Illinois Bar Foundation

[caption id="attachment_17833" align="alignright" width="300" caption="The band OMT - One More Time with Naperville attorney Richard Kuhn (right) performs at Lawyers Rock Legends."][/caption] Over 400 people enjoyed the Illinois Bar Foundation’s Lawyers Rock Legends fundraising event on Feb. 3 at Buddy Guy’s Legends in Chicago. The event raised over $55,000 to support the programs of the IBF. In the fall of 2010, the IBF held a contest on its Facebook page to determine which bands would be selected to perform. People were asked to become a fan of the page, and then view the submitted auditions and vote for their favorite bands. A total of 21 bands from around the state submitted auditions. In December, a panel of unbiased professional musicians viewed the final submissions, and taking into account all of the votes cast, chose the winning bands. The winning bands, which had to include at least one lawyer, were:

• Barristers Big Band
• Catfish & the Big Boss Blues Band
• The Orphans
• OMT-One More Time
• 5-thirty
• Joe Biscelgia plus Three
• Loren Golden Jazz Ensemble

“It was great to see so many young lawyers there,” Illinois State Bar Association President Mark Hassakis said. “It was a great mix of people who aren’t typically at bar events. Music cuts through all barriers.” The first-time event was such a success that plans are underway for a repeat performance in February, 2012.

Seven bands will be performing at Buddy Guy’s Legends as part of the Illinois Bar Foundation’s Lawyers Rock Legends concert on Thursday, Feb. 3. The performing bands will be:

• Barrister's Big Band
• The Orphans
• OMT-One More Time
• 5-Thirty
• Joe Bisceglia
• Second Mortgage and the Sofa Kings
• Loren Golden Jazz Ensemble

These bands will be featured from 7:00 - 10:00 p.m. at the Lawyers Rock Legends concert, and will each have 15 minutes to perform. They will be the lead-in bands for the featured Buddy Guy's Legends band, Brother John. To purchase tickets or for any further inquiries, feel free to call IBF at (312) 726-6072 or e-mail Liz at edriscoll@isba.org. More information is also available online here. Individual Ticket Prices: - $85 and $125 VIP Main Floor Seating (Ticket includes all food and beverages) - $35 Upper Level Seating (Ticket Includes two free drink coupons – please note that the upper level stage viewing will be on video screens only. There is no stage visibility.)

[caption id="attachment_16616" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Honorees James Montgomery and Warren Lupel"][/caption] The Illinois Bar Foundation honored James D. Montgomery with its Honorary Fellows Award and Warren Lupel with its Distinguished Service Award at the 2010 Fellows Award Breakfast on Friday morning. Montgomery and Lupel were also honored together in 2000 as Laureate Award Winners. IBF Past President Vince Cornelius presented the Honorary Fellow Award to Montgomery and Sean Berkowitz presented the Distinguished Service Award to Lupel. Click here to view photos from this event.

[caption id="attachment_15843" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Illinois Bar Foundation President Vince Cornelius (from left), Illinois Supreme Court Justice Anne Burke and Gala Co-Chair Jerold Solovy enjoy the Illinois Bar Foundation's Annual Gala at the Four Seasons. Burke was honored by the Foundation as the 2010 Recipient of the Distinguished Award for Excellence. "][/caption] On October 15th, more than 400 people attended the Illinois Bar Foundation’s 13th annual Gala at the Four Seasons Hotel. Lawyers and Judges alike joined to show their dedication to the Foundation’s cause and recognize our 2010 Recipient of the Distinguished Award for Excellence, Illinois Supreme Court Justice Anne M. Burke. We’re very pleased to report that the evening was quite successful and grossed more than $450,000. Thanks to all of you who supported the event, we met or exceeded every goal for our 2010 Gala. These important funds will be used to help support the Foundation and the many organizations and individuals who receive our assistance. The night started with a silent auction of more than 90 great items, including spa treatments, theatre tickets, and several trips. Guests were able to bid on the auction items of their choice throughout the night on computerized terminals spread throughout the ballroom. During dinner, guests were also given the opportunity to bid on 4 live auction items.