Cheryl Niro is the Executive Director of the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism. She was appointed by the Court to design and implement programs to encourage and enhance professional conduct and behavior by Illinois lawyers. Prior to her appointment Ms. Niro was a partner in the Chicago commercial litigation firm of Quinlan & Carroll, Ltd. where she was engaged in litigation, mediation and arbitration practice. Ms. Niro was the second woman elected to serve as President of the Illinois State Bar Association (1999-2000) in the 125 year history of that organization. She is an AV rated attorney by Martindale Hubbel, and a nationally recognized mediator of complex disputes.

In addition to her career as a practicing lawyer of over 25 years, Ms. Niro has extensive experience organizing and developing significant law related programs, projects and organizations. She founded the National Center for Conflict Resolution Education, funded by the US Departments of Justice and Education with professional educators; she served the Illinois Supreme Court as the Executive Director of the Commission on the Bicentennial of the US Constitution; as President of the ISBA she was the founder of the Academy of Illinois Lawyers, which recognizes exceptional professionalism and community service by lawyers across Illinois. Cheryl has lectured and taught at law schools including Harvard University, Loyola, Southern Illinois and Northern Illinois Universities. She has been recognized by Today’s Chicago Woman Magazine in their "Hall of Fame" and "100 Women Making a Difference" and was selected by American Lawyer Media’s 10 Most Influential Women Lawyers in Illinois.