CBA Record May-June 2025

5th Annual CBA Flash Fiction Contest Winners

T he CBA Record’s Fifth Annual Flash Fiction Contest—designed to showcase attorneys’ creative talents—was again a resound ing success. Editorial Board members reviewed the submissions with last year’s Flash Fiction contest winner, Tom Keevers, who selected the winner from among the finalists. We’re pleased to announce that this year’s first place winner is Jack Leyhane’s short story He’ll Have Plenty of Time to Write Now . In second place is The Marionette Shop by Jonathan Safron. Rounding out the prize winners in third place is Mrs. P by Emily T. Art. He’ll Have Plenty of Time to Write Now This year’s Flash Fiction winner is Jack Leyhane, a long-time CBA member and former CBA Record Editorial Board Member. In his piece, He’ll Have Plenty of Time to Write Now , the protagonist, Ben Allen, details his journey from young student to felon. Through Leyhane’s descriptive prose, readers relate to Allen’s struggle to sidestep his own aspira tions as he struggles for family approval. Readers can connect with his eagerness to excel in his profession, and how it leads to disillusionment and frustration, and eventual resignation. Leyhane’s story was inspired by his experiences with discovery and litigation, first as a civil litigator, and now as an arbitrator. He has first-hand knowledge of how evolving technology has impacted litigation, specifically its cost, for better and for worse. There is so much material to look for and explore. However, before taking a deep dive, it may behoove litigators, as well as their clients, to consider the question, “simply because we can, should we do this? “ Although Leyhane retired from civil practice, he remains active in the legal community as certified Mediator in Cook County Law Division’s Major Case Court-Annexed Civil Mediation Program and the Chancery Division Media tion Program. He also serves as an Arbitrator in Cook County Municipal and Law Cases. Leyhane is perhaps most widely recognized as the author of the blog, “For What It’s Worth.” Among his many accomplishments, Leyhane can now add first place winner of the CBA’s Fifth Annual Flash Fiction Contest. The Marionette Shop In the Second Place winner, The Marionette Shop by Jonathan Safron, a jet-lagged litigator attends an arbitration con ference in Prague, which leads to a new connection as well as the rekindling of a past connection. Safron practices law in Chicago. Mrs. P The Third Place winner , Mrs. P, by Emily T. Art, focuses on a single mother who works hard to support her two daughters and dreams of a better future. On the way to a day at the beach, tragedy befalls the trio, leaving the reader to wonder what lies ahead for Mrs. P and her girls. Art is an associate attorney at Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. Digital copies of the 2nd and 3rd place winning entries are available at www.chicagobar.org/FlashFiction.

32 May/June 2025