Cook County Circuit Court Judge Sophia H. Hall made a reprise appearance of the highly successful Chicago "Practical Fundamentals of Judging" conference at the Chicago Bar Association's Administrative Law Judges Committee held May 25.

Judge Hall is the Administrative Presiding Judge of the Resource Section of the Juvenile Justice and Child Protection Department of the Circuit Court of Cook County. She has also been appointed by President Clinton to the United States Justice Institute and is past president of the national Association of Woman Judges and the Illinois Judges Association. She is also an adjunct faculty member of the Loyola University School of Law in Chicago.

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On the factors that create respect for the judicial process among disputants, Judge Hall listed as the most important the hope that they will be respected themselves - no matter who they are or what they have done; that they will have input into the process; that they will be treated fairly; and that the process will have integrity.

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Judge Hall offered a seven step process for moving past stereotypes: 1) acknowledging that stereotypes exist; 2) identifying any stereotypes one has and recognizing stereotypical thoughts when they occur; 3) pausing and considering the root of the stereotype; 4) removing judgment and describing the behavior; 5) learning more about the individual or group being stereotyped; 6) choosing behavior that enhances relationships; and 7) practicing enhancing relationships.

On the factors that create respect for the judicial process among disputants, Judge Hall listed as the most important the hope that they will be respected themselves - no matter who they are or what they have done; that they will have input into the process; that they will be treated fairly; and that the process will have integrity.

IAALJ member Laura Parry chairs the CBA's Administrative Law Judge's Committee. The CBA Administrative Law Judge Committee meets the fourth Tuesday of every month at 12:15 p.m.. IAALJ members are encouraged to attend. A luncheon is served through the CBA's serveries or attendees can bring their own lunch. ALJ's who are not CBA members may purchase luncheon tickets at the CBA.

The meeting are held at the offices of the CBA at 321 S. Plymouth Court in Chicago, right next to the John Marshall Law School. The room will be posted on the CBA's first floor bulletin board

Judge Hall spoke as part of the CBA Administrative Law Judge Committee program which has been assisted by the IAALJ. Speakers this year have also included Loyola School of law Professor Allen Schoenberger who spoke on the "Active ALJ." Professor Schoenberger's talk was reported in the latest issue of the NAALJ News.