Lawyers climb Capitol Hill

Chicago attorney Paula H. Holderman, a member of the ISBA Board of Governors, represented the state bar association during American Bar Association Days last month in Washington, D.C.

While on Capitol Hill, Holderman and ISBA past president Timothy L. Bertschy of Peoria reviewed access to justice issues with Representatives Janice Schakowsky, John Shimkus and Daniel O. Lipinski, as well as legislative aides to Aaron Schick and Timothy V. Johnson.

The discussions included increased funding for the Legal Services Corp., guaranteed legal assistance for certain active duty military personnel and their families, and reinstatement of pre-tax status for prepaid legal service packages offered by employers.

The ISBA officials also recommended increasing the budget for the Department of Justice’s Legal Orientation Program that apprises detainees about the immigration process.

Holderman later visited former Winston & Strawn colleague Kareem Dale, who is special assistant to President Obama on disability in the West Wing, and Chicago attorney Christina M. Tchen, White House director of public liaison.

She was joined by ABA President H. Thomas Wells Jr., ABA Day chair Laurel G. Bellows of Chicago, and Chicago Bar Foundation executive director Robert A. Glaves.

Holderman also attended a dinner in honor of Sen. Edward Kennedy and a reception at the Library of Congress.