Legal Aid Society Annual Luncheon Features Patrick Fitzgerald, Honors Kelly McNamara Corley

Former U.S. Attorneys for the Northern District of Illinois Patrick Fitzgerald of Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom LLP, and Scott R. Lassar of Sidley Austin LLP, will lead an engaging discussion, moderated by former Assistant U.S. Attorney and LAS Board member Patrick Collins of Perkins Coie LLP. The event is part of the Legal Aid Society’s annual Equal Access to Justice Award Luncheon. The luncheon will be held Wednesday, October 16, 2013, at 11:30 a.m. at the Palmer House Hilton, 17 East Monroe Street, Chicago.

“We expect a lively exchange, covering top legal issues of the day,” said Kendra Reinshagen, Executive Director of the Legal Aid Society of Metropolitan Family Services.

Of the luncheon’s award honoree Reinshagen said: “Each year we honor one attorney with the William H. Avery Equal Access to Justice Award. This year’s honoree, Kelly McNamara Corley, couldn’t be more deserving.” Corley is Executive Vice President, General Counsel at Discover Financial Services. She heads a legal department of nearly 100 attorneys, paralegals and staff which maintains a 65% participation rate in its pro bono program. In 2011, Ms. Corley was named by the Corporate Board Member publication as one of its “Top 10 General Counsels to Watch.”

The Award was established by the Legal Aid Society in 1985 in memory of William H. Avery, former partner of Sidley Austin LLP, who served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of both the Legal Aid Society Board and of Metropolitan Family Services, and chair of the Legal Services Committee of the Chicago Bar Association. The award recognizes attorneys who have made outstanding contributions to the legal aid community and to providing legal serves to those who can’t afford an attorney.

The Legal Aid Society has been providing critical legal services to low-income families in the Chicago area, protecting them in cases of domestic violence, elder abuse, housing and consumer issues for over 125 years. Today, the Legal Aid Society serves more than 7,500 families and individuals each year.

About Metropolitan Family Services
Metropolitan Family Services empowers families to learn, to earn, to heal, to thrive. Part mentor, part motivator, part advocate, since 1857 Metropolitan Family Services has been the engine of change that empowers Chicago-area families to reach their greatest potential and positively impact their communities.