The board needs to elect 8 people. We have four incumbents and five new candidates.
The following Board members are completing their 2nd term and are not eligible to run again:
- Mark Bina
- Joe Seder
- Dan Winters
- Tom Woodrow
The following board members are completing unexpired terms and are eligible to run for a first full term:
- Elaine Sit
- Chrstine Skoczylas
The following board members are completing first terms and are interested in serving a 2nd term:
- Nikki Bhargava
- David Chernoff
Priya Bathija, American Hospital Association
Vice President, Strategic Initiatives/Vice President, The Value Initiative
155 West Wacker Dr., Suite 400, Chicago 60606
An attorney licensed in OH, Priya works for the AHA, overseeing policy initiatives, including some large volunteer efforts. She oversaw marketing and fundraising initiatives for the South Asian Bar Association (SABA) and the AHA and has interest in medica/legal partnerships. Priya would serve on the Development Committee and is recommended by board member Nikki Bhargava.
Nikki Bhargava (INCUMBENT)
David Chernoff (INCUMBENT)
ANNE (ANNIE) E. CUNNINGHAN, Green Thumb Industries
Senior Corporate Counsel
637 N Marion St, Oak Park, IL 60302
Annie volunteered with CVLS from 2010-2013 as an associate at Neal Gerber. She eventually went in-house, focusing on real estate transactional work. She has served on other boards and had experience running fundraisers. In January she began working in the cannabis industry, which she believes would provide CVLS with opportunities for volunteers and funding. Annie is recommended by board member Kate Nye. She is interested in serving on the Client Services or Development Committee.
JANICE DANTES, Dantes Law Firm
35 East Wacker Drive Suite 650 Chicago 60601
Janice worked at CVLS during her first six months as a JEP. Once her time with us ended, she continued to volunteer and, eventually, established a clinic targeted for the Filipino community. Although the clinic has gone through a few iterations, Janice continues to work on getting more attorneys to volunteer and providing more legal services in the Filipino community. She served on CVLS’ Junior Board, sponsored Vino & Van Gogh and secured other sponsorships. Her first choice is to serve on the Development Committee.
TRAVIS ELIASON, Partner, Quarles & Brady
300 N. LaSalle, Suite 4000, Chicago 60654
Travis has worked as a volunteer GAL for Minors since approx. 2013 and, more recently, to build up the program at Quarles. He’s since brought in 10-15 associates and two partners on numerous GAL cases. For these efforts, the firm recognized him last year with its in-house Michael Gonring 2020 Pro Bono Award. He is recommended by Board member Mark Bina and Advisory Board President Chris Skey. (And, Rebekah says he is “awesome”). Travis is interested in serving on the Client Services Committee.
NICHOLAS (NICK) NILES, Partner, Kirkland & Ellis
300 N. LaSalle, Chicago 60654
Nick worked at CVLS in 2010 as a deferred associate from Ropes & Grey. Once he rejoined Ropes, he stayed on as a volunteer, first at Ropes and then as a partner at Kirkland. In fact, Nick is a strong volunteer and booster at Kirkland, currently supervising a litigation case filed against a CVLS volunteer and staff attorney by an unhappy guardian of a child and with CVLS’ new virtual LHOC clinic. Nick’s is terming off of CVLS’ Jr Board after six years, this past year as President. He is interested in serving on the Development Committee.
Elaine Sit (INCUMBENT)
Christine Skoczylas (INCUMBENT)