Justice David K. Overstreet of the Illinois Supreme Court administered the attorney’s oath to 61 new lawyers today in the Fifth Judicial District during two separate ceremonies.
The group is part of 1,637 individuals statewide who will be admitted to practice law in Illinois during bar admission ceremonies held across the state’s five Supreme Court judicial districts.
The first ceremony began at 9 a.m. at the Southern Illinois University (SIU) School of Law Auditorium in Carbondale. Justice Overstreet presided, and SIU Law Dean Hannah Brenner Johnson delivered the welcome. Speakers included Suzanne Schmitz, President of the Illinois Board of Admissions to the Bar; Thomas Speedie of the Illinois State Bar Association Board of Governors; and J. Nelson Wood, Vice Chair of the Attorney Registration & Disciplinary Commission.
Distinguished guests included Fifth District Appellate Court Presiding Justice Michael McHaney, Second Judicial Circuit Court Judge Jim Giacone, and First Judicial Circuit Court Judge Christy Solverson. Attorneys Donna and Brian Polinske made the motion to admit the class, seconded by attorney Kurt Schroeder. Justice Overstreet ruled on the motion, administered the oath, and made remarks. A reception was hosted by the Illinois State Bar Association.
A second ceremony in the Fifth Judicial District held at 3 p.m. at the University of Illinois School of Law Auditorium in Champaign, also presided over by Justice Overstreet.
All candidates have passed the Illinois State Bar Examination, completed the required ethics examination, and were certified by the Supreme Court Committee on Character and Fitness. The Fifth Judicial District encompasses 48 counties, including Clay, Effingham, Fayette, Jasper, Marion, Richland, and Wayne.
Justice David K. Overstreet of the Illinois Supreme Court administered the attorney’s oath to 61 new lawyers today in the Fifth Judicial District during two separate ceremonies.
The group is part of 1,637 individuals statewide who will be admitted to practice law in Illinois during bar admission ceremonies held across the state’s five Supreme Court judicial districts.
The first ceremony began at 9 a.m. at the Southern Illinois University (SIU) School of Law Auditorium in Carbondale. Justice Overstreet presided, and SIU Law Dean Hannah Brenner Johnson delivered the welcome. Speakers included Suzanne Schmitz, President of the Illinois Board of Admissions to the Bar; Thomas Speedie of the Illinois State Bar Association Board of Governors; and J. Nelson Wood, Vice Chair of the Attorney Registration & Disciplinary Commission.
Distinguished guests included Fifth District Appellate Court Presiding Justice Michael McHaney, Second Judicial Circuit Court Judge Jim Giacone, and First Judicial Circuit Court Judge Christy Solverson. Attorneys Donna and Brian Polinske made the motion to admit the class, seconded by attorney Kurt Schroeder. Justice Overstreet ruled on the motion, administered the oath, and made remarks. A reception was hosted by the Illinois State Bar Association.
A second ceremony in the Fifth Judicial District held at 3 p.m. at the University of Illinois School of Law Auditorium in Champaign, also presided over by Justice Overstreet.
All candidates have passed the Illinois State Bar Examination, completed the required ethics examination, and were certified by the Supreme Court Committee on Character and Fitness. The Fifth Judicial District encompasses 48 counties, including Clay, Effingham, Fayette, Jasper, Marion, Richland, and Wayne.