Annual Dinner

2012 IACDL Annual Dinner

1986-2012 – Celebrating 26 Years Uniting the Criminal Defense Community

Friday, November 9, 2012

University Club of Chicago
76 East Monroe Street
Chicago, IL 60603

Please RSVP by November 5th.

Order of Events

  • 6:00 p.m. Cocktails (cash bar)
  • 7:00 p.m. Dinner

About Dinner

With advance notice we can accommodate vegetarians.

Pricing & Online Registration

For More Information Please Contact Us.

Join us in Honoring these Members

The Promotion of Social Justice Award – Stephen W. Baker

Stephen W. Baker

Stephen W. Baker has served the Illinois legal community since 1978. For decades, he has proven himself both in the courtrooms – as an Assistant Public Defender and later the Public Defender of DuPage County – and most notably in the halls of the Illinois Legislature. He has worked vigorously for groups such as the Cook County Public
Defender’s Office, the Illinois Public Defender Association, the Illinois State Bar Association, and the Illinois Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

Mr. Baker has fought tirelessly for years against an unending tide of efforts to increase sentences, expand the scope of Illinois criminal laws, shrink our civil liberties, and keep the death penalty. His efforts merit his selection as the first recipient of IACDL’s Promotion of Social Justice Award.

Outstanding Your Attorney Award – Brittany M. Pedersen

Brittany M. Pedersen

While only a lawyer since 2009, Brittany M. Pedersen has been tenacious in the Kane County criminal courtrooms. Ms. Pedersen started in the Kane County Public Defender’s Office before moving into private practice.

In her brief career, she has garnered an impressive litigation record, winning 14 out of her first 20 jury trials. She also played a crucial role in the Faith Martin defense team securing an acquittal in a first degree murder self-defense case. The outstanding start in her career has caught the attention of a number of people and thus she is the choice to be the first recipient of IACDL’s Outstanding Young Attorney Award.

IACDL’S 2012 Lifetime Achievement Award – Thomas M. Breen

Thomas M. Breen

A lawyer since 1972, Thomas M. Breen is one of the most recognized names in the history of Illinois criminal defense. After working as an Assistant State’s Attorney in Cook County, Mr. Breen went on to private practice. Today he is with the firm of Breen, Pugh, and Associates. Mr. Breen has been linked with some of the most high profile cases in recent Illinois memory. This includes serving as lead attorney in the successful defense in Rolando Cruz’s third death penalty trial; as counsel for Gary Dotson – the first man in the nation exonerated by DNA evidence; as attorney for Alderman Fred Roti, and many others.

Tom Breen’s impressive record, his grace, his work on a number of important cases pro bono, and his willingness to spend time mentoring countless lawyers through the years has made his name one that is respected in the criminal defense community throughout the State of Illinois. These are among the many reasons for his selection as the recipient of IACDL’s 2012 Lifetime Achievement Award

HISTORY OF IACDL

In 1986 a group of attorneys joined together to form the Illinois Attorneys for Criminal Justice (IACJ). The purpose of the group was to promote the charitable, educational and scientific advancement of the criminal defense bar.

Today we are called the Illinois Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (IACDL). Our mission remains the same. Since its founding this organization has proudly promoted justice, due process, and the protection of the Bill of Rights throughout the state of Illinois.