An Update from the ARDC with Lea S. Gutierrez (6/11/25)

Matters that Matter: An Update from the ARDC with Lea Gutierrez

What You Think You Know: Rethinking the ARDC

Join us for a conversation with ARDC Administrator Lea S. Gutierrez who will discuss the core functions of the Illinois Attorney Registration & Disciplinary Commission (ARDC). She will also share key findings and trends from the ARDC’s 2024 Annual Report and discuss the ARDC’s goals and strategies for shaping the future of the legal profession. 

Lea Gutierrez is the Administrator of the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission (ARDC) of the Illinois Supreme Court, where she leads the agency in its mission to protect the public and promote the integrity of the legal profession through attorney registration, education, restorative services, and, when necessary, discipline. Under her leadership, the ARDC has emphasized a balanced approach to regulation—one that includes proactive support for attorneys and enhanced accessibility to legal services.

Ms. Gutierrez began her legal career as a public defender, advocating for individuals with limited access to legal resources—an experience that shaped her enduring commitment to equity and fairness in the legal system. She has held numerous leadership roles at the ARDC, including Litigation Counsel, Litigation Manager, and the organization’s first Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, where she spearheaded initiatives to foster inclusive practices in attorney regulation. She also served as Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer at both the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office and the American Lung Association, where she led national and institutional strategies to promote equity and institutional change.

These combined experiences inform her current work to evolve the ARDC’s programs and culture toward greater transparency, fairness, and support for attorneys throughout their careers. Ms. Gutierrez earned her law degree from Temple University’s James E. Beasley School of Law.

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