine: A “homegrown” approach may be one thing to consider. I notice anecdotally that some of my children’s friends in their 30s are returning to southern Illinois. The cost of living elsewhere, the desire to own a home, and the need for family support to raise children are often driving considerations for this migration.
To encourage such a migration in the legal profession, we have to work from the ground up. Getting young people into law school means we have to deliver quality K-12 education, help young people succeed in school, and help them succeed in college.
Also, our rural communities have to remain vibrant, desirable, and economical places to live. Many of our communities do a great job with education and community living. We should build on that and help other communities succeed.
What are you most proud of during your time as a Commissioner?
Judge Washington: The Commission’s collaboration with entities to ensure our courts uphold the professionalism standards set by the Illinois Supreme Court. This helps make sure that our courts are fair and safe spaces for everyone, regardless of race or position.
I am also proud of the continuing legal education and judicial training the Commission provides. It’s really about “human training” — helping people understand how to treat others fairly.
Pine: The Commission and our Supreme Court are not afraid to look into tough problems in the profession and develop educational programs to address them. Bullying in the profession is one, but there are many others, including the impact of vicarious trauma on attorneys and judges, working with multiple generations of attorneys, being an ally, and prioritizing mental health.
Rich: When I first joined the Commission, the Illinois Supreme Court had just implemented continuing legal education requirements in diversity and in mental health and substance abuse.
While that development slightly predates my tenure — and the credit properly belongs to the Court and the Commission — I remain proud that Illinois was at the forefront of these changes and that our profession continues to benefit from them.
I am also proud to have been part of the leadership transition from longtime Executive Director Jayne Reardon to Erika Harold. The search process was long, thorough, and at times challenging, but ultimately, we recommended Erika to the Supreme Court, and her tenure has exceeded even our highest expectations. She has proven to be an extraordinary leader, and it is deeply gratifying to have played a role in that transition.
Finally, I am especially proud of the Commission’s recent publication of its report on bullying in the legal profession. As the first report of its kind, it meaningfully advances the discourse around lawyer well-being and workplace culture. It is groundbreaking work, and I am honored to have been associated with it.
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We are incredibly grateful to Judge Washington, Trish, and Kathy for their service to the Commission and the lawyers, judges, and legal professionals in Illinois.
Promoting civility and professionalism in an inherently adversarial profession can be daunting. However, thanks to their leadership, the Commission has developed into one of the most influential legal professionalism organizations in the nation.
It has been an honor!
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The post Three Commissioners on the Evolution of Legal Professionalism, Generational Change, and the Enduring Power of a Lawyer’s Word appeared first on 2Civility.