News
November 19, 2008
Neal & Leroy, LLC, Awards Earl L. Neal Scholarship to Student of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Neal & Leroy, LLC, a Chicago-based law firm, nationally-recognized for its experience and knowledge in the area of eminent domain, municipal law, and real estate law, is pleased to award The Earl L. Neal Scholarship to a student of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Established in 2005, this Fund was created to provide scholarships to undergraduate students at the University of Illinois who are in their junior and senior years and are enrolled in a pre-law curriculum. The scholarship recipients are selected based on financial need and academic merit (grade point average of 3.2 or higher). Preference is given to minority students.
The Earl L. Neal Scholarship Fund was created in memory of Earl L. Neal and his legacy of civic service and passion for helping others. Mr. Neal, a distinguished trial lawyer for over 50 years and a city of Chicago official, was responsible for acquiring the land for the Dan Ryan Expressway, Deep Tunnel Project and the Near South Side’s redevelopment. He also was key in acquiring the land for the University of Illinois-Chicago campus. Other Chicago landmark projects that Mr. Neal worked on include the development of the Central Loop business district, the acquisition of the land for U.S. Cellular Field and United Center, the Midway and O'Hare airport expansion projects, Illinois Medical Center development, Stroger Hospital, McCormick Place Expansion and Soldier Field redevelopment and numerous public buildings throughout Chicago.
Earl L. Neal began his illustrious career working in the law firm of his father, Earl James Neal, who also was an attorney and served as a Cook County judge. Mr. Earl L. Neal, a native of Chicago, graduated from the University of Illinois in 1949 and earned his law degree at the University of Michigan Law School in 1952.
The University of Illinois has tremendous breadth and depth in academics, with more than 150 undergraduate and more than 100 graduate and professional programs. A preeminent faculty propels many academic programs to be ranked among the best in the world. The emphasis on campus wide academic excellence has built Illinois' reputation as one of the nation's premier public universities.