38 / 60
Y O U N G L A W Y E R S J O U R N A L
38
APRIL/MAY 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
Vielen Dank, Gracias,
Dziekuje, Thank You
By Paul J. Ochmanek, Jr.
YLS Chair
T
his is my last article as Chair of the
Young Lawyers Section. Typically,
the Chair uses this article to thank
everyone who contributed to the YLS
throughout the year. This is my toughest
article to write, as so many people have
contributed during this past year. To begin,
my executive board has been selfless with
their support. Many, if not all, of my
new initiatives would not have started,
let alone been completed, without them.
Specifically, all credit goes to Matt Passen
for creating the Shadow Program web
portal. (I urge you to participate if you
have not yet done so.) I wish Matt the best
next year as Chair. Katie Liss and Brandon
Peck secured key presenters for our spring
seminar on legal issues in the LGBT com-
munity. Jonathan Amarilio, Matt Jenkins
and Trisha Rich were instrumental in the
success of the Suits for Success program.
Jonathan Amarilio and Geoff Burkhart
worked tirelessly to ensure my articles were
delivered on time and edited properly.
Malcolm “Skip” Harsch and Gabby Sapia
oversaw all of the YLS’s 30 special projects.
Thank you all very much for assisting the
YLS this year!
This year’s theme focused on “Opening
Opportunities.” I challenged all members
of the bar to get involved in at least one
new program or project. Helena Livitz led
the Suits for Success Program by secur-
ing a presenter, receiving and reviewing
the Christo Rey High School students’
resumes, and locating mock interviewers.
JonathanMraunac started the year off right
with the first ever YLS Boat Cruise, and
Jonathan continued to excite YLS mem-
bers as our socials moved to new locations
throughout the City. None of this would
be possible without support from our gen-
erous sponsors. Additionally, our special
project coordinators were always ready to
take on projects. Their efforts have touched
many in the community in a short period
of time. Thank you all for your time and
energy. Our projects and socials would not
have succeeded without you.
Beyond the success of this year, many
people have helped me over the past nine
years, and all of them contributed to who
I am today. However, there are two people
who have remained constant over these
years: Dan Cotter and Jenni Bertolino.
Dan Cotter introduced me to the YLS
when I was a 3L. I am not sure I would
have joined the organization or become
Chair without him. Dan has always been
available and responsive to my questions,
comments, and concerns. Thank you, Dan,
for your mentorship and friendship over
the years.
Jenni has been a part of the YLS since
I was a real estate committee chair. Presi-
dents and Chairs have come and gone, but
Jenni has always been there. She is a warm
and passionate individual whom I have
had the pleasure of working with and get-
ting to know better in my work as Chair.
She was always there offering me guidance
and a shoulder to lean on. Jenni is truly
an indispensable part of this organization.
Unfortunately, she is departing after the
CBA annual meeting. Rest assured, Jenni,
you will be missed dearly by all! Thank
you so very much for everything over the
past nine years. I wish you and your family
nothing but happiness and success.
continued on page 47