CBA Record

2015 HERMAN KOGAN AWARDS Do Something That Makes You Proud By Anne Ellis Editorial Board Member

CBA Past President Dan Cotter and keynote speaker Pulitizer Prize winning columnist Mary Schmich of the Chicago Tribune. Photos by Bill Richert.

HermanKoganMediaAwards Chair Dennis Culloton (far right) withKogan Print Legal Beat categorywinners fromthe ChicagoTribune, from left Duaa Eldeib, Gary Marx and David Jackson, who won for their investigation of juvenile state wards and residential treatment centers.

F ocusing on the similarities between law and journalism, Pulitzer Prize- winner Mary Schmich urged mem- bers of both professions to use their privilege as a “special opportunity to do something that makes you proud.” Schmich gave the keynote address at the CBA’s 26 th annual Herman Kogan Media Awards on May 6 at Maggiano’s in Chicago. Kogan Awards The awards, named in honor of legendary Chicago journalist and raconteur Herman Kogan, recognize outstanding legal and public affairs reporting. With past CBA President Daniel Cotter presiding and members of the Kogan family–sons Rick and Mark–in attendance, the awards were

presented by Dennis Culloton, Chair of the Kogan Awards Committee. The Committee selected winners from among 31 entries in print, broadcast, and online media categories. Keynote Message Among the similarities between law and journalism cited by Mary Schmich, a long- time columnist for the Chicago Tribune , are tools of the trade–words, facts, and ideas; the heat and intensity of competition and deadlines; and intimate involvement with clients’ issues and subjects’ stories, which makes the work both difficult and rewarding. But the main similarity between the two professions is that “lawyers and journalists have some of the most privileged work in

the world.” Schmich defines privilege as “a special opportunity to do something that makes you proud.” She reminded the audience of how lucky we are to do the work we do, and that “At our best, we try to make something better.” Schmich said she wanted to leave the audience with four words: “Patience. Perseverance. Joyful effort.” Those words can inspire us to keep going and keep doing the best work we can, even when it’s hard–the kind of work that the Kogan winners inspire us with, even if there are not always tangible prizes.

16 JULY/AUGUST 2015