The Sharon L. King Distinguished Alumni Award is presented annually for outstanding professional achievement among former LCBH legal fellows and interns. This year, we have the pleasure of awarding Claire Battle with the award at our 40th Anniversary Celebration.
Claire’s commitment to LCBH began as an intern in 2001 while attending Northwestern University. Now, more than 20 years later, Claire has served as a member and president of the Board of Directors, pro bono volunteer, and, most recently, a member of our Advocates Council. Through her work with LCBH, Claire developed the Young Professionals Board to engage new attorneys and oversaw an expansion in LCBH’s services to include a new Right to Counsel initiative.
“I’m very grateful for my time with the organization and I’m very grateful to be recognized in this way. Given the importance of Sharon and the importance of this award, I don’t take it lightly,” Claire said.
Claire had the privilege of working with Sharon L. King, who the award honors, when she joined the LCBH board in 2002.
Sharon connected with LCBH as a volunteer in the Attorney of the Day Program in 1997 and then became a member of the Board of Directors, serving two terms as president. Sharon helped establish the Brach-Brodie Endowment that allows LCBH to hire a recent law school graduate for a one-year position. Sharon is elated Claire will be joining the list of esteemed recipients.
“I am delighted that Claire Battle will be the recipient of the 2022 Sharon L. King Distinguished Alumni Award. I am particularly pleased not only because of Claire’s outstanding service to LCBH over many years but because I personally have had the pleasure of working with her during a number of these years,” Sharon said.
Today, outside of her continued work with LCBH, Claire serves as senior managing counsel for CNH Industrial, while raising her two daughters with her husband in Oak Park. Recently, Claire joined the Board of Directors at Chicago’s Independent Radio Project, marrying her commitment to public service with her passion for music.
“I consider myself to have a lot of friends at LCBH. It really has been like a family, as much as a team, that’s carrying forth this important mission. I’m excited to remain connected through the Advocates Council, and, of course, the upcoming 40th anniversary observed at Buddy Guy’s Legends,” Claire said.
You can see Claire, Sharon and other past and present LCBH team members at our 40th Anniversary Celebration on October 13th, 2022. Get your early bird tickets and congratulate Claire in person!