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.

Toya Horn Howard has been a dedicated and longtime volunteer for CDEL. She has volunteered at CDEL’s Adult Guardianship Help Desk for over five years. Toya is someone CDEL staff can count on. She is dedicated to furthering CDEL’s mission. In 2019 alone, she volunteered 140 of her time at CDEL’s Daley Center Help Desk. When the Daley Center help desk closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, she was adamant in continuing to volunteer for CDEL even if it was remotely. In 2021, she served over 20 families through the remote help desk.   

Previous CDEL Volunteer of the Year Award Winners:

• 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