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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.orgEARL 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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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