On Tuesday, November 5, Jones Day sponsored the American Heart Association's 5th annual Counsel for a Cause. This event, chaired by Jones Day partner Michael Gray, brings together Chicago's top legal community leaders to raise awareness and funds for the American Heart Association.
This year's event introduced the Hasbrouck Heart Award to recognize leadership and dedication to advancing the goals and objectives of the American Heart Association and commitment to positively impacting the needs of communities in Chicago and worldwide. The award is named for and honors Gail Hasbrouck, former Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary and current Board of Directors Member for Advocate Health Care and Audit and Compliance Committee Member for Advocate Aurora Health. Gail is the founder of Counsel for a Cause, Member of the Midwest Affiliate Board, and long-time volunteer and supporter of the American Heart Association.
The inaugural Hasbrouck Heart Award was presented to Judge Ann Claire Williams (Ret.). Now based in Jones Day's Chicago Office, Judge Williams heads the Firm's efforts in advancing the rule of law in Africa. Devoted to promoting the effective delivery of justice worldwide, particularly in Africa, she has led training programs in Ghana, Indonesia, Kenya, Liberia, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda. President Ronald Reagan nominated Judge Williams in 1985 to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, making her the first woman of color to serve on a district court in the three-state Seventh Circuit. In 1999, President Bill Clinton's nomination made her the first and only judge of color to sit on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit and the third woman of color to serve on any federal circuit court.
Since its inception, Counsel for a Cause has raised more than $1 million for the AHA and its continued research and work towards the prevention of heart disease. Jones Day has been a proud sponsor since the campaign's inaugural year. Jones Day Partners Efrat Schulman and Heather O'Shea also committed their time to help contribute to the success of this year's event.