MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund) paid tribute in Chicago last Thursday, June 12, to three leaders who have committed their lives and careers to improving the lives of those in the Latino community and throughout the country. Former MALDEF Board of Directors Chair, Charlene L. Aguilar, was given the Valerie Kantor Award for Extraordinary Achievement.  The Kantor Award is MALDEF’s highest recognition, reserved for organization leaders. Aguilar, served on the MALDEF board from 2008 to 2014, and chaired the board for two years. Aguilar is a senior partner at WittKieffer, an executive search firm and in her tenure there she has brought all her experience as the child of immigrants and a member of the Latino community to her work. MALDEF honored Illinois Appellate Court Justice, Jesse G. Reyes, with a Lifetime Achievement – Excellence in Legal Services Award. Elected to the Illinois Appellate, First District, Justice Reyes served as the Chair of the First District’s Executive Committee where he spearheaded efforts to improve access for Spanish-speaking and other immigrant litigants. Pedro Juan Windsor Jr., Associate Executive Director of the American Bar Association (ABA), was recognized with the Excellence in Legal Service Award. Windsor oversees the management of more than 70 staff members in 30 departments of the ABA, including the Center for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and the Center for Professional Responsibility.

Photo Caption: (Pictured Left to Right) MALDEF President and General Counsel Thomas Saenz with the three honorees: Pedro Juan Windsor Jr., Associate Executive Director for the American Bar Association, Thomas A.Saenz, MALDEF President & General Counsel, Charlene Aguilar, Senior Partner at WittKiefer, and The Honorable Jesse G. Reyes, Appellate Court Justice for the Illinois Appellate Court, First District
Photo Credit: MALDEF