NIU Law will host its 28th Annual Francis X. Riley Lecture on Professionalism which will be given on Friday, April 1 from 4-5 pm at the NIU College of Law. Our featured speakers will be Sonni Choi Williams (’99) and Kendra Abercrombie who will present, “Microaggression: How it Impacts Professionalism.” The lecture will be held in person in the Swen Parson Riley Courtroom (170). RSVP to lawevents@niu.edu attend in person or join us via Zoom.
Sonni is the third Vice President of the Illinois State Bar Association. She is now in succession to become the first woman of color, first person of Asian American heritage, first person of Korean heritage, and the sixth woman president of the ISBA in its 144-year history. In 2024, she will lead the largest bar organization in the state with over 30,000 members. She will also become the fifth NIU College of Law graduate to serve as president.
Kendra is the Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Manager for the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism where she leads the Commission’s educational and advocacy initiatives aimed at promoting DEI in the legal and justice systems. As DEI Manager, Kendra develops and delivers legal education on DEI and other professionalism topics and manages the Commission’s involvement in the Jumpstart program for historically underrepresented law students.
This lecture series was established in 1994 to honor the late Professor Emeritus Riley, who devoted his life to the law and legal education. It brings distinguished speakers to the NIU College of Law to discuss current issues relating to the legal profession.
1-hour PMCLE credit for Illinois attorneys (pending approval).
The lecture will be followed by the Public Interest Law Society (PILS) auction, an annual student-run event that raises money for outreach assistantships awarded to innovative, enthusiastic and dedicated students at NIU College of Law who work in unpaid public interest legal positions. Food and drinks will be provided. If you are unable to attend in person, please bid on items in our online auction.
