CBA Record March-April 2022

CBA Honors Judge Andrea M. Buford and Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul with Earl B. Dickerson Awards By Ann Glynn, CBA Public A ff airs Director T he Chicago Bar Association recog nized two outstanding individuals who have fought for justice and

o ffi ce, Raoul has initiated legislation and new policies to reduce the long-lasting e ff ects of violence and to support survivors of violent crime. He has partnered with law enforcement to keep fi rearms away from dangerous individuals, to increase vigilance around violence in public spaces, and to uphold the integrity of public o ffi ces across the state. As leader of the Illinois Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce, Raoul protects children from online predators through the o ffi ce’s High Tech Crimes Bureau. He also safeguards Illinois consumers, holding accountable the industries that threaten public health and safety with products such as opioids and e-cigarettes. During the pandemic, he mobilized the o ffi ce to handle the in fl ux of consumer reports of price gouging and Covid-19-related scams. He also directed a multi-pronged response team for the thousands of complaints about workplace safety from Illinois workers. To view the Earl B. Dickerson Virtual Award Presentation visit www.youtube. com/chicagobar. O ffi ce spaces available at 200 N. LaSalle, 21st fl oor. This sublet features a brand new office, fully furnished with bright southern exposure. It o ff ers free use of a large conference room, free internet, kitchen with large dining area and access to a copier. The suite is well-lit with a wide-open common area with additional tables and sitting areas. O ffi ces range in price from $1300-$1500 per month, with cubicles available for administrative sta ff . Lease term is negotiable. Photographs available upon request. Please direct all inquiries toAndyHays at ahays@hays fi rm. com or 312-626-2537. CLASSIFIED ADS

of the Circuit Court of Cook County, where she presides over cases involving abuse and neglect allegations. She chairs the Special Supreme Court Committee on Juvenile Courts and serves on the Supreme Court Committee on Equality, the Supreme Court Committee on Pro fessional Responsibility, and the Illinois Supreme Court Judicial College, Com mittee on Guardians Ad Litem. She also serves as a member of the Illinois Delega tion to the National Judicial Leadership Summit. Prior to joining the bench, she focused her practice primarily on civil defense litigation, representing various corporations and municipalities. She served as a Commissioner on the Illinois Court of Claims, a Hearing O ffi cer for the State Board of Education, the Illinois Department of Human Services, and the Illinois State Board of Education. She was appointed a Federal Foreclosure Com missioner, a Special Assistant Attorney General, and a Special Assistant Corpo ration Counsel. Buford has also served as President of the Cook County Bar Association. She re-organized the Cook County Bar Association Foundation serv ing as its fi rst “new” President and served as Chair of the Illinois Judicial Council. She also served as Economic Development Chair for the NAACP.

equality in the legal profession through out their careers at the Earl B. Dickerson Virtual Awards in February. Th is year’s honorees were Judge Andrea M. Buford, Child Protection Division of the Circuit Court of Cook County, and Kwame Raoul, Illinois Attorney General. The virtual presentation was moderated by CBA Past President Judge E. Kenneth Wright, Jr. Th e award was established in honor of the late Earl B. Dickerson, who was an outstanding lawyer and among the fi rst African American members of the Chicago Bar Association. He devoted his life and professional career to the law and helping others gain equality and justice. Th e Chicago Bar Association established this special award to honor minority lawyers and judges whose careers emulate the courage and dedication of Dickerson in making the law the key to justice for all in our society. “ Th e 2022 Earl B. Dickerson Award honorees showcase the strength and pas sion that de fi ned Earl Dickerson’s devo tion to the law and to helping others gain equality and access justice,” said CBA President E. Lynn Grayson. “ Th eir service to the public and contributions to the justice system help to ensure fair and equi table treatment for all in our community.” J u d g e A n d r e a M. Bu f o rd wa s appointed to the bench by the Illi nois Supreme Court in April 2013 and retained her seat in the 2014 general election. Buford is assigned to the Child Protection Division

Il l inoi s At torney Gene r a l Kwame Raoul was born in Chicago to Haitian immi g r an t s . He brings a lifetime of l egal exper ience , advocacy, and public service to the o ffi ce

he has held since January 2019. Before being elected to the Attorney General’s o ffi ce, he served as an Illinois State Sena tor for 16 years. In the Attorney General’s

10 March/April 2022