CBA Record

CELEBRATING 25YEARS It has been 25 years since attorneys Stephen Pugh and Walter Jones founded Pugh, Jones & Johnson, P.C. In 1991, Stephen, a former U.S. Department of Justice Strike Force Special Attorney and former Chapman and Cutler partner, and Walter, a former Chief of the Criminal and Civil Divisions of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Illinois, took a deep breath and launched their own law firm here in Chicago. It was a risky step, but they shared a vision. A year later, Dennis Johnson, a former Bell, Boyd & Lloyd partner, joined them to pursue that same vision: to create a diverse, minority-owned law firm that would deliver legal services second to none. The beginning of Pugh, Jones & Johnson was aided by fortunate timing. In the late 1980s, the American and Illinois Bar Associations, as well as other bar associations, had begun to mount a call for greater inclusion of minority lawyers and minority law firms in the corporate world. Believing the timing was right, Pugh, Jones & Johnson answered that call. In the ensuing years, the firm grew and developed a unique identity as a truly diverse enterprise – one that has become part of the fabric of the Chicago, and more recently New York, legal communities. As Pugh, Jones & Johnson celebrates its first 25 years, Stephen and Walter pause to reflect on and take pride in the journey to become one of Chicago’s preeminent law firms, and they acknowledge that this longevity and success was not achieved alone. First and foremost, they acknowledge their dedicated staff, some of whom have been with the firm since shortly after its inception; particularly Partner Jorge Cazares, Office Administrator Mary Ann Rojas and Staff Administrator Beverly Carter. These employees, who are considered family, have contributed years of their lives to help the firm’s vision come to fruition. Stephen and Walter also want to thank Chicago’s business and legal community for their unwavering support. Statistically speaking, a successful minority-owned law firm like Pugh, Jones & Johnson is a rarity, and the firm is grateful for the strong relationships forged with its clients and fellow attorneys, both here in Chicago and around the U.S. They also hope that the legal community will join them in celebrating one small step in solving the need for more inclusion in the profession. As part of its 25-year celebration, the firm will establish the Pugh, Jones & Johnson, P.C. Scholarship Fund with an initial pledge of a $25,000 contribution and encourage its clients and friends to support the Fund. The Scholarship Fund will serve diverse law students in the Chicago and New York areas. Finally, Stephen and Walter would like to thank their families and close friends who have believed in them from the very beginning and whose support motivates them to continue to deliver the high quality legal services for which the firm is known. While anniversaries might foster nostalgia, they are also times to look forward. With 25 years under its belt, Pugh, Jones & Johnson is eager to embark on the coming years with its fellow partners, associates, staff and loyal clients.

STEPHEN H. PUGH

WALTER JONES, JR.