LEGAL BRIEFS
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3
Raising thebar for
criminal justicepractice
L
oyola’s commitment to social
justice is finding renewed focus
in its efforts to transform Illinois’s
criminal justice system with the
launch of the Center for Criminal
Justice Research, Policy, and Practice
(CCJ). A multidisciplinary endeavor
that aims to promote a more fair, in-
formed, effective, and ethical criminal
justice system, the center is a major
initiative in the University’s new
strategic plan.
“There is a sense of urgency to
ensure justice for all those affected
by crime: victims, offenders, and
communities. And there is a growing
understanding that this is important
from social justice, ethical, and public
safety perspectives,” says Lisa Jacobs,
program manager for the CCJ, who
will help identify opportunities,
set goals, and recruit and support
potential partners.
Supported by the John D. and
Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation
and developed collaboratively with
the law school, Loyola’s Department
of Criminal Justice and Criminology,
and other University partners, the
CCJ will be incubated within the
School of Law’s Civitas ChildLaw
Center and focus on multidisciplinary
partnerships within and outside
the University. It will sustain and
build upon the significant progress
produced by the Models for Change
initiative, a multistate effort funded
by the MacArthur Foundation to
strengthen the nation’s juvenile
justice systems.
“There’s a lot of momentum
around criminal justice reform. We
know more about what works and
what doesn’t, and there is increasing
interest in applying that knowledge,”
says Jacobs, who has helped
coordinate and support all Models
for Change work in Illinois as its
program manager since 2007.
Previously, she oversaw the state’s
juvenile justice services and funding,
directed judicial education programs
for the Illinois Supreme Court, and
co-managed an evidence-based
criminal and juvenile justice practice
initiative for the Administrative
Office of the Illinois Courts.
Raising the bar for criminal
justice practice in the state will
begin for the CCJ with a focus on
an emerging adult population
of 18–24-year-olds. This group
represents a disproportionately
large share of arrests and admissions
to jails and prisons. The CCJ is
currently planning a February 2016
national conference to encourage
development of policy and practice
to heighten the potential of young
adults to lead healthy, crime-free, and
productive lives.
“At the national, state, and local
levels, there’s a growing recognition
that we can do better in our criminal
justice systems,” says Jacobs. “We
hope the center can support today’s
policymakers, practitioners, and
students—the next generation
of leaders—in developing more
humane and effective approaches
to crime, violence, and community
well-being.”
■
MAKING CHANGE
Lisa Jacobs
financial support,” says Moses. “He’s
helped students gain the skills and
confidence to really blossom. John’s
contributions to the program are
huge—he even pays his own way
when he accompanies the team to
Hong Kong every year.”
In honor of Calhoun’s
multifaceted generosity, the School
of Law named Room 1408—the
S
ince 2005, attorney John
Calhoun has been instrumental
in transforming students on Loyola’s
Willem C. Vis (East) International
Commercial Arbitration Moot from
eager novices to polished advocates.
Calhoun began coaching the Vis
East team in 2005 upon his retirement
as vice president, general counsel,
and international counsel for Quaker
Oats Company. Although he’s not
a Loyola law alum, Calhoun was
looking to step up his involvement in
international commercial arbitration.
His son Michael (JD ’00), then a
student in Professor Margaret Moses’s
International Commercial Arbitration
and the CISG course, mentioned
his father’s interest to Moses, who
jumped at the chance to recruit
Calhoun as a coach.
“Over the years, John’s been very
generous with his time, energy, and
conference room in which the Vis East
team often practices—in Calhoun’s
honor at a Vis reception held in
November. The Mary and Peter B.
Carey Seminar Room is named for
another major Vis volunteer, Peter
Carey (JD ’69), whose daughter Ellen
(JD ’01) competed on the very first
Loyola Vis team in Vienna.
These days, Calhoun is phasing
out his involvement as a Vis coach,
turning over more responsibilities to
co-coach Joshua Heffernan (JD ’09).
He’s easing out on a high note: the
Loyola team took the international Vis
East championship in 2014.
Fueling his longtime dedication
to Loyola’s Vis teams is a sense of
gratitude for his opportunities to
work in international law, Calhoun
says. “I think it adds a whole new
dimension to practice—not just
in legal issues, but in dealing with
people in ways you never would as a
tourist. This program gives students
a small taste of that,” he explains.
“I’ve enjoyed getting involved
in the legal issues and associating
with some younger people who’ve
kept my own attitude toward life
a little fresher,” he adds. “I’ve been
tremendously impressed over the
years by the students at Loyola.”
■
Marking the generosity of a strong Vis East supporter
The Karen & John Calhoun Conference Room was named to
honor the contributions of John Calhoun (right).
RECOGNITION
Alumni Awards Luncheon
Alumni and friends gathered with Dean David Yellen (center) at the University Club of Chicago this fall to honor Louis Lehr (JD ’51, left) with the Medal of Excellence, Linda Salisbury (JD ’91)
with the Francis J. Rooney/St. Thomas More Award, John Maki (JD ’09) with the St. Robert Bellarmine Award, and the Honorable Virginia Kendall (JD ’92) with the Distinguished Jurist Award.
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LOYOLA LAW
WINTER 2016
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