UIC Law Curriculum and Alumni Connection Leads to Judicial Externship and Position with State’s Attorney’s Office Post-Commencement
Jill George
Jill George’s path to the legal profession reflects a thoughtful progression of public service, analytical rigor, and a deepening commitment to advocacy. Before entering law school, George established a successful career as an emergency room nurse, later choosing to stay home to raise her family in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Her interest in the law was sparked when she assisted a friend with a complex legal matter, an experience that revealed both the importance of effective representation and her own growing passion for justice. Inspired by this work, she earned her paralegal degree, gained experience as a paralegal, and volunteered with the Wisconsin Innocence Project, solidifying her dedication to becoming a lawyer.
George returned to Chicago to pursue her legal education as a part-time student at UIC Law. She notes that the Trial Advocacy and Dispute Resolution (TADR) classes were especially formative, broadening her approach to legal analysis and strengthening her understanding of litigation strategy.
“In the medical field, clinical decisions are very algorithmic. The study of law invites a wider range of analytical approaches and requires a willingness to examine multiple credible solutions. That shift challenged me to grow as both a thinker and an advocate,” she said.
George credits the TADR curriculum, the foundational instruction in the Lawyering Skills sequence, and the mentorship of UIC Law’s adjunct faculty for preparing her for the realities of courtroom practice. She explains that learning to craft persuasive arguments, conduct effective cross-examinations, and receive feedback from practicing attorneys significantly strengthened her readiness for a trial-focused career.
“Learning from adjunct professors who bring their courtroom experience directly into the classroom helped me understand how legal reasoning operates in real practice. Their guidance also enabled me to build meaningful professional connections that supported my development as a 711 and will continue to support me after graduation,” she said.
One of those connections proved especially transformative. A UIC Law alumnus who serves as a judge in Will County helped George secure a judicial externship during her first year of law school. The externship provided early exposure to judicial decision-making, courtroom procedures, and the strategies used by experienced litigators. These relationships later facilitated her receiving a 711 license and continuing her work with the Will County State’s Attorney’s Office throughout her legal studies. George has accepted a full-time position with the office following her commencement in December 2025.
George also expressed sincere appreciation for the guidance of Associate Dean of Part-Time Programs Sonia Green, whose mentorship she describes as instrumental in her academic growth and professional development.