The Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism is pleased to announce that Commission Vice-Chair John K. Kim has been recognized as a 2022 Minority Corporate Counsel Association (MCCA) Rising Star. The award was presented at the 2022 Creating Pathways to Diversity Conference on October 18.
The MCCA Rising Stars is an annual list of “attorneys to watch” at any point in their careers and who exhibit a “love of law, ambition, and pursuit of excellence while possessing compassion for those in need and a strong desire to give back to others.”
Founded in 1997, the MCCA is led by a diverse team that uses a data-driven approach and executive coaching to champion the hiring, retention, and promotion of diverse attorneys in corporate law departments and law firms.
“In his role as attorney and Commissioner, John is an inspiring leader who champions diversity, equity, and inclusion and access to justice initiatives that drive the profession forward,” said Martin Sinclair, Chair of the Commission on Professionalism. “Congratulations to John on this well-deserved recognition of his dedication to his practice and to improving the lives of those in need.”
Kim currently serves as Counsel at State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Co., where he chaired the Corporate Law Department’s Diversity and Inclusion and Ethics and Professionalism Committees. Prior to State Farm, Kim was in private practice in Bloomington and Peoria, Ill.
Kim serves as Treasurer of Prairie State Legal Services, Inc. He is active with the National Asian-Pacific American Bar Association, is the immediate past president of the NAPABA Law Foundation, and has chaired the Illinois State Bar Association Judicial Evaluations Committee – Outside Cook County.
Locally, Kim served on the Board of Directors for the McLean County Bar Association. He was also a Board member of the Peoria County Bar Association and chaired its Diversity Committee. Kim focuses his pro bono efforts on immigration matters in partnership with The Immigration Project.
Kim received a J.D. from the American University Washington College of Law and a B.A. from Wheaton College (IL). Before attending law school, Kim worked as a refugee and asylee caseworker in Nairobi, Kenya, and for a faith-based organization in Washington, D.C.
About the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism
The Illinois Supreme Court established the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism in 2005 under Supreme Court Rule 799(c) to foster increased civility, professionalism, and inclusiveness among lawyers and judges in Illinois. By advancing the highest standards of conduct among lawyers and judges, the Commission on Professionalism works to better serve clients and society alike. For more information, please visit 2Civility.org and follow us on Twitter @2CivilityOrg.
Press Contact
Laura Bagby, Communications Director
312-363-6209
laura.bagby@2civility.org