January 2009
Interim Dean Morris Elected as ABA Representative on Council on Legal Education
Interim Dean Malcolm L. Morris has been elected to a three-year term as the ABA representative on the governing board of the Council on Legal Education Opportunity (CLEO). In 2002, Dean Morris developed and directed the Sophomore Summer Institute for CLEO, one of the first nationally based programs designed to help undergraduates from underrepresented groups gain admission into and succeed in law school. He has directed the program held at NIU every year since its inception. In 2007, CLEO offered similar other programs patterned after the NIU model. Dean Morris also serves on the Law School Admission Council Board of Trustees and is a member of both the Northern Kane County Chamber of Commerce and the Illinois Institute for Local Government Law Board of Directors.
Law Student Toi Hutchinson Appointed to
Illinois Senate
Second-year law student Toi Hutchinson was appointed by Illinois Democratic Party officials to serve as the Illinois State Senator for the 40th District. The Illinois State Senate seat was vacated by Debbie Halvorson after she successfully ran for the United States Congress.
Alumni Council Elects New Executive Board
Kate McCabe (’01) was elected president of the College of Law Alumni Council at its October 2008 meeting. Kate, a judicial law clerk, has been a member of the Council since 2001. Other elected executive board members include Matt Pfeiffer (’00), Fuchs & Roselli, Ltd., as First Vice-President; Renee’ L. Robinson (’93), Deputy Chief Administrative Law Judge, as Second Vice-President; and Heather Johnson (’01), judicial law clerk, as Secretary. New alumni council members include Andrew Lothson ('08) and Stacey Mandell ('96).
A special thanks goes to outgoing President Regina Harris ('89), First Vice-President Glenn Sowa ('83), Second Vice-President Mike Denning ('02), and retiring members Lou Apostol ('78), Ken Chessick ('84), John Gibbons ('04), Hon. Vanessa Hopkins ('93), Kathy Kemmerling ('98), Amy Pena ('00), and Jim Steed ('00).
Anyone interested in serving on the Alumni Council may contact Melody Mitchell, director of alumni events and public relations, at mmitchell@niu.edu or 815.753.1027.
Alumni Accolades
Ed Campbell (’03), an attorney with Esp, Kreuzer, Cores & McLaughlin, LLP in Wheaton, was presented with a distinguished service award for his pro bono work as a guardian ad litem for adults from the Chicago Volunteer Legal Services Foundation (CVLS). The CVLS is one of a limited number of providers that specialize in adult guardianships and rely on enthusiastic volunteers. CVLS chose Campbell for the award because of the level of dedication and attention he gives to his assigned cases.
Leonardo Castro ('92) was elected President of Region XI of the Minnesota Hispanic Bar Association (MHBA), serving the states of Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, and South Dakota. Leonardo is the Chief Public Defender of Hennepin County, where he oversees more than 45,000 cases per year. The HNBA, which serves as the national voice of the Hispanic legal community, represents the interests of more than 100,000 Hispanic attorneys, judges, law professors, legal assistants, and law students in the United States, Puerto Rico and the U.S. territories.
Vincent F. Cornelius ('89) was installed as president of the Illinois Bar Foundation on October 11, 2008. He is the organization's first African American president, and he will serve a two-year term. In addition to being an active member of the ISBA, Vincent is a sole practitioner with offices in Wheaton and Joliet.
Michelle Courier ('98) was elected Boone County State's Attorney. She was sworn in on December 1, 2008. Prior to the election, Michelle was an Assistant State’s Attorney for McHenry County where she served as chief of the Civil Division.
Reunion Committee Members Sought
This fall, NIU Law would like to celebrate the reunions of the Classes of 1979, 1984, 1989, 1994, and 1999. Volunteers are needed to provide input and contact fellow classmates. Committee meetings will be held via conference calls. If you would like to participate on your class reunion planning committee, please contact Melody Mitchell, director of alumni events and public relations, at mmitchell@niu.edu or 815.753.1027.
New Job? Special appointments or accomplishments? Recently married or welcomed a new family member? Let us know and we will share your news in future publications.
Submit your news online or email us at lawalums@niu.edu. Photos are welcome
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Click here for details of the day-long series of memorial events planned. Please join us at the following receptions to network with alumni and friends. Complimentary appetizers. Cash bar. Minority Reception
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