Created to advance professionalism within the legal profession, the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism relies on its fourteen commissioners to ensure civility remains a cornerstone of law practice throughout the entire state.
On January 9, 2017, Judge Jorge Alonso, was appointed to serve on the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism. Judge Alonso will be replacing former Commissioner Judge Sharon Coleman who resigned before her term expired due to the time commitments of her trial schedule. Judge Alonso’s term will expire on December 31, 2017.
Nominated by President Barack Obama in 2014, Judge Alonso currently serves as a United States District Court Judge for the Northern District of Illinois. Prior to this, he was an Associate Judge in the Circuit of Cook County, and before taking the bench, he was a public defender in Cook County. Judge Alonso remains active in the legal community. He regularly participates in activities of the Illinois Judges Association, the Chicago Inn of Court and the Lawyers Club of Chicago. Judge Alonso also volunteers with a number of local nonprofits, including the Daniel Murphy Scholarship Fund, Cristo Rey Jesuit High School and the Lawyers’ Assistance Program.
Illinois Supreme Court Rule 799 lays out the guidelines for selecting Commissioners and the obligations that go with the appointment. The Court handpicks a total of fourteen members to serve on the Commission who each serve three-year terms. These commissioners are selected with regard to their reputations for professionalism and for their past contributions to the bar and local communities.
In the eyes of the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism’s Chair Hon. Debra Walker, Judge Alonso will make a great addition to the team:
We are delighted that Judge Alonso is joining the Commission. Judges have much influence in changing the civility and professionalism paradigm in litigation. Because Judge Alonso has served both the state and federal courts, we look forward to using his perspectives to further our mission.
Earlier this year, the Commission on Professionalism welcomed four new commissioners who were appointed by the state’s Supreme Court Justices in December of last year.
Each of the new commissioners began their first year of their three-year term earlier this month, replacing former commissioners, Leslie Richards-Yellen, Hon. Kathryn Creswell, Jane DiRenzo Pigott, and Sonni Williams. Though Leslie Richards-Yellen will no longer serve as a Commissioner, she will stay on board as an advisor to the Commission on Professionalism.
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About the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism
The Commission on Professionalism was established by the Illinois Supreme Court in September 2005 to foster increased civility, professionalism and inclusion among lawyers and judges in the State of Illinois. By advancing the highest standards of conduct among lawyers, we work to better serve clients and society alike. These duties uphold by the Commission are defined under Supreme Court Rule 799(c). For more information, please visit 2Civility.org, the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism’s website.
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Erika Kubik
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312.363.6209