Skokie attorney Lionel I. Brazen is among seven exemplary Illinois attorneys who have been named Laureates of the Academy of Illinois Lawyers, established in 1999 by the Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA).

The Laureates will be inducted on Thursday, April 7, at a luncheon at the Westin River North Hotel, Chicago.

During his 55 years practicing law in Cook County, Brazen has been well-known as a watchdog for his legal challenges to discriminatory surcharges on filing fees and an attempt to require attorneys to sign affidavits of ethical compliance. He has long been active in the ISBA and conservation organizations, and has received several awards for his professional and volunteer activities. One of those was the Sole Practitioner of the Year Award from the American Bar Association.

Attorney Warren Lupel wrote in his letter of nomination that Brazen is held in the highest esteem by his colleagues. He noted that Brazen has mentored literally scores of young lawyers on how to achieve their goals with integrity, honor and service to the profession.

The Academy was established "to recognize lawyers who personify the highest ideals of the legal profession," said ISBA President Ole B. Pace III.

Each year, the Academy honors lawyers who have established and maintained the highest principles of the profession as demonstrated by their pervasive record of service to the law and the public, according to Pace.

The Laureates were selected by the Board of Regents from submitted nominations. To be eligible for selection, candidates must have practiced law primarily in Illinois for at least 25 years, must be a member of the Illinois State Bar Association, and must have demonstrated a commitment to the highest principles of the legal profession and to serving the public.

Brazen joins 66 other Illinois lawyers who have been designated as Laureates of the Academy of Illinois Lawyers.

The 30,000-member ISBA, with offices in Springfield and Chicago, provides professional services to Illinois lawyers, and education and services to the public.
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[Note: Previous years' Laureates are profiled at http://www.isba.org/laureates/laureates.html]