CBA Record July-August 2025

Inclusion: Uniting the Legal Community As a sitting judge, I bring a unique perspective to bar leadership. I understand the power of collaboration between the bench and the bar and the importance of ensuring that every voice is heard and valued. My goal is to deepen that relationship, encouraging greater judicial participation while opening new doors for attor neys across every sector of our profession. This year, we will formally launch the Coalition of Chicago land Bar Associations, a new alliance of more than 20 affinity and regional bar groups working together to defend the rule of law, support judicial independence, and strengthen legal institutions. We will also focus on uplifting the next generation of legal leaders. From expanding scholarship efforts to strengthening our mentoring pipeline, we are committed to helping law students and younger attorneys not just succeed but thrive. Inclusion is about more than access. It’s about empowerment. Integrity: Honoring Our Role in Society Public trust in the legal system is not guaranteed. It is earned. And now more than ever, the CBA must lead with clarity, consis tency, and character. This year, we will reaffirm our commitment to ethical leader

ship, judicial independence, and the core principles that bind us as officers of the court. We will also make attorney and judicial wellness a priority—with programs that focus on mental health, peer support, and professional sustainability. The legal profession cannot function at its best if its members are overburdened, isolated, or disconnected. Ours is a bar asso ciation that sees its members as people—not just as lawyers or judges. And we are here for them. Looking Ahead When I reflect on my journey—from growing up on the South Side of Chicago, to law school, to private practice, to the bench— I know that every step mattered. Every lesson, every obstacle, every moment of growth prepared me for this one. And I do not take it lightly. The CBA is more than an organization. It is a living, breathing community. A force for good. A platform for progress. And this year, we will harness its full power—not just for ourselves, but for the profession, the public, and the generations to come. Let’s make this a year of bold ideas, genuine connection, and forward motion. I’m honored to serve. I’m ready to lead. And I am excited about what we will build—together.

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