Juan is running for ISBA 3rd Vice President because he is committed to:
Our Lawyers
Juan is committed to ensuring that the ISBA is the voice of the Illinois legal profession. He believes the ISBA should be the home where all Illinois lawyers can become better lawyers, grow their practice, and advance in the profession.
Juan is also committed to maintaining and improving professional standards to ensure the efficient and effective practice of law. For example, as the ISBA’s Downstate Delegate to the ABA House of Delegates, Juan was part of the team that led the effort for the American Bar Association to adopt Resolution 402 which opposed the non-lawyer ownership of law firms and non-lawyer fee sharing in August 2022. Juan is committed to maintaining the core principles of our profession, including that lawyers must retain the independence necessary to ethically serve the public.
Juan at a golf outing fundraiser with his Illinois Bar Foundation colleagues.
Our Future
The ISBA must be the home for future lawyers in Illinois. Juan will work to ensure that the ISBA is relevant to young lawyers, law students, and the next generation of lawyers. With continued advances in technology, the practice of law continues to evolve and the ISBA must be prepared to respond to the needs of the practicing lawyer of the future.
When Juan was a young lawyer, he served as Chair of the National Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division and was a member of the ABA’s Young Lawyers Division. He has not forgotten many of the lessons he learned during those years; that young lawyers need opportunities to develop mentor and sponsor relationships and have safe places where they can learn and grow in the legal profession.
Juan has been a mentor to many college and law students during his career. When Juan was President of the National Bar Association, he made a personal commitment to visit and speak to law students at every law school in the State of Illinois because he believes in supporting the next generation of lawyers.
Juan talking with students on Constitution Day.
Juan with Chicago area youth on Law Day.
Our Community
Juan believes that all Illinois residents should have the right to access to justice by having competent and affordable legal counsel. According to the National Center for Access to Justice, Illinois has 1.16 civil aid attorneys per 100,000 people who live in poverty. While Illinois is just above the national average (.97 per 100,000 people), Juan is committed to ensuring that the ISBA leads the effort to ensure that Illinois remains on the forefront of providing all of our residents’ access to justice.
Juan recently served on the ISBA Underserved Practice Initiatives where he saw the need for lawyers in many rural areas in Illinois and in certain downstate urban areas. Juan will be an advocate for lawyers who are interested in serving Illinois residents in these areas.
Juan marching with his local Kiwanis Club on the July 4th parade in Aurora, IL.