CBA Record September-October 2026

confidence in the courts. “Being a member of the Illinois Supreme Court represents many things to me on a personal and a professional level. It is truly the highest and best use of my life and experience, education, judgment, and desire to do something meaningful with my life,” she said. “As a member of this state’s highest court, I have a unique opportunity to be a change agent in many ways. I embrace this position as the vehicle through which I can accomplish good things in a way that would otherwise not be possible.” Beyond her judicial service, Justice Cunningham has been an active leader in the organized bar. A defining moment of her professional career came in 2004, when she became the first Black woman elected president of the CBA. Her elec tion represented a historic milestone and reflected the respect she had earned from attorneys throughout the Chicago legal community. During her presidency, she focused on professional excellence, public service, and increasing diversity within the legal profession. Throughout her career, Justice Cun ningham has devoted substantial time to civic and charitable organizations. She has served on the boards of numerous nonprofit and legal service organizations including The Chicago Bar Foundation and the American Law Institute. Her commitment to community service has earned her numerous awards and recog nition from legal, educational, and civic institutions. Clifford stated, “Her leadership extends far beyond the courtroom. She has served as a mentor, an advocate for diversity within the legal profession, and a champion for equal access to justice. Her professionalism, humility, and tire less work ethic have inspired generations of lawyers and judges to pursue excel lence while never losing sight of human dignity, the heart of our legal system.” Among the honors Justice Cunning ham has received are the CBA Justice John Paul Stevens Award, the CBA Earl Burrus Dickerson Award, the Solidarity Award from the Coalition of Bar Asso ciations, the Mary Heftel Hooton Award from the Women’s Bar Association of Illi

Justice Cunningham and Robert Clifford

nois, and the Distinguished Service Award from the Illinois Judges Association. She has also received several community awards, including the Torchbearer Award from the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, the Faces of Success Award from the March of Dimes, the Vision and Leadership Award from Loyola University, and the Honesty Humility Human Award from the Boys & Girls Club. Of the Champion of Justice Award, Justice Cunningham said, “The award carries the imprimatur of two important pillars of the Chicago legal community: Robert A. Clifford, for whom the award is named, and The Chicago Bar Association, which selects the recipient. Having an award underpinned by these pillars of our legal community is a high honor and signals something special to our entire community.” Justice Cunningham’s career reflects a rare combination of legal excellence, public service, and leadership. Clifford observed, “Her remarkable career stands as a testament to what judicial excellence truly means: independence, wisdom, courage, and service. Justice Cunningham has strengthened the judiciary, elevated the legal profession, and is leaving an enduring legacy of fairness and public trust. She is a role model whose influ ence will continue to shape the administration of justice for years to come.” Asked for her advice to young lawyers, Justice Cunningham said, “I tell young people to lean into every experience, no matter how mundane or boring it may seem. The pres ent experience is preparing them for a later opportunity which is yet to be revealed but is certain to arise, and preparation will make the difference in how those opportunities are embraced.” Justice Cunningham’s journey serves as an inspiration to aspiring lawyers, judges, and public servants across Illinois and beyond.

Pamela Sakowicz Menaker is the Communications Partner at Clifford Law Offices and is a member of the CBA Record Editorial Board.

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