Living Donor Love

Why did you want to be a lawyer?

I wanted to help people. My grandfather was a union organizer, which inspired me to go into employment law specifically and represent employees. Also, as part of my law school studies at Chicago Kent College of Law, I took the legal clinic, which was an opportunity to take real clients within my law school. I was assigned to two professors who represented employees and taught an employment law clinic. I found that I enjoyed representing employees because it was personally satisfying to help the employee achieve his or her goals.

Was there a particular case or client who was particularly meaningful or memorable to you?

Yes I had a client who was a locksmith at the Art Institute of Chicago and he got fired for getting into an altercation with another employee. He was fired for allegedly saying that he was going to shoot the other employee. He denied that. I searched for a legal theory that would get my client compensation. Reinstatement was not an option. I chose defamation which means falsely accused. The Art Institute vigorously defended the case. We went to a jury trial and we won. The verdict was over six figures. The Art Institute appealed the case and then we settled. My client was very pleased with the result.

What was your proudest achievement as a lawyer?

I participated in the founding of the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance and was the lawyer for the organization in its initial years. I filed the articles of incorporation and co-write the bylaws. DBSA is celebrating its 40th anniversary and has more than 400 support groups around the country.

What was your proudest achievement as an employment lawyer?

I wrote Friends of the Court briefs for two US Supreme Court cases for employees on behalf of the National Employment Lawyers Association. One of the cases resulted in a 9-0 opinion favoring the employee.

Anything else you want to share?

Over the course of my career, I represented many individuals pro bono, which means free of charge.