Cook County Sheriff’s Office attorney Khara Coleman has been named the 2022-2023 Editor-in-Chief of the Illinois Bar Journal, giving her the distinction of being the first Black woman to hold the position, Cook County Sheriff Thomas J. Dart announced on Monday. Coleman, who joined the Sheriff’s Office in 2018 and serves as Assistant General Counsel for Civil Litigation and Torts, previously held positions as Secretary and Vice Chair of the publication’s board. With 28,000 members, the Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA) is the largest bar association in Illinois and one of the largest voluntary bar associations in the country. The Illinois Bar Journal is the ISBA’s award-winning monthly magazine which provides attorneys throughout the state with practical information to help them keep abreast of changes in the law and the legal profession.

“We know how qualified Khara is, and we’re thrilled to see her have this opportunity to share her talent and passion for the law through this prestigious appointment,” Sheriff Dart said. Coleman will preside over her first meeting as Editor-in-Chief at the Annual Meeting of the Illinois State Bar Association later this month. Over the coming year, Coleman will meet regularly with other members of the Editorial Board and staff to manage the content and operation of the journal and ensure it meets the current needs and interests of attorneys across Illinois. “Ms. Coleman will serve with distinction as the first Black, female Editor-in-Chief of the Illinois Bar Journal in its 110-year history,” said Rory Weiler, ISBA President for 2022-2023. “The Illinois Bar Journal is the ISBA’s flagship publication, and I speak for the whole Association when I say that I look forward to Ms. Coleman competently taking the helm for the next two years.”