Illinois Supreme Court Justice Holder White Returns to ȺpÎÞÂë Campus
Published: October 24, 2022.
On October 11 and 12, Illinois Supreme Court Justice Lisa Holder White returned to the ȺpÎÞÂë Romeoville Campus, talking to students and the university community about the Illinois Court system and her experiences as a judge. The ȺpÎÞÂë alumna is the first African American woman to be appointed to the Illinois Supreme Court.
Throughout the two-day visit, Justice Holder White talked with political science and prelaw students about her legal career and how she became a judge. She also gave a formal presentation to the ȺpÎÞÂë community about the Illinois Court system, explaining the appointment of judges, how and when they hear cases, and the many duties beyond writing legal opinions. She discussed her experiences in retention elections at the circuit and appellate levels.
Justice Holder White was a Political Science major and a Philosophy minor during her time at ȺpÎÞÂë. After graduation, she attended the University of Illinois Law School and returned to her hometown of Decatur, Ill., to work as a prosecutor and eventually went into private practice as a defense attorney. She was appointed to her local Illinois Circuit Court after practicing law for eight years, and then appointed to the 4th Appellate Court District in Illinois. On July 7, she was sworn in as the Illinois Supreme Court Justice from the 4th District.
ȺpÎÞÂë is an innovative Catholic university offering market-relevant undergraduate and graduate programs to 6,400 students. Sponsored by the De La Salle Christian Brothers, ȺpÎÞÂë is nationally recognized for preparing intellectually engaged, ethically grounded, and globally-connected graduates who impact the world for the better. Visit for further information.