Committees

The Board of Governors, which can include up to sixty (60) members in addition to those ex officio members (such as officers) is divided into a number of committees. Each committee has specific tasks and has a chair appointed annually by the Guild’s president.

Audit: The Audit Committee provides financial oversight for the Guild. (John C. Sciaccotta)

Communications: The Communications Committee oversees membership communications – including e-mail, press releases and website. (Pamela S. Menaker)

Continuing Legal Education (CLE): The Continuing Legal Education Committee delivers educational programming to Guild members, in compliance with the Illinois Supreme Court MCLE Rules. (T. Nicholas Tyszka, Tracy Kepler)

Executive: The Executive Committee oversees the management of the Guild. (Kevin Murphy)

Intellectual Formation: The Intellectual Formation Committee plans events focused on increasing the intellectual understanding of Guild members, as it pertains to their Catholic faith. (Stephen Viz)

Lenten Retreat: The Lenten Retreat Committee plans the Guild’s annual retreat, which is typically held in late February or early March. (James Murray)

Red Mass: The Red Mass Committee plans the Guild’s annual Red Mass, which is typically held each fall. The event is held for judges, attorneys, law school professors, students, and government officials. The Mass is an opportunity to pray for those who seek justice. (Jim Convery, Alisa Finelli)

Restorative Justice: The Restorative Justice Committee counters conflict and violence through legislation, advocacy and peace circle programs in local Catholic schools. The Committee is a part of the broader work of the Church to counter conflict and violence in our community with dialogue and love. (R. Matthew Simon)

Service: The Service Committee plans volunteer and outreach opportunities for the Guild throughout the Chicagoland area.

Spirituality & Prayer Life: The Spirituality & Prayer Life Committee organizes events that give Guild members an opportunity to enhance their own Christian life. Among the events it coordinates is the “First Friday Prayers”, which takes place at St. Peter’s Church on the first Friday of every month, from 7:30 to 8:15am. (Jim Murray, Judge Marita C. Sullivan)

Wills for Priests & Religious: The Wills for Priests Committee assists clergy and religious with the preparation of important estate planning documents free of charge. (Bob Pattullo, Deacon Dan Welter)

Young Lawyers Group: The Young Lawyers Group seeks to build a community of young Catholic lawyers in Chicago and provide them with service, prayer, networking, and fellowship opportunities.  The Young Lawyers Group organizes all types of activities for its members, from monthly Mass “field trips” to different churches in the city, to Happy Hours, to regular service opportunities with organizations like the Lincoln Park Community Shelter and the Greater Chicago Food Depository.  For more information, please reach out to Kevin Murphy at kmurphy@jenner.com. (Alex Blair, Alisa Finelli, Kevin Murphy)