More than 1,500 new attorneys sworn in across Illinois

The bar admission ceremonies for the 1,572 new attorneys who passed the July 2026 Bar Exam were held on Nov. 4, 2026, in all five judicial districts of Illinois.

Approximately 1,250 new lawyers took the attorney's oath in the First Judicial District. Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice P. Scott Neville Jr., Justice Joy V. Cunningham, and Justice Sanjay T. Tailor presided over two bar admission ceremonies in Chicago.

The new attorneys were encouraged to protect their reputation, commit to excellence, and join local bar associations to seek support from colleagues and mentors.

"It is my hope you grow to love the law as I do and you'll take to heart the commitment to the law," Justice Cunninham said while welcoming the candidates.

Several speakers at the Chicago ceremonies had family members being admitted into the class of new attorneys, including Judge Amy St. Eve of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, Hon. Anna Helen Demacopoulos (ret)., Attorney Larry Rogers, and Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul.

"No matter your practice area, you have a critical role to play," Raoul said.

Approximately 300 new attorneys were also sworn in during ceremonies in Elgin, Joliet, Springfield, Carbondale, and Champaign. All the candidates have passed the Illinois State Bar Examination and a required ethics examination and were certified by the Supreme Court Committee on Character and Fitness.

Back in Chicago, the justices personally congratulated several new attorneys after the ceremony.

"I have hope that the 600-plus new admittees (here today) are going to breathe life into those words of the Constitution, of forming that more perfect union," Chief Justice Neville said.

View photo galleries from the ceremonies here:

First District

Second District

Third District

Fourth District - Morning | Afternoon

Fifth District