Jayne R. Reardon, a former Illinois trial attorney who is recognized as one of the nation’s leaders in lawyer professionalism and ethics, is the 2023 recipient of the Michael Franck Professional Responsibility Award, one of the American Bar Association’s top ethics honors.
May 05, 2023 Legal Ethics
Longtime advocate for professionalism honored
The award recognizes an individual whose contributions reflect the highest level of dedication to legal professionalism. Through her work on ethics and professionalism, Reardon is nationally acknowledged as a thought leader, lecturer, teacher and commentator about civility and professionalism in the legal system.
“There are few people who have dedicated so much time, passion and energy to improving the profession,” wrote a fellow lawyer in nominating Reardon for consideration.
A University of Michigan J.D graduate, Reardon joined the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission as disciplinary counsel after practicing as a trial attorney. There, she spent a decade enforcing the Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct and studying recurring disciplinary issues. In 2006, she was appointed deputy director of the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism, which is charged with promoting integrity, professionalism and civility in the legal profession. From 2009 until her retirement a year ago, Reardon served as the commission’s executive director.
Within the ABA, Reardon has served as a leader in various roles, including chair of the Standing Committee on Professionalism, and in her current role as a member of the Standing Committee on Public Protection.
The award is named in honor of Michael Franck, the late director of the State Bar of Michigan and longtime champion of improvements in lawyer regulation in the public interest. It will be presented to Reardon on June 1 at the National Conference on Professional Responsibility in New Orleans.
The Center for Professional Responsibility (CPR) Coordinating Council, which consists of the chairs of the committees and commissions that are housed within CPR, made the selection.
Related links:
- Michael Franck Professional Responsibility Award and background on Michael Franck
- Illinois State Bar Association: “A conversation with Jayne Reardon, retiring executive director of the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism”
- ABA Center for Professional Responsibility
- ABA Journal: “Jayne Reardon is changing the practice of law by promoting civility and looking toward the future”