ITLA Ethics Pledge

With unanimous support at its meeting on June 13, 2025, the ITLA Board of Managers approved the passage of a pledge to “not directly or indirectly violate Rules of Professional Conduct 7.2 or 7.3 or otherwise fail to maintain high ethical standards in the acquisition of cases.”

This Pledge demonstrates ITLA's commitment to encouraging its members to uphold and advance ITLA’s mission and maintain high standards of professional ethics.

The full text of the Pledge reads:

As an elected manager of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, I agree to uphold and advance ITLA’s mission, including striving to achieve and maintain high standards of professional ethics.

I understand that the ethical acquisition of cases is required, in order for ITLA, its members and their clients to maintain the respect of legislators, judges, opponents, and the public.

I pledge that I will not directly or indirectly violate Rules of Professional Conduct 7.2 or 7.3, or otherwise fail to maintain high ethical standards in the acquisition of cases.  I pledge that I will not hire or otherwise associate with non-lawyers who act in a manner that would be prohibited of a lawyer in the acquisition of cases.  I pledge that I will not accept cases from referral sources or referral attorneys who act in a manner prohibited by Rules of Professional Conduct in the acquisition of cases.  I further pledge to prevent other lawyers in my firm from directly or indirectly violating Rules of Professional Conduct 7.2 or 7.3.

I understand that my failure to adhere to this pledge may result in my removal from the ITLA Board of Managers, by majority vote of the ITLA Executive Committee.