Dear Members, Colleagues, and Friends:

It is with profound gratitude, humility, and determination that I assume the office of the 112th President of the Cook County Bar Association (CCBA).  As only the 20th woman to lead this historic organization, I am mindful of the legacy I inherit and the responsibility entrusted to me.

For more than a century, the Cook County Bar Association has been a beacon of advocacy, leadership, and service.  Founded by Black attorneys who refused to accept exclusion and inequality, the CCBA has advanced civil rights, protected our communities, and expanded opportunities within the legal profession. Our history reminds us that progress requires courage, sacrifice, and collective action.

Today, we face another pivotal moment.  Across the country, the rule of law, judicial independence, voting rights, and hard-fought gains in equity and justice are under threat.  These challenges demand leadership, advocacy, and action, and they require organizations like the CCBA to remain vigilant, vocal, and unwavering in our commitment to justice.

Our theme for the coming year, Defending Justice. Defining Tomorrow., is both a call to action and a declaration of purpose.  We will defend the principles that have guided this Association for 112 years: equal justice under law, meaningful access to opportunity, and the protection of constitutional rights.  We will also define tomorrow by investing in the next generation of lawyers, strengthening our membership, cultivating leaders, and ensuring that the CCBA remains a force for positive change.

I extend my sincere appreciation to my predecessor, President Antonio C. Lee, for his dedicated service and leadership during the past bar year.  His stewardship has strengthened our Association and positioned us for continued growth and impact.

To the members of our incoming Board of Directors, thank you for answering the call to serve.  I look forward to working alongside each of you to strengthen our organization, elevate our voice, and build upon the extraordinary legacy entrusted to us.

As we begin this new chapter, I invite every member to become an active participant in the work ahead. The challenges before us are significant, but so too are our collective talents, experience, and resolve.  For generations, the Cook County Bar Association has met the moment.  We will do so again.

Together, we will continue Defending Justice. Defining Tomorrow.

In Service,

LeDeidre S. Turner
112th President
Cook County Bar Association