---
title: "Mary L. Mikva | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/mary-l-mikva"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-07-28"
---

# Mary L. Mikva

Illinois Appellate Court, District 1 · Appellate Court Justice

## Profile

- Court: Illinois Appellate Court, District 1
- State: Illinois
- Role: Appellate Court Justice
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-07-28

## Summary

Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.

## Before you appear

- Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed.
- Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance.
- Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding.

## Courtroom Rules

### recording and broadcasting

Scope: statewide

Photography, broadcasting, and recording in an Illinois courtroom are permitted only under Supreme Court authority or Rule 44's stated exceptions; participants may not record a remote proceeding unless the court directs it or extended-media coverage is approved.

Evidence excerpt: the taking of photographs in the courtroom during sessions of the court or recesses between proceedings and the broadcasting or televising of court proceedings are permitted only to the extent authorized by order of the Supreme Court

[Illinois Supreme Court Rule 44, Photography and Video in the Courtroom](https://ilcourtsaudio.blob.core.windows.net/antilles-resources/resources/8db700cb-c17a-421d-8fdc-95ad22b399c9/Rule%2044.pdf)
Source checked: 2026-07-26

### official record

Scope: statewide

The official record may be taken stenographically or through a Supreme Court-approved electronic recording system, including approved videoconferencing services.

Evidence excerpt: The record of court proceedings may be taken by stenographic means or by an electronic recording system, including video conferencing services, approved by the Supreme Court.

[Illinois Supreme Court Rule 46, Official Record of Court Proceedings](https://ilcourtsaudio.blob.core.windows.net/antilles-resources/resources/24ad75b6-a0a0-4a9f-b44e-1cf4daa67820/Rule%2046.pdf)
Source checked: 2026-07-26

### appellate extended media coverage

Scope: statewide

All five Illinois Appellate Court districts accept extended-media requests for oral arguments, normally at least seven days in advance, subject to approval and continuing control by the assigned appellate panel.

Evidence excerpt: All five districts of the Illinois Appellate Court shall allow requests for extended media coverage of oral arguments in accordance with the provisions of this policy.

[Policy for Extended Media Coverage in the Illinois Appellate Court](https://ilcourtsaudio.blob.core.windows.net/antilles-resources/resources/bfba1aa7-2408-416d-89b5-88fd3af5a247/Extended%20Media%20Coverage%20Appellate%20Court%20Policy%20No%20Forms.pdf)
Source checked: 2026-07-26


## Sources

- [Official profile](https://www.illinoiscourts.gov/justice/2232/Mary-L-Mikva/justice/)
- [Official roster](https://www.illinoiscourts.gov/justice/2232/Mary-L-Mikva/justice/)
- [State of Illinois Office of the Illinois Courts official judicial roster](https://www.illinoiscourts.gov/justice/2232/Mary-L-Mikva/justice/)
- [Illinois Supreme Court Rule 44, Photography and Video in the Courtroom](https://ilcourtsaudio.blob.core.windows.net/antilles-resources/resources/8db700cb-c17a-421d-8fdc-95ad22b399c9/Rule%2044.pdf)
- [Illinois Supreme Court Rule 46, Official Record of Court Proceedings](https://ilcourtsaudio.blob.core.windows.net/antilles-resources/resources/24ad75b6-a0a0-4a9f-b44e-1cf4daa67820/Rule%2046.pdf)
- [Policy for Extended Media Coverage in the Illinois Appellate Court](https://ilcourtsaudio.blob.core.windows.net/antilles-resources/resources/bfba1aa7-2408-416d-89b5-88fd3af5a247/Extended%20Media%20Coverage%20Appellate%20Court%20Policy%20No%20Forms.pdf)

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## Biography

### Professional career

- Illinois 1st District Appellate Court since July 2016, appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court to fill the vacancy created by the death of Justice Laura Liu
- Mary Lane Mikva is a justice of the Illinois First District Appellate Court, appointed in 2016 and re‐elected in 2024, serving until December 4, 2034
- Trial Court Judge: Elected Cook County Circuit Court judge in 2004, serving in the Chancery Division and Child Protection Division until 2016
- Clerkships: Law clerk to U.S. Supreme Court Justice William J. Brennan Jr. and to U.S. District Judge Prentice Marshall
- Private Practice: Partner at Abrahamson Vorachek & Mikva and Seliger & Mikva; criminal defense attorney with Patrick A. Tuite & Associates; counsel for the City of Chicago

### Education


### Additional information

- The daughter of former U.S. Congressman, federal judge, and White House Counsel Abner Mikva.
- Avid cyclist, often commuting by bike year‐round



## Published courtroom rules

### Shared court rules

- [Illinois Supreme Court Rule 44, Photography and Video in the Courtroom](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-2089d8e032646c30d3e1fcec) — Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim.  Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory. [Official source](https://ilcourtsaudio.blob.core.windows.net/antilles-resources/resources/8db700cb-c17a-421d-8fdc-95ad22b399c9/Rule%2044.pdf). Collected 2026-07-26.
- [Policy for Extended Media Coverage in the Illinois Appellate Court](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-496a290e8b5af5294036b271) — Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim.  Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory. [Official source](https://ilcourtsaudio.blob.core.windows.net/antilles-resources/resources/bfba1aa7-2408-416d-89b5-88fd3af5a247/Extended%20Media%20Coverage%20Appellate%20Court%20Policy%20No%20Forms.pdf). Collected 2026-07-26.
