Hon. James Shovlin joined the Illinois Human Rights Commission as an Administrative Law Judge in August of 2024. Judge Shovlin’s distinguished career is anchored in a profound dedication to serving the public good, rooted in over 11 years of service in the U.S. Navy and extensive contributions within state government. Before assuming his current role, Judge Shovlin served as an attorney at the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts (“AOIC”). In that capacity, he provided counsel on labor and employment laws, as well as human resources policies, to judges, court managers, and circuit clerks. He particularly enjoyed serving as liaison to several key bodies of the Supreme Court of Illinois, including the Board of Admissions to the Bar, the Committee on Jury Instructions in Criminal Cases, the Committee on Professional Responsibility, and the Elder Law Commission.

Prior to his tenure at the AOIC, Judge Shovlin contributed significantly to the Illinois Department on Aging. There, he developed, promulgated, and coordinated rules and regulations in accordance with the Illinois Administrative Procedures Act, represented the agency in administrative hearings, and provided guidance on policy development impacting staff, clients, and other constituent groups within the Aging Network. Earlier in his career, Judge Shovlin served as in-house counsel for a trade union representing nearly 4,500 members. He served as a chief negotiator and grievance litigator while navigating various statutory frameworks, including the National Labor Relations Act, the Railway Labor Act, the Illinois Public Labor Relations Act, the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Act, and the Revised Statutes of Missouri.

Before transitioning to law, Judge Shovlin was an electronics technician in the U.S. Navy, where he served aboard various vessels and installations, including the U.S.S. Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69), the Center for Surface Combat Systems, and Assault Craft Unit #4. Judge Shovlin holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Southern Illinois University Carbondale and a Juris Doctor from Southern Illinois University School of Law. Outside of his professional endeavors, he enjoys trail running and coaching youth sports teams.