Northwest Suburban Bar Association marks 50 years during Installation Ceremony

It was both a look back to humble beginnings and a look ahead to a vibrant future as the Northwest Suburban Bar Association installed its officers and Board of Governors on June 17, and also celebrated the association’s 50th anniversary. The Honorable Joseph J. Urso, presiding judge in the Third Municipal District of Cook County, performed the installation and swearing in of new officers: Lee F. DeWald, president; Donald J. Cosley, executive vice president; Neil H. Good, first vice president; Michael A. Meschino, second vice president; William F. Kelley, treasurer; and Ronald F. Wittmeyer, secretary. Judge Urso also installed new members of the Board of Governors: Allen S. Gabe and Colin H. Gilbert, plus Ilonka Ulrich, association attorney; and Jackie LeFevre, parliamentarian, both of whom accepted new terms. On hand to help mark the half-century mark were Judge James Geocaris (retired), longtime presiding judge of the Third District; 26 past NWSBA presidents; and Don Norman, one of the founding members of Northwest Suburban Bar Association. For his pivotal role, new President DeWald presented Norman with the NWSBA Founder Award. DeWald urged members to get involved with the association, to be part of the volunteer spirit that has led to successful CLEs, free legal help for residents and other NWSBA contributions and events. Had he stayed on the sidelines, he never would have met Past President Rich Miller, ISBA President John O’Brien, innumerable judges, or any number of others in the profession, because their paths simply would not have crossed, DeWald pointed out. “This bar association has been around for 50 years and it’s because of lawyers -- and now paralegals and legal assistants -- who have gotten involved like the past presidents who we honor tonight,” he said. He joked that the work can be “tireless, thankless and non-paying,” but that the rewards are great. Those who get involved receive such benefits as “a new friend, someone to talk shop with, have a cold drink with or a new referral source.” He urged members “to commit to attend an event, run an event, help run an event and become a part of the NEXT 50 years of the Northwest Suburban Bar Association.” NWSBA Secretary Ronald Wittmeyer noted the contribution of Don Norman who, with Bill Moore, Kenneth Meyer and Jim Dowd had the idea in early 1960 to form a bar association for attorneys in the northwest suburbs. Later that year, 24 lawyers gathered at Jack Gunnell’s, a local bar, restaurant and bowling alley, and formally organized the Northwest Suburban Bar Association. That group of 24 has now grown to become an association of more than 750 members, honorary members and judges. While Norman was honored with the Founder Award, the association presented the President’s Award for Distinguished Public Service to all 26 past presidents in attendance. Also called up for a round of applause were the four executive directors of the NWSBA’s history: Nancy Hughes, Nairee Hagopian, Lise Jinno and the current director, Julie Barth. Sponsors for the evening included ADR Systems; George Bellas; Law Offices of Ernest Blomquist; Law Offices of Thomas Glasgow; Law Offices of Neil Good; Kelley, Kelley & Kelley; Peggy Kinnane’s; Law Offices of Susan Loggans; Law Offices of Michael Meschino; Riebandt & DeWald; Ringler Associates; Rolling Green Country Club; Waltz, Palmer & Dawson; and Law Offices of Ronald Wittmeyer. Click here to view a photo gallery from this event.