Judge Leighton receives ISBA's first Diversity Leadership Award

The Illinois State Bar Association honored legendary Judge George Leighton with its first Diversity Leadership Award on Thursday at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers. The presentation took place during a special program, Lincoln's Legacy: Lawyers Who Protect Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness, that included a keynote address by Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan and a panel discussion moderated by WTTW Chicago Tonight Host Phil Ponce. Madigan called Leighton "the embodiment of Abraham Lincoln's spirit." Leighton cited the legacy of Lincoln "that we celebrate is the lawyer who protects the pursuit of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. And this is preserved and things have changed because of diversity programs like this one." During the panel discussion, Leighton cited two major changes in the legal profession during his 63 years as a lawyer. The first is the great advances made in technology and the ability to quickly research a case. The second is the increase of women in the legal profession. View photos from this event.