Hon. Bridget C. Duignan, president of the Illinois State Bar Association for 2025-26, appeared on the Leading the Bar podcast with Ann Keele and host Amanda Arriaga, according to an April 7 announcement. The episode, titled “Equal Standing: Judges and Lawyers as Partners in the Bar,” was released April 6.
The discussion focused on strengthening relationships between judges and lawyers within bar associations, which is considered important for maintaining a healthy legal system and effective professional collaboration. The episode built upon a previous plenary session at the National Conference of Bar Presidents Midyear Meeting.
Duignan and Keele spoke about strategies to improve cooperation among members of bar associations, emphasizing equal participation in bar service, supporting peers into leadership roles, and staying true to an association’s mission. They also shared their experiences as women leaders in law and discussed ways to empower women in the profession through inclusivity and principled leadership.
The Illinois State Bar Association promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion to encourage participation from all attorneys while enhancing community wellbeing according to its official website. The association uses the Illinois Bar Center for administrative functions and educational programs according to its official website.
The organization recognizes excellence through awards for pro bono service and diversity leadership according to its official website, serves more than 28,000 members according to its official website, supports lawyers with continuing legal education resources according to its official website, and operates under an elected president along with a Board of Governors and Assembly according to its official website.
Founded in 1877 as a voluntary group assisting Illinois lawyers with professional development initiatives while improving justice across communities, it offers resources for legal education, networking opportunities, pro bono support efforts, community access initiatives—and maintains membership exceeding 28,000—according to its official website.
