ISBA counsel McDermott opts for new career

Mary T. McDermott, head of the ISBA Legal Department since May 2003, is leaving the staff this month to do a little teaching in legal ethics and a lot of learning in a different field.
McDermott began taking evening classes at National Louis University on Jan. 14 with a goal of earning a master’s degree in education and gaining certification for a new career in elementary education by September 2009.
She also will teach professional responsibility as an adjunct faculty member at both The John Marshall Law School and the Loyola University School of Law.
A 1990 graduate of the DePaul University College of Law, McDermott was an ISBA assistant counsel from 1991 until 1993, when she joined the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts.
In 1998, she became an attorney-investigator for the Chicago Board of Ethics, prosecuting officials and employees for violations of the city’s Governmental Ethics Ordinance and monitoring campaign finance contributions.
McDermott rejoined the ISBA staff in 2000 as first assistant counsel and was promoted to general counsel three years later.

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