The Trusted Adviser
October-November 2014 | Volume 7 · Number 9

IN THE NEWS:

ATG President Receives Distinguished Award for Excellence


Peter accepts the 2014 Distinguished Award for Excellence from longtime friend Terrence Lavin, Appellate Judge, First District, 3rd Division. More photos, below.

On October 17, 2014, ATG President Peter J. Birnbaum officially became the 16th recipient of the Illinois Bar Foundation's Distinguished Award for Excellence (see our article in the September 2014 issue of the Trusted Adviser). More than 540 people — a record for this event — attended the festivities at Chicago's Four Seasons Hotel. 

The award, selected by the board of directors of the Illinois Bar Foundation (IBF), celebrates one attorney each year for making a major contribution to law and society. Peter is in fine company. Past winners include Mayor Richard M. Daley, Scott Turow, Mary A. Dempsey, Jerold S. Solovy, Joseph A. Power, Jr., Bernard M. Judge, Illinois Senate President John Cullerton, Illinois Supreme Court Justice Anne Burke, and Newton N. Minow.

According to the IBF, this was the year that broke all records. In the 16-year history of the event, the 2014 gala had the largest attendance and the highest-ever gross revenue. "Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, guests, and Peter's many supporters, we raised more than $480,000. These funds will be used to provide legal aid to those who can’t afford an attorney, and to support the Foundation's mission in many ways," said Melissa Burkholder, IBF Grants and Development Officer. View the photo gallery below and visit www.illinoisbarfoundation.org for more information.

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ATG Board member Bill Austin (Siemer, Austin & Fuhr, Effingham) with his wife Jane Austin. 

Peter and Juliet Birnbaum with Juliet’s mother and stepfather, Janice and Parke Collins.

Peter greets ATG Chairman Ward McDonald, Meyer Capel, Champaign.

Miles Beermann of Beermann, Pritikin, Mirabelli, Swerdlove LLP, Chicago (and also Peter’s cousin); Lisa Madigan, Illinois Attorney General; Peter Birnbaum.

President of the Illinois Senate John Cullerton and his wife, Pam Cullerton; Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White and Laufullia "Cookie" Lonie, guest; James Lestikow, President of the Illinois Bar Foundation and partner with Hinshaw Culbertson, Springfield; Barbara Lestikow, guest; Juliet and Peter Birnbaum; Anne Burke, Illinois Supreme Court Justice for the First Judicial District (Cook County, Illinois).

ATG Vice President, John O’Brien.

Among the co-chairs who spoke about Peter: Anne Burke, Illinois Supreme Court Justice for the First Judicial District (Cook County, Illinois); Jesse White, Illinois Secretary of State; and John Cullerton, President of the Illinois Senate. Burke and Cullerton are past recipients of the award.  

Peter reacts to the remarks of various presenters.

Peter receives a standing ovation from the crowd of more than 540 people, the largest ever to attend the IBF Gala.

[Last update: 11-3-14]

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