2Civility Blog

The 2Civility Blog is a thought-provoking platform of the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism. It is a forum that provides the space to dive deeply into key issues impacting the legal profession.

Through the blog, the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism advances its mission to promote a culture of civility and inclusion within the following topics: civility, diversity and inclusion, ethics, future law, justice, law school, leadership, legal profession, mentoring, professionalism, technology, and wellness.  These topics demonstrate that the law can be both a rewarding and challenging vocation.

The 2Civility Blog is a tool to think critically about and navigate the straight lines, curves, and detours of the legal profession. Our intent is to foster an open and ongoing dialogue. Don’t delay. Join the 2Civility Blog community and conversation.

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By: Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism

Blog Authors

2Civility
Laura Bagby
Mark C. Palmer
Erika Harold
Marin McCall
Julia Roundtree Livingston
Stephanie Villinski

Latest from 2Civility Blog

Erika Harold and Shermin Kruse at the 2026 Future Is Now conference
Erika Harold and Shermin Kruse at the 2026 Future Is Now conference

Key Points

  • Empathy is more than feeling—it can involve thinking about and understanding others’ thoughts and emotions
  • Lawyers can better serve clients and support colleagues by knowing when to exercise different types of empathy, including emotional, cognitive, and stoic empathy
  • Different practice and

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Key points
  • AI notetakers, transcription tools, and meeting summaries can record and store attorney-client conversations, raising confidentiality and privilege risks.
  • Lawyers should address AI recording and transcription in engagement agreements, including consent, limitations, and review expectations.
  • When AI notetakers are used in client meetings, lawyers should inform clients of the risks and review any AI-generated

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AI Innovation and Governance, Future Is Now 2026
Lawyers are under pressure to modernize the way they deliver legal services without sacrificing the trust, judgment, and professionalism that define the profession. Clients expect clearer communication, more transparency around costs, and a smoother experience at every step of the matter. At the same time, artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies are reshaping how legal

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Michelle Sanders, Macon County Public Defender’s Office (Source: Michelle Sanders).
Michelle Sanders, Macon County Public Defender’s Office (Source: Michelle Sanders).

Our Professionalism Spotlight series highlights Illinois legal professionals who demonstrate the ideals of professionalism in their careers.
In this Professionalism Spotlight, we spoke to Michelle Sanders, Chief Public Defender for the Macon County Public Defender’s Office.
When Michelle began practicing law in 2007, she served as

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michelle m. kohut
Our Professionalism Spotlight series highlights Illinois legal professionals who demonstrate the ideals of professionalism in their careers.
In this Professionalism Spotlight, we spoke to Michelle M. Kohut, a Partner at Corboy & Demetrio in Chicago.
Michelle’s primary practice area is plaintiff’s personal injury and workers’ compensation.
Michelle is active in several bar associations, including the

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evolution of legal professionalism trisha rich judge alicia washington kathy pine
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

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in defense of the handwritten card lighthouse
A photo I recently took of the Friends of the Chicago Harbor Lighthouse on Lake Michigan

The image on the front of the card was a white lighthouse beaming against an orangey sunset and darkening lake. Although metaphors associated with lighthouses can seem almost overused, they capture the role this person played during an important

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Artificial intelligence creates music concepts. Vector illustration.
Picture a tool that can quickly summarize dense, voluminous documents in short soundbites. Got your attention?
Recently, a growing number of artificial intelligence (AI) platforms have begun experimenting with turning written content into highly tailored audio. For lawyers, these tools can transform long case opinions, pleadings, or appellate briefs, for example, into audio formats that

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