CBA Record November-December 2024

PRESIDENT’S PAGE BY JOHN C. SCIACCOTTA How the Gift of Mentorship Can Be Part of Our Legacy

The Chicago Bar Association www.chicagobar.org

President John C. Sciaccotta

First Vice President Kathryn C. Liss

of our profession and of giving back to it and nurturing it whenever possible. The greatest gift they bestowed upon me was their mentorship and the substantial amount of time they invested in me. To honor their investments, and to honor our mentors’ legacies in each of us, we should consider committing to men toring people in general and younger law yers in particular. Dick, Don, Bill, and others always stressed to me that part of the responsi bility of being a professional is the obliga tion to give back and to make our legal profession better. Bar association service and contributions clearly do this. They often told me that one day when I would become the “older lawyer,” to never forget to mentor younger lawyers and ask them to do the very same one day. It’s that per petuation of mentorship that makes our profession so very special and carries on our mentors’ great legacies. My mentors were there for me during some challenging times in my life and career. They were trusted friends, coun selors, and advisors. They rendered advice but were neither judgmental nor critical. Rather, they were uplifting. They stressed the importance of learning from chal lenging circumstances, striving to learn from your shortcomings and mistakes, and always taking a positive lesson from an unfortunate situation. These were very valuable lessons that only a true mentor can impart. The CBA’s mentorship program is alive and well. It’s a vital program that pairs members with mentees to discuss busi ness, professional, and even personal mat ters. I’ve been a mentor to many mentees

Second Vice President Judge Nichole C. Patton

Treasurer Jonathan B. Amarilio

Secretary Trisha Rich

Immediate Past President Ray J. Koenig III

Executive Director Beth McMeen

BOARD OF MANAGERS Daniel J. Berkowitz Tracy Brammeier Maggie Mendenhall Casey Erin Clifford Nishá N. Dotson John C. Ellis Josie M. Gough Brian Haussmann Judge Kenya A. Jenkins-Wright Michael Kozlowski Francine D. Lynch Justice Margaret Stanton McBride Kenneth A. Matuszewski Peter McNamara John Mitchell Sari Montgomery

D uring the holiday season, we often take time to reflect and give thanks and appreciation for the gifts we have in our lives. We often think of family, friends, colleagues, mentors, teachers, coaches, and those who made a real impact and difference for us. The memories and legacies of those that were most meaningful remain with us forever. They should also inspire us to mentor others in their honor. In that regard, I would like to pay trib ute to some of my most influential lawyer mentors. They include the late Richard W. (Dick) Culver, former CBA President Donald (Don) Hubert, and former City of Chicago Alderman William J.P. (Bill) Banks. I’m most grateful to Dick, Don, and Bill for urging me to become involved with our CBA. Even before I became a lawyer, they were especially inspiring and influential in teaching me the importance

Eirene N. Salvi Brendon Stark Justice Rena Marie Van Tine Judge Andrea R. Wood

6 November/December 2024