Asian American Judges Association of Illinois

Two of our members recently participated in the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Access to Justice's annual Law Student Leaders Summit! AAJAI President Hon. Sanjay Tailor participated in small group discussions with law school attendees during the conference's lunch hour. Hon. Azeema Akram (pictured) participated on a panel titled "Technology and Access to Justice."

AAJAI members, Hon. Loveleen Ahuja, Hon. Aileen Bhandari, and Hon. Jasmine Hernandez, welcomed and spoke to high school juniors from Intrinsic School, Belmont Campus. The students visited judges at the Daley Center as part of Women Everywhere: Partners in Service Project's courtroom tours organized and led by Ava George Stewart, President, Cristin Duffy, Hon. Margaret Ogarek, and Hon. Lori Rosen.

Last week, the Center for Disability & Elder Law hosted its annual flagship fundraiser, the "Light Up the Loop" Winter Awards Benefit, at Baker McKenzie LLP. Congratulations to all the 2025 Awardees! From left to right: Hon. E. Kenneth Wright, Jr., Presiding Judge, First Municipal District; Christine Bewley, CDEL volunteer; Theresa Jaffee, CDEL Board Member; Kent Jaffee; AAJI President Hon. Sanjay Tailor, Illinois Appellate Court, First District; Hon. Corinne Cantwell Heggie, First Municipal District; and Hon. Levander Smith, Juvenile Protection Division. Photo credit ??: AAJAI Secretary Hon. Jasmine V. Hernandez, First Municipal District.

Congratulations to new AAJAI member, Hon. Christina Kye, on her installation!

Ventured downtown last night to attend the 2025 ALSA Alumni Reception. It was a bit of a full circle moment, getting to spend time with Sangyul Lee, who I met at a similar event over 15 years ago, and bringing Elizabeth Liu, who I met at the event 2 years ago and recruited to come to DuPage. Thank you to the ALSA Board for putting together the fantastic event and to Dean Sharpe for your continued support. It is clear from my conversations with the bright young students that great things are in store for the AAPI legal community.

Check out AAJAI member Hon. Mary Sevandal Cohen participating in the Illinois Judges Association's (IJA) 3rd Annual Judges “Go To School Day!"

Congratulations to the South Asian Bar Association of Chicago (SABA Chicago)'s 2025 Board members, who were recently installed by AAJAI member Hon. Sunil Harjani!

AAJAI past President, Justice Rena Marie Van Tine, pictured below at The Chicago Bar Association's judicial externship fair for law students!

AAJAI member Hon. Aileen Bhandari participated in the Illinois Judges Association's (IJA) 3rd Annual Judges “Go To School Day." Judge Bhandhari read the book “Sonia Sotomayor: A Judge Grows in the Bronx” to Ms. Sweazy's 2nd grade, Ms. Goldstein's 3rd grade and Ms. Bashore's 4th grade class in English and Spanish at the Santiago Elementary Acero School in Humboldt Park. The Acero Schools invited members from the Illinois Latino Judges Association (ILJA) to read at their schools -- thank you to Hon. Araceli De La Cruz for helping to organize this program!

Congratulations to The Honorable Sonni C. Williams ('99) who was sworn in as Circuit Judge in the 12th Judicial Circuit of Illinois. Her NIU Law family was thrilled to support and welcome our newest alumna in the judiciary! Judge Williams continues to be a trailblazer in the legal field. She is the current President of the Illinois State Bar Association, and first woman of color elected to serve in the role. She is also the first Asian American to serve as Circuit Judge in Will County. Prior to her appointment, Judge Williams was the city attorney for the City of Lockport. Previously, she served as deputy corporation counsel for the city of Peoria, where she worked for the City’s Legal Department for over 17 years. Judge Williams is extremely active with her alma mater including serving as the immediate past chair of the NIU Law Board of Visitors. She has also been tapped for leadership positions throughout her legal career. Some of her other professional affiliations include the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism, Will County Bar Association, Asian American Bar Association of Greater Chicago, and Korean American Bar Association of Chicago. She has been recognized over the years for her leadership and service, including as NIU Law Alum of the Year 2020 and Young Alum of the Year 2006 Awards. Most recently, she received the DSF 2025 Advocate for Diversity Award! #niulaw #niulawhasitall #niulawis4you #niulawproud