Northern District of Illinois Junior Lawyer Participation Incentives

Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026

Civil cases

The Court encourages, but does not require, parties to foster professional development by giving qualifying attorneys a greater speaking role at motion hearings or settlement conferences; experienced attorneys may supervise as they wish.

The Court continues its practice of encouraging (but not requiring) the parties to foster the professional development of less experienced attorneys or attorney who may have unique experiences, character traits or qualities such as an ability to overcome adversity, including how race may have affected the person's life, "be it through discrimination, inspiration, or otherwise," Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. President and Fellows of Harvard College, 600 U.S. 181, 143 S. Ct. 2141, 2176 (2023). Parties at their discretion may do so by permitting such attorneys a greater speaking role at motion hearings or settlement conferences, and in that event, the Court will permit more experienced attorneys to supervise to the full extent they wish.

Checked against the court's document on Oct 4, 2026

Civil cases

The Court encourages parties and counsel to give junior lawyers opportunities for substantive participation in the settlement conference.

The Court encourages the parties and counsel to consider providing opportunities to junior lawyers to substantively participate in the settlement conference.

Machine summary. Not checked yet.

Civil cases

The Court encourages parties and counsel to consider providing opportunities to junior lawyers to substantively participate in the settlement conference.

Summary: Junior lawyers are encouraged to substantively participate in settlement conferences.