Northern Illinois University College of Law alumna Sonni Choi Williams (’99) was appointed as a Circuit Judge in the Twelfth Judicial Circuit, Third Subcircuit by Justice Mary K. O’Brien and the Illinois Supreme Court. Her appointment is effective February 10, 2025, and will conclude on December 7, 2026.
Sonni is the city attorney for the City of Lockport. Previously, she served as the deputy corporation counsel for the City of Peoria, where she worked for the City’s Legal Department for more than 17 years, starting as the assistant corporation counsel.
Sonni made history as the first woman of color, first person of Asian American heritage, first person of Korean heritage, and the sixth woman president of the Illinois State Bar Association. She currently leads the largest bar organization in the state with over 30,000 members. In addition, she is the fifth NIU College of Law graduate to serve as president.
Sonni is also an active alum of the NIU and College of Law communities. She is the immediate past president of the NIU Law Board of Visitors. Sonni received the 2020 NIU College of Law Alumni of the Year Award and the 2006 Young Alumni of the Year Award for her career achievements, exceptional leadership, devotion to the public good, and dedication to the NIU College of Law.
She has continued to be tapped for leadership positions throughout her career. Some of her other professional affiliations include the Will County Bar Association, the Will County Women’s Bar Association, and the Will County Black Lawyers Association. She is a board member of the Korean American Bar Association of Chicago and an honorary board member of the Asian American Bar Association of Greater Chicago. Since 2012, she has served as Hearing Chair for the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission, and she was previously a Commissioner of the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism and a Commissioner of the Illinois Supreme Court Special Committee on Professionalism.
Sonni has also been recognized for her outstanding contributions to the legal community. She received the 2025 Advocate for Diversity Award, 2014-2015 ISBA Diversity Leadership Award, 2010 ISBA Board of Governors Award, and 2008 Illinois Institute of Local Government Law Annual Achievement Award.
