CBA Record January 2019

CBA RECORD

EDITOR’S BRIEFCASE

EDITORIAL BOARD Editor-in-Chief Justice Michael B. Hyman    Associate Editor Anne Ellis    Summary Judgments Editor Daniel A. Cotter     YLS Journal Editors-in-Chief Natalie Chan   

BY JUSTICE MICHAEL B. HYMAN, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

    It’s said that a life that touches others goes on forever.

The life of CBA member Arthur S. “Butch” Gold deeply touched mine and many more during his 77 years. Art died in October after a short illness. I write about Art because he was that rare individual whose very presence enriched the world for those around him. Because his passion for life and humanity shone through whatever he did. And because his personality radiated genuine warmth that uplifted all who came into his sphere. Art loved the CBA, and hardly missed a major event. Among his leadership roles, Art served on the Board of Managers, as co-chair of the 2006 commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the Nuremberg War Trials, and as one of the chairs of the CBA’s Human Rights Committee in its inaugural years. To know Art was to never, ever, forget him. He embraced life fully, deeply, and com- pletely, with a mix of adventure, fun, hopefulness, confidence, and a smile‒always, a smile. A relentless and skillful advocate, Art maintained the highest ethical standards, and turned many an opposing lawyer into a friend. Indefatigable Spirit Here’s a glimpse of Art’s indefatigable spirit. A few years ago, I was sitting with Art at a table along the perimeter of Captain Morgan’s outside of Wrigley Field. A father and his young son happened by. Art stopped the boy to admire his glove and ball. After small talk, Art asked if the boy knew who Art was. No, replied the boy. ”Well, I used to play ball. A long time ago. I was pretty good too,” Art responded. “Want my autograph?” The boy immediately thrust the ball to Art. As the boy and his father walked away, I asked Art whose name he had signed. “My name, of course.” But, Art, I said, you didn’t play professional ball. That kid thinks he has a ball signed by some hero of yesteryear. “I didn’t say I played for the Cubs” smiled Art. “Besides, I made the kid happy and he now has an authentic Gold ball.” Art practiced law (and lived) undaunted by the obstacles that life presents, most likely due to an innate, cheery, and fearless optimism that nothing could shake or dim. Art’s characteristic optimism knew no limits. He expected to win every motion, every case, and every appeal; but when he didn’t, he never showed bitterness or regret, nor did he sulk or hang his head or blame others for his fate. Befittingly, a sign in Art’s office read, “Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.” Art’s effervescent outlook included his beloved Cubs. He truly expected the Cubs always would come out victorious. A loss meant a momentary setback; they’d win next time. Not much rankled Art, except injustice, inequity, and incompetence, for which he had no tolerance. Four years ago Art fought a nasty cancer with all that he had. He wouldn’t let it affect his attitude. At the time he wrote, “Being confronted with the ‘C’ word can be a frighten- ing, anxiety-producing episode in one’s life. It need not be.” Throughout his treatment, he stayed upbeat and seemingly unfazed, letting every dark cloud pass without a care because he felt certain that in time, it would. He beat cancer. A couple of weeks before he died, his family e-mailed a picture of Art, sitting in his hospital bed, wires and tubes running everywhere, with Art, wearing a big grin while giving the thumbs up sign. Art was a master at optimism, and he instilled within me his infectious brand of opti- mism. And why not? For Art understood what too many of us fail to grasp: optimism is far more powerful than despair, far more healthy than anger, far more constructive than fear, and far more productive than unhappiness.

Daniel J. Berkowitz  

Carolyn Amadon Jonathan B. Amarilio      Ali Ammoura      Amy Cook    Nina Fain      Anthony F. Fata       Clifford Gately   Jasmine Villaflor Hernandez      Lynn Semptimphelter Kopon    John Levin Kathryn C. Liss         Bonnie McGrath      Clare McMahon      Pamela S. Menaker    Peter V. Mierzwa     Kathleen Dillon Narko      Adam J. Sheppard     Nicholas D. Standiford       Richard Lee Stavins

     Judge E. Kenneth Wright, Jr.      Rosemary Simota Thompson William A. Zolla II    

THE CHICAGO BAR ASSOCIATION David Beam    Rebecca Martin     

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