CBA Record

EARL BURRUS DICKERSON AWARD LUNCHEON Promoting Equality and Justice: 2017 By Jasmine Hernandez, Editorial Board Member T he Chicago Bar Association annually recognizes lawyers and judges who strive to help others gain equality

RESOURCES FOR NEW LAWYERS Just getting started in the practice of law in Chicago?The CBA offersmany resources and programs to help new lawyers. Find outmore aboutMCLE, start-up boot camp, career &mentoring services, practice area pointer videos, and volunteer opportu- nities. All under the YLS tab at www. chicagobar.org As Clinical Assistant Professor and Director of Experiential Learning at Loyola University of Chicago School of Law, Josie Gough’s distinguished career also includes time practicing law in both the public and private sectors. When she is not teaching law students the nuts and bolts of actu- ally practicing law, with an emphasis on professionalism, she lectures on diversity and inclusion in the legal profession. In her remarks, Gough said she was deeply touched to be named as an honoree. Always an educator, she encouraged luncheon attendees to reach back and share their knowledge with law students and young attorneys. and justice at its annual Earl Burrus Dick- erson Award Luncheon. Named in honor of an outstanding lawyer and among the first African-American members of the CBA, Dickerson spent his career fighting for the constitutional guarantee of freedom and justice for all. The CBA showcased this year’s honorees, all of whose careers emu- late Dickerson’s and honor his memory: Josie M. Gough, Graham C. Grady, and Robert F. Harris.

CBA President Daniel M. Kotin (far left) and Past President Judge E. KennethWright Jr. (far right) congratulated this year’s Dickerson recipients: LoyolaUniversity of Chicago School of LawProfessor Josie M. Gough, Cook County Public Guardian Robert F. Harris, and Graham C. Grady, a partner at Taft Stettinius & Holliister. Photo by Bill Richert.

An equity partner at Taft Stettinius & Hollister, with a background in public service, Graham Grady represents real estate developers, property owners and tenants to obtain government entitlements in all classifications of real estate. Despite his many professional achievements and obligations, he still devotes time to serve on several boards across the city includ- ing the Lloyd A. Fry Foundation, which addresses problems plaguing urban Chi- cago, namely poverty and violence. In his acceptance speech, Grady lauded his fellow Fry Foundation board and staff members present for their commitment to helping the underprivileged. A dedicated public servant, Cook County Public Guardian Robert Harris was honored for his career advocating for children and the elderly. As Cook County Public Guardian, Harris manages a staff of over 230 employees who provide services

and legal representation to abused and neglected children, children in divorce cases, and cognitively disabled elderly per- sons.When accepting the honor, he stressed the need for good legal representation for all persons and commended his staff for all they do to advocate for their approximately 8,000 child clients and adults under the Public Guardian’s guardianship. The Dickerson Award Luncheon began with an invocation by Judge E. Kenneth Wright. It adjourned with Judge Wright surprising Judge Timothy C. Evans, Chief Judge and 2002 Dickerson Awardee, with an award for his efforts to promote equality and justice. Referring to Judge Evans as the “quarterback” of the Circuit Courts, Judge Wright led the crowd in an ovation for all the luncheon honorees.

14 APRIL/MAY 2017