This Committee's ISBA Board of Governors Liaison, Michele M. Jochner of Chicago, has been named as one of "40 Illinois Attorneys Under 40 to Watch" for 2004. This honor was bestowed by the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, and a biography of the honorees, including Michele, appeared in a recent Law Bulletin Publishing Company Supplement to the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin .

Michele has served as judicial law clerk to Chief Justice Mary Ann G. McMorrow of the Illinois Supreme Court since 1997. She earned her J.D. with honors, and LL.M., from DePaul University College of Law. Michele is best known-around the state and within the ISBA-for her writing skills. She has the all-time record for winnings in the ISBA's Lincoln Award Legal Writing Contest. Michele won first place four times, most recently in 2002, and also won second place three times. She has authored a large number of articles published in professional journals, covering a diverse range of topics.

Michele served last year as Chair of the ISBA's General Practice, Solo & Small Firm Section Council. She is also co-editor for the ISBA's Bench & Bar newsletter, and is a member of the ISBA's Judicial Evaluations Committee and the President's Special Committee on Mentoring. Michele has also been an active and devoted volunteer for projects within the Chicago Bar Association, the Women's Bar Association of Illinois, and the Chicago Metropolitan Battered Women's Network. She also co-chaired the educational seminar of the 2004 "Women Everywhere: Partners in Service Project."

Our Committee extends sincere congratulations to Michele for this well-deserved honor. We are honored to have her as our Committee Liaison and have appreciation for her reputation as an earnest and respected advocate for the improvement of our profession.