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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
COMMEMORATING THE EXTRAORDINARY LIFE AND LEGACY OF THOMAS LEAHY
WHEREAS, Thomas Leahy, a stellar trial lawyer and effective leader for equality in the legal community who had a tremendous and long-lasting impact on the legal community died August 23, leaving behind, family, colleagues and a community enriched for having known him; and
WHEREAS, Thomas Leahy was born and grew up in Highland Park, Illinois. He graduated from Highland Park High School and later attended the University of Notre Dame and Loyola University School of Law, Chicago; and
WHEREAS, while in law school, Thomas Leahy worked for the personal injury defense firm of Clausen, Miller, Gorman, Caffrey & Witous and the plaintiff personal injury firm of Philip H. Corboy & Associates. He became an associate attorney at the Corboy firm after graduation and remained there until he left to start his own firm in 1980, The Law Office of Tom Leahy. In 2002 he joined with Peter Hoste to form his Chicago law firm, Leahy & Hoste; and
WHEREAS, Thomas Leahy dedicated himself to improving the legal community in Cook County; and
WHEREAS, Thomas Leahy became interested in the field of legal education and led the Illinois State Bar Association in the reform of standards for legal education; his goal was to insure that law students were better prepared for the practice of law. He was a major leader in the movement to mandate clinical education programs for all law schools, and because of his leadership all law schools today have clinical programs. In addition to providing valuable practical skills these clinical programs largely benefit those in the community who are unable to afford legal services; and
WHEREAS, Thomas Leahy tirelessly dedicated himself to various bar associations and their development of the profession. He became further involved with the Illinois State Bar Association and served as the elected young lawyer delegate to the American Bar Association House of Delegates for 10 years, participating in the adoption of the Model Rules of Professional Conduct; and
WHEREAS, in 1993, Thomas Leahy was elected President of the Illinois State Bar Association. While President he organized and led efforts to provide legal assistance to the flood ravaged communities of western Illinois during the great spring flood of 1994. He organized and directed meetings in many hard hit locations where state bar attorneys assisted those who had lost homes and property make claims under the Federal Emergency Management Act; and
WHEREAS, Thomas Leahy was a recognized leader in the Chicago and Illinois legal community who not only believed in equality but actively pursued policies to promote it. He insisted that all state bar committees have at least one minority or female officer; he advocated for the bar to diversify bar leadership in Illinois. For this and so many other efforts he was awarded the Glass Ceiling Buster Award by the DuPage Association of Women Lawyers; and
WHEREAS, in 1995, Thomas Leahy became Chairman of the Illinois State Bar Association's Mutual Insurance Company, where he served as a member of the Board of Directors and Claims Committee; and
WHEREAS, Thomas Leahy was the beloved husband of Gaile Beaurline and loving father of Taylor Susan. He is also survived by siblings Susan (Richard Volkmann), William Soran, Jr. (Sue Bale), David (Aaris), Brian and many devoted nieces and nephews; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Commissioners of Cook County, on behalf of the 5.2 million residents of Cook County commemorates the life of Thomas Leahy, and herewith expresses its sincere gratitude for the invaluable contributions he has made to the Citizens of Cook County, Illinois; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy of this Resolution be spread upon the official proceedings of this Honorable Body and that an official copy of the same be tendered to the family of Thomas Leahy.
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