By: Katherine Amari O’Dell

This year we celebrate the 90th anniversary of the Justinian Society of Lawyers. Thanks to our immediate past President Cristina Mungai and her predecessors, we have renewed participation and enthusiasm within our Society. I have been involved with the Justinian Society my whole life because in 1978 my father, Leonard F. Amari, served as president. I was only eight years old then and therefore many of our members have known me for quite a long time. I hope to see many of these longtime members, along with our younger and newer members, during the coming year. As such, the theme of my presidency is: “Reunite with the Justinian Society.”

First, I want to thank the Honorable Celia Gamrath for nominating me as secretary of the Society. She has been a mentor not only in my career, but also as a fellow mother.

I also want to thank past President Cristina Mungai for all of her guidance and assistance as I prepared for my upcoming term as president.

My gratitude to Golf Outing Committee Co-Chairmen Sam Tornatore and Richard Caldarazzo, along with the committee: Franco Coladipietro, Vince Vidmer and Lou Siracusano.  Because of their hard work and dedication, a very successful outing held on June 8 at the Bloomingdale Golf Club, enjoyed by 70 golfers and netting over $9,000. Also, a huge thank you to Judge Tom Panichi, who graciously donated a boat cruise for our golf outing raffle. Lucky member Gina Rossi won and invited past President Mungai and me as guests. The cityscape views were spectacular and it proved to be a wonderful evening for all aboard.

I also want to extend my thanks to Richard Caifano, who will serve as chairman of the newly formed Mentoring Committee. The Illinois Supreme Court now allows CLE credits for bar organization-sponsored mentor/mentee programs. Richard registered the Society and the Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism approved our lawyer-to-lawyer mentoring program. Hopefully before my term ends, the mentoring program will be completely developed and implemented - a wonderful membership benefit.

One of my objectives as president will be realized early this fall when the Society launches a new state-of-the-art website, with the assistance of 1st  Vice President Gregg Garofalo (who also serves as the website committee chairman).  The new site, designed by Sasso Marketing Inc., will allow members to RSVP and pay for meetings online, obtain information quicker and easier than ever, include a photo gallery, newsletter archive, lawyer directory and more.

We look forward to our upcoming Installation Dinner and Awards on September 22nd at the Palmer House Hilton. This year we honor two very distinguished members.

John G. Locallo will receive our prestigious Award of Excellence. This award is given to an individual who has proven leadership and has improved the condition and image of Italian Americans. True to the spirit of the award, Mr. Locallo had dedicated much of his time to the legal community. He is the 135th president of the Illinois State Bar Association, past president of the Justinian Society, and is a partner in The Law Offices of Amari & Locallo.

Justice Mary Seminara Schostok will receive the Helen M. Cerise Award of Recognition. This award is named after the first female Italian-American Lawyer in Illinois, and one of the youngest and most accomplished women of her time. Justice Seminara Schostok is also a successful woman in the legal community.  She was appointed an associate judge of the 19th Judicial Circuit after prosecuting criminal matters as an assistant state’s attorney at the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office since 1987. Then in 2002, she was elected judge in the Circuit Court of Lake County. Lastly, in August 2008, Justice Seminara Schostok was appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court and successfully ran for the Illinois 2nd District Appellate Court, where she currently sits.

Special thanks to Judge Gloria G. Coco for not only chairing this year’s Installation Dinner, but also for hosting them for the last 20 years.

We look forward to seeing you at our upcoming dinner meetings and, on behalf of my fellow Justinian Officers and the entire Executive Committee; thank you for your past and continued encouragement, support, loyalty and friendship. I value the trust you have placed in me to serve as this year’s President!

Sincerely,

Katherine A. Amari O’Dell