Written by: Daniel J. Szczesny
On December 15, 2021, Rathje Woodward LLC alum S. Louis Rathje (Illinois Supreme Court, retired) was honored at a ceremony at the DuPage County Courthouse (18th Judicial Circuit) dedicating his official portrait. The portrait and plaque adorning it commemorate Justice Rathje’s rise to the Illinois Supreme Court. Notably, Justice Rathje was the first Illinois Supreme Court Justice from DuPage County, and the portrait helps to memorialize his contributions to the practice of law in the county and beyond. Chief Judge Kenneth Popejoy of the 18th Judicial Circuit Court led the ceremony, which also included the dedication of fellow DuPage County resident and sitting Illinois Supreme Court Justice Michael J. Burke’s official portrait.
Justice Rathje was born in Geneva, Illinois, received his bachelor’s degree from Wheaton College in 1961, and his juris doctor from the Northwestern School of Law in 1964. Justice Rathje immediately joined Rathje Woodward LLC upon graduating from law school. During his nearly 30 years at RW, Justice Rathje became one of the most respected and prominent litigators and legal counsellors in the Chicago area.
In 1992, Justice Rathje was elected to serve as a Circuit Judge for DuPage County. In 1994, he was elevated to the Illinois Appellate Court, and in 1999, he was appointed to serve on the Illinois Supreme Court. Justice Rathje remained on the Supreme Court until December 2000.
Justice Rathje remains active in DuPage County and within the Illinois legal community. He continues to work out of the same office building that is home to Rathje Woodward LLC. Not known to miss a day of work, Justice Rathje continues to provide mentorship and guidance to the attorneys of the firm, generously sharing his legal knowledge and insights.
Please join Rathje Woodward, LLC in congratulating the Hon. S. Louis Rathje for his remarkable career, and for blazing a trail in the Illinois legal community for future DuPage County attorneys and judges.
His portrait adorns the north wall on the second floor of the courthouse, just east of the escalator bank. It is also joined by Justice Burke’s portrait.
Rathje Woodward LLC advises clients on a broad range of practice areas, including business law, labor and employment, litigation services, and real estate/land use. If you have questions about how Rathje Woodward LLC can assist you or your business with pressing legal needs, please call the Wheaton, Illinois office at 630-668-8500.
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For more information regarding Rathje Woodward LLC’s practice areas and its attorneys, please visit www.rathjelaw.com