Professional Experience
Rita B. Garman is the Former Chief Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court. Justice Garman works closely with the firm’s litigation group, particularly its appellate practice.
Justice Garman served as a member of the Illinois Supreme Court from 2001 to 2022, including a term as Chief Justice that concluded in 2016. Prior to that, she served on the appellate court (4th District) and as a Circuit and Associate Judge in Vermilion County. The Vermilion County Courthouse now bears her name.
Education
- J.D., with Distinction, University of Iowa College of Law, 1968
- B.S., with Highest Honors, University of Illinois, 1965
Bar Admissions
- Illinois, 1968
- Iowa, 1968
Professional Activities
Justice Garman has received numerous awards during her illustrious career on the bench, including:
- Selection as a Lincoln Laureate
- Illinois Bar Foundation and Illinois Judges Foundation Legal Luminary
- Lifetime Achievement Award from the Illinois Judges Foundation
- Myra Bradwell Woman of Achievement Award from the Women’s Bar Association of Illinois
- University of Iowa College of Law’s Alumni Service Award
- Harold Sullivan Award for Judicial Excellence
- 2013 “Person of the Year” by Chicago Lawyer Magazine
- And as a Pillar of the Champaign County Bar Association.
She has also received:
- The Athena Award
- Delta Delta Delta Woman of Distinction National Award
- And has been identified as an B&PW Woman of Distinction and a Girl Scouts Woman of Distinction
Justice Garman currently serves on the board of the Illinois Judges Foundation, and is a member of:
- The Illinois State Bar Association
- Iowa State Bar Association
- Illinois Judges Association
- Vermilion County Bar Association
- Champaign County Bar Association
Civic and Philanthropic Involvement
In the case of community activity, Justice Garman currently serves on the boards of the Danville Area Community College Foundation and the Champaign Rotary Foundation. She is a member of Champaign Rotary Club and a former member of the Danville Rotary where she was the first woman inducted into the club in 1988. Justice Garman is the Director Emeritus of the Danville Symphony Orchestra.
Justice Garman has spoken at numerous commencements, including Parkland College, Danville Area Community College, the College of Law at the University of Iowa, and the College of Economics at the University of Illinois.
Personal
Justice Garman lives in Champaign and has two children with her late husband, Gill, and five grandchildren.
