Staff Updates

EFE Welcomes New Staff Members

Jim McMillan joined Equip for Equality's staff as Chief Financial Officer with responsibility for finance, technology, and operations. Jim brings with him a wealth of experience in nonprofit finance and operations administration. Having devoted the last five years to working in the field of domestic violence, he comes to us from Rainbow House, a multi-site social service agency, where he was director of finance.

Other new staff members include: Robert Barnes as senior accountant, Nicole Beaumont and Gregg Brandush as investigators, Paul DePree as advocate, Cheryl Jue as legal secretary, Sarah Price as advocate and Rose Stein as intake manager.

EFE Attorneys Honored

The International Center on Deafness and the Arts honored attorney Howard Rosenblum in May with its Rising Star Award for his legal work for the deaf community. Howard, who has been working for Equip for Equality since 2002, is the only attorney in Illinois who is deaf.

The Lincolnwood Human Relations Commission honored Alan Goldstein for his outstanding leadership in promoting "tolerance, diversity, [and] mutual respect." Alan is the managing attorney for EFE's Protection & Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security (PABSS) program.

Joanne Schwartz Departs After 16 Years

Joanne Schwartz joined Equip for Equality as an investigative and resource advocate in 1987. In 1994, she became manager of the self-advocacy assistance program. In 1999, Joanne helped coordinate, integrate and oversee the merging functions of the legal and self-advocacy programs. Since its inception in 2002 she managed the federally funded Traumatic Brain Injury Program.

"Joanne's contributions over the years are immeasurable," explains Legal Advocacy Director Barry Taylor. "Her dedication to our clients and her commitment to our mission have been a model, and she will be greatly missed."

Other Staff Updates

Attorney Gerard Broeker, from Equip for Equality's Springfield office, is now managing the Traumatic Injury Project, assuming the position previously filled by Joanne Schwartz.

Equip for Equality attorneys continue to be active and visible on disability rights committees and in conferences. Attorney Molly Paris is the co-chairperson of the Chicago Bar Associations's Young Lawyers Section, Mental Health and Disability Law Committee. In March, the Committee sponsored a seminar on community integration of people with disabilities and the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Olmstead v. L.C. Equip for Equality's Managing Attorney Laura Miller and Legal Advocacy Director Barry Taylor were featured speakers for that seminar.

Managing Attorney Laura Miller was a featured speaker at a Northwestern University School of Law civil rights conference examining treatment by the courts of different protected classes, including disability.

Barry Taylor was also a featured speaker at the National ADA Symposium in Kansas City focusing on the Supreme Court's interpretation of the ADA. Barry also made a presentation on the rights of prisoners with disabilities under the ADA at a statewide conference of the Illinois Department of Corrections.

Senior Attorney Barry Lowy participated in the Crisis Intervention Training of police officers focusing on the involuntary evaluations, detention and transport policies of people with disabilities.

Senior Attorney Howard Rosenblum was a featured speaker at World Federation of the Deaf conference in Montreal, Canada. Howard presented his research comparing the legal rights of access for people with disabilities in 37 nations. He also introduced a funding model to increase communication services for the deaf worldwide.

During 2003-4, Marsha Koelliker, Equip for Equality's Policy Director, and Morrie Fred, Senior Policy Analyst, served as chair and vice-chair respectively of the Chicago Bar Association's Mental Health Law Committee. Next year, Morrie will become the chair of the committee, serving with Deborah Pergament, Esq., vice-chair.

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