Bench & Bar

The newsletter of the ISBA’s Bench & Bar Section

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2026 Articles

2025 Joint Midyear Meeting Photos February 2026 The Illinois State Bar Association and the Illinois Judges Association proudly co-hosted the 2025 Joint Midyear Meeting on December 11–12 at the JW Marriott Chicago, bringing members of the legal community together for two days of connection and collaboration.
Editor’s Note: Save the Date for Annual! By Kimberly Duda February 2026 Don't miss the ISBA's 2026 Annual Meeting, which will occur on June 11-12, 2026 at the Ritz-Carlton St. Louis! 
Judicial Mentoring and the Future of the Illinois Bench: Building Transparent, Equitable, and Merit-Based Pathways to Judicial Service By Junaid M. Afeef February 2026 In Illinois, as in most states, the path to becoming a judge is often opaque, informal, and heavily dependent on access to professional networks that are unevenly distributed across the legal profession. Judicial mentoring could help create more transparent pathways for highly qualified lawyers—particularly those from underrepresented communities, first‑generation professionals, and lawyers without access to elite professional circles—to become judges. 
No Access to Justice Without Access to a Lawyer: Part II By Judge James A. Shapiro & James J. Herdegen February 2026 Part II of this two-part series explores the difficulties that self-represented litigants face in the court system, particularly as it relates to Domestic Relations cases and the inability to afford an attorney, and offers solutions to increase access to justice. 
Recent Appointments and Retirements February 2026 Summary of individuals who have been appointed to, and retired, recalled, and resigned from the bench. 
Recent Developments in Motions for Substitution of Judge as a Matter of Right By Dennis M. Lynch February 2026 Substitution of judge motions can be some of the most impactful motions in a case. This is especially true because if the motion is erroneously denied, all subsequent orders may be deemed void. Two recent appellate decisions have expanded the landscape of case law on substitution of judge motions and provide further guidance to judges and practitioners as to proper motion practice.