Justice Burke Encourages Graduates to Embrace the Needs of Others
The practice of law will help graduates discover their souls, Justice Ann Burke told graduates at the 187th commencement ceremony for The John Marshall Law School on Sunday, May 17.
Burke quoted Thomas Moore saying, "Finding the right work is like discovering your own soul in the world." A legal career, she said, is more than billable hours, making partner or having a list of posh clients. "It is about finding your soul," the justice reiterated. "I hope you will come to find it in the things that are beneath the surface of the law-its liberating theory; serving as its faithful servant; and relishing the commitment you can carry on in its behalf to those who need it most. I hope you will come to find those intangibles-the immeasurable civilities; the honor of character and the shaping of fresh thought-that only you can bring."
Burke came to the law after a career as a teacher. She was a mother of four young children when she began law school. Being a member of the Supreme Court of Illinois was "not even thought about" on her commencement day.
She started a law practice to help families with children's issues. Over time, she was appointed to the Illinois Court of Claims. Later she was appointed special counsel for Child Welfare Services and to the Legislative Committee on Juvenile Justice where her input helped reshape and improve the network of agencies working on child welfare. The Illinois Supreme Court appointed Burke to the Illinois Appellate Court's First District in 1995. She was elected to the court in 1996 and served until her appointment to the Supreme Court of Illinois in 2006. She was elected to a 10-year term on the high court in 2008.
"When I look back on what I have had the opportunity to do in my life, I am very grateful. Loving what you do is a great gift. And when I telescope what I have experienced, I surprise myself," Burke said.
The legal profession also has given her the opportunity to touch the lives of many. She reminded graduates that they are joining a helping profession.
"Our commitment to our profession comes about in many ways-failures and successes-but always most clearly demonstrated when we do things for others. Your excellence always is best when it opens up good things for others," she said.
"My prayer and great wish for you today is that you will know the direction of your journey by the effort and commitment you make to others..."
"If you embrace the needs of others; if you inconvenience yourself for others; if you lift those who are weak; treasure those who have difficulty, or sustain the hungers and thirsts of others-you will never have a hard time understanding who you are. You will always be familiar to yourself. And you will like who you see. Only in being of service to others do the gifts and virtues of life come to full power.
"I hope the fire of bright intelligence; remarkable accomplishment and wide excitement for the future burns deep inside you. Bring it with you in all you do-especially to the courts," she urged the graduates. "Let it shape your behavior and your sense of duty."
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Honorary Degree Recipients
The John Marshall Law School awarded three honorary degrees at its May 17, 2009, commencement to (from left) Philip Crihfield (JD '71) and Professor Sherman Cohn of Georgetown University Law Center, who serve on John Marshall's Board of Visitors, and to Justice Anne Burke of the Illinois Supreme Court who delivered the commencement address. Congratulating them are Dean John Corkery and Leonard Amari (JD '68), president of The John Marshall Law School Board of Trustees.
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Law School Changes Make Impression on All Valedictorian Tells Classmates
The May 2009 valedictory address was delivered by William Weltman who ranked first in the graduating class and was editor-in-chief of The John Marshall Law Review. The following are his remarks:
Ralph Waldo Emerson said: "For everything you have missed, you have gained something else, and for everything you gain, you lose something else."
These words sum up law school. We have all made a lot of sacrifices, from regular bar nights with friends, to special occasions with family that ,of course, happened to fall in the middle of finals. But we have all gained a lot over these past years, and have become different people as a result of our law school experience.
If you haven't noticed these differences or haven't thought about them, I'm sure your family and friends have noticed. Whether you were discussing principles of federalism or some of the more exciting rules from Property such as the rule against perpetuities or freehold estates, it seems that every conversation with friends or family over the past three years conveniently became our own personal forum for imparting some of this legal knowledge on people who frankly may not have cared.
Now would be an appropriate time to thank our friends and family for bearing with us- pretending that they cared for as long as they could tolerate it.
The environment at John Marshall is starkly different from the environment I expected when I first enrolled in law school. I remember the days leading up to law school; nervous about the intense competitive atmosphere, as depicted in law school books such as 1L by Scott Turow, or other horror stories told to me by friends and family members.
I remember when I met many of you at orientation and wondered at the time, "These people seem pretty nice and normal. Will law school change who they are? Will law school change who I am? Will it turn us against each other in competition?"
Yes and no. Law school has changed us all in a positive way, but it has not turned us into the monsters depicted in those stories. Rather, it has changed the way we think, analyze problems and come up with solutions.
This change is due not only to the law school curriculum, but also to the environment at John Marshall. The student, staff, and faculty population at John Marshall has allowed us to learn from a diverse group of perspectives and interact with a group of individuals that better represents the world we will soon be entering as professionals.
As we prepare to enter the legal world, where there are more horror stories about unscrupulous lawyers taking advantage of everyone, it is important to remember what we have gained during these past few years and the sacrifices we have made. With our law degree comes the responsibility to act not only for our personal gain, but for the benefit of society as a whole.
I am in no position to tell anyone what they should do to benefit society, but based on my experience here at John Marshall, I am sure we will all find our way to do our part.
In closing I think it is fitting to leave with these words from John F. Kennedy:
Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future.
It is important as we move into the future that we continue to ask questions of ourselves to ensure that we use our law degrees to the fullest.
Congratulations and Good Luck.
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Faculty Honored at Commencement
John Marshall Law School Associate Dean Ralph Ruebner (left) presents Professor Celeste Hammond (right), director of the Center for Real Estate Law, with the Scholarly Achievement Award during the May 2009 commencement ceremony. Hammond was recognized for her work that helped establish the center in 1995, her published works in textbooks and journals, and her involvement in real estate organizations.
Professor Richard Gruner (right), director of the Center for Intellectual Property Law, accepted his Scholarly Achievement Award from Associate Dean Ralph Ruebner (right) at The John Marshall Law School commencement ceremony May 17. Gruner was recognized for his leadership of the center, his work with the Asian Alliance Program, and his research and writing, including authoring two textbooks and numerous law review articles.
Professor Robert Nye (center) accepts congratulations from Dean John Corkery (right) and Associate Dean Ralph Ruebner (left) as he is presented with the Leadership and Dedicated Service Award. Nye was recognized for his work at the law school since 1962, first as an adjunct professor and then as a full-time professor of business law courses. He has led the Faculty Senate on numerous occasions, been acting director of the Center for Intellectual Property Law, and now coordinates John Marshall's Office for Videoconference and Distance Education Programs.
Professor Maureen Straub Kordesh (left) presents Marc Ginsberg (right) with the Adjunct Teaching Award at the May 17 commencement program. Ginsberg has been a member of the adjunct faculty since 1993 and has taught each semester since then. In fall 2009, he will be a visiting professor at John Marshall.
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Faculty Activity and Publications
Activities
He was interviewed by La Opinion on proposed changes to the Fairness and Transparency in Contracting Act and its impact on both large and small businesses.
Activities
He served in fall 2008 as an arbitrator over a grievance brought by the Illinois Federation of Teachers against a school district in Orland Park in which the teachers' union alleged that their union negotiator was fired from her teaching position in retaliation for her work as the chief union negotiator. Berendt agreed with the teachers' union, and the Illinois State Board of Education hearing officer this month agreed with Berendt's finding and ordered the teacher reinstated.
Activities
She is serving as co-chair of the Amicus Committee of the National Association of Women Lawyers (NAWL).
Activities
He commented on the workings of bankruptcy proceedings for a paper on Flint, Mich., assessing its effects on the community, its citizens and GM workers.
Activities
He recently gave two lectures in Europe on the economic collapse in the United States. At the University of Vienna in Vienna, Austria, he presented the lecture "Major Issues in the American Financial Crisis: The Housing Collapse and its Aftermath and the Impact on Transnational Business Insolvencies." In Madrid, Spain, he presented the lecture "Solutions to the Housing Crash: Foreclosure, Bankruptcy, and Recovery in Spain and the United States," sponsored by the Instituto Superior de Dereccho y Economia and the Madrid Bar Association.
Activities
She gave interviews to WGN-TV, and radio stations in Philadelphia and Charlotte, N.C. on the nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Activities
His comments on President Obama's nomination of Sonia Sotomayor to the U.S. Supreme Court appeared in the Southwest Herald (Chicago.
Activities
He was named chair of the Teaching of International Law Committee of the American Branch of the International Law Association.
Publications
He authored a chapter on "Jurisdiction and Civil Procedure" in a new book designed for lawyers and law students from other countries. The book, Overview of U.S. Law, was edited by Ellen S. Podgor and John F. Cooper of Stetson University College of Law and published by LexisNexis. In addition to writing the chapter, Wojcik also taped a series of video lectures on civil procedure.
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Favorite Professors Announced
During the Student Bar Association's (SBA) Annual Spring Fling, SBA President James Borkman (left) presented the Favorite Professor Award of the Small Graduating Classes of May 2009 to Professor Joanne Hodge (right).
Professor Timothy O'Neill (right) accepted the Favorite Professor Award of the Large Graduating Classes of May 2009 from James Borkman, SBA president (left).
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Images from Commencement
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Law School and Student Calendar of Events
June 1, 2009
- Law School Diversity Professionals Meeting, Room 1101, noon
June 2, 2009
- Kick the Bar in the Butt, Room 503, noon
- Domestic & Foreign Patent, Trademark, Trade Secret & Copyright Documentation, Room 529, 6 p.m.
June 3, 2009
June 4, 2009
June 5, 2009
- Board of Trustees Executive Committee, Room 608, 10:30 a.m.
- Board of Trustees Meeting, Room 216, noon
June 6, 2009
- Minds Matter, Room 403, 10 a.m.
June 8, 2009
- LSAT, Room 200 & 300, 9:00 a.m.
June 9, 2009
- Kick the Bar in the Butt, Room 503, noon
- Domestic & Foreign Patent, Trademark, Trade Secret & Copyright Documentation, Room 529, 6:00 p.m.
June 10, 2009
June 11, 2009
June 12, 2009
June 13, 2009
- Minds Matter, Room 403, 10:00 a.m.
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