CBA Record September-October 2024

served on the nominating committee this year. It was an enlight ening experience. The incredible time and investment by these lawyers is overwhelmingly impressive. Their passion, desire, and dedication, and some of the case details they shared, were awe-inspiring. This work is what makes our profession so very special and should give us all great pride. Each award recipient has indeed established their own legacies relating to pro bono service. Over the years, I have been involved in many pro bono mat ters. I would like to share one matter in particular because it has always been so meaningful to me and to our pro bono client. Back in 1989 when I was a very young lawyer, my late mentor, Richard W. (Dick) Culver, asked me to assist him in the defense of a fellow lawyer who had been charged with battery. The lawyer was protecting his young son from an older teenager who was physically beating him. The lawyer had some health issues at the time and could not afford a lawyer. We decided to defend this

lawyer on a pro bono basis. It was a real eye-opener for me. This lawyer’s law license and legal career were in jeopardy should he be convicted. We worked tirelessly, and eventually there was a bench trial – my very first trial. Dick taught me a valuable lesson in that when a fellow lawyer is in need, we must answer the call. We (Dick) tried the case (Dick allowed me to conduct the direct examination of a witness or two) before the judge, and the court rendered a not guilty decision. To this day, it still stands as among the most rewarding legal work that I have ever provided. A fellow lawyer had prevailed. I can still feel the lawyer’s elation when he hugged and thanked us after the decision. He said that we had “saved his life.” I will never forget it. Assisting someone or some organization in need has always been very fulfilling to me personally and has helped many people along the way. In finding and leaving your own legacy, I hope that you will make providing pro bono legal services part of your legal career.

Save the date! Join CBA President John Sciaccotta for CBA CLE Abroad from April 28-30, 2025, in Palermo, Sicily with an extension trip to Taormina from May 1-3. Group travel is being coordinated by Cara and pricing and a travel agenda can be found at www.chicagobar.org/Sicily2025. SAVE THE DATE!

Local Solutions. Global Reach.

CBA RECORD 7