Post by Laura Wibberley
The Young Lawyers Section (“YLS”) of the Chicago Bar Association celebrates fifty years of service and dedication to the Chicago legal industry. The YLS was created in July 1971. Even from its inception, members were committed to benefiting and serving our local community and profession. The YLS committees vastly contributed to the legal landscape.
In the 1970s, YLS legal assistance programs included the legal aid services for Juvenile Court Respondents, families of prisoners of war, and inmates of Cook County Jail. YLS members also volunteered to provide free legal counseling at Legal information Centers at the Daley Center. The YLS Architecture and the Law Committee advocated for landmark status for the infamous Chicago Board of Trade Building. The YLS also partnered with the FHA to provide legal assistance to those purchasing homes under FHA guaranteed mortgages.
Not only did the YLS members service and contribute to the general public, the YLS also contributed to the legal profession. YLS committees created and distributed, “The Court Handbook for Chicago Lawyers,” which provided information and tips for young attorneys beginning their careers. The YLS was also able to participate in the CBA Candidates Evaluation committee to observe the degree of qualifications of Associate Judges and to make recommendations as to their retention. The past fifty years of the YLS have been filled with success thanks to the contributions of young attorneys.
About the Author:
Laura Wibberley was recently admitted to practice law in the state of Illinois. She concentrates her practice in the areas of medical malpractice and health care defense. Laura received her J.D. from The John Marshall Law School in 2017, where she graduated Valedictorian and summa cum laude.