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2015 HERMAN KOGAN AWARDS
Do Something That Makes You Proud
By Anne Ellis
Editorial Board Member
F
ocusing on the similarities between
law and journalism, Pulitzer Prize-
winner Mary Schmich urged mem-
bers of both professions to use their
privilege as a “special opportunity to
do something that makes you proud.”
Schmich gave the keynote address at
the CBA’s 26
th
annual Herman Kogan
Media Awards on May 6 at Maggiano’s
in Chicago.
Kogan Awards
The awards, named in honor of legendary
Chicago journalist and raconteur Herman
Kogan, recognize outstanding legal and
public affairs reporting. With past CBA
President Daniel Cotter presiding and
members of the Kogan family–sons Rick
and Mark–in attendance, the awards were
presented by Dennis Culloton, Chair
of the Kogan Awards Committee. The
Committee selected winners from among
31 entries in print, broadcast, and online
media categories.
Keynote Message
Among the similarities between law and
journalism cited by Mary Schmich, a long-
time columnist for the
Chicago Tribune
,
are tools of the trade–words, facts, and
ideas; the heat and intensity of competition
and deadlines; and intimate involvement
with clients’ issues and subjects’ stories,
which makes the work both difficult and
rewarding.
But the main similarity between the two
professions is that “lawyers and journalists
have some of the most privileged work in
the world.” Schmich defines privilege as
“a special opportunity to do something
that makes you proud.” She reminded the
audience of how lucky we are to do the
work we do, and that “At our best, we try
to make something better.”
Schmich said she wanted to leave the
audience with four words: “Patience.
Perseverance. Joyful effort.” Those words
can inspire us to keep going and keep
doing the best work we can, even when
it’s hard–the kind of work that the Kogan
winners inspire us with, even if there are
not always tangible prizes.
CBA Past President Dan Cotter and keynote speaker
Pulitizer Prize winning columnist Mary Schmich of
the
Chicago Tribune.
Photos by Bill Richert.
HermanKoganMediaAwards Chair Dennis Culloton (far right) withKogan
Print Legal Beat categorywinners fromthe
ChicagoTribune,
from left Duaa
Eldeib, Gary Marx and David Jackson, who won for their investigation of
juvenile state wards and residential treatment centers.
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JULY/AUGUST 2015