FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 9, 2021
CGLA Welcomes Steve Fus as new Interim Executive Director
Starting August 1, 2021 Steve Fus transitioned into CGLA's Interim Executive Director role.
“As a long time attorney-volunteer and board member of CGLA, I am honored to be entrusted with the role of maintaining the stewardship that Esther Franco-Payne brought to the organization. I am confident that with the existing leadership team and staff of CGLA we will continue to thrive during this transition while remaining focused on bringing relief to those facing barriers and discrimination imposed by the criminal justice system.” - Steve Fus
Steve has been a part of CGLA for over twelve years and is intimately familiar with CGLA’s mission, goals and strategic plan. Steve is an attorney who started his own law practice after retiring from United Airlines as Associate General Counsel in 2019 where he practiced in and led many different legal practice teams. The vast majority of Steve’s current practice is concentrated on improving access to justice for the underprivileged and consists of pro bono work with Cabrini Green Legal Aid, the National Immigrant Justice Center, Equip for Equality and the Public Interest Law Initiative.
While at United, Steve created and chaired the Legal Department Pro Bono & Community Service Program which has been widely recognized for its service to the poor and underprivileged. Steve received the 2012 Exelon Outstanding Corporate Counsel Award, jointly commissioned by the Chicago Bar Foundation and Chicago Bar Association for unsung pro bono contributions in the corporate sector.
Steve serves as a member of the Board of Directors of Cabrini Green Legal Aid (former Chair) and United Airlines Legacy Foundation (current Secretary). He also serves as a member of the Chicago Bar Foundation (CBF) Audit and Finance Committee and was a member of the CBF’s Board of Directors (former Treasurer).
Steve lives in Chicago with his wife, Mary, who is the Mission Chair for the Chicago Walk to End Alzheimer’s. We are very grateful to Steve for his leadership and commitment to ensure a successful transition to a new leader for CGLA.
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CGLA was established in 1973 to serve legal needs arising from the lack of opportunity, criminalization of poverty, and racial inequity experienced within the Cabrini Green community. Since then, CGLA has grown beyond a single neighborhood to become a citywide, countywide, and now recognized statewide leader in supporting low-income individuals negatively impacted by the criminal justice system. Give Justice a Voice at cgla.net.