CBA Record Sept. 2016

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I am saying about myself true for most, if
not all, of us in this room?
We are here not because of what we
have done, but because of what we have
been given. We are the privileged ones, and
yet, the unfairness of life is also part of our
stories. Some of you have experienced that
unfairness in the form of discrimination
based on gender, race, ethnicity, or sexual
orientation. Still others have struggled
with chronic depression or unexpected
tragedies.
And yet, notwithstanding these strug-
gles, all of you are in this room today as
successful attorneys or other professionals.
And you are here because each of you has
refused to let the unfairness in your own
life have the last word. You have persevered.
And with the compassion that can come
from such struggles, as attorneys we can
stand with our clients and reach out to the
Julios of the world and say, “that unfairness
and injustice in your life does not have to
be the last word.”
Congratulations to all the recipients of the 2016
CBA and CBF Pro Bono and Public Service Awards
Kimball R. Anderson and Karen Gatsis Anderson Public Interest Law
Fellowship
Amanda Walsh, Legal Council for Health Justice
Exelon Outstanding Corporate Counsel Award
Eric Carlson, McDonald’s Corporation
Leonard Jay Schrager Award of Excellence
Shaye L. Loughlin, DePaul University College of Law
Edward J. Lewis II Pro Bono Service Award
Lawrence A. Wojcik, DLA Piper LLP (US)
Maurice Weigle Exceptional Young Lawyer Award
Andrew F. Merrick, Jenner & Block LLP
Richard J. Phelan Public Service Award
Deborah Hagan, Office of the Illinois Attorney General
Thomas H. Morsch Public Service Award
Timothy J. Hufman, Legal Assistance Foundation
New York City. When Julio came to me,
he was 15 years old and terribly scarred
over his entire face and body due to third-
degree burns he suffered as a boy when he
was trapped in his Bronx apartment during
a fire. Thereafter, whenever he did anything
wrong, his parents punished him by holding
a lit candle to his face. That abuse continued
until his parents threw him out of the home
at the age of 15 to fend for himself.
So here was this teenage kid knocking
at my door—homeless, and scarred both
physically and emotionally while growing
up in one of the worst and poorest parts
of the Bronx. Life had truly been unfair.
Over the years, when I have thought
about Julio, I have wondered where I
would be in my life today if I’d had to
endure even one of the challenges he faced.
Is my presence before you today because
of my accomplishments, or is it because of
my good fortune? I think we all know the
answer to that question. And if we are will-
ing to be honest with ourselves, isn’t what
What a privilege we have as attorneys to
take on this role and offer the possibility of
hope to those who gave up on this concept
a long time ago.
At the end of the day, doesn’t this kind
of service to others begin to define a life
of meaning? It is not based on a pursuit of
our own self-gratification. And our worth
will not ultimately be determined by our
fleeting successes. Rather, it is only when
we choose to exist in a world in which the
needs of the Julios, or the duties of citizen-
ship, or the call of God, or something else
of this order crucially matters to us that
our lives will rise above the trivial and
strive towards the authentic. And isn’t this
the challenge that faces each of us who has
been given so much?
The Julios are out there. The only ques-
tion is, what will be our response when we
find them knocking at our door?
YLS Volunteer Opportunities
Law Explorers: The YLS Law Explorers Project
sponsors lectures and activities for young men
andwomen between the ages of 14 and 20who
are interested in careers in lawand government.
Volunteer attorneys meet with students from
100 Chicago area high schools every other
Wednesday evening and participate in role plays
concerning legal and ethical questions. Visit
the Law Explorers Committee page at www.
for more information.
Serving Our Seniors: In 2009-10, the CBA
helped the ABA to launch Serving Our Seniors.
The programdesigned to assist young lawyers in
providing low-income seniors with legal advice
regarding the creation of basic estate plans,
including powers of attorney for healthcare
and property, living wills, and simple wills.
Estate planning experience is not needed.
Visit the Serving Our Seniors Committee page
at for information about
upcoming events.
CBA RECORD 23