The Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission (ARDC) is pleased to announce that the Illinois Supreme Court has approved the ARDC’s new strategic plan, which includes a revised mission statement, its vision statement, and its set of organizational values. We live in dynamic times for our profession. The strategic plan reflects the ARDC’s efforts to evolve as an organization – in order to remain a vital resource for both lawyers and the public. It is closely aligned with the Supreme Court’s broader strategic priorities and the Court’s vision for the future of the legal profession in Illinois. The ARDC’s strategic plan outlines a path forward that is grounded in three key areas of focus:
- Evolving and enhancing the ARDC’s programs, services, and reputation by modernizing the organization’s offerings to better serve the legal community and consumers of legal services, while enhancing its reputation as a leader in legal regulation.
- Elevating confidence in the legal profession by implementing initiatives to better serve the public and rebuild and sustain public trust in the legal profession through greater transparency, accountability, and engagement.
- Building an innovative and adaptive organization to ensure that the ARDC remains agile and forward-thinking by fostering a culture of innovation and belonging, embracing change, and modernizing workforce and volunteer practices.
While the ARDC is internationally recognized as a leader in the lawyer regulation field, changing law practice management strategies, client expectations, and technologies (including artificial intelligence) demand a forward-looking approach to regulation and attorney support. Further, there has been a noticeable decline in public trust and confidence in the legal profession, driven by broader societal shifts and specific incidents of misconduct within the profession. The ARDC’s strategic plan aims to ensure that the organization regulates and supports lawyers in a manner that fosters trust from both attorneys and the public. The plan was developed over a period of months, utilizing feedback from a wide range of stakeholders, including ARDC commissioners and staff, leaders of other Illinois legal-based organizations, attorneys who defend lawyers in ARDC prosecutions, and everyday lawyers from across the state.
The ARDC’s new mission statement is: “The ARDC preserves and advances the integrity of the legal profession through attorney registration and education, public outreach, restorative services, and, when necessary, attorney discipline.” This revised mission specifically shifts the ARDC’s focus from primarily discipline to a more balanced approach which will include stronger support for attorneys designed to make it easier for them to practice effectively and ethically. It is hoped that the emphasis on discipline as a last resort, where it is needed to protect the public and uphold the integrity of the profession, will lessen the trepidation with which some lawyers view the ARDC and foster a greater sense of collegiality and cooperation between the organization and Illinois attorneys. This approach will also seek to emphasize restorative justice programs which can provide effective redress for the public.
This is the ARDC’s vision statement: “To shape a profession where all lawyers act ethically and with integrity.” The vision reflects the ARDC’s commitment to fostering a legal profession that is trusted, ethical, and dedicated to serving the public.
The ARDC also is implementing four core values that it believes are essential to achieving its mission and vision:
- Pioneer Excellence, Set the Standard. Leading in innovation and excellence by implementing best practices and setting new standards so as to reach the highest levels of performance as individuals and as an organization.
- Empathy in Every Step. Listening, understanding, and showing compassion in all interactions; valuing the perspectives of others; and fostering a supportive and inclusive environment.
- Stay Curious, Stay Open. Asking questions and embracing new ideas and diverse perspectives in all it does. By remaining open-minded, the ARDC will adapt to change and continuously improve.
- Own It, Be Accountable. Taking ownership of its actions, decisions, and commitments, while holding itself to high performance and behavioral standards. The ARDC will deliver on its promises with integrity, transparency, and timeliness.
Additionally, the ARDC, as an agency of the Illinois Supreme Court, continues to embrace the core values of the Illinois judicial branch (fairness, accountability, integrity, and respect), as these values underlie and inform all the work it does.
The ARDC is excited about the path ahead and the opportunities that the strategic plan presents to the ARDC and the legal profession in Illinois. It is deeply committed to fulfilling its mission under the direction of the Illinois Supreme Court. You can find the full strategic plan on the ARDC’s website, iardc.org, under the “About ARDC” tab on the front page.