News
March 1, 2012
Cook County Board of Commissioners Pass Resolution to Officially
Re-Name the Cook County Criminal Courts Building to “The Honorable George N.
Leighton Criminal Court Building”.
On March 1, 2012, the Cook
County Board of Commissioners unanimously passed a resolution to
officially re-name the Cook County Criminal Courts Building at 26th and
California on Chicago’s southwest side to “The Honorable George N.
Leighton Criminal Court Building” on behalf of George N. Leighton, a
distinguished practitioner and revered leader.
Leighton retired from Neal & Leroy, LLC as of counsel in the summer of
2011 just shy of his 99th birthday. Anne Fredd
represented Neal & Leroy, LLC at the Cook County Board Meeting and spoke
about the Judge's work at the firm. Members of the Cook County Board of
Commissioners spoke about the Judge’s record and achievements as both a
Judge and an attorney in Chicago. Leighton’s daughter Barbara also spoke
representing Leighton’s family including his son-in-law and grandson.
Leighton was not able to participate in the recent Cook County meeting in
his honor, but when contacted by telephone at his Massachusetts home,
Leighton said “he's proud of the courthouse honor”.
As human rights, civil rights, and constitutional rights advocate, Leighton
used the law to make society better. Leighton had a vision for his life and
he pursued it without ever contemplating the obstacles or societal barriers
in his path. How else do you explain the opportunities and the advancements
that took this young man from a child laborer to a Harvard Law School
graduate then on to become a highly respected Circuit Court Judge in 1964, a
Appellate Court Justice in 1969, and a Federal District Court Judge in 1975
appointed by President Gerald Ford.
Never one to see restrictions on his life’s possibilities, Leighton’s legal
career includes more than a half-century of service to his country, his
generation, his legal peers, his family, his friends, and his community.
Although Leighton retired from Neal & Leroy, LLC in 2011, he still maintains
an office at our firm as a reminder of the standards of professionalism and
responsibility that accompany being a lawyer.
Read some of the multiple articles on Leighton’s
wonderful honor.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/sns-ap-il--cookcountycourt-leighton,0,2626582.story
http://www.chicagolawbulletin.com/News-Extra/George-N-Leighton.aspx
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2012/02/16/criminal-courthouse-set-to-be-renamed-for-prominent-judge/
http://www.suntimes.com/10988117-418/26th-and-cal-courthouse-now-named-for-legendary-african-american-jurist.html