Founded in 1877, the Illinois State Bar Association is the premier legal association in the state. As a voluntary organization, the Association's primary focus is to help Illinois lawyers practice more effectively and efficiently by providing time and money-saving services. It also engages in many important activities on behalf of the profession — among them proposing and shaping legislation, educating the public, and supporting the courts and the rule of law.

Purpose 

The purpose of the Illinois State Bar Association is to provide professional services to lawyers, and education and services to the public.

Membership 

With more than 30,000 the Illinois State Bar Association is the largest voluntary statewide organization of lawyers in Illinois.

Policymaking Bodies

The 25-member Board of Governors oversees the operation of the Association and implements its policies. Officers are the President, President-Elect, 2nd Vice President, and 3rd Vice President. The 3rd Vice President is elected each year by vote of the full membership. Board members are elected from Cook County and from 8 downstate areas by members from their respective areas. A 201-member Assembly, elected by the members, is the ISBA's policy-making body.

Sections and Committees

40 substantive law sections (including the Young Lawyers Division), 32 standing committees, Unauthorized Practice of Law (UPL) task force, several special, joint and ad hoc committees perform the essential work of the organization.

The sections deal with issues of professional development through continuing legal education programs, proposing or reacting to legislation affecting their areas, and the distribution of newsletters to members that provide updates on court cases and other developments.

Standing committees oversee the work of the Association in such areas as judicial evaluations, delivery of legal services, legal education, and legal technology.

The Task Force on Unauthorized Practice of Law (UPL) seeks out, identifies, and remedies injuries to the public and to the integrity of the profession caused by the unauthorized practice of law.

Young Lawyers Division is for lawyers who are age 36 or under - or have been out of law school five years or fewer - and are an ISBA member.