CHICAGO – The Chicago Bar Association (CBA) will welcome home “favorite son” United States Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens at a gala celebration, Wednesday, September 15 at the Chicago Hilton Hotel. Justice Stevens, a Chicago native and the oldest serving Supreme Court Justice, retired from the high court at the end of the last Supreme Court term in June.
The Justice will deliver the keynote and present the CBA’s annual Stevens Award to two of Chicago’s most respected judges: Hon. Wayne Andersen, who retired from the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois in July and Hon. Sophia Hall, Presiding Administrative Judge of the Circuit Court’s Juvenile Justice and Child Protection Resource Section.
The Stevens Awards recognize “lawyers who have devoted themselves selflessly to others,” according to CBA President Terri L. Mascherin. “In bestowing this award, the CBA looks for nominees who, like Justice Stevens, exemplify the highest personal integrity and devotion to public service.”
About Judge Wayne R. Andersen
Chicago native Wayne R. Andersen retired from the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois in July 2010 after serving the Court for 19 years. Andersen is now a full-time panelist with JAMS, the largest private provider of mediation and arbitration services worldwide. He came to the federal bench after seven years as a Judge in the Circuit Court of Cook County where he served in the Law Division, the Municipal First District, and as Supervising Judge of the Chicago Traffic Court. His long-time interest in traffic issues led to state and national committee and advisory board positions on highway safety.
In 1970, a legislative staff internship through the University of Illinois led to a position as administrative assistant to Henry Hyde, who was then majority leader of the Illinois House of Representatives. In 1972, Judge Andersen joined the law firm of Burditt and Calkins and was made a partner five years later.
From 1981-1984 he was Deputy Illinois Secretary of State under future Illinois governor Jim Edgar. He is a former president of the Maine Township Regular Republicans, was an alternate delegate to the 1984 Republican National Convention, and the Republican candidate for Cook County Treasurer in 1974.
His many civic involvements include serving on the Boards of the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, the Harvard Club of Chicago, and The Chicago Bar Association. He is a member of the Federal Judges Association and the Illinois Judges Association and a member of the Glenview Community Church (United Church of Christ).
Judge Anderson earned his B. A. in government, cum laude, from Harvard University in 1967 and his J. D. from the University of Illinois, College of Law in 1970.
About JAMS, The Resolution Experts
Founded in 1979, JAMS, The Resolution Experts is the largest private provider of mediation and arbitration services worldwide. With Resolution Centers nationwide and abroad, JAMS and its more than 250 exclusive neutrals are responsible for resolving thousands of the world’s important cases. JAMS may be reached at 800-352-5267.
