The Illinois State Bar Association and the Illinois Judges’ Association hosted Stronger Together: Supporting Women in the Legal Profession on April 23 at Roosevelt University in Chicago.
The event aimed to help women build professional networks and address career challenges with support from colleagues, communities, and families. Hon. Bridget C. Duignan, president of the Illinois State Bar Association for 2025-26, gave opening remarks and introduced plenary speaker Amy Howe of SCOTUSBlog. Duignan also moderated a panel discussion featuring five female Illinois Supreme Court justices.
A reception followed the program, provided by the Illinois Judges’ Association.
The Illinois State Bar Association is a voluntary organization that assists lawyers in professional development and justice improvements. It offers resources for legal education and networking while supporting pro bono efforts and community access to justice. Founded in 1877, it has more than 28,000 members according to the official website.
The association promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion to encourage participation from all attorneys and improve community wellbeing according to its official website. It provides continuing legal education, practice management resources, professional networking opportunities according to its official website, recognizes excellence through awards for pro bono service and diversity leadership according to its official website, utilizes the Illinois Bar Center for administrative operations according to its official website, operates under an elected president with a Board of Governors and an Assembly according to its official website.
Broader support initiatives like this event reflect ongoing efforts by both associations to foster inclusive environments within the legal profession.
