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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
On or after November 7, 2003

Lakeview Resident Joseph A. Power, Jr.
Wins Highest Honor From Illinois State Bar Association

Joseph A. Power, Jr., a partner of Power Rogers & Smith, P.C., in Chicago's Loop, who resides in Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood, received the Illinois State Bar Association's (ISBA) most prestigious award, the Medal of Merit, at the organization's Midyear Meeting on Friday (Nov. 7) at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers.

The award is the highest honor which the ISBA gives to a lawyer. Power was selected for his leadership in the profession and his advocacy on behalf of injured parties, including persons killed and injured at the hands of those who obtained driver's licenses fraudulently.

Power is credited for uncovering and disclosing the "licenses for bribes" scandal in the Illinois Secretary of State's Office as part of the Willis case. In addition to settling the Willis case for $100,000,000 in 1999, in May 2000, he obtained a verdict in Mederos v. Advocate Health Care, for $55,439,269.59, which is the largest personal injury verdict in the history of Illinois. He has had numerous other seven and eight figure verdicts in personal injury and wrongful death cases.

Power's determined investigation into the Willis case led to a federal grand jury inquiry into the corruption in the Secretary of State's Office, which has resulted in 59 convictions to date.

For his efforts, the Illinois State Crime Commission awarded him the title of "Protector of the Working Man" in 2001. The same year, he also was awarded the title of "Board Member of the Year" by the Little City Foundation. He has received numerous other accolades and awards during his career.

A native of Chicago's south side, Power graduated from Notre Dame and received his J.D. from Loyola University School of Law in 1977.

With offices in Springfield and Chicago, the 30,000-member Illinois State Bar Association provides professional services to Illinois lawyers, and education and services to the public.