CBA Record July-August 2025

THE YOUNG LAWYERS SECTION

COURAGE Gavin Phelps, YLS Chair

CBA YOUNG LAWYERS SECTION Chair Gavin Phelps Circuit Court of Cook County First Vice Chair Aleksandra Petrovi c Damisch & Damisch, Ltd. Second Vice Chair Bianca Ciarroni Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP Armstrong Teasdale LLP Philanthropy Officer Pam Sran Fox Rothschild Secretary/Treasurer Andre Hunter, Jr. Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani Program Officers Deepa Singh US Patent and Trademark Office Cha’yra Eddie Levenfeld Pearlstein, LLC Inclusion & Engagement Officer Joshua Epstein Goldberg Kohn Co-Editors of the YLS Journal J. Kopczyk Attorney at Law Katherine Hanson IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law Co-Editors of the CBA Blog Sara Shiffman Attorney-at-Law Hannah Werner MacDonald, Lee & Senechalle, Ltd Immediate Past Chai r Kenneth A. Matuszewski Rozier Hardt McDonough PLLC Recruitment Officer Stephanie Moon

project (yes, every. single. project.), she manages to bring a smile, energy, and practical know-how. I’ll never understand how she juggles everything and makes it look easy. She gives AI a run for its money. I’m relieved to have her continued help in the new bar year, and I’m grateful for her friendship. The leaders of the YLS, past and pres ent, all exemplify many good qualities. One in particular is our theme for this 2025-2026 bar year: Courage. Courage to seek and stand for justice. Courage to say no. Courage to say yes. Courage to advo cate for others, for strangers, for clients, and even for yourself. Courage to ask for that raise, that promotion, that time off. Courage to put your personal life ahead of your career. Courage to look at the prob lems around the world and ask, “What can I do to help?” We can all use a bit of courage, especially in these times where we may find ourselves caught between what is right and what is comfortable. We have a talented group of leaders to help encourage everyone this year. Alek sandra Petrovic, First Vice Chair; Bianca Ciarroni, Second Vice Chair; Andre Hunter, Jr., Secretary/Treasurer; Stepha nie Moon, Recruitment Officer; Pam Sran, Philanthropy Chair; Deepa Singh and Cha’yra Eddie, Program Officers; Joanna Kopczyk and Katherine Hanson, Co-Editors of the YLS Journal; Hannah Werner and Sara Shiffman, Co-Edi tors of the @theBar Blog; Josh Epstein, Inclusion and Engagement Officer; and of course, Kenny and Emily. We look forward to seeing you at all our events this year.

A warm and heartfelt thank you to our outgoing YLS Chair, Kenny Matuszewski, and all the officers and directors who made the 2024-2025 bar year a fantastic success! Matuszewski carried the strength of two and showed up to nearly every YLS event while actively building relationships with other local bar associations around the Chicago area. He started several new events including marching in the Bud Billiken Parade, the State Court Judicial Externship Career Fair, the Federal Court Walk Through, and the Chili Cook Off. One thing I remember him being especially proud of was providing every officer with the opportunity to attend at least one Board of Managers meeting so they could see how the “Big Bar” functions and antici pate life beyond the YLS. He always made sure everyone had the chance to shine. I look forward to his continued guidance, support, and friendship. Another heartfelt thank you to our YLS Director, Emily Anderson. The YLS simply would not function if not for her diligent and spirited support. With every

Want to get involved in the Young Lawyers Section? Send an email to yls@chicagobar.org and ask to get connected with future leadership and volunteer opportunities.

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