Standing Committee on Minority and Women Participation reigns again!

The year 2004 rings loud with congratulations for this Committee's second award recipient, Betty Jang, since the inception of the Young Lawyers Division Attorney of the Year Recognition four years ago. This author was in 2000 the first recipient of the Award in Cook County. We are proud to have the outstanding members of our Committee recognized by the entire bar.

Each year, the ISBA selects two distinguished attorneys to receive this award, one from Cook County and the other from any of the other 101 counties within Illinois. This tremendous honor is based on achievements in the practice of law, including outstanding litigation, zealous advocacy, or counseling and advancements to the legal profession along with other contributions to the advancement of the Bar of Illinois, such as public and community service, and pro bono activities. Each of the candidates is nominated by their peers.

Betty Jang practices law downstate in Champaign with the national law firm of Hinshaw & Culbertson, LLP, where she has been practicing since May 2003. Betty has been an Adjunct Professor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign College of law, since January 2002. She has had other outstanding work experiences including at the law firm of Thomas, Marner & Haughey in Champaign, and at the Office of the Cook County Public Defender. Thomas P. Cronin of Schiff & Hulbert, Chicago, wrote in his nomination of Betty for the Award: "Betty Y. Jang is a role model to all lawyers and has the depth and breadth of legal experience not commonly seen in other lawyers with the same years of experience. During her legal career she has moved from an enormous, concentrated legal community to a much different legal atmosphere. While most lawyers practice in one community and never leave it, she successfully evolved her practice and professionalism in a new environment and community."

In addition to her full-time practice at Hinshaw & Culbertson, LLP, Betty makes time to teach three courses at the University of Illinois College of Law in the Trial Advocacy Program. As a coach for the school's trial advocacy team, Betty spends countless hours during the week and on weekends to train law students. This gives her the opportunity to mentor young lawyers, law students, and undergraduate students. Betty also gives back to the legal community through her pro bono and community service activities.