Lake County Bar Foundation celebrates scholars
Illinois Supreme Court Justice Elizabeth Rochford was the keynote speaker celebrating the initial awarding of the Lake County Bar Foundation Scholarships to four Illinois law students studying at DePaul University and Northern Illinois University Colleges of Law. Past LCBA/LCBF President Scott Gibson hosted the celebration to a packed house which included appellate court justices, circuit court judges, elected officials, bar members, guests and the scholars.
In 2025 the Lake County Bar Foundation, Charitable Sister Organization of the Lake County Bar Association, initiated the initial giving of $100,000 to each school to fund two law students with $5,000 per year to be given all three years of their law school careers. Over 26 DePaul and dozens of NIU students applied for the scholarship in it is initial year, and complied with the criteria of financial need, writing an essay and contacts with Lake County. NIU students Hannah Smith and Sarah Augustinas and DePaul students Alex Rubenacker and William Golden were feted in grand style with champagne buckets on every table, an open bar and wonderful food.
In addition to Justice Rochford, important words were given by NIU Dean Cassandra Hill, DePaul Dean Geoffrey Rapp, Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart and LCBF President Kristi Fingerhut.
MC Scott Gibson introduced Justice Rochford reminding everyone that she is not only the Second Illinois Supreme Court Justice from Lake County in its 208-year Illinois history but also the only Past LCBA President. Justice Rochford highlighted “The importance of our bar in helping law students support those seeking law schools cannot be understated. We, as a profession, support, educate and help each other through our bar associations. You, the initial LCBF Scholars, are now part of our family.”
Lake County State’s Attorney Rinehart looked at each scholar and all bar members in the crowd emphasizing, “From the time you begin as a law student through the end of your career, regardless of whether you are in private practice, government service or practicing law in any venue we are all public servants. We, the lawyers, protect and serve our clients regardless of who they may be.”
Justice Rochford graciously honored each scholar with a gavel handmade by Judge Andres Matoesian, the longest serving judge in Illinois history. Additionally, the students received plaques, framed photographs with Justice Rochford and LCBA/LCBF membership and are invited to all the associations’ upcoming events. The enthusiastic celebration of the scholars and the creation of the scholarships are intended to be only the beginning of future additional funding and expansion of the LCBF Scholarships to additional Illinois law schools.