Women in Law 2024

2024

JOY CUNNINGHAM JUSTICE Illinois Supreme Court 1st District

J oy V. Cunningham received her law degree from the University of Illinois Chicago. She has had a very diverse legal career, including serving as senior vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary for the Northwestern Memorial Healthcare System; Cook County Associate Judge; Assistant Illinois Attorney General; Civil Litigator; Associate General Counsel of Loyola University; and first black woman President of the Chicago Bar Association. She was elected to the Illinois Appellate Court in 2006 and has served as chair of the Executive Committee, co-chair of the Diversity Committee, and Presiding Justice. Justice Cunningham is a member of the well-respected American Law Institute. Justice Cunningham is active in judicial education and mentorship. She serves on a variety of not-for-profit boards and has been involved with organizations which educate and foster civic

knowledge within the community at large. Justice Cunningham has been the recipient of numerous civic and legal awards. This includes the prestigious John Paul Stevens Award and Dickerson Award given by the Chicago Bar Association, and the Torchbearer Award given by the Rainbow PUSH Coalition. In December 2022, the Illinois Supreme Court selected Justice Cunningham to succeed retiring Illinois Supreme Court Justice Anne M. Burke. Justice Cunningham won the Democratic primary election in March 2024 to retain her seat on the Illinois Supreme Court. She has served at all levels of the judiciary in the State of Illinois and has consistently received high marks from bar associations in performing her duties as a judge. Justice Cunningham is a prolific, sought-after speaker on judicial ethics and educating the public on the role of the judiciary.

WOMEN IN LAW 2024