CHICAGO DAILY LAW BULLETIN
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T H U R S D AY, M AY 1, 2025 | PAGE 13
Mentor, lead by example Athena A. Farmakis President, Hellenic Bar Association of Illinois
Advocate for justice Sara M. Salger President, Illinois Trial Lawyers Association By embracing a collaborative mindset, we can bridge these gaps and leverage our collective strengths to address pressing issues like access to justice and legal innovation. As we strive for the “ out of many, one ” goal, let us remember that unity in purpose is not uniformity in thought, but rather a collection of our diverse perspectives working together toward a brighter future for all. program exemplifies this approach by pairing seasoned attorneys with newer lawyers to foster professional growth and ethical practice. I have also found that embracing technology responsibly can bridge divides and enhance our collective efficiency.
Maintain mutual respect, debate Thomas J. Miles Dean, University of Chicago Law School As society struggles to find commonality, those of us in the legal profession are in the fortuitous position of having at least one solid common goal to pursue. As lawyers, we took an oath to support the Constitution of the United States and uphold the law and the legal profession ’ s ethical standards. Now, more than ever, the legal profession must rely on that common goal as the foundation to balance different points of view. It is imperative for lawyers to have a renewed commitment to the rule of law, and to explore targeted opportunities to collaborate with each other and to educate the next generation of lawyers (both in and outside the classroom) about the critical importance of this shared goal. to the spread of misinformation and disinformation, making it more difficult to build trust among people generally. This undermines collective efforts to address societal challenges. The legal profession has not been immune to these complexities. Lawyers face pressure to align with certain ideological positions and may be targeted for their in- volvement in politically sensitive cases, putting their reputations and careers at risk. Societal challenges such as evolving immigration policies, financial concerns and concerns about the erosion of democratic norms have placed new demands on lawyers who must be equipped to deal with humanitarian issues while adhering to necessary legal and policy frameworks. These challenges make finding shared solutions an ongoing challenge.
“ We must also lead with conviction and by example as we mentor those who follow in our footsteps and seek role models. ”
The prominent ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle once said: “ Find the good. Seek the Unity. Ignore the divisions among us. ” Wise words for attorneys to follow both in and out of the courtroom. As a plaintiff ’ s personal injury attorney and president of the Hellenic Bar Association, I have learned to cultivate and appreciate the importance and art of effective com- munication. Whether settlement discussions are on the horizon, or an important bar association decision is on the table, productive communication is paramount and the cornerstone to resolving any impasse. There will always be differing opinions and ideas that cannot be avoided but finding the good and unity and ignoring the division usually leads me in the right direction. As attorneys in the courtroom, we not only have the privilege but the responsibility to be the voice for others, which also demands being a good listener. As we listen to those we represent, attorneys must learn to appreciate and comprehend various perspectives in order to zeal- ously advocate and represent our clients ’ best interests. Gaining this perspective and finding common ground with our adversaries enables us to effectively collaborate to resolve disputes while improving the administration of justice for all. As leaders in our respective communities, we must also lead with conviction and by example as we mentor those who follow in our footsteps and seek role models. It is essential that we promote professionalism and civility during our adversarial discourse and debate in order to preserve our relationships and integrity within our legal community. And when things veer off course, we must remember our Constitution ’ s promise and echo Aristotle ’ s words of wisdom to: Find the good. Seek the Unity. Ignore the divisions among us. Building unity in purpose Mark Palmer Chief Counsel, Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism
“ Engagement is the lifeblood of any association. ”
It is an honor to be the 71st president of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association and only the third woman to have filled this position. Serving as ITLA president fills me with immense pride and gratitude. It ’ s a privilege to lead an organization dedicated to upholding justice and advo- cating for those who need it most. Leading one of the most prestigious trial lawyer as- sociations, my goal is to encourage young lawyers, es- pecially women, to get involved. I never fathomed I would have the privilege to serve as this group ’ s president when I attended my first ITLA seminar many years ago, but it all started with just showing up. Engagement is the lifeblood of any association. It requires vision, dedication and the ability to unite legal professionals around a common purpose: advocating for justice. Trial lawyers come from different backgrounds, each with their own experiences and viewpoints. An inclusive space must be created where everyone feels heard while maintaining focus on the core objectives. This requires active listening, fair representation and a commitment to finding common ground. I am committed to working closely with our mem- bership, other law associations and elected officials to ensure that fairness and accessibility within our legal system is upheld. The work can be incredibly difficult, emotionally taxing and stressful, but I am so proud of the work that we do. Together, we can strive to make a meaningful impact on behalf of individuals and communities across Illinois.
“ Our faculty expose students to contrasting views, confident in
students ’ abilities to think critically and choose their own paths. ”
Law Day ’ s theme of “ Out of many, one ” resonates with the approach to learning at the University of Chicago Law School. Like law students everywhere, our students learn the many ways in which our Constitution encourages multiple viewpoints. Most prominently, how the First Amendment protects the right to speech and stimulates a marketplace of ideas. In addition to learning about the “ m a n y, ” our students learn how law facilitates the “ one. ” The design of gov- ernment, such as federalism and the separation of powers, as well as the adversarial system in courts, strengthen the outcomes of our legal system. The University of Chicago similarly encourages a mul- tiplicity of viewpoints with the aim of reaching outstanding ideas and learning. The missions of the university are ambitious research and transformative education. We seek to accomplish this through open inquiry and the free expression of ideas. The university ’ s first president called academic freedom a “ principle [that] can neither now nor at any future time be called in question. ” Our commitment to free expression rests on a belief that the most impactful research and powerful teaching opportunity require the ability to pose any research question and to engage in a vigorous discussion of ideas. The law school prepares students to enter the legal profession where they will be advocates, problem-solvers and leaders. They develop rigorous analytical skills in a stimulating environment of multiple viewpoints, inter- disciplinary perspectives and persistent questioning. A single viewpoint or style of thought is not imposed. Instead, our faculty expose students to contrasting views, confident in students ’ abilities to think critically and choose their own paths. At times, dialogue turns difference into agreement. At other times, disagreement remains. Maintaining a mutual respect for colleagues and a shared commitment to the idea that debate and deliberation are how our legal system achieves “ out of many, one. ”
“ Unity in purpose is not uniformity in thought, but rather a collection of our diverse perspectives. ”
Uphold the rule of law Nicky A. Boothe Dean, University of Illinois Chicago School of Law
As chief counsel of the Illinois Supreme Court Com- mission on Professionalism, I ’ ve witnessed firsthand the transformative power of collaboration in the legal pro- fession. The commission fosters professionalism, civility and integrity through our statewide mentoring program, courthouse trainings and innovative educational pro- gramming aimed at lawyers, judges and law students. These initiatives demand successful partnerships for success. Effective collaboration within the legal profession re- quires clear communication, shared objectives and mutual respect. My experience has taught me that collaboration is most fruitful when we actively listen, remain open to diverse perspectives and intentionally seek common ground. By thoughtfully balancing different viewpoints, we uncover shared goals that transcend individual interests and serve the broader purpose of joint goals. I ’ ve learned collaboration flourishes through trust- building and mentorship. Our statewide lawyer mentoring
“ It is imperative for lawyers to have a renewed commitment to the rule of law. ”
We face several societal complexities today, shaped by rapid changes in technology, globalization and current political landscapes. Differing opinions impact societal cohesion, making it harder to find common ground on critical issues. Social media and echo chambers contribute
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