News

Vincent F. Cornelius Endorsed by the Chicago Tribune.

October 23, 2018

The Chicago Tribune's editorial board has endorsed Vincent F. Cornelius in the election for Circuit Court judge of Will County.

Vincent F. Cornelius Recommended as a Judicial Candidate by the Illinois Civil Justice League.

March 23, 2018

Vincent F. Cornelius rated as "Recommended" by the Illinois Civil Justice League Response to the ICJL Questionnaire Submitted Resume Attorney in Private Practice

ISBA Past President Vincent F. Cornelius

March 8, 2018

Immediate Past President Vincent F. Cornelius - 2016-17 - Joliet

Vincent Cornelius Featured in Chicago Tribune

Feb 28, 2018

The Joliet Central High School "Honoring the Past While Inspiring the Future"

The program was highlighted by the traditional Isaac Singleton Award winner- Mr. Vincent F. Cornelius and a new student-centered award entitled "Kwanzaa Award". Mr. Cornelius has contributed to the Joliet Community through his law firm and he is the Immediate Past-President of the Illinois State Bar Association.

JCA Welcomed Keynote Speaker Mr. Vincent Cornelius In Honor Of Black History Month

Feb 20, 2018

JCA was honored to welcome guest speaker Mr. Vince Cornelius ’82 to an all-school assembly on Friday, February 16, 2018 in honor of Black History Month. Mr. Cornelius related his life story to current JCA students, and he gave credit to his mother, Lorrayne Cornelius, a Washington Junior High School teacher for 34 years.

Vincent Cornelius Running for Will County Circuit Court Judge

Jan 16, 2018

Joliet Attorney Vincent F. Cornelius is pleased to announce his candidacy for the position of circuit judge for the Twelfth Judicial Circuit Court of Will County, Illinois. He is running for the Democratic nomination in the March 20 primary. “I have had the honor of serving the legal profession and the community at large in many significant areas,” Cornelius said. “My combination of courtroom experience and leadership service have prepared me well to serve Will County as its next Circuit Court Judge.”

Chicago Area Attorney Vincent Cornelius Named to The Best Lawyers in America for 2018

Dec 7, 2017

The Law Offices of Vincent F. Cornelius is proud to announce that Attorney Vincent Cornelius has been recognized in the 2018 edition of “The Best Lawyers in America.” Cornelius is recognized in the practice area of criminal defense. Best Lawyers is a peer review publication that annually compiles a list of the top five percent of practicing attorneys, organized by location and practice area. The publication conducted more than 7.4 million evaluations for the 2018 edition and chose approximately 58,000 attorneys in 140 practice areas.

Chicago Law Bulletin - Illinois State Bar Association

Apr 26, 2017

While I sometimes imagined a life in politics or on the bench, I cannot say I imagined as a young lawyer becoming president of the Illinois State Bar Association. I certainly did not imagine that my installation would be a historic first. The significance of my role as the ISBA’s first African-American president is not lost on me. I still feel the pride that comes with the opportunity. But I am mindful that pioneers are remembered more for how they affected the landscape than for the mere fact they arrived first. With that in mind, I have taken my leadership responsibility to heart.

NIU College of Law to honor eight outstanding alumni award recipients

Sep 8, 2016

Northern Illinois University College of Law Dean Eric Dannenmaier and the NIU Law Alumni Council will honor eight outstanding alumni and friends of the school during its annual awards reception at the University Club of Chicago from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 14. The 2016 award recipients were selected based on outstanding achievements in their careers, demonstrated service to the NIU College of Law or their community, and professional integrity.

President Cornelius to receive NIU College of Law Alumnus of the Year Award

Sep 7, 2016

ISBA President Vincent F. Cornelius will receive the NIU College of Law Alumnus of the Year Award on Wednesday, Sept. 14 from 5:30-7:30 at the University Club of Chicago. Northern Illinois University College of Law Dean Eric Dannenmaier and the NIU Law Alumni Council will honor eight outstanding alumni and friends of the school during its annual awards reception.

President Cornelius featured in Chicago Lawyer magazine

Sep 1, 2016

ISBA President Vincent F. Cornelius was featured in the September issue of Chicago Lawyer magazine in an article titled "Meet the new presidents from three of Illinois’ largest bar groups."

NIU alumnus Cornelius celebrated as state bar association president

Aug 28, 2016

DeKALB – A Northern Illinois University law school alum’s rise to a coveted role within the state bar association was cause for a celebration this week that was attended by local community stakeholders and others attached to the university. Vincent Cornelius graduated from NIU’s law school in 1989. Since then, the Joliet native has gone on to open his own firm in this hometown and in Wheaton, practicing criminal law. Then, in June, he took the helm of the Illinois State Bar Association as its first African-American president.

NIU Law reception to honor ISBA President Cornelius

Aug 11, 2016

Northern Illinois University College of Law is hosting a reception to honor ISBA President and NIU Law alumnus Vincent F. Cornelius (’89). Cornelius, the principal of the Law Offices of Vincent F. Cornelius - with offices in Wheaton and Joliet - concentrates his practice in civil and criminal litigation. A major focus of Cornelius' year as president will be the future of young lawyers and preparing them for the profession.

President Cornelius testifies before Supreme Court Rules Committee

Jul 8, 2016

ISBA President Vincent F. Cornelius testified Friday before the Illinois Supreme Court Rules Committee in support of Proposal 15-05. This proposal amends Supreme Court Rule 941 and creates Supreme Court Rule 943.

Stepping to center court

Jun 22, 2016

Looking out the windows of his 7th floor corner office in downtown Joliet, ISBA President Vincent F. Cornelius is surrounded by his roots. Cornelius can stand in one spot and point to Washington Junior High School, which he attended and where his mother taught for 34 years; out another window is the former location of Joliet Catholic High School, where he graduated in 1982 and which has since merged with sister school Saint Francis Academy; and at a slightly different angle is the University of Saint Francis, where he graduated in 1986 as an Academic All-American basketball player.

NIU Law Alumnus Vincent Cornelius to be installed as New ISBA President

Jun 16, 2016

NIU Law alumnus Vincent Cornelius (’89) will be installed as president of the 32,000- member Illinois State Bar Association on Friday, June 17. Cornelius will make history as he takes the helm of the ISBA, the state’s largest bar organization, and becomes the first African-American president in its 140-year history. Cornelius, the principal of the Law Offices of Vincent F. Cornelius – with offices in Wheaton and Joliet – concentrates his practice in civil and criminal litigation. He has been a member of the ISBA for his entire legal career and was first elected to the ISBA Board of Governors in 1999 as a downstate Under Age 37 member. He served as the chancellor of the ISBA’s Academy of Illinois Lawyers and as the president of the Illinois Bar Foundation from 2008-10.

Vincent F. Cornelius installed as 140th ISBA President

Jun 15, 2016

Vincent F. Cornelius was installed as president of the 32,000-member Illinois State Bar Association on June 17, 2016. The installation took place at the association's 140th Annual Meeting at the Westin O'Hare in Rosemont. Cornelius is the Principal in the Law Office of Vincent F. Cornelius with offices in Joliet and Wheaton. He is the 140th ISBA president, and the first African American to lead the association as president.

ISBA presents Law Enforcement Award to Campton Hills Police Chief

Jun 6, 2014

Daniel N. Hoffman, chief of police of the Campton Hills Police Department, received a 2014 ISBA Law on June 5, during a luncheon of the Kane County’s Mental Health Protocol Committee at the Kane County Judicial Center. ISBA 3rd Vice President Vincent F. Cornelius was on hand to present the award.

ISBA 3rd VP Cornelius honored at event

Feb 19, 2014

ISBA 3rd Vice President Vincent F. Cornelius was honored by the Black Bar Association of Will County at the group’s Annual Barrister’s Ball on Feb. 15 at the Bolingbrook Golf Club. On hand for the event were (from left) President-elect Richard D. Felice, President Paula H. Holderman, Cornelius and 2nd Vice President Umberto S. Davi.

USF honors three community leaders

Feb 2, 2014

The University of St. Francis (USF) honored three community leaders during its recent Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration: Continuing the Journey. Illinois Congressman Bill Foster, 11th District, spoke during the celebration, sponsored by the university’s Office of Institutional Diversity, African American Alumni Association, Division of Student Affairs and Ethnic Affairs Council.

NIU law alumnus Vincent F. Cornelius makes history in Illinois State Bar Association election

May 13, 2013

Northern Illinois University College of Law alumnus Vincent F. Cornelius (’89) was elected third vice president of the Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA). Cornelius is now in succession to become the first African-American president of the ISBA in its 136-year history. In 2016, he will lead the largest bar organization in the state with 32,000 members.

Vincent F. Cornelius Biography at Northern Illinois University

Mr. Cornelius became the first African-American president of the Illinois State Bar Association in 2016. He established the Law Offices of Vincent F. Cornelius in Joliet, Illinois, specializing in criminal defense and civil litigation. Prior to establishing the firm, Mr. Cornelius was an associate with the Law Firm of James D. Montgomery and Associates, the predecessor firm of Cochran and Montgomery in Chicago, Illinois, where he practiced criminal and civil litigation. Mr. Cornelius is also a former DuPage County Assistant State’s Attorney. Mr. Cornelius practices in DuPage, Cook, Will, Kane, Kendall and other counties in Illinois.