An elite committee of the American Bar Association (ABA) has honored the 17th Judicial Circuit, Winnebago County Bar Association and the Boone County Bar Association for pioneering a local initiative designed to enhance professionalism and civility in the legal profession.

The ABA Standing Committee on Professionalism will award the three northwestern Illinois entities with the 2012 E. Smythe Gambrell Award and a $3,500 check during the ABA’s annual meeting this summer. The presentation will take place at a luncheon on Friday, August 3 at 12:15 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency in Chicago.

The Gambrell Award is given each year to organizations that contribute to the understanding of professionalism among lawyers. The Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism (ILSCCP) nominated the three organizations for working together in designing and implementing an Aspirational Code of Conduct, Lawyer-to-Lawyer Mentoring Program, and Peer Review Council.

All three initiatives have become models for the profession, not only in Illinois but in other jurisdictions as well.

"Three successive Chief Judges in the 17th Circuit have, in collaboration with the leadership of the two bar associations, not only initiated and maintained a vibrant professionalism initiative in the 17th Judicial Circuit, but also have actively collaborated with the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism in replicating the initiatives throughout the state," said Justice Robert R. Thomas of the Illinois Supreme Court. "I commend all of them for their efforts which led to this award. They have done much to craft innovative ways to promote the ideals of professionalism, and we are all better off as a result of their commitment."

Justice Thomas was the motivating force on the Supreme Court to establish the Commission on Professionalism and still serves as liaison to the Commission. The three Chief Judges of the 17th Circuit who have successively worked to implement the programs are Kathryn E. Zenoff, now on the Illinois Appellate Court in the 2nd District, Circuit Court Judge Janet R. Holmgren and current Chief Judge Joseph G. McGraw.

Supreme Court Chief Justice Thomas L. Kilbride also lauded the efforts of the 17th Circuit and the bar associations.

"The 17th Circuit and the bar associations of Winnebago and Boone counties certainly have been pioneers in advocating the highest ideals of professionalism among lawyers and judges," said Chief Justice Kilbride. "Because of their initiative and perseverance, Illinois is on its way to implementing a mentoring program statewide, passing along to young attorneys core values of professionalism and practical wisdom."

The Lawyer to Lawyer Mentoring Program, first implemented in 2009, pairs new lawyers with experienced lawyers for a year-long program focusing on five key areas including professionalism and ethics. Since its start, 51 lawyer pairs have successfully completed the program and 35 pairs are currently enrolled in the 17th Circuit.

The 17th Judicial Circuit’s Lawyer Mentoring Program was foundational in establishing a statewide Lawyer-to-Lawyer Mentoring Program overseen by the ILSCCP. Rolled out last year, the statewide program involves 48 different sponsoring organizations bringing professionalism mentoring to the newest members of the profession. More than 600 lawyers are currently engaged in the program.

Jayne Reardon, executive director of the ILSCCP, added that the program is not limited to Illinois, “The successful initiative has flexible and fungible components that may be replicated by any individual organization or combination of organizations interested in promoting professionalism.” The mentoring template has been provided to several state bar associations and commissions. Colorado is in the process of implementing the Illinois statewide model, and the President-elect of the Colorado Bar Association submitted a letter in support of the Gambrell Award nomination.

The 17th Judicial Circuit Court also developed an Aspirational Code of Conduct that outlines the goals and responsibilities of the legal profession. In order to uphold this code, the organizations formed a Peer Review Council consisting of well-known and well-respected local attorneys and judges. The Council listens to referrals concerning behavior out of line with the Aspirational Code and offers intermediary assistance.

In connection with the award announcement, Chief Judge McGraw states, “The professionalism initiative underway in the 17th Judicial Circuit has an established history of positively impacting individuals in our legal community. We take pride in these efforts to support the newest members of the bar, combat against instances of incivility, and coalesce the community around shared ideals of professional conduct.”

The award presentation is part of a joint luncheon by the National Association of Bar Executives, the National Conference of Bar Presidents and the National Conference of Bar Foundations.