Welcome to WCBA
Welcome to the Will County Bar Association's website. The WCBA is a non-profit professional organization dedicated to serving and supporting the legal community. The WCBA is committed to providing education, professional development, and service programs for its 500+ members, the legal profession as well as the local community.
WCBA Objectives
- To maintain the honor and dignity of the profession of law
- To promote an understanding of the law and its application in the community
- To advance the due administration of justice
- To support the ability of the Bar to provide for public service
The WCBA also assists the local community and greater Chicago area through an active Lawyer Referral Service and backs the legal aid program encouraging its members to provide Pro Bono services for those in need. Click here to request a Lawyer Referral.
The Will County Bar Association is governed by a Board of Directors elected by the Association’s members and maintains a professional staff committed to the ongoing support of the association and its members.
Community Award Presentation: 5:00 PM on October 26, 2017 at Chicago Street Pub
The Will County Bar Association Board of Directors is proud to announce the recipients of the Service to the Community Awards. Last year at the inaugural presentation, awards were given to retired State Senator and Judge Edward Petka and local court reporter and business owner George Rydman. This year awards will be presented to retired Judge Jerry Kinney and Dr. Kristine Condon.
Awards are presented in two categories. The Lawyer Award is presented to an Illinois licensed, or retired in good standing, Attorney or Judge who has advanced our profession through education, counseling, advocating and service to the community. The Non-Lawyer Award is presented to a non-lawyer member of the Will County legal community who through community service, hard work and dedication to their profession has advanced the reputation of the legal community as a whole.
Judge Kinney is a lifelong Joliet resident, longtime local attorney and Judge and past President of the Will County Bar Association. He is a past President of the Joliet Montessori School and for many years coached youth baseball. As an attorney Judge Kinney was active in local politics and served as Chairman of the Will County Republican Party. Judge Kinney practiced as a trial attorney for nearly two decades before being appointed Circuit Judge in 1994. He was elected to that position in 1996 and then in 2008 was elected by his fellow Circuit Judges to the position of Chief Judge. He retired from the bench in 2014.
Dr. Condon is currently Director of the Paralegal program at Kankakee Community College, the only American Bar Association approved program in the region. In association with Judges and Attorneys from multiple counties, Dr. Condon developed the Illinois Civics Academy for Teachers (ICAT). This program provides seminars for high school teachers from across the state to help educate students in accordance with Illinois Learning Standards for Social Studies and/or College, Career and Civic Life. Working with counterparts at Joliet Junior College and University of Saint Francis and Lewis University, Dr. Condon recruits students for the Will County Justice Access Corps (WillCo-JAC) which helps self-represented litigants navigate through the Will County Courthouse.
Please join the Will County Bar Association Board of Directors in saluting these outstanding members of our community at Chicago Street Bar and Grill at 5:00 PM on October 26, 2017.
Red Mass: Sunday, November 5th at 11:00 AM with brunch at 12 Noon
The Annual Red Mass will take place at the Cathedral of St. Raymond Nonnatus. This is a family event and all are welcome and encouraged. Please contact Debbie by phone 815.726.0383 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to register for the event.
10 YEAR PHOTO: 10 Year Photo Schedule
It’s time to schedule your picture for the 10 year photo. The Bar Association has retained Photography by Fender & Donisch to take the photos for the Courthouse and Bar Association composite boards. Details can be found below. New this time is the ability to have your photo touched up for $25.00. (Normal cost $50). Touch up includes the following features: blemishes are removed; expression lines are diminished; shines from lighting are removed. Please try to make the dates as the costs will increase if you have it done in studio.
Photo Dates: October 24, 25, 26, 2017
Available Times: 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Location: Will County Bar Association
167 N Ottawa, Suite 200, Joliet, IL
Schedule your timeslot with Debbie at the Bar Office by calling 815.726.0383.
You can purchase the digital rights/image of your photo for $50.00 (Normal Cost $150). The image can be used on websites, facebook, and can also be printed.
A 16 x 20 copy of the composite can be purchased for $95.00 and a framed copy for $249.
Wanted: Will County Courthouse and Legal Memorabilia
Do you have Will County legal memorabilia that you would like to donate to the new Will County courthouse? The chief judge would like to prominently display Will County legal memorabilia in the future new Will County courthouse. Anyone interested in donating Will County legal memorabilia to the new courthouse should contact Debbie at the WCBA at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Attorney's Lounge
Lawyers in the main courthouse are encouraged to use the attorney's lounge. All attorneys are welcome to stop by the lounge on the fourth floor of the main courthouse, adjacent to the law library, with coffee available for purchase all day and space to relax or work.