Hon. Jennifer S. Nolen initially joined the Illinois Human Rights Commission as an Assistant General Counsel in April 2021. In June 2023, Judge Nolen was appointed to be an Administrative Law Judge with the Commission. Prior to serving as an Administrative Law Juge, Judge Nolen practiced law and for over 10 years handled criminal, real estate, chancery, probate, and family law cases. Additionally, Judge Nolen has previously served as a mediator, Guardian ad Litem, and Child’s Representative. Judge Nolen has been the President of the DuPage Association of Women Lawyers and a Chair of the New Lawyers Committee for the DuPage County Bar Association. Additionally, Judge Nolen has been a member of the Black Women Lawyer’s Association, Cook County Bar Association, Will County Bar Association, Illinois State Bar Association, and the Kane County Bar Association. She is also a speaker, adjunct professor, and ordained minister. Judge Nolen has written several articles, and she is a contributing author to the Domestic Violence section of the book entitled, “Navigating the Winding Road: Family Law and Estate Planning in Illinois”.

Judge Nolen holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of Tennessee, and a Bachelor of Professional Studies in Paralegal Studies from the University of Memphis. She received her Juris Doctor from Western Michigan University Thomas M. Cooley Law School in May 2012.