2021 Awardees

Carina Segalini

Court of Honor

Carina has helped make the courts accessible to the public during COVID, helping to get Zoom Court running in hundreds of courtrooms in a coherent, unified way, drafting scores of general orders and leaping over countless bureaucratic hurdles. She also navigated similar responsibilities for Cook County’s Early Resolution Program (ERP), ensuring that tens of thousands of County residents struggling to pay their rent, mortgage, and bills because of COVID, can access free legal help and mediation.

Hon. Nancy Katz

Partner Award

Nancy helped CVLS develop a comprehensive strategic plan that was uniquely CVLS. By facilitating seven focus groups made up of different CVLS constituents, she ensured a targeted, robust plan that will steer CVLS through our next five years of providing pro bono legal services to Chicago’s low-income people. Her expertise in managing disparate groups of people, getting them to be honest, open and engaged while also staying on task, is unparalleled.

Partner Award

CVLS is proud to present a Partner Award to Quarles & Brady LLP and its outstanding team of pro bono attorneys. Guided and supported by Mark Bina, Travis Eliason, Steven Hunter and Chris Skey, our dedicated Quarles volunteers have represented countless low-income clients. Their cases range from emotionally-charged minor guardianship disputes to complex Chancery litigation. They are often challenging, with difficult issues and, sometimes, extended trials. No matter the case type, Quarles volunteers ensure their clients get equal access to justice. When CVLS is low on volunteers, we reach out to Quarles for help. They always step up, sometimes taking multiple cases. Quarles partners and associates work closely together, appearing in court as a team, providing direct support and hands-on litigation experience to younger associates. In addition to representing our clients, Quarles attorneys have provided expert advice and direction through service on our Junior, Advisory and Governing boards, ensuring that CVLS is well-run and well-managed. CVLS has relied heavily on the Quarles team for years. We cannot thank you enough for your time and effort!

2021 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.