Chicago Area

[caption id="attachment_7249" align="alignright" width="242" caption="Ed and Debra Downs"][/caption] Longtime criminal defense attorney Ed Downs has received the Northwest Suburban Bar Association's Lifetime Achievement Award. The presentation was made in December. Dave Corbett of NWSBA cited Downs as being among "the top shelf of practitioners, a giant among us. Downs is a familiar sight at 26th and California," Corbett said, referring to the criminal courts building for the First Municipal District of the Circuit Court of Cook County. Corbett called the courthouse "sacred ground," adding that it provides a challenging environment for defense attorneys. "His self-effacing manner belies his greatness," Corbett said. "He is a role model to many. Among brilliant trial lawyers, Ed Downs is top shelf. He's a giant among us." He has fought for the rights of all, Corbett said of Downs, adding, "I can't think of a more fitting recipient for this honor." In accepting the award, Downs exhibited the self-effacing manner to which Corbett had referred. Mentioning he had found law school hard, he told attendees, "I'm not that smart." It was a statement with which many would disagree. He earned degrees from Wright Junior College, Loyola University School of Business and Loyola University Graduate School of Industrial Relations, balancing classwork during many of those years with a job as a letter carrier.