Illinois Bar Admission 2025: A Message to New Attorneys Starting Their Legal Career

To the New Illinois Attorneys and to Every Lawyer Who Has Been Where They Are Today

Last week on Wednesday, November 5, 1,637 new lawyers are being sworn into the Illinois Bar. To all of you stepping into this profession for the first time through Illinois Bar admission, congratulations. You have accomplished something that very few people do.

Becoming a lawyer in Illinois is one of the hardest and most meaningful career paths there is. The practice of law asks a lot of us. There are long nights, heavy decisions, and moments when the weight of someone else’s problem sits squarely on your shoulders. You will question yourself, get frustrated, and feel exhausted. But you will also see what most people never get to see: how much impact one person can have simply by showing up, thinking clearly, and caring deeply.

Over the years, I have had clients cry out of sheer relief in my office and outside of courtrooms when we finally resolved the thing that had been keeping them up at night. They come to me anxious, afraid, and desperate for answers, and I carry that with me until I can help them find peace. In those moments, I am reminded that what we do is not abstract. It is real people, with real fears, who trust us to help them through some of the hardest times in their lives.

With time, the work changes you. Early on, it is all about learning rules and procedures and trying not to miss a detail. Later, it becomes about judgment, balance, and empathy. You start to see that the law is not just about documents or deadlines; it is about people. Every signature, every hearing, and every client conversation represents someone trusting you to guide them through something that matters.

There will be days when this Illinois attorney career feels impossible. Keep your head up anyway. The good moments will come, like the client who says thank you, the case that resolves fairly, or the family who finds peace of mind because you cared enough to get it right. Those moments are what keep you going, and they mean more than any title or award ever will.

To the new attorneys being sworn in today, be proud, stay curious, and do not lose your sense of purpose. The law will challenge you, but it will also shape you into a stronger, wiser, and more compassionate version of yourself. Never forget to take care of yourself so you can keep taking care of others.

Welcome to the profession.

Joanna Long