Women’s Bar Association of Illinois Judicial Reception

Coogan Gallagher were proud sponsors of The Women’s Bar Association of Illinois recent Judicial Reception which recognized for the first time in it’s 200 year old History , the all female majority on the Illinois Supreme Court of Illinois. Partner Caroleann Gallagher is a Board Member with the WBAI and co-chaired the event which saw over 650 people in attendance. The WBAI presented The Ruth Bader Ginsberg Award for Judicial Achievement to the five current sitting female Justices of the Illinois Supreme Court – Chief Justice Mary Jane Theis, Justice Joyce Cunningham, Justice Elizabeth Rochford, Justice Mary K. O’Brien and Justice Lisa Holder White. The WBAI also recognized the contribution and many great years of work by two recently retired female Justice’s, Justice Anne M. Burke and Justice Rita B. Garman.

The evening was a memorable wonderful event held at The Chicago Cultural Center where the awardees were joined by their colleagues, Justice David Overstreet and Justice Scott Neville. Caroleann and her co-chairs put months and months of planning into the event, and she is she is incredibly proud of the outcome of the evening. Caroleann said “Presenting these seven fierce women of the Illinois Supreme Court with the Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg Award could not be more fitting. Ruth Bader Ginsberg was a trailblazer in her career both before she became a judge and afterwards. She transformed the legal profession, the Supreme Court and the fabric of American Society through her tireless advocacy for gender equality. She was a brilliant lawyer who has left an undeniable mark on American society both in her role as a Judge and as an advocate. She was admired by many for her dedication and resilience and these current Illinois Supreme Court Justices are the epitome of all that RBG stood for. I was honored and privileged to be part of this event and get to know these wonderful Justices over the last few months, The evening will stand out as a highlight of my life and career. Congratulations to all the Honoree’s and with every good wish for their continued success. We all look up to them and admire their hard work and tenacity, and they are a shining light to all of us – of a hopeful future for Illinois and its citizens.”