10 Things to Consider as a Minority Student in Law SchoolBy Veronica Smith, Craig McGee, & Joshua ConleyJune 2026Diverse perspectives are important, especially in traditionally exclusive spaces, such as the law. Three law students from the Southern Illinois University Simmons Law School share their perspectives regarding dealing with imposter syndrome, finding empowerment, engaging in networking, and seizing opportunities.
All Great Men Have Mothers: A Book ReviewBy Sandra Crawford, J.D.June 2026The mothers of Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcom X, and James Baldwin played a pivotal role in their sons' lives. While often discussed less, this book sheds light on how Alberta Williams King, Louise Little, and Berdis Jones Baldwin raised men who would change the country's landscape.
Balancing Career & Family at the Appellate CourtBy Julia Kaye WykoffJune 2026We tell our kids all the time: look for the helpers. But as working moms, why don’t we tell ourselves that, too? Although our profession can be filled with some curmudgeonly old-schoolers who don’t understand the struggle, there is no shortage of helpers out there that want us to succeed. I am grateful that I found my mentor and “helper” in Justice Sholar.
Correct Analysis Regarding “Particular Social Group” in Asylum ClaimsBy Ralph E. GuderianJune 2026To be granted asylum in the United States, a person must demonstrate that he or she is a “refugee,” that he or she is not barred from asylum for any of the reasons listed in U.S. immigration laws, and that the decision-maker should grant asylum as a matter of discretion. However, case law has infused certain flaws into the analysis that must be addressed and corrected.
Editor’s NoteBy Sandra BlakeJune 2026As Editor of Diversity Matters, Sandra Blake introduces the current edition of this newsletter, emphasizing the representation of diversity across multiple committees and sections of the ISBA.
EXCUSE ME, ARE YOU A LAWYER? Incivility Motivated by Bias in Our Legal SystemBy Junaid M. AfeefJune 2026Civility in the legal profession goes beyond basic courtesy. Understanding civility requires not only familiarity with professional rules of conduct but also an appreciation of how incivility has historically functioned as a tool of exclusion, particularly along lines of race, gender, and other identity-based characteristics.
Illinois HB 1312 Amends Public Higher Education Act, Requires Procedures of Public UniversitiesBy Jessica Galanos & Heather ClingermanJune 2026On December 9, 2025, the Illinois Public Higher Education Act was amended to include a new section titled, “Immigration Status and Immigration Enforcement," requiring all public colleges and universities in Illinois to take three actions by January 1, 2026: (1) develop procedures for reviewing and authorizing requests to enter a school’s campus; (2) post immigration enforcement resources to the school’s primary website; and (3) adopt procedures to determine if an immigration enforcement activity is occurring or has occurred on the campus.
Impact of Rescission of Laws on DEI in Family Law: Implications to Access to JusticeBy Arlette G. PorterJune 2026The recent rescission of DEI laws has already had a profound effect on access to justice. It has had a tangible and perhaps detrimental consequence in the family law arena. Revocation of DEI initiatives significantly hinders divorcing parties’ and parentage parties’ access to justice, particularly those in vulnerable positions.
Judicial Mentoring and the Future of the Illinois Bench: Building Transparent, Equitable, and Merit-Based Pathways to Judicial ServiceBy Junaid M. AfeefJune 2026Attorney mentoring is long recognized as a valuable resource for aspiring attorneys or young attorneys; however, judicial mentoring is often overlooked. Judicial mentoring is not a luxury; it is an institutional necessity. In an era of declining public trust and increasing complexity in adjudication, Illinois cannot rely on informal pipelines and inherited privilege to staff its courts.
Know Your Rights—Immigration Resources for AttorneysBy Dina NinfoJune 2026The Diversity Leadership Council and the International and Immigration Section Council partnered with the Resurrection Project’s Immigrant Justice department to produce this Know Your Rights webcast to provide information to attorneys.
Message From the ChairBy Dina NinfoJune 2026Dina Ninfo, the current Chair of the ISBA Diversity Leadership Council, discusses the current political climate of the United States, rollbacks of protections and rights that impact every member of society, and attacks on the legal system and the rule of law.
Navigating the Legal World as a Young Black Male Lawyer in Chicago: Challenges, Triumphs, and the Road AheadBy Jason A. Pica, IIJune 2026In this article, the author shares his personal perspective on what it means to be a young Black lawyer in Chicago. The author's experience is shaped by the history of his people, the stories he carries from his community, and the constant weight to represent those folks and their stories who have often been silenced.
President’s MessageBy Hon. Bridget C. DuignanJune 2026A note from ISBA Immediate Past President, Bridget C. Duignan, regarding the role of diversity in the legal profession and highlighting a previous CLE, Stronger Together: Supporting Women in the Legal Profession.
Special Immigrant Juvenile Status and Its Application to Illinois Family Law and GuardianshipsBy Phil SchlichtingJune 2026Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (“SIJS”) is a form of immigration relief that is available to foreign born children that have been abused, neglected, abandoned or similarly mistreated by one or both parents. Approved SIJS petitioners are able to adjust status in the United States when their priority date becomes current.
Springfield PrideFestJune 2026For many years, the ISBA has participated in the Springfield PrideFest, a beloved Central Illinois tradition held on the third Saturday of May.
The Supreme Court’s Unanimous Decision on the Standard of Review for Removal OrdersBy Jesse J. SolisJune 2026The Urias-Orellana et al. v. Bondi, Attorney General case held that the First Circuit applied the correct standard of review when reviewing the Board of Immigration Appeals’ determination for substantial evidence regarding persecution.
The U.S. Citizenship Application Process Is Changing in 2025By John RottierJune 2026Changes to the U.S. naturalization process took effect on October 20, 2025, including new civic test, stricter rules for exemptions, re-introducing neighborhood investigations, revised moral character standard, and more.
When a Private Home Becomes a Regulated Workplace: Employment Law Considerations for Hiring Nannies in IllinoisBy Kat GaineyJune 2026For many families juggling careers and children, hiring an in-home nanny often feels like a practical solution to an everyday problem. The arrangement appears personal, private, and even informal; however, unlike traditional employment relationships, in-home childcare frequently begins through word-of-mouth referrals, casual interviews, and handshake agreements. Yet few families pause to consider the legal implications that accompany recurring childcare.
Women at the Center: Community Responses to Federal Immigration Activity in Chicago and the Surrounding SuburbsBy Kat DelgadoJune 2026Over the past several months, many Chicagoland residents have observed an increased federal presence in the city and surrounding suburbs. These temporary operations, largely related to immigration enforcement, have been visible and disruptive and have prompted widespread community responses. For women living in Illinois and practicing law, these events do not exist in an abstract or theoretical space, but rather intersect directly with the lived realities of local families and with the legal systems designed to protect them.
