CBA Orchestra & Chorus in concert on May 10

The Chicago Bar Association Orchestra & Chorus will be in concert Saturday evening, May 10, at 7:30 p.m., at St. James Cathedral, 65 E. Huron, Chicago. CBASO Music Director Jennifer Huang will direct the program, which includes Brahms' "Song of Destiny" (Schicksalslied) and Schumann's Symphony No. 3, Rhenish.

Advance tickets are available through the CBA website, or directly via this Eventbrite link. Advance tickets are $15 each for adults, $10 for students (defined to include law school students or those 18 or under). Advance ticket sales will close at 7:00 p.m. on the day of the event.

However, for those spontaneous sorts who decide to seek out a dose of culture on a sudden impulse, tickets will be available at the door as well ($20 adults / $15 students).

The Chicago Bar Association Symphony Orchestra is made up of attorneys, judges and law students. Growing from just a handful of musicians at its first rehearsal in 1986, the CBASO now regularly fields an orchestra of 75 musicians or more, virtually all affiliated with Chicago's legal community.

According to a spokesperson for the CBASO, the cathedral represented in the event poster is the Cologne Cathedral. Construction began on the cathedral in 1248 -- but did not finish until 1880 (albeit with ongoing repairs over the centuries). Apparently Schumann and his wife, Clara, took a day trip there to see it, ten years after he set Heinrich Heine’s poem “Im Rhein” to music in Dicterliebe. The Schumanns' visit coincided with a ceremony marking the elevation of the local archbishop to the rank of cardinal. Schumann was so impressed he went back a few months later for a tour and commemorated the solemn splendor in the fourth movement, "The Cathedral scene," of the “Rhenish" Symphony.

Update on the May 8 Jewish Judges Association awards dinner

When I ran the initial story earlier in the month, I didn't have the names of the winners of the Hon. Neil Cohen Bridge of Friendship Award.

Now, via a Facebook grab, I do:

Go back to the original story for the rest of the details about this upcoming event.

Tomorrow: 25th Annual District Court Awards for Excellence in Pro Bono and Public Interest Service

The United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois will present its Annual Awards for Excellence in Pro Bono and Public Interest Service in a free ceremony scheduled for 1:00 p.m., Thursday, May 1, 2025, in the James Benton Parsons Memorial Courtroom (2525) of the Dirksen Courthouse. These awards will honor attorneys for their contributions in helping people most in need of assistance before the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

The program is open to all attorneys and those interested in pro bono and public interest law and is free of charge.

This annual ceremony recognizing pro bono and public interest service before the Court is sponsored jointly by the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois and the Chicago Chapter of the Federal Bar Association. Glen R. McMurry, the National President of the Federal Bar Association, will be the keynote speaker.

Mr. McMurry received his undergraduate degree at Kansas State University and his J.D. from the University of Dayton School of Law. Mr. McMurry is a partner in the Taft Dayton office and a member of the Litigation practice group. He has over 17 years of experience serving diverse corporations and individuals resolving a wide variety of issues, including complex dispute resolution and compliance with local, state, and federal laws. Mr. McMurry also focuses his practice on employment issues, construction claims, insurance claims/defense, and mergers and acquisitions. In September 2024, he was installed as the National President of the Federal Bar Association.

Mr. McMurry has been an active participant in the FBA for over a decade. Glen served as the Dayton, Ohio Chapter President for three years (2010-2012). Since then, he has served in many capacities, including chairing the Younger Lawyer Division in 2016, serving on Government Relations Committee, the Editorial Board, serving as one of the Sixth Circuit Vice-Presidents, and serving on the National Board of Directors for multiple terms.

The awards program will also feature comments and introductions by Chief Judge Virginia M. Kendall and Erin M. Franzblau, President of the Chicago Chapter of the Federal Bar Association.

At the ceremony, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois and the Chicago Chapter of the Federal Bar Association will confer a Lifetime Achievement Award for “Excellence in Public Interest and Pro Bono Service” on Alan Mills, of The Uptown People’s Law Center.

In addition, Awards for “Excellence in Pro Bono Service” will be presented to:

• Michael G. Babbitt (deceased) of Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP,


• Binal J. Patel, Brian Apel, and Christian T. Wolfgram of Banner Witcoff,


• Douglas Matton of Matton and Werwas, P.C.,


• Magistrate Judge Laura K. McNally and Emily Haus Stone of Loeb & Loeb LLP,


• Reid Schar, Alexis Bates, Hope Tone-O’Keefe, Megan Cahillane, Michael Pearson, Tomi Johnson, and Sara Hickey of Jenner & Block LLP,


• Stacey Lynn Wilkins of Tressler LLP,


• Joseph Dusek of the Law Office of Joe Dusek, LLC,


• David Callahan, Justin Kirschner, Genevieve Zimmerman, and Margaret Babad of Latham & Watkins,


• John Gekas and Nathan Henderson of Saul Ewing LLP,


• John D. Mitchell, Amanda Amert, and Will Weber of Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP,


• Jacie Zolna of Myron M. Cherry & Associates, LLC,


• Melissa F. Gold and Timothy Ray of Holland & Knight LLP,


• Heather Benzmiller Sultanian, Natalie C. Chan, Leslie Kuhn-Thayer, Andrew F. Rodheim, Rebecca Lewis Tierney, and Stephen Beemsterboer of Sidley Austin LLP,


• Daniel A. Spira, Emily Woodring, Thomas H. Collier, Jonathan Dussik, and Ian C. Ferrell, also of Sidley Austin LLP,


• Meredith McBride of Goldman Ismail Tomaselli Brennan & Baum LLP,


• Naeem Shabbir Nulwala of Legal Aid Chicago,


• Devlin Joseph Schoop of Laduzinsky & Associates, P.C.,


• Andrew Fraker and Joseph Sherling of Neal, Gerber & Eisenberg LLP,


• Pravin B. Rao of Perkins Coie LLP,


• John Gekas and Nathan Henderson of Saul Ewing LLP, and


• Andrew Rima and Rami Fakhouri of Goldman Ismail Tomaselli Brennan & Baum LLP.

Advocates Society to march in this weekend's Polish Constitution Day Parade

It looks like it may be too late to register for the pre-parade brunch, but there is still time to participate in Saturday's Polish Constitution Day Parade with the Advocates Society. Just click on this page of the Advocates website for further details.

Illinois Latino Judges Association to hold Spring Social on May 22

The Illinois Latino Judges Association will hold its Spring Social on Thursday, May 22, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., at Chief O'Neill's Pub & Restaurant, 3471 N. Elston.

Tickets are $75 each, payable by Zelle, if you know what that is. It apparently involves pointing your phone like a raygun at someone else, only instead of the targeted person disintegrating, like in the movies or on TV, the person receiving the blast gets money in an amount you intended to send. According to my kids, who chide me for still using checks, which at least have legal definition, standing, and a library of statutes and caselaw addressing disputes, Zelle is but one of several such flimsy flim-flam photon transfer agents that can spare you the Herculean labor of writing a physical check. As long as you never, ever lose your phone. Or fail to charge it. Or leave it at home.

Cost-benefit analysis is clearly a lost art....

For the high schoolers in your lives: Learn about the workings of the federal judiciary *from* the federal judiciary

Look: I don't care how you acquire your news and information in the present age. I don't care what silo or tribe in which you claim membership. Surely, wherever you stand on the burning questions of the day, you must agree that some people are in desperate need of civics education. If you're honest about it (and I promise I won't tell) you might even concede that some of the folks who seem to agree with your position on every issue, or nearly every issue, could do with a little remedial civics education themselves. Maybe even a lot.

How did we get this way?

A lot of our friends and neighbors, and even many of our relations, never really got exposed to civics. In order to prevent fisticuffs from breaking out amongst the readers, we will defer to a different day any discussion of why this may be so. The point is that we should embrace opportunities to properly educate the next generation when such opportunities present themselves.

Therefore, if you are the parent or grandparent of one or more high school children (current freshmen, sophomores, or juniors), please take note: The Supreme Court Historical Society, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, and the ABA’s Division for Public Education have announced a "Supreme Court and My Hometown" program to be held in Chicago, Illinois during the 2025 fall semester (when those aforementioned children or grandchildren will be sophomores, juniors, or seniors). This immersive federal court experience is FREE for high school students. A two-day orientation will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on July 22 and 23, 2025. The rest of the sessions will take place on select Thursdays from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. All program sessions will take place at the Everett McKinley Dirksen U.S. Courthouse, 219 South Dearborn Street.

Throughout the program, students will explore the judicial branch through the lens of a local case, Escobedo v. Illinois (1964). They will engage with federal and state judges, attorneys, historians, professors, and community members to investigate the case and gain an in-depth understanding of how it moved through the state and federal court system. As a culminating activity, the students will create a unique capstone project to educate their community about the impact of the case and the federal court system.

All current grade 9 to 11 students are eligible to apply. Students are responsible for obtaining a letter of recommendation from a teacher, local educator, or community member who can speak to their academic and personal qualifications. Applications and letters of recommendation are due by May 9, 2025.

For more information, and to apply, visit https://supremecourthistory.org/hometown-program-chicago-il/. Questions about the program can be directed to Juliet Morris at jmorris@supremecourthistory.org.

Nominations close May 1 for CBA Robert A. Clifford Champion of Justice Award

The Chicago Bar Association is accepting nominations through May 1 for the Robert A. Clifford Champion of Justice Award.

Established in 2024, the award is presented annually to a CBA member of at least 15 years who has demonstrated Robert A. Clifford’s devotion to the highest principles of integrity and traditions of the legal profession. The CBA says that the overall purpose of the Robert A. Clifford Champion of Justice Award is to honor and recognize those who have demonstrated superior professional competence and advocacy on behalf of their clients.

According to the Clifford Award Page on the CBA website, the criteria considered in conferring the award are as follows:

• Outstanding integrity, character, and adherence to the highest principles and traditions of the legal profession;
• Committed to protecting The Rule of Law;
• Dedicated to preserving the Independence of the Judiciary;
• Advocating for the improvement of ethical standards in the practice of law;
• Extraordinary professional accomplishments that have benefited the nation, the State of Illinois, and the Chicago legal community; and
• The award recipient has demonstrated continual and exceptional commitment to advocacy, including trial by jury and appellate argument, legislation, and negotiation.

Nominations, along with supporting materials, may be submitted to the Robert A. Clifford Champion of Justice Award Committee in care of Beth McMeen, CBA Executive Director at bmcmeen@chicagobar.org

TONIGHT: Kent HLLSA to honor Judge Diana López

The Chicago-Kent Hispanic Latinx Law Student Association (HLLSA) will honor Cook County Circuit Court Judge López at its annual Judge's Night, tonight, Tuesday, April 15, frmo 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., at Chicago-Kent College of Law, 565 W. Adams Street.

Registration is required, and may be accomplished through the HLLSA Instagram Page or, possibly, if I've done this correctly, by clicking on this link. No guarantees on the latter.

Judge López became an associate judge in 2021. She ran for, and was elected to, a countywide vacancy in 2022.

HLLSA was founded in 1987 by a group of Hispanic and Latinx students at Chicago-Kent with the goal of advancing members of the Latinx and Hispanic community through the legal profession, as well as offering support for Latinx and Hispanic students at the school. HLLSA now bills itself as one of the largest ethnic organizations at Chicago-Kent.

FWIW passes the 5 million page view mark

Sometime in the last few days, when I wasn't paying attention, FWIW crossed the five million page view threshold. Here is a screenshot showing where the counter stands this evening:

This is an aggregate figure. FWIW has been around since 2006, and it has always been published on Blogger.com. But Google, Blogger's parent, was not keeping track of page views back then; I'm not sure when it started.

I can tell you that the four million page view milestone was reached on or shortly before May 1, 2023, roughly 709 days ago.

FWIW reached the million page view mark in August 2015, the two million mark in March 2018, and the three million mark in October 2020.

It took 941 days for FWIW to go from one million to two million page views. It took 10 days longer -- 951 days -- to get from two million to three million. It took 917 days to go from three million to four million. And now, as noted, another 709 days to go from four to five million. So that means there's growth here: More eyeballs, more often. Including, at this moment, your own.

Thank you.

Vanguard Awards presentation set for April 22

The 2025 Vanguard Awards Luncheon will take place on Tuesday, April 22 at the Union League Club, 65 W. Jackson Blvd. Luncheon will be served at noon, following a reception that begins at 11:30 a.m.

The Vanguard Awards honor individuals and institutions who have made the law and legal profession more accessible to and reflective of the community at large.

This year's sponsoring bar groups and their respective honorees are:

• Advocates Society – L. Steven Rakowski
• Arab American Bar Association of Illinois – Nura Yanaki
• Asian American Bar Association - Theodore Yi
• Black Women Lawyers' Association of Greater Chicago, Inc. – Judge Jacqueline P. Cox
• Catholic Lawyers Guild of Chicago – Judge Thomas More Donnelly
• Chicago Bar Association – Ray J. Koenig III
• Chinese American Bar Association of Greater Chicago - Alan K. Tse
• Cook County Bar Association – Larry Rogers, Jr.
• Decalogue Society of Lawyers – Howard H. Ankin
• Filipino American Lawyers Association - Judge Aileen Bhandari
• Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois – Homero Tristan
• Hellenic Bar Association of Illinois – Thomas G. Massouras
• Justinian Society of Lawyers - Frank A. Sommario
• LAGBAC -Chicago's LGBTQ+ Bar Association - Judge Linda J. Pauel
• Muslim Bar Association of Chicago - Leena Odeh
• Puerto Rican Bar Association – Hilda Frontany
• South Asian Bar Association of Chicago – Amrith Kaur Aakre
• Women's Bar Association of Illinois - Judge Mary Colleen Roberts (ret.)

Tickets for the luncheon are $75 each ($750 for a table of 10), and are available at this page of the CBA website. Questions about the event may be directed to Michele Spodarek at mspodarek@chicagobar.org.

Illinois Jewish Judges Association Awards and Installation Dinner set for May 8

The Illinois Jewish Judges Association will hold its 20th Annual Awards and Installation Dinner on Thursday, May 8, from 5:30 to 9:00 p.m. at a venue in Skokie.

The world being such a crazy place, the association would rather wait to tell you where the dinner will be when you buy tickets, rather than have me put the location out here on the Internet.

I understand and sympathize.

I can tell you that tickets are $190 each (tables of 10 are $1,800); that chicken, salmon, or vegetarian dinner options are available; and that sponsorships are available. Available sponsorships include:

• Social Sponsor - $360
  includes one dinner ticket, mention in the program and social media,


• Hors d'oeuvre Sponsor - $720
  includes two dinner tickets, mention in the program and social media,


• Sweets Sponsor - $1,800
  includes four dinner tickets, mention in the program, during the event, and in social media,


• Bar Sponsor - $3,600
  includes six dinner tickets, signage on bar and napkins, mention in program, during the event, and in social media, and


• Marquee Sponsor - $7,200
  includes table of 10, signage on stage, mention in the program, during the event, and in social media.

Tickets and sponsorships may be obtained by clicking on this link.

Judge Megan Goldish will be installed as the President of the Jewish Judges Association at the event. The Association will also confer the following awards during the after dinner program:

• Hon. Justice Seymour Simon Justice Award - Cook County Circuit Court Judge Neil H. Cohen,


• Richard Elrod Public Service Award - Chicago Ald. Debra Silverstein (50th),


• Hon. Ilana Diamond Rovner Lifetime Achievement Award - U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge Deborah Thorne,


• Hon. Moshe Jacobius Humanitarian Award - Retired Appellate Court Justice David Erickson,


• Hon. Robert E. Gordon Emeritus Award - DuPage County Circuit Court Judges Jennifer Barron and Leah Setzen, and


• Hon. Neil Cohen Bridge of Friendship Award - Presidents of the Judicial Bar Associations.