CBA Record

Serving the Underserved Some of the honorees expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to help underserved populations through their legal work. Sharon Hwang explained how the Chinese American Bar Association provides professional development for Chinese-American lawyers and “a means to provide legal services for our growing Chinese-speaking population.” Mark Dobrzycki, Executive Director of the Amicus Poloniae Legal Clinic and honored by the Advocates Society, was grateful for “the opportunity to serve people who oth- erwise would not have the chance to find legal help that makes their lives better.”The Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chi- cago honoredWill Thomas posthumously. Presenters moted thatThomas was passion- ate about the association’s scholarships for law students to work at LGBT civil rights organizations. Bar Association Mentoring Others thanked their sponsoring bar associations for support throughout their careers. “I am where I am today because

provide human rights to everyone “regard- less of race, religion, [or] gender.” Judge Ramon Ocasio focused on the need for diversity within the judicial system, stating “when a judiciary doesn’t reflect the community it serves, we fall short: many miles of what justice requires.” Ocasio urged attorneys to reflect critically on the makeup and purpose of the judicial system and seek diversity. Zaldwaynaka Scott, honored by the Chicago Bar Asso- ciation, emphasized “the power of law to effect change,” citing changes in law to end segregation. Judge William J. Haddad (Ret.) of the Arab American Bar Association of Illinois, suggested a need for greater inclusion. He noted the quarter million Arab-Americans in the Chicago area are “very concerned about the negative rhetoric they’re seeing in the media, talking about barring people based on religion or ethnicity. Our com- munity is very proud of their history in this country.” Haddad accepted the award on behalf of the Arab-American community in Chicago.

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of this organization,” stated Judge Jessica O’Brien, honored by the Asian Ameri- can Bar Association of Chicago, noting the mentoring she received from many members. Rosa Maria Silva thanked the Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois, stating, “They have provided me with many mentors who have helped me along my legal career. They have always encouraged me and supported my endeavors.” The 12 honorees show by example how attorneys can make the law and legal pro- fession more accessible to and reflective of the community at-large. The CBA has a variety of meeting rooms and can provide catering and audio/visual services for client conferences, firmmeetings, social gather- ings etc. Call Michele Spodarek, CBA Conference Center Manager at 312/554-2124 for details.

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