CBA Record September-October 2025

Chicago Bar Foundation Report

From left to right: Marlon Lutfiyya, Neal, Gerber& Eisenberg LLP; Judge Veronica O’Malley, 19th Judicial Circuit; Missy Turk Firmage, Chuhak & Tecson, P.C.; Spencer Haydary, Law Center for Better Housing; Cynthia Cornelius, Cabrini Green Legal Aid; Rich Klawiter, DLA Piper LLP (US); Michelle Vodenik, Chicago-Kent College of Law; Chantal Kazay Rivera, McDonald’s Corporation; and Kathy Malamis, Zurich North America. Celebrating Pro Bono and Public Service Champions in Our Community By Courtney Solomon

N early 500 people gathered at the Hilton Chicago in July to honor seven heroes in our legal community at the CBA and CBF 27th Annual Pro Bono and Public Service Awards luncheon. The event again was a powerful reminder that, wherever we are in the legal profession, we each have a unique ability to make the justice system more fair, acces sible, and effective for people in need. More on this year’s inspiring award recipients: Kimball R. Anderson and Karen Gatsis Anderson Public Interest Fellowship Still early in his legal career, Spencer Haydary has already made a strong impact as a staff attorney at the Law Center for Better

Housing, where he advocates for tenants facing eviction and housing instability. At LCBH, Haydary has helped hundreds of tenants secure rental assistance, waive back rent, and seal eviction records. Known for his creative, persistent advocacy, he routinely develops new legal strategies to enforce tenant rights. He also shares his legal knowledge through community out reach, especially within the LGBTQ+ community. As president of the Lambda Law Alliance at UVA Law, he supported fellow students committed to LGBTQ+ advocacy. With support from the Anderson Fellowship, he will continue his work represent ing low-income tenants across Cook County with passion and purpose.

18 September/October 2025