CBA Record

Y O U N G L A W Y E R S J O U R N A L

I would like to take this opportunity to recognize some of your fellow leaders this bar year. The following YLS Officers did an exceptional job ensuring that the YLS remains active and important by making vital decisions on program- ming and committees: Jonathan Ama- rillio (First Vice-Chair), Brandon Peck (Second Vice-Chair), Shawna Boothe McCann (Member Service Manager), Alex Memmen (Public Service Manager), Octavio Duran and ParaisiaWinston Gray (Project Officers), Carl Newman (Sec- retary/Treasurer), and Oliver Khan and Nick Standiford (Co-Editors). The YLS’ Directors, Special Project Coordinators, and Committee Chairs have all helped make the YLS one of the best and relevant young lawyers sections in any bar associa- tion. Additionally, the voice and partici- pation of the YLS’ 9,000+ members have increased the CBA’s strong, connected presence within the legal community and beyond. You implemented a number of prior year projects, including, but not limited to, Walk a Mile in Her Shoes, End Distracted Driving, Dear Santa Letters, Lawyers in the Classroom, and Law Student Speed Inter- viewing. You also created several new projects such as Human Trafficking Awareness Week, Miami Nights, Paths to Teaching Law, Pie Competition, Planning Your Financial Future, Preparing for the Bar Exam, and Legal Workshops with Legal Prep Charter School. You helped raise more than $2,000 for Anne’s House to help young women survivors of human trafficking and more than $500 for Chicago Children’s Advo- cacy Center to help abused children. You also helped Santa (get and) deliver 500 presents to Chicago Public School students via Direct Effect Charities. Recently, you also raised over $10,000 for the Chicago Bar Foundation through our Miami Nights event. You worked with other organizations such as Center for Disability and Elder Law (Serving Our Seniors), Exelon (Wills for continued on page 49

CBA YOUNG LAWYERS SECTION Chair Kathryn Carso Liss The Law Offices of Jean Conde PC First Vice-Chair Jonathan B. Amarilio Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP

Second Vice-Chair Brandon E. Peck Peck Ritchey LLC

Member Service Manager Shawna S. Boothe McCann Schiff Hardin LLP Public Service Manager Alexander M. Memmen The Memmen Law Firm, LLC

Dear YLS: Thank You By Kathryn Carso Liss YLS Chair I t is with both joy and sadness that I write my final column in the CBA Record. Joy as you have shown me just how wonderful a group we are. You are filled with committed and caring lawyers and leaders in the Chicago community. So far this bar year, you raised awareness about the issues of child abuse, trafficking, and educational equality, helped children in local schools, worked with women and children in domestic violence shelters, served as mentors to high school students, and raised funds for multiple Chicago organizations, including, but not limited to, the Chicago Bar Foundation, Chicago Children’s Advocacy Center, and Anne’s House. Your 28 committees held regular meetings, events, and more than 25 semi- nars in all areas of law thus far. Sadness as this entry marks the final months in my role as your Chair and as a young attorney. You introduced me to numerous friends and colleagues along my journey, some of whom I imagine will remain in my life forever. Also, you helped create several unforgettable memories. For that, I am deeply thankful. I will continue to cherish my friendships and memories made along the way during my tenure as Chair.

Project Officer Octavio Duran Hart & David, LLP

Project Officer Paraisia Winston Gray Secretary/Treasurer Carl M. Newman City of Chicago Department of Law

YLS Journal Co-Editors in Chief Oliver A. Khan American Association of Insurance Services

Nicholas D. Standiford Schain, Banks, Kenny & Schwartz, Ltd.

Assistant Editor Elizabeth Babbitt Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP

YLS Director Jennifer Byrne

38 APRIL/MAY 2017