Hotline Number 312-738-9200
April 2018
2018 Golden Gavel Celebration
Golden Gavel Awardee
Peter M. Lieb
Executive Vice President,
General Counsel
& Corporate Secretary
Aon
Keynote Speaker
Zachary Fardon
Former US Attorney,
Managing Partner
& Head of Litigation
King & Spalding LLP
Dinner Chair
Thomas A. Cole
Senior Counsel
& Chair Emeritus of
the Executive Committee
Sidley Austin LLP
We hope you can join us at our annual Golden Gavel Celebration on Thursday, May 24 to promote access to justice for all. Click here to buy your tickets or make a donation to support CARPLS! Tickets cost $250 each.

This year, the dinner will take place at the Fairmont Chicago at Millennium Park. The reception begins at 5:30 p.m. followed by the dinner from 6:30-8:00 p.m.

For more details, including sponsorship opportunities, please contact our Development Director Tanya Pietrkowski at 312.421.4014 or at tpietrkowski@carpls.org.

The Fairmont Hotel
Meet our Keynote Speaker: Former US Attorney Zachary Fardon
CARPLS is pleased to welcome Zachary Fardon, Managing Partner and Head of Litigation of King & Spalding LLP and a former U.S. Attorney, to deliver the keynote address at our annual Golden Gavel Celebration. Mr. Fardon will share a dynamic perspective on providing equal access to justice from his unique vantage point in these roles.

Mr. Fardon has a distinguished background as a trial lawyer in private practice, a public defender, Assistant US Attorney in Chicago, and as First Assistant US Attorney in Nashville. He was appointed by President Barack Obama as a US Attorney in Chicago, serving from 2013-2017. He rejoined King & Spalding in 2017 and opened the firm's first Chicago office.

During his tenure as US Attorney, Mr. Fardon oversaw successful investigations and prosecutions in various criminal and civil matters, including financial crime, corporate misconduct, public corruption, gangs, and terrorism. He has tried several high-profile cases, including the public corruption trial against former Illinois Governor George Ryan.

Throughout his career, Mr. Fardon has remained dedicated to the cause of equal access to justice. He has been involved in several legal aid and social justice causes, including by serving on the Board of Directors of Metropolitan Family Services of Chicago and A Better Chicago.

Next month: Read about our Golden Gavel Awardee, Peter Lieb of Aon.
Client Snapshot
Valerie, a single mother and full-time student, is raising a child completely on her own. She represented herself when she first filed for child support from the child's father. The father responded by requesting equal parenting time to avoid paying as much child support as possible. Her case became more complicated than she expected, and she came to CARPLS for help.

The lawyers at our Domestic Relations Advice Desk explained the legal issues she was facing, and helped her draft and present a rebuttal to the father's petition with strength and confidence. Valerie noted on her evaluation, "Thank you for your kindness, insights, diligence and precision!"
The Eviction Domino Effect
When clients call us regarding an eviction or a foreclosure, the results are often devastating. Ten percent of CARPLS clients are either homeless or lack a permanent residence. Legal issues related to housing are one of the top reasons clients seek out CARPLS.

A new report released by The National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty has found that a lack of affordable housing is creating a national "eviction epidemic." The cost of rent has vastly outpaced the average wages of low-income families. In some cases, families are spending as much as 50% of their income on housing, which means when something unexpected happens--like a sudden job loss, medical expense or divorce--they cannot afford to meet day-to-day expenses.

Eviction can often create a domino effect that leads to other unforeseen legal emergencies. The U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness has found that housing instability has a direct effect on legal problems relating to domestic violence, disability rights, identity theft and problems securing public benefits, credit repair, employment, health access, and education. Homeless veterans can face additional barriers to securing their VA benefits and military discharge upgrades. When people can access both legal assistance and stable housing, they can prevent a multitude of other issues and preserve their independence.
Golden Gavel Sponsors To Date
CARPLS would like to extend a thank you to all of our Golden Gavel Celebration sponsors. Their generous participation ensures everyday justice is accessible to thousands of everyday people. A special thank you to Latham & Watkins , our Reception Sponsor.
Benefit Sponsor
Champion Sponsor
Founder Sponsor
Cornerstone Sponsor
Frontline Sponsor
Partner Sponsor
Nick DiGiovanni
Brock and Kristen LaMarca Family Foundation
Professor Leonard J. & Joyce S. Schrager
Guardian Sponsor
The Hon. Susan Fox Gillis
Kathy & Kyle Hartman
Joseph F. Hetz
Sarah M. Konsky &
Justin Clark
Andrea S. Kramer
Polsinelli
Chelsea & Jim Medek
Pamela L. Peters &
Michael J. Hughes
Henry & Tanya Pietrkowski
CARPLS | 17 N. State Street | Suite 1850 | Chicago | Illinois | 60602 | carpls.org