The Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism is pleased to announce that Stephanie Villinski, Deputy Director of the Commission, has been appointed to the American Bar Association’s Standing Committee on Professionalism. Villinski’s three-year term on the national, nine-person committee will commence with the adjournment of the ABA’s 2020 Annual Meeting, which will be held virtually from July 29 – August 4, 2020.
“Stephanie has played a pivotal role in the development and execution of the Commission’s educational programs, with a keen eye on how we can impact the current professionalism challenges impacting lawyers, judges, law students, and other legal professionals across Illinois and beyond,” said Jayne R. Reardon, Executive Director of the Commission on Professionalism. “Having served on the Standing Committee for six years, I know that Stephanie’s perspective as a public interest lawyer and as Deputy Director of the Commission will be invaluable to national initiatives to create a legal and justice system that works better for lawyers and especially the public we serve.”
The Standing Committee on Professionalism is charged to encourage, recommend, and provide assistance to ABA entities in the development and coordination of professionalism initiatives, and to encourage and provide assistance to state and local bar associations, the judiciary, the law schools, and the legal community. This includes addressing current professionalism issues in the legal community and the public, such as those related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This Committee also administers the E. Smythe Gambrell Professionalism Awards, which recognize innovative professionalism programs in law schools, bar associations, courts, and other legal organizations.
Villinski has served as Deputy Director of the Commission on Professionalism since October 2017. At the Commission, she oversees operations and develops and executes professional programming, including administering and supporting the Commission’s mentoring, education, and law school programs. Villinski often writes and presents on professionalism topics for legal professionals across the state, with a particular interest in health and wellness.
Prior to joining the Commission, Villinski was the Content Director at Illinois Legal Aid Online (ILAO), where she oversaw the publication of user-centered content for those in need of legal assistance, and an attorney at LAF (formerly the Legal Assistance Foundation), where she specialized in public housing issues throughout Chicago.
Villinski is a member of the ABA, the Illinois State Bar Association, the Chicago Bar Association, the ABA’s Commission on Lawyer Assistance Programs (CoLAP) Law School Outreach Committee, and an advisory committee member of Catholic Charities Legal Assistance.
She received a J.D. with Order of Coif distinction from DePaul University College of Law and graduated summa cum laude from Saint Mary’s College in Indiana.
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