Dear Readers of the Bench & Bar Newsletter: 

We are trying something new in this month’s newsletter. The lead article is from Chief Justice Zel Fischer of Missouri Supreme Court, who spoke with the Missouri Judges Association at the Annual Meeting of the Missouri Bar. As a member of the Missouri Bar, I thought Illinois Judges and Members of the Illinois Bar would enjoy this article. Also in this month’s newsletter is an introduction to our new State Court Administrator, Marcia Meis, a discussion of professionalism and civility by Jayne Reardon, a personal story of sexual harassment from Hon. Debra Walker, and an overview of the new Veterans Court, which is going statewide. And once again, we list retirements and new Judges.

We could not do this without all of our authors and especially Edward Casmere and Evan Bruno, our two Assistant editors.

We love hearing your feedback, so please send suggestions on how the Bench and Bar Newsletter could better meet your needs. Also PLEASE consider writing an article to share your knowledge, experience, and ideas. 