Women in Law 2025

2025

LEA GUTIERREZ ADMINISTRATOR

Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission

L ea Gutierrez is the Administrator of the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission (ARDC) of the Illinois Supreme Court, where she leads the Commission in its mission to protect the public, promote confidence in the legal profession, and expand access to justice. Under her leadership, the ARDC has advanced a balanced and modern approach to regulation—combining accountability with proactive attorney support, education, well-being initiatives, and restorative services. Ms. Gutierrez began her career as a public defender, advocating for individuals with limited access to legal resources—an experience that continues to guide her commitment to equity and fairness in the legal system. At the ARDC, she has held several leadership positions, including Litigation Counsel, Litigation Manager, and the

Commission’s first Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, where she spearheaded initiatives to embed inclusive practices into attorney regulation. She also served as Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer at both the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office and the American Lung Association, where she directed national strategies for equity, accountability, and organizational transformation. Today, Ms. Gutierrez leads the ARDC with a focus on transparency, accessibility, and innovation—ensuring the agency is positioned to meet the needs of the legal profession and the public it serves in the years ahead. She earned her law degree from Temple University’s Beasley School of Law, her master’s degree in forensic sciences from George Washington University, and her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Hampton University

WOMEN IN LAW 2025