Volunteer Court-Watching

Our next training session for volunteer court-watchers, assisting the Judicial Performance Commission of Cook County, is May 26 at our office at 11:00 am. The training lasts a little over an hour and explains both the mechanics of our court-watching program, as well as the goals and procedures of the JPC.

Volunteers need no particular experience with court proceedings.  Volunteers must commit to a minimum of four court-watching sessions in a six-month period, but will conduct their observations on their own schedules. We will be observing judges who are standing for retention in November 2012.

Judges to be observed sit in courtrooms at the Daley Center, the Criminal Courthouse and some branch courts in Cook County. An individual court-watching session runs the length of the court session (typically 9:00 to noon in the morning and 1:30 to 4:30 in the afternoon).  Court-watchers record their impressions on a standard form. The civil court-watching form includes a rating matrix over nine elements of the judge’s demeanor and the criminal court-watching form rates eleven elements of behavior of the judge. Both forms provide ample space for additional comments.

Volunteering as a court-watcher gives everyone a chance to view our court system in action and gives Chicago Appleseed critical insight to the daily workings of our courts and their efficacy. Court-watching connects members of the community to the courts in a manner most people never experience. With a diverse volunteer base, Chicago Appleseed broadens the perspective of our research, and engages more of the community in thinking critically about the courts. If you have any questions about the program, or are interested in serving as a court-watcher, please contact Elizabeth at Chicago Appleseed.

Presidents’ Circle

Last night, past presidents of Chicago Appleseed and the Chicago Council of Lawyers came together for the inauguration of the Presidents’ Circle, a new fundraising initiative designed to support and sustain both organizations.  This intimate event took place at the home of Chicago Appleseed Board member Rich Vitkus and wife Ann Allison, who graciously opened their home to over 30 guests. 

The evening was a success with over $13,500 pledged to the Presidents’ Circle.  Thanks to everyone who attended, and thanks to Rich and Ann for hosting the event!

Chicago Appleseed Board member Ellen Craig with past Council president John Schmidt.

Past Council presidents (from left) Daniel T. Coyne, David Melton and Locke Bowman.

Chicago Appleseed Board members (from left) Gretchen Wolf, Laura Feldman, Bob Newman and Alejandro Perez-Serrano.

Organizing for Social Change in Chicago

Save the date for “Organizing for Change in Chicago”

March 25 at the Art Institute of Chicago

On Thursday, March 25, 2010, the Chicago Appleseed Fund for Justice and Appleseed will proudly host a joint fundraising event, “Organizing for Social Change in Chicago” at the Art Institute of Chicago. We’ll honor William Von Hoene (Exelon Corporation) with our “Corporate Leader Award” for his efforts to promote and practice pro bono work in the corporate legal community. Roger Pascal (Schiff Hardin LLP) will receive our “Unsung Hero” award for his commitment to pro bono excellence in Chicago. Kirkland & Ellis LLP will receive our “Pro Bono Champion” award for their extraordinary leadership in pro bono work on Chicago Appleseed’s behalf.

Please join us for a cocktail reception and program at 6pm. To sponsor the event or purchase tickets, click here. Please contact Nakia Kelly with any questions (202-347-7960, nkelly@appleseednetwork.org). We look forward to celebrating with you as we work for change in Chicago.

For more information about the event, click here.

Transforming Immigration Court–Upcoming MCLE Forum

The Chicago Council of Lawyers and Chicago Appleseed are pleased to present our upcoming MCLE forum Transforming Immigration Court.

Date: Thursday, October 29, 2009
Time: 12:00 to 2:00pm
Location: Chicago-Kent College of Law, Auditorium, 565 W. Adams, Chicago Illinois 60661.

Speakers:

James F. Rogers, Latham & Watkins

Hon. Dana Marks, President, National Association of Immigration Judges

Mary Meg McCarthy, Director, National Immigrant Justice Center, Heartland Alliance

Lisa J. Palumbo, Supervisory Attorney of the Immigration Project, Legal Assistance Foundation of Metropolitan Chicago

Tanya Nair, Latham & Watkins

Moderator:

Daniel Glad, Latham & Watkins. Mr. Glad is a principal author of Assembly Line Injustice, a comprehensive examination of the immigration court system produced by Appleseed, Chicago Appleseed Fund for Justice, and their pro bono partners, Latham & Watkins LLP, and Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP.

The forum is free, but all attendees must RSVP by October 26, 2009 to Andrew Halterman (andrewhalterman@chicagocouncil.org or 312-988- 6614). Two hours of MCLE credit will be provided and lunch will be available.

For more information about our Immigration Court Reform project, click here.

Thanks to our 2009 Annual Luncheon sponsors!

The 2009 Annual Luncheon was a blast! Honorable Timothy C. Evans, Chief Judge, Circuit Court of Cook County was presented with the Commitment to Justice Award, and Judson H. Miner, Founder and First President, Chicago Council of Lawyers was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Patrick M. Collins, Chair of the Illinois Reform Commission, was the keynote speaker.

Thanks to all of our 2009 Annual Luncheon sponsors:

Benefactor Level
Stanley J. and Mary Beth Adelman
DLA Piper US LLP
Miner Barnhill & Galland P.C.
Langdon D. Neal
Duane Quaini
Sheli Z. and Burton X. Rosenberg

Contributor Level
Barack Ferrazzano Kirschbaum & Nagelberg LLP
Julian Berman
Trevor Copeland
Epstein Becker & Green P.C.
Fischel & Kahn Ltd.
Grippo & Elden LLC
Carrie K. Huff
Jenner & Block LLP
Arnold Kantor
Kirkland & Ellis LLP
Frances H. Krasnow
Dawn Clark Netsch
Robert C. Newman
Novack & Macey LLP
Sidley Austin Foundation
Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom LLP
Ungaretti & Harris LLP
James Wascher

Friend Level
Administrative Office of the Chief Judge of Cook County
Badesch Abramovitch
Cook County Public Defenders Association, AFSCME Local 3315
Environmental Law and Policy Center
Laura R. Feldman
Franczek Radelet P.C.
Futterman Howard Watkins Ashley & Weltman Chtd.
Goldberg Kohn
Hughes Socol Piers Resnick & Dym Ltd.
Johnson Jones Snelling Gilbert & Davis
Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP
Michael Kreloff, Attorney at Law
Laner Muchin Dombrow Becker Levin & Tominberg Ltd.
Law Offices of Chicago-Kent College of Law
Loevy and Loevy
Mayer Brown LLP
Meites Mulder Mollica & Glink
Metroplex, Inc.
Miller Shakman & Beem LLP
Perkins Coie LLP
Reed Smith LLP
Schiff Hardin LLP
Torshen Slobig Genden Dragutinovich & Axel, Ltd.

New to this year’s Annual Luncheon was a raffle drawing. Thanks to all of our raffle prize donors:

The East Bank Club
A Red Orchid Theater
The Four Seasons Hotel Chicago
DLA Piper US LLP
Judson H. Miner
Maxwell’s
The Second City
Frances Kao
Sports Authority
TimeLine Theatre Co.
Alejandro Perez-Serrano
A World Class Concierge Service, Inc.
Petterino’s

For more information about the event, visit Chicago Appleseed.

2009 Annual Luncheon

Chicago Appleseed and the Chicago Council of Lawyers are pleased to announce the details of the 2009 Annual Luncheon. This year, we’ll celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Council.

DATE: Thursday, October 1
TIME: Reception begins at 11am, lunch and program begin at noon
PLACE: The Four Seasons Hotel, 120 E. Delaware Place, Chicago, Illinois

Our keynote speaker is Patrick Collins, Chairman of the Illinois Reform Commission. The Commitment to Justice Award will be presented to the Honorable Timothy C. Evans, Chief Judge of the Cook County Circuit Court. We’ll present the Lifetime Achievement Award to Judson H. Miner, Miner Barnhill & Galland P.C., for his work and vision in founding the Chicago Council of Lawyers, and for his tireless efforts to improve the administration of justice.

For more information or to reserve your seat, visit our website.