SIU Simmons Law School hosts swearing-in ceremony for new attorneys

November 08, 2024

CARBONDALE, Ill. - The Southern Illinois University Simmons Law School hosted a swearing-in ceremony on Nov. 6 for 54 new attorneys in Illinois.

"Simmons Law School is honored to host the swearing-in ceremony for attorneys newly admitted to the Illinois Bar from the state's Fifth Appellate district," said Angela Upchurch, interim dean of Simmons Law School. "This day is a momentous occasion. It serves to recognize the accomplishments of the inductees and impress upon them the responsibility of joining this honorable profession."

Illinois Supreme Court Justice David K. Overstreet presided over the ceremony. Also participating in the proceedings were Judge Stephen McGlynn, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois; Judge Benjamin Dyer, Sixth Judicial Circuit of Illinois, Chief Judge Melissa Morgan, Second Judicial Circuit of Illinois, and Judge Cristy Solverson, First Judicial Circuit of Illinois.

Upchurch, Suzanne Schmitz, professor emerita and president of the Illinois Board of Admissions to the Bar, and Wesley Gozia, Illinois State Bar Association treasurer, also spoke.

The attorneys, which included SIU Simmons Law School graduates, come from Illinois' Fifth Judicial District, which comprises 37 counties. They are among 1,604 lawyers who were sworn in at ceremonies in the Illinois Supreme Court's five judicial districts. Similar ceremonies took place in Chicago, Elgin, Joliet and Springfield.

The Fifth Judicial District is comprised of Alexander, Bond, Christian, Clay, Clinton, Crawford, Montgomery, Edwards, Effingham, Fayette, Franklin, Gallatin, Hamilton, Hardin, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Johnson, Lawrence, Madison, Marion, Massac, Monroe, Perry, Pope, Pulaski, Randolph, Richland, St. Clair, Saline, Shelby, Union, Wabash, Washington, Wayne, White and Williamson counties.