4/22/04

4/22/04 Children and Family Justice Center Honors Three Chicago Firms and a Federal Judge

Northwestern University School of Law's Children and Family Justice Center will recognize three Chicago law firms and a federal judge for their contributions to juvenile justice and education as part of the center's Children's Law Pro Bono Project.

The ceremony will take place Thursday, April 22, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the School of Law, 375 East Chicago Avenue .

Judge William J. Hibbler, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, is being recognized for initiating the Children's Law Pro Bono Project in the Cook County juvenile court and for his continued support of children's legal rights. Judge Hibbler was previously the presiding judge of the Juvenile Justice Division of the Juvenile Court of Cook County . While he was presiding judge, he was a strong advocate for the pro bono program and introduced the project to other judges and court personnel.

The firms Baker & McKenzie, Lord Bissell & Brook, and McDermott Will & Emery will also receive honors for the extensive voluntary legal work their attorneys have performed in support of juvenile justice and education. These lawyers, several of whom are Northwestern Law alumni, are recruited, trained, and supervised by the Children and Family Justice Center to represent children charged with misdemeanors or felonies and to help children being expelled from Chicago Public Schools.

Since the Children's Law Pro Bono Project was founded in 1996, more than 200 attorneys from more than 30 prominent Chicago firms have participated in the program. Many of these lawyers become creative advocates for children in crisis , and their efforts have been instrumental in promoting zealous legal practice in the Juvenile Court of Cook County.