Ethics & Professional Responsibility

July 8, 2025

A recent report from Thomson Reuters found that using AI could unlock $20 billion annually for the legal profession, saving professionals five hours per week and equating to an annual value of $19,000 per employee.
Thomson Reuters’ annual Future of Professionals study explores how AI is impacting professionals in the legal, risk, compliance, accounting, audit,

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2Civility Blog

Upcoming Legal Events in Illinois to Catch This Summer

By Marin McCall

June 25, 2025

summer legal events illinois A man golfer skillfully swings his club during a fairway shot, with a golf ball in sight, surrounded by vibrant greenery under a clear sunny sky.

Hello, summer! Warmer weather means new opportunities to spend time with friends, family, and your colleagues in the Illinois legal community.
Lawyers and judges can nurture existing relationships and build new ones at events hosted by bar and judicial associations in Illinois.
From golf outings to family picnics and paper-shredding to clambakes, these events can

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2Civility Blog

Commission on Professionalism Chief Counsel Mark Palmer to Present at Legal Geek North America

By 2Civility

June 11, 2025

The Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism is pleased to announce that Chief Counsel Mark C. Palmer will present a session on “AI, Legal Advocacy, and the Power of Words” at Legal Geek North America, a leading legal innovation conference.
The presentation, which will be held on June 17, 2025, in Chicago, will explore

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2Civility Blog

Illinois to Administer New Bar Exam Beginning February 2028

By Laura Bagby

May 22, 2025

Multiple empty examination tables set up ready for Yr12 or Form 6 University entrance exams. school leavers certificate. bar exam illinois

Beginning in February 2028, lawyer hopefuls will take a new bar exam to become licensed to practice in Illinois.
The Illinois Supreme Court and Board of Admissions to the Bar announced that the NextGen Uniform Bar Examination (NextGen) will replace the current Uniform Bar Exam (UBE) starting with the February 2028 administration.
This announcement provides

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2Civility Blog

Applications to Illinois Law Schools Soar 29% Compared to Last Year

By Laura Bagby

May 14, 2025

The number of aspiring lawyers is surging in Illinois and nationally in what the Wall Street Journal has called “one of the most competitive years” for law school hopefuls in recent memory.
Applications submitted to ABA-accredited law schools in the U.S. have jumped 23% and the number of applicants has increased almost 20%, according to

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2Civility Blog

Nearly Half of Lawyers Think AI Will be Mainstream in the Legal Profession With Three Years

By Marin McCall

April 16, 2025

More lawyers think that AI has become mainstream in the legal profession compared to last year, but some lawyers still hesitate to adopt AI into their practice.
The ABA’s annual Legal Technology Survey Report, which analyzes survey responses from 512 attorneys in private practice across various firm sizes, found that 13% of lawyers say

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2Civility Blog

5 Things Illinois Lawyers Will Learn at the Future Is Now 2025

By Erika Harold

April 11, 2025

In just two weeks, the Commission will host its annual Future Is Now: Legal Services conference, showcasing key issues at the forefront of legal professionalism.
If you are one of the more than 600 lawyers already registered for the virtual conference, we look forward to engaging with you on Thursday, April 24.
If you

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2Civility Blog

Professionalism Spotlight: Diana M. Law, Law Hesselbaum LLP

By 2Civility

April 4, 2025

Our Professionalism Spotlight series highlights Illinois legal professionals who demonstrate in their careers the ideals of professionalism and a commitment to equitable, efficient, and effective justice.
In this Professionalism Spotlight, we spoke to Diana M. Law, a Partner at Law Hesselbaum LLP in Aurora, Ill. Diana has concentrated her career in estate planning, guardianship, and

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2Civility Blog

Discuss GenAI Opportunities and Ethical Concerns with Fellow Lawyers at the Future Is Now Conference

By Mark C. Palmer

March 17, 2025

Count the legal profession among those industries on the brink of a technological revolution, thanks to generative AI (GenAI).
Legal services provider Clio reports that 79% of lawyers are using AI and roughly three-quarters of hourly billable tasks have the potential to be automated by AI.
Last year, the Illinois Supreme Court announced a

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2Civility Blog

Access to Justice Commission Requests Public Feedback on New Complaint or Petition Form Set

By 2Civility

March 17, 2025

The Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Access to Justice requests public comment on a new Complaint or Petition form set. The public comment period lasts until Thursday, April 3, 2025.
Public feedback can be provided on the Illinois Courts’ website or emailed to forms@illinoiscourts.gov.
The form titles include:

How to File a Complaint

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