Virtual program for CBA's 2021 Justice John Paul Stevens Awards set for Oct. 13

The Chicago Bar Association and the Chicago Bar Foundation will confer their annual Justice John Paul Stevens Awards in a virtual ceremony on Wednesday, October 13, at noon.

In the words of the sponsoring organizations, the Stevens Awards celebrate Illinois attorneys who have "demonstrated extraordinary integrity and service to the community throughout their careers."

The recipients of this year's awards are:

• Karina Ayala-Bermejo, the President and CEO of the Instituo Del Progeso Latino. Licensed to practice law in Illinois since 1998, according to ARDC, Ayala-Bemejo is a former General Counsel and Executive Vice President of Metropolitan Family Services. Before that, Ayala-Bermejo spent seven years as the CBA's Director of Community Services.


• Anne L. Fredd, a Senior Attorney at Neal & Leroy, LLC. A former President of the Cook County Bar Association and a former member of the CBA Board of Managers, Fredd has been licensed to practice law in Illinois since 1973, according to ARDC. Her firm biography notes that she has "advised public agencies concerning the development and implementation of regulations and policies to promote business opportunities for minorities and women, equal employment opportunities for minority and female journey workers, apprentices and laborers, and Chicago residents."


• Chief Judge Rebecca Pallmeyer of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. The first woman to serve as Chief Judge of that court, Pallmeyer has served on the Federal bench since 1998. She served as a United States Magistrate Judge in the Northern District from 1991 to 1998. Before that, Pallmeyer was an Administrative Law Judge on the Illinois Human Rights Commission from 1985 to 1991.


• Cook County Commissioner Larry Suffredin. Licensed to practice in Illinois since 1973, according to ARDC, Suffredin is of counsel to the firm of Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP. His firm biograophy notes that Suffredin "is known for his broad knowledge of government and politics and has a strong emphasis on government relations work." Suffredin has also served as a lobbyist for the CBA. He announced in May that he will not seek reelection to the Cook County Board.


• Cook County Associate Judge James E. Snyder. Appointed to the Circuit Court in 2007 by the Illinois Supreme Court, Snyder became an associate judge in 2008. Before becoming a judge, Snyder served as General Counsel of the the Illinois Human Rights Commission. He is a former President of the Alliance of Illinois Judges.

To obtain a link to the awards ceremony, complete this form.