Scholarship
Justice Mary Jane Theis Scholarship
Illinois Judges Foundation
Justice Mary Jane Theis
A Legacy of Integrity and Leadership
The Illinois Judges Foundation Justice Mary Jane Theis Scholarship was established as a lasting commitment to promoting and instilling ethical values in the next generation of legal professionals. Named in honor of Illinois Supreme Court Justice Mary Jane Theis, the scholarship recognizes her extraordinary legacy of integrity, leadership, and service.
Justice Theis served on the Illinois Supreme Court from 2010 to 2026, including as Chief Justice from 2022 to 2025. Over more than 40 years on the bench, she distinguished herself at every level of the judiciary.
Apply Now
Applications for the FY 2026–2027 academic year are currently being accepted. Qualified law students are encouraged to apply.
Past Scholarship Honorees
Since 2009, the Illinois Judges Foundation has supported dozens of future leaders in the law. Previously awarded as the Harold Sullivan Scholarship, we continue this tradition of excellence today by recognizing the following recipients:
| Year | School | Recipient | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Northwestern Law School | Mariam Somorin | $5,000.00 |
| U of I Champaign | Jess Nalupta | $4,000.00 | |
| University of Chicago | Andrew Couchon | $4,000.00 | |
| U of I Champaign | Jessie Randazzo | $2,500.00 | |
| U of I Chicago College of Law | Kristin Moser | $2,500.00 | |
| Northwestern Law School | Rosa Park | $2,000.00 | |
| University of Chicago | Kaitlyn O'Leary | $2,000.00 | |
| Chicago-Kent College of Law | Tiffany Montiel | $2,000.00 | |
| 2024 | SIU Simmons College of Law | Amber Alexander | $5,000.00 |
| Northwestern Law School | Justin Bae | $5,000.00 | |
| U of I Chicago College of Law | Daisy Huerta | $2,500.00 | |
| University of Illinois Law School | Matthew Garrison | $2,500.00 | |
| SIU Simmons College of Law | Shailey Park | $2,500.00 | |
| 2023 | U of I Chicago College of Law | Jacob Rotolo | $5,000.00 |
| Northern Illinois College of Law | Maria Talania | $5,000.00 | |
| 2022 | Southern Illinois University Law | Alicyn Gerhardt | $5,000.00 |
| University of Illinois Law School | Emma Overton | $5,000.00 | |
| DePaul University School of Law | David Blondin | $5,000.00 | |
| 2021 | Northern Illinois College of Law | Katie Goldsmith | $5,000.00 |
| Chicago-Kent College of Law | Valeria Lopez Fernandez | $5,000.00 | |
| U of I College of Law Chicago | Adriana Rahana | $5,000.00 | |
| 2020 | DePaul University School of Law | Gretha Rodriguez-Franco | $5,000.00 |
| Chicago-Kent College of Law | Bora Ndregioni | $5,000.00 | |
| The John Marshall Law School | Rebecca Day | $2,500.00 | |
| The John Marshall Law School | Dejha Swanson | $2,500.00 | |
| 2019 | DePaul University School of Law | Nike Roman | $5,000.00 |
| University of Illinois Law School | Brian Smith | $5,000.00 | |
| 2018 | Loyola Law School | Hannah O'Keefe | $5,000.00 |
| Loyola Law School | Nicole Provax | $5,000.00 | |
| 2017 | Loyola Law School | Hannah Wiens | $2,500.00 |
| The John Marshall Law School | Kyle Fleck | $2,500.00 | |
| 2016 | The John Marshall Law School | Jennifer DiVincenzo | $2,500.00 |
| U of I College of Law | Patrick Tipton | $2,500.00 | |
| Chicago-Kent College of Law | Matthew Griffin | $2,500.00 | |
| 2015 | The John Marshall Law School | Shymane Baker | $2,000.00 |
| U of I College of Law | Tolani Odutayo | $2,000.00 | |
| Northern Illinois College of Law | Stephanie Wiggins | $2,000.00 | |
| 2014 | DePaul University College of Law | Samantha Mountford | $3,000.00 |
| Northern Illinois College of Law | Matthew Flores | $2,000.00 | |
| 2013 | Loyola University School of Law | Ariel Johnson | $5,000.00 |
| 2011 | Southern Illinois Law School | Jordan D. Dorsey | $2,500.00 |
| Southern Illinois Law School | Stephanie Maciuba | $2,500.00 | |
| 2010 | Loyola Law School | Charles Nwabueza | $5,000.00 |
| 2009 | John Marshall Law School | Dominique Sutherlin | $5,000.00 |
Questions?
Regarding the application process or Foundation initiatives, please contact us at ijf@chicagobar.org
Illinois Judges Foundation | 321 S. Plymouth Court, Chicago, IL 60604