2020 Honor Roll Inductees
Every year CVLS honors volunteers who have distinguished themselves in providing pro bono services to low-income clients. These volunteers exemplify Chicago Pro Bono.
Dimitra A. Anderson
HEL.Las
Dimitra A. Anderson
HEL.Las Legal Clinic
Dimitra Anderson has been a supporter and active Hel.LAS volunteer since our clinic first opened its doors in 2016. She is always the first to volunteer and handle Hel.LAS' probate matters. For example, an elderly couple with a fixed income sought help with estate planning. Dimitra advised them of their options and prepared their wills and powers of attorney entirely pro bono. Not only has she handled numerous cases and dozens of clients, she provides mentorshship and guidance to others. She has presented CLEs to our entire volunteer base, so that everyone is equipped with knowledge and confidence to handle basic estate planning matters, which has helped expand the ways in which we can support our clients. Dimitra is an asset to Hel.LAS and the entire Greek-American community. We are excited to recognize her hard work and dedication!
Sarah K. Angelino
Schiff Hardin Legal Aid Clinic
Sarah K. Angelino
Schiff Hardin Legal Aid Clinic
Sarah Angelino is one of our most tireless volunteers. She has handled multiple cases adjudicating support and parenting issues. Most recently, she helped protect the assets of a disabled client while maintaining access to his children. Not only does Sarah go above and beyond for her own cases, she is always happy to help others navigate the complexities of their cases and is a great clinic resource for all our volunteers.
Crystal L. Caison
Old St. Mary's
Crystal L. Caison
Old St. Mary's
Crystal Caison began in 2011 as a volunteer at the Visitation Clinic (now the Old St. Mary's Clinic) She is an attorney with the Illinois Department of Employment Security, and also has a small private practice. Crystal has handled a large number of cases for CVLS primarily in real estate, probate, administrative law, consumer affairs, and even in "miscellaneous" areas like name change. She is very good with clients: professional, friendly, but also able to deal firmly with the rare difficult" client. Crystal is reliable and always willing to step in when the clinic is short an attorney. It is a pleasure to have her as a volunteer.
David K. Callahan
PILI / Legal Prep Academy
David K. Callahan
PILI / Legal Prep Academy
Dave has been a champion of the Legal Prep Clinic at Latham & Watkins for several years, rallying colleagues to join him at the clinic and take on matters. He has taken several cases through the clinic, many involving extensive litigation. He is currently defending a client in an inappropriately filed breach of contract suit.
Casa A.F. Corbin
Southeast / New Life Covenant Church
Casa A.F. Corbin
Southeast / New Life Covenant Church
Casa is a dedicated volunteer at the SE Legal Clinic, and goes above and beyond in her service to the clients. Casa spends several hours a week contacting clients, drafting documents, and organizing appointments. She plays an integral part in every area of clinic preparation, both before and after the clinic meets. She is truly an outstanding volunteer.
Damon Doucet
Guardian Ad Litem, Adults
Damon Doucet
Guardian Ad Litem, Adults
Blurb needed.
Kevin C. Driscoll, Jr.
Barnes & Thornburg
Kevin C. Driscoll, Jr.
Barnes & Thornburg
Blurb needed.
Michal Fus
Amicus Poloniae
Michal Fus
Amicus Poloniae
Blurb needed.
Eileen McChesney Kelly
Access to Justice
Eileen McChesney Kelly
Access to Justice
Blurb needed
Carla A. Lawless
Housing Forward
Lifetime Achievement
Carla A. Lawless
Housing Forward
Blurb needed
Steven Mihajlovic
Guardian Ad Litem, Adults
Steven Mihajlovic
Guardian Ad Litem, Adults
Blurb needed
Neil G. Nandi
Sidley Austin / Salvation Army
Neil G. Nandi
Sidley Austin / Salvation Army
Blurb needed
Gerald M. Newman
JUF / JCLS Community Legal Services
Gerald M. Newman
JUF / JCLS Community Legal Services
Gerry Newman is a partner at SFNR, where he focuses on representing independent manufacturers’ reps in all phases of business, from collections to negotiations to mergers and acquisitions. He has also served as an expert witness in contested matters. But it is his expertise in estate planning that has been the gift that Gerry has shared with the JUF Evelyn R. Greene Legal Services for the last several years.
Whether it is a simple will or Powers of Attorney or a special needs trust, Gerry has been more than happy to work with our clients on their estate needs. He treats each client with the same concern and sensitivity that he extends to his private clients. Gerry has boundless energy and is always happy to take on a new case.
When asked why Gerry chose to volunteer, he said that he wanted the opportunity to give back to his community. He trully enjoys meeting new people especially those from other cultures, including those clients from the former Soviet Union. He has found his volunteer experience to be “eye opening”. The cases he handles for his corporate clients are meaningful and important but they are not as life altering as those representing our clients. Additionally, he has said that the people he has worked with at the JUF- from the board, to the staff at the Evelyn Greene Legal Services have been delightful. We feel the very same way about you, Gerry and we are lucky to have you!
Huy M. Nguyen
Chinatown Pro Bono Legal Clinic
Huy M. Nguyen
Chinatown Pro Bono Legal Clinic
Huy is a Contracts Management associate at Axiom Managed Solutions. He has been a staple at the Chinatown legal clinic since August, 2018. He's participated in 10 of our 12 clinics in CY 2019. Huy is known for his sunny disposition, nimble resourcefulness, and ready enthusiasm.
The Chinatown community is extremely lucky to have these remarkable attorneys.
Lynn Preshad
South Asian Legal Clinic
Lynn Preshad
South Asian Legal Clinic
Blurb Needed
Michael P. Rohan
Locke Lord St. Procopius Church
Michael P. Rohan
Locke Lord St. Procopius Church
We nominated Mike for this award because he was willing to step up to the plate and take on a potentially complex case when no one else would. As lawyers, we are all too familiar with the feeling of not having enough hours in the day, and we are often tempted to use that as an excuse to avoid taking on pro bono work. But Mike found the extra hours in the day. He sacrificed his time and energy to help someone in need, and he did it all with a positive attitude. As soon as he finished his first case for the Locke Lord clinic, he agreed to take on another matter. We are so thankful to have Mike on our team—the Chicago legal community needs more lawyers like him. He is always willing to help.
Sandra Smietana
Amicus Poloniae
Sandra Smietana
Amicus Poloniae
Blurb needed.
Szafalowicz Family
Amicus Poloniae
Szafalowicz Family
Amicus Poloniae
Blurb needed.
Thomas R. Woodrow
Access to Justice
Thomas R. Woodrow
Access to Justice
Blurb needed.
Renae M. Yoo
American Immigration Lawyers Association
Renae M. Yoo
American Immigration Lawyers Association
Blurb needed.
Mary Yoo
Chinatown Pro Bono Legal Clinic
Mary Yoo
Chinatown Pro Bono Legal Clinic
Mary is an associate in Baker McKenzie's Global Tax Practice Group. She has participated in 11 of the 12 Chinatown legal clinics in CY 2019 and represented a couple of low income clients in administrative matters regarding SSA and utility companies. Mary had begun her prolific pro bono activity at the Chinatown legal clinic as a law student in 2015. Mary unfailingly treats her clients with empathy, respect, earnest kindness and thorough competence.