CDEL Volunteer of the Year Award

The CDEL Volunteer of the Year Award honors a volunteer, organization or law firm who shows a strong commitment to CDEL’s mission by providing an extraordinary level of direct pro bono legal or supportive services to its clients and achieves results that benefit the client and/or the community of low-income seniors and people with disabilities throughout Cook County.

CDEL 2024 Volunteers of the Year Award:

Ankoor Bagchi and Bob Goldman

Ankoor Bagchi and Bob Goldman began volunteering with CDEL in 2022.  In February 2023, they became Site Managers for our monthly Ezra Community Clinic in Uptown. This monthly commitment involves meeting with up to five clients over a four-hour period of time one morning each month. Ankoor and Bob are warm and compassionate with CDEL’s clients, and never shy away from learning a new area of law. They perform intakes that cover all of CDEL’s practice areas including housing, end of life planning and consumer issues. Clients often return for a second visit to complete important documents and Ankoor and Bob ensure that the documents are properly signed, witnessed and notarized. They are dedicated to CDEL’s mission and are consistent and reliable volunteers. Additionally, they have both worked to encourage their colleagues to join them in volunteering with CDEL. In 2023 alone, Ankoor and Bob volunteered over 90 hours at the Ezra Clinic, assisting dozens of clients.   

Previous CDEL Volunteer of the Year Award Winners:

  • 2023: Shane Kelly, Addison Braendel, Crofton Kelly, and Stephen S. Phalen

  • 2022: Toya Horn Howard

  • 2021: Karen Boyd; Catherine Taylor-Cappel; Kenneth Shiner; and Libby Wood

  • 2020: Jennifer Burgess, Seyfarth Shaw LLP

  • 2019: Victoria Rock, Veritext Legal Solutions

  • 2018: Mary Ann Manley, Center for Disability & Elder Law

  • 2017: Linda Oschenfeld

  • 2016: Pro Bono Network and Rachel Spector

  • 2015: Locke Lord LLP

  • 2014: Judith P. Davis, McDermott Will & Emery LLP

  • 2013: Jane Hesse

  • 2012: Wells Hutchinson and David Bensen, Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP

  • 2011: Suma Shah, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP

  • 2009: Terri Ahrens, John D’Attorno, and Evan M. Meyers, Drinker, Biddle & Reath LLP; Dave McLauchlan, Locke Lord LLP; and Matta Setty, Kirkland & Ellis LLP

  • 2008: Tomas M. Thompson, DLA Piper

  • 2006: William I. Kohn, Schiff Hardin LLP and Adrianne N. Varhula

  • 2005: Laura L. Hois, McDonald’s Corporation and Richard L. Clayter

  • 2003: Robert A. Clifford, Clifford Law Offices

  • 2000: Jamie L. Zukosky and Robert A. Clifford, Clifford Law Offices