CBA Record Sept-Oct 2019

Chicago Bar Foundation Report

CBA & CBF Pro Bono and Public Service Awards Luncheon Pro Bono and Public Service Heroes Take Center Stage By Megan Yerger, CBF Summer Intern

P ro bono and public service represent some of the noblest traditions in the legal profession, and the work performed by people in the Chicago legal community is nothing short of amazing. The CBA and CBF’s 21st Annual Pro Bono and Public Service Awards Luncheon this summer highlighted some of that important work, honoring seven exemplary Chicago lawyers. Luncheon co-chairs Colby Anne Kingsbury of Faegre Baker Daniels and KevinM. Robinson of GuggenheimPartners presented the awards in front of more than 700 members of the legal community at the Hilton Chicago. The recipients represent a broad cross- section of Chicago’s legal community and share an unwavering commitment to advanc- ing justice and inspiring others to do the same. The 2019 honorees have represented asylum seekers fleeing abuse and persecution for reasons such as their gender-identity and their political stances; youths and emerging adults seeking a fresh start after encounters with the criminal justice system; individuals experiencing homelessness, chronic mental illness, and substance abuse disorders; and many other people in need of legal help. KimballR.AndersonandKarenGatsisAnderson Public Interest Fellowship: Sue Pak As a Skadden Fellow at Cabrini Green Legal Aid, Sue Pak focused on providing re-entry services to emerging adults in the juvenile or criminal justice systems, particularly young people fromthe neighborhoodsmost affected by gun violence. She helped expunge and seal records, represented clients in family law court, and facilitated Know Your Rights programs. As her fellowship ended, CGLA

Recipients of the 2019 CBA & CBF Pro Bono & Public Service Awards (clockwise from top left): Lisa Parsons, Hon. Cheryl Stark, Maureen Kieffer, David Pi, Steve Pflaum, Sherene Jodrey, and Sue Pak.

has championed the rights of some of the most vulnerable populations in the world, including asylum seekers fleeing abuse and persecution in their home countries. She launched Aon’s Global Pro Bono Initiative, partnering with legal aid organizations throughout Chicago to establish a robust pro bono program which provided new opportunities and support for in-house attorneys. Sherene also forged a relationship with Equip for Equality, recruiting in-house attorneys to help staff the organization’s Special Education Helpline. The length and breadth of her pro bono service are impressive, as is the ripple effect of her pro bono advocacy, which has inspired many other attorneys to pursue pro bono and helped to build new in-house pro bono programs.

created the Emerging Adults program, a practice group that focuses on meeting the legal needs of youth and emerging adults and hired Sue as the Supervising Attorney.Today, Sue continues to fight for the rights of her clients in the courtroomand in their everyday lives. Through the Anderson fellowship, Sue will be able to lessen the financial burden of her student loans so that she can focus on her passion, and on her clients’ needs. ExelonOutstandingCorporateCounselAward: Sherene Awad Jodrey Sherene Awad Jodrey has been a champion for pro bono throughout her legal career, first at Winston & Strawn, then at Aon, and now as Senior Counsel at The Boeing Company. As a long-time volunteer with the National Immigrant Justice Center, Sherene

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