More than 600 new attorneys were admitted to practice in Illinois on Thursday with Justices of the Illinois Supreme Court presiding and administering the attorney’s oath at five separate locations.

All of the candidates have passed the Illinois state bar examination, an ethics examination, and have been certified by the Committee on Character and Fitness.

The largest group (467) was admitted in the First Judicial District at the Arie Crown Theatre. Illinois Supreme Court Justice Charles E. Freeman presided, with Justices Anne M. Burke and Mary Jane Theis participating.

Appellate Court Justice Maureen E. Connors from the First Judicial District made the motion to admit the class.

The 668 men and women certified as candidates were sworn in as Illinois attorneys at ceremonies in the five Supreme Court judicial districts.

The other ceremonies included:

• Supreme Court Chief Justice Thomas L. Kilbride presided over the Third Judicial District ceremony, Appellate Court Building, 1004 Columbus Street, Ottawa.
• Justice Robert R. Thomas presided over the Second Judicial District ceremony, Hemmens Memorial Building, Elgin Civic Center Plaza, 150 Dexter Court, Elgin.
• Supreme Court Justice Rita B. Garman presided over the Fourth Judicial District ceremony, Supreme Court Courtroom, Springfield.
• Supreme Court Justice Lloyd A. Karmeier presided over the Fifth Judicial District ceremony, Gateway Convention Center, near Interstates 55/70 & Route 157, Collinsville.

Photo galleries from all five admission ceremonies will be available on Illinois Lawyer Now beginning on Friday, May 10.

The new attorneys bring the total number of licensed attorneys in Illinois to approximately 91,500.