By Chief Justice P. Scott Neville, Jr.
Sixty-five years ago, Congress made May 1 Law Day to honor the rule of law. Every year, the American Bar Association picks a theme. This year’s theme is “The Rule of Law and the American Dream.”
The rule of law upholds the American Dream by ensuring access to legal assistance. But many people end up in court without a lawyer, not by choice but due to circumstances. This places them at a disadvantage, as lawyers bring the skills and structure needed to present facts, explain issues, and apply the law.
Chief Justice P. Scott Neville, Jr. and the Illinois Supreme Court announced amendments to several Supreme Court Rules to address unmet legal needs in the state.
The Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA) is now offering a health insurance plan exclusively for individual & solo practitioner members of the ISBA.
ISBA members, sign up to receive The Bar News' biweekly e-newsletter by emailing emailpreferences@isba.org
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May 1, 2026 |
Practice News | Events
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May 1, 2026 | ISBA News
As we celebrate Law Day 2025 on May 1, 2026, we remind ourselves of the importance of the Rule of Law in Illinois, in the United States of America, and throughout the world. -
April 30, 2026 | Practice News
The names of seven new associate judges, selected in a vote of Cook County Circuit Court judges, were announced by Marcia M. Meis, Director of the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts. Ballots listing the names of 14 finalists, chosen from 74 interviewed applicants, were distributed to 265 circuit judges. Ballots were due on April 27. -
April 29, 2026 | CLE
Cybersecurity for Healthcare Law Firms: Risk, Compliance, and Client Trust -
April 28, 2026 | Events
The Illinois State Bar Association and the Illinois Judges' Association hosted Stronger Together: Supporting Women in the Legal Profession on April 23, 2026, at Roosevelt University in Chicago, IL. -
April 27, 2026 | Practice News
The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) is accepting applications for one open attorney position. -
April 27, 2026 | Practice News
The Chicago Cubs are winning; the Cardinals are “meh”; and, well, White Sox fans, we feel for you. Whichever team is your favorite, watching them play often requires searching for which television station, streaming channel, website, radio station, or app has the game on that day. How did finding a way to watch your favorite team get so complicated? Read Maria M. Pimentel Diaz’s article, “Turning on the Game,” in the April Illinois Bar Journal. -
April 27, 2026 | CLE
24th Annual Environmental and Natural Resources Law Conference -
April 23, 2026 | ISBA News
The Illinois State Bar Association would like to congratulate the award recipients and others honored for their work during the 2025-2026 bar year. -
April 22, 2026 | CLE
Pre-Trial Fairness Act: A Judicial Perspective