CBA Record

Leisure time will include a cooking class, a tour of the Roman Forum and a variety of other events. Looking to the Future Always a forward-thinker, Judge Mulroy has planned a symposium entitled, The Future of the Practice of Law in Chicago. “The uniqueness of attorneys has been diminished. Too many lawyers say they hate their jobs. Law students can’t find jobs, young and mid-career lawyers are afraid of getting fired, older lawyers are being pushed out of the firms, law firm margins are being pinched, and solo practitioners’ income has diminished.” In addition, “law school enrollment is down across the board.” Judge Mulroy’s symposium will address these problems. The symposium will be divided into six subject areas that will be addressed by separate committees comprising 20-30 attorneys and judges. Each committee will identify three problems and three corresponding solutions and will pres- ent their findings at a symposium with CBA member input. The six subject areas include: Transitioning from Law School to Practice. This committee will focus on the transition from law school, a theoretical, academic environment, to the actual practice of law. Judge Mulroy is acutely aware of the disillusionment many young attorneys feel shortly after entering practice. “The young lawyer’s first mentor plays such a critical role in defining that lawyer’s career, how they practice law and how they interact with those around them.” Diversity and Inclusion. As Judge Mulroy puts it, “it is one thing to hire persons from a diverse background, but quite another to really incorporate them and include them in the organization.” This committee will focus on that inclusion. Judge Mulroy’s vision for this committee conveys a deep empathy. For example, he understands that the challenges faced by women who are older than 50 are far different than the challenges faced by younger women. This committee will also examine how differ- ent generations interact. “You have many,

At “A Path Toward Solutions: A Summit on Curbing the Violence in Chicago,” with Rev. Dr. Walter Johnson of Greater Institutional AME Church, Rev. James E. Dukes of Liberation Christian Center, Father Michael L. Pfleger, Faith Community of St. Sabina, and Jadine Cho, Chief Safety and Security Officer, Chicago Public Schools.

Longtime Goal Achieved: Becoming a Judge Judge Mulroy had wanted to be a judge since his time as an Assistant United States Attorney. “I love trials and the rules of evidence.” Indeed, Judge Mulroy wrote the first Trial Practice Manual for the United States Attorney’s Office for Northern District of Illinois. He has taught trial practice as an adjunct professor at Loyola University. He also established the “Mulroy Award”—given to the student who earns the highest grade in Evidence. In 2007, Judge Mulroy was appointed a Judge for the Circuit Court of Cook County, and is now assigned to the Law Division-Commercial Calendar. After 10 years of service on the bench, Judge Mul- roy’s love of the courtroom remains strong. “The lawyers are great. And one thing I notice is jurors are more enthusiastic than ever about serving.” Although he greatly enjoys presiding over trials, Judge Mulroy has a practical understanding that many matters should be resolved expeditiously. To that end, he spearheaded the Commercial Calendar’s innovative arbitration program. Cases in which damages are less than $75,000 can be referred to an arbitration before a single arbitrator. Either party can either accept the award, or reject it upon payment of a fee. However, if the rejecting party does

worse at trial, it must pay the other side’s attorneys’ fees associated with the arbitra- tion. “Our thought was to force litigants to internalize the risks of rejecting an award.” The program has been a tremendous suc- cess and is a cost-effective alternative for the litigants. The arbitration process “gives the parties an early chance to explain their side of the story and vent. Many times, the money is secondary; the litigants just want to be heard.” Vision for the CBA: Center of Excellence for of Camaraderie, Fulfillment and Service Judge Mulroy is deeply concerned that the practice of law is not as fulfilling as it once was. As a result, his initiatives as CBA President will focus on the subjects of lawyers and society , and not just traditional legal subjects. “Lawyers have a need to be a part of the bigger community, and I want the CBA to help them fulfill that need. We are interested in issues that are bigger than the law and the legal profession.” Returning to Rome Next year’s European CLE will be to Rome. Judge Mulroy has ambitious plans for the event. Speakers will include Amanda Knox’s criminal defense attorney, Rome’s chief prosecutor and a represen- tative from the United States Embassy.

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