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Y O U N G L A W Y E R S J O U R N A L
30
JANUARY 2015
CBA YOUNG
LAWYERS SECTION
Chair
Paul J. Ochmanek, Jr.
Paul Ochmanek Legal Office
First Vice-Chair
Matthew A. Passen
Passen Law Group
Second Vice-Chair
Kathryn Carso Liss
Law Offices of Jean Conde
Member Service Manager
Matthew T. Jenkins
Corboy & Demetrio PC
Public Service Manager
Brandon E. Peck
Peck Bloom LLC
Project Officer
Malcolm “Skip” Harsch
American Bar Association
Project Officer
Gabriela C. Sapia
Law Offices of Patrick Markey
Secretary/Treasurer
Vickie Argueta
City of Chicago
YLS Journal
Co-Editors in Chief
Jonathan B. Amarilio
Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP
Geoffrey Burkhart
American Bar Association
Assistant Co-Editor
Trisha Rich
Holland & Knight LLP
YLS Administrative Director
Jennifer Bertolino
Happy New Year
By Paul J. Ochmanek, Jr.
YLS Chair
W
ell, it’s January–where did
2014 go? It feel like yesterday I
was training for the Shamrock
Shuffle, and now leaves have fallen and
we have snow on the ground. For the past
eight years, my Christmas season started
with the CBA Bar Show–the first six as a
cast member, the last two as an audience
member. For those unfamiliar with the
show, imagine “SNL” focusing on hot
button topics in Chicago and the world
at large.
Aside from its longevity (91 years and
running), what is so amazing about the
show? It’s written and performed by lawyers
and judges in the Chicago area! Sometimes
we get so caught up working and serving
clients that we forget lawyers have lives
outside of the office. It’s incredible to see the
talented writers, singers, dancers, and actors
in action–remembering that most have full-
time positions and family commitments.
Nonetheless, these CBA members devote
countless hours practicing to light up the
stage the first week in December. Congratu-
lations to the cast on another great show.
I recommend you see next year’s Show, as
it’s sure to delight.
I hope that we were all taught to be
a little more loving, open, and giving
during the holiday season. I’m reminded of
Robert Fulghum’s book
All I Really Need to
Know I Learned in Kindergarten.
Fulghum
emphasized the importance of (1) sharing,
(2) playing fair, (3) not hitting people,
(4) putting things back where you found
them, (5) don’t take things that aren’t yours,
and (6) say you are sorry when you hurt
somebody.These are simple in thought but
difficult in practice.
I question whether people recall what
they learned in kindergarten when I watch
the news and see rioting, protesting, and
looting due to the recent decisions in
New York and Missouri. Our Constitu-
tion provides us with free speech and
the ability to gather, thereby permitting
lawful protesting, which can be impactful
and meaningful. By contrast, looting and
rioting only take away from the overall
message of lawful protest. The rioting takes
center stage, oftentimes distancing groups
by attacking those unrelated to the central
issue. It’s easy to point the finger at others,
become caught up in the mob mentality,
and take aggressive action against the
wrong parties. However, it is not as easy
to analyze one’s own actions and thoughts
and to point the finger inward.
The holidays afforded us multiple
opportunities to gather and socialize. This
time can also be spent considering what we
hoped to accomplish throughout the year
and lessons we have learned. In August, I
challenged readers to get involved in some
organization and to participate in some
project. Please consider adding this to your
2015 goals. So many organizations need
assistance. There must be an organization
out there that fits your abilities and time
commitment.
The YLS and its members have accom-
plished so much in such a short period
of time. I look forward to 2015 and the
several new projects we are undertaking,
none of which could be accomplished
without the support of our CBA staff and
YLS volunteers. Thanks to each and every
one of you for your efforts and dedication
throughout this bar year. It has been a
pleasure serving as Chair of the YLS this
year and working with you.