This afternoon, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois and the Chicago Chapter of the Federal Bar Association jointly presented their 18th Annual Awards for Excellence in Pro Bono and Public Service, recognizing lawyers for service benefiting the public and the district. Judges, lawyers, court staff, family, and friends packed the James Benton Parsons Memorial Courtroom on the Dirksen Building’s 25th floor. Featured speakers included:

• Northern District of Illinois Chief Judge Rubén Castillo

• Chicago FBA Chapter President Sheri Mecklenburg

• FBA National President and United States Magistrate Judge Michael J. Newman from the Southern District of Ohio (speaking in featured photo above)

For more on the awards, the speakers, the honorees, and the presenters, click through to the district court’s press release (PDF) and the award ceremony program (PDF).

Judges Castillo and Newman

Judge Castillo greets ceremony guests

Judge Castillo and Chicago Chapter President Mecklenburg

Retired and former Northern District of Illinois Presiding Magistrate Judge Geraldine Soat Brown shows Judge Newman appointments and features in the Dirksen Building’s attorneys lounge after the awards ceremony