"It is more important to be nice then it is to have status. I hope you realize you're blessed," Justice Thomas Kilbride of the Illinois Supreme Court told graduates of The John Marshall Law School during commencement ceremonies June 16 in Chicago.

The Chicago law school conducted its 173^rd commencement exercise presenting J.D. and LL.M. degrees to 273 students. Justice Kilbride received an honorary degree.

He said he realizes how blessed he is when he reviews his life's work. "My parents often wondered what was in store for me," he said relating stories about how he dropped out of college. "I call it my three-year academic sabbatical."

When he went back to finish his degree, he had a different attitude about school. Justice Kilbride graduated magna cum laude from St. Mary's College in Winona, Minn., and earned a law degree from Antioch School of Law in Washington, D.C. He practiced law in Rock

Island for more than 20 years before being elected to the Illinois Supreme Court.

Lawyering is not easy work, but it is rewarding. Justice Kilbride reminded the graduates that despite all the jokes and comments about lawyers, society really does respect the profession.

He paraphrased attorney Morris Dees, co-founder of the Southern Poverty Law Center, who believes lawyers hold the keys to the gates of justice. They level the playing field, and strengthen the soul with benevolence and truth.

"In the practice of law, you are in a world of real people with real problems. You deal with conflict and tension every day," he reminded students saying he got a first-hand look at society by working as a Legal Aid attorney.

"I have a friend who says lawyers are like lubricant. Lawyers see the raw knuckles (of society) and try to soothe and heal the lives of clients and communities," he said.

Illinois Supreme Court Justice Thomas Kilbride (right) is welcomed to The John Marshall Law School commencement ceremonies by the school's dean, Robert Gilbert Johnston (left). Justice Kilbride was the commencement speaker and received an honorary degree.

John Corkery (right), associate dean for academic affairs at The John Marshall Law School, helps Illinois Supreme Court Justice Thomas Kilbride (left) adjust the academic hood presented after he received an honorary law degree from The John Marshall Law School in Chicago. He spoke to the 273 graduates at the annual commencement June 16.

Top Of Page

Issues facing America's major league baseball players were outlined by Don Fehr (center), attorney for the Baseball Players' Union, at a June presentation at The John Marshall Law School hosted by the Industrial Relations Research Association and the law school. Welcoming him to John Marshall were Professor Gerald Berendt (left), professor of labor law, and Associate Dean John E. Corkery (right).

John Marshall Hosts 2002 Alumni Reunion

The John Marshall Law School will be honoring 15 graduating classes at the 2002 alumni reunion and anniversary celebration, "Renewing the Bonds," from 7 to 10 p.m., Saturday, September 14.

The celebration, honoring the graduating classes of 1927, 1932, 1937, 1942, 1947, 1952, 1957, 1962, 1967, 1972, 1977, 1982, 1987, 1992 and 1997 will be held in the Adams Room of the Palmer House Hilton, 17 E. Monroe Street in Chicago.

Organizers of the event include, National Chair Joseph Gagliardo, a 1977 alumnus and member of John Marshall's Board of Trustees; Publicity Chair Michael Favia, 1982 alumnus

and member of John Marshall's Alumni Association Board of Directors; and Programs Chair Diane Jennings, a 1982 alumna.

Tours of the law school and a CLE program will be available the morning of the reunion. The evening will include a networking reception, followed by dinner and entertainment.

For additional information on the reunion, contact Yolanda Hancock, director of Development and Alumni Programs, at 312-987-1411 or e-mail 6hancock@jmls.edu. Registrations should be made by August 1.

Martin D'Ambrose

Human Resources Director,

A member of the June 2002 graduating class, he received an LL.M. in employee benefits law. He received his J.D. from John Marshall in 1996.