Pamela Sakowicz Menaker | Clifford Law Offices
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    Pamela Sakowicz Menaker

    Partner
    Pamela Sakowicz Menaker
    About Pamela
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    Pamela Sakowicz Menaker is the Communications Partner at Clifford Law Offices. As an attorney with two degrees in journalism from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, Pam combines her experience in these two fields in handling the press in the many high-profile cases handled by the firm. For instance, Pam was involved in the month-long trial of internationally-acclaimed violinist Rachel Barton who was severely injured by a Metra train. The case drew front-page headlines and daily television coverage in what has been described as the most publicized civil trial in the history of Cook County. It resulted in a $29.6 million verdict that was upheld on appeal. Pam is involved with numerous clients from the initial filing of a case to the final settlement of the matter. She routinely conducts press conferences so that an organized, considered approach to high-profile matters can be presented that ensures the clients’ rights are protected. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Clifford Law Offices was the first Chicago personal injury firm to hold virtual press conferences on breaking news. Other cases for which she has handled the press that drew national media attention include the fire at the Cook County Administration Building, the scaffolding collapse at the John Hancock Building, the porch collapse in Chicago that killed 13 and injured dozens of others, the Union Pacific derailment that led to a bridge collapse killing a Chicago suburban couple and most recently an international press conference held in Boston involving seven of the eight circus performers who were injured when a “human chandelier” act collapsed in Rhode Island during a Ringling Brothers performance. Most recently, Pam conducted press conferences that streamed worldwide on behalf of American and Canadian clients who lost loved ones in the Boeing 737 Max8 crash in Ethiopia.

    Pam served two three-year terms on the Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA) Board of Governors (2016-2022). She was appointed as liaison to several committees: Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Committee (ARDC), Legal Technology, Marketing and Communications, Human Rights, Bar Journal Editorial Board and Standing Committee on Delivery of Legal Services. She also was elected by the Board to serve on the Standing Committee on Scope and Correlation (SCOPE). Currently, she serves on the ISBA Bench and Bar Committee, the Tort Law Committee and as a member of the Illinois Bar Journal Editorial Board, the organization’s monthly publication that goes out to its thousands of members. She also was elected to three terms on the ISBA Assembly, representing Cook County. She chaired the ISBA Ask-A-Lawyer Day (2016) and Co-Chaired the IBF’s Host Committee Annual Gala (2006). She served on the 2020 IBF Gala Committee designed to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars which ultimately is used to benefit the dozens of pro bono legal organizations around Chicago, is an event that attracts hundreds of lawyers who also are committed to furthering the philanthropic goals of the charitable arm of the Illinois Bar Association. Menaker served on the Host Committee of the 120th Anniversary of “30 Female Blackstones” (2013) at the request of the ISBA President.

    Pam also has been involved in handling the press involving Girl X, a girl left for dead at a Chicago housing project; Michael Chambers, who was killed by off-duty officers at a wedding in south suburban Countryside; Bob Collins, the popular WGN radio personality who was killed in a small plane crash; Nancy Clay, who was killed in a high-rise fire when Chicago firefighters were unable to reach her; and every major commercial airline crash in the United States over the past decade in which Robert Clifford has been involved.

    Pam’s background is grounded in journalism. Her experience includes every type of media outlet. Upon graduating from Northwestern, Pam worked as a reporter for the Chicago Tribune. She then moved to ABC-TV where she worked for the local affiliate in Chicago as a writer/producer for the local news. She also created the column Prelude in N for North Shore Magazine which she wrote for two years for the popular magazine. She has been a Washington correspondent and political speechwriter in the nation’s capital as well as a producer/writer for Tribune Entertainment and the New York Times Corporation where she worked on a pilot for a news magazine program. Pam has taught as an adjunct professor at Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism where she taught writing to graduate students and assisted in teaching Law of Journalism to undergraduates. Most recently, Pam was an adjunct faculty member in the Integrated Marketing and Communications Department of Medill where she taught “Law, Policy and Ethics of Marketing.”

    Pam has been very involved in legal writing since her graduation from Loyola University School of Law in 1984. Having been the first night-law student selected to compete on the school’s Moot Court team, while still a student Pam argued a case before the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals in her Appellate Practicum class. After being sworn in as an attorney in Illinois, she later appeared before that court as a pro bono attorney representing criminal defendants for the Northern District of Illinois. She also was selected as an extern attorney and worked in the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, Consumer Fraud Division, where she was introduced to issues of consumer fraud. In 1991, she continued her brief writing for Clifford Law Offices as well as handling of the press on high-profile cases that grew until her appointment in 2001 as the firm’s Communications Partner, which recognizes her journalism as well as her legal experience.

    She is involved in other bar associations including the American Bar Association where she was a member of leadership serving on the Task Force for Young Litigators and as a member of the Standing Committee on Strategic Communications. She was appointed by the ABA President to serve on the Human Trafficking Task Force for two years. She also was Co-Chair of the Section of Litigation’s Written Materials Committee. She also served as an Editor on the ABA’s Litigation Magazine and Litigation News that is distributed quarterly to the section’s 60,000-plus member section. She also served as Co-Chair of the Annual Meeting in Chicago in 2005 and again as a member of the Host Committee in 2015, helping organize the dozens of programs and written materials accompanying the continuing legal education seminars.

    Pam was elected to a two-year term on the Chicago Bar Association (CBA) Board of Managers from 2016-18. She has served on the CBA Editorial Board, the Chicago Bar Record, since 1985, serving as its book review editor from 1995 to 2016. In 2006, she was appointed to serve as Co-Chair of the CBA/Chicago Bar Foundation Pro Bono Week Committee, which was marked by the Chicago mayor and the Illinois governor proclaiming it a special week in October in recognition of the efforts of the CBA and CBF, the charitable arm of the CBA, in raising the awareness of lawyers’ pro bono efforts in Chicago and around the state. She also served on the CBA Judicial Evaluation Committee and currently serves on its Public Affairs Committee.

    Currently, Pam spearheads the continuing legal education programs at Clifford Law Offices that is in its 17th year. Annually, it draws more than 4,000 attendees in what is considered the largest CLE program in the country. She was a member of the Center for Conflict Resolution and the Public Interest Law Initiative (2016-18). Pam worked with the UIC/John Marshall Law School Domestic Violence Clinic on special projects in assisting survivors to become whole again.

    Pam has been an active member of the Catholic Lawyers Guild of Chicago and served as its President (2018-2019). She also serves on the Board of Governors of the Advocates Society of Polish Lawyers and is a member of the North Suburban Bar Association.

    Areas of Practice
    • Aviation Litigation
    • Commercial Aviation Liability
    • Construction Liability
    • Medical Devices and Pharmaceutical Litigation
    • Medical Malpractice and Hospital Negligence
    • Personal Injury
    • Premises Liability
    • Product Liability
    • Qui Tam/ Whistleblower
    • Railroad Accidents
    • Transportation Liability
    • Truck Accidents
    • Wrongful Death
    Bar Admissions
    • Illinois, 1984
    • U.S. Court of Appeals 7th Circuit
    Education
    • Loyola University Chicago School of Law, Chicago, Illinois
      • Juris Doctor – 1984
      • Honors: National Moot Court Team, 1983-84
    • Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism
      • B.S., Bachelor of Science
      • Honors: Robert R. McCormick Scholar
      • Honors: Tribune Company Dean’s List
    • Northwestern University Medill School of Journalism
      • Masters of Science Degree
      • Honors: Kosciuszko Foundation Fellow, New York
    Published Works
    • “CBA 150th Anniversary Celebration — Into the 21st Century, 1999-2024,” CBA Record, May-June, 2024
    • “Giving Back to the Profession,” Illinois State Bar Association Newsletter, October, 2023
    • “Traveling in Poland: Bialystok,” Advocates Society Newsletter, Fall 2023
    • “Attorney Sanctioned Over Emails to Judge and Others; First Amendment Defense Fails,” Illinois State Bar Association, Bench and Bar, Oct. 2022
    • Wrote amicus curiae brief on behalf of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association:
      • Blagg v. F.W.D. Corp., 143 Ill.2d 188, 572 N.E.2d 920 (Ill.1990), on behalf of Plaintiff-Appellant.
    • “Life Lessons Learned: Distinguished CBA Members Reflect on Long Careers,” Chicago Bar Association Record, Jan.-Feb. 2022
    • “Justice John Paul Stevens Award,” Chicago Bar Association Record, December 2019
    • “The Amanda Knox Trial,” June 2017, Chicago Bar Association Bar Record
    • Forming Alliances to Find Solutions, CBA Record, November 2016
    • “Insurance Policy’s Litigation Exclusion Bars Coverage for Sealed Litigation,” American Bar Association Litigation News, February 11, 2015
    • “To Blog or Not to Blog. That’s a Question?” American Bar Association Litigation Journal, January, 2015
    • “No Failure-to Warn When Drug Label is FDA Compliant,” American Bar Association Litigation News, October 21, 2014
    • “Caps on Non-Economic Damages Held Constitutional,” American Bar Association Litigation News, September 1, 2014
    • “Boom Boom Pow,” Chicago Bar Association Record, coverage of Entertainment Law Committee’s speakers on music copyright, September 2014
    • “Attorney-Client Privilege Passes to Acquiring Company in Merger,” American Bar Association Litigation News, March 11, 2014
    • “Text Message Sender May Face Liability for Driver’s Accident,” American Bar Association Litigation News, November 2013
    • “Lawyer Marketing: Decent Exposure,” American Bar Association Journal, Summer, 2013
    • “Judge Jeffrey Cole’s Tips on Effective Advocacy,” Chicago Bar Association, CBA Record, April/May 2012
    • Aviation Brochure, Clifford Law Offices, winner of 2010 Burton Award, Legal Writing Award patterned after the Pulitzer Prize; an academic organization working with the Library of Congress
    • “Pro Bono Work for Senior Attorneys,” Chicago Bar Association Record, Jan. 2007
    • “‘Wrongful Adoption’ Gains Acceptance,” National Law Journal, Sept. 28, 1992
    • “Future Loss of Society Damages and Present Cash Value,” Illinois State Bar Association, Trial Briefs Publication. August, 1991
    • Illinois Trial Lawyers Association Handbook on Trial Practice and Civil Procedure, Chapters on Examination of Adverse Witnesses, Impeachment of Witnesses, Competency of Witnesses, Jury Instructions, 199
    • Prelude in N Column, North Shore Magazine
    Representative Cases

    Cases in which Pam Menaker was principal attorney preparing motions for trial:

    • Continental Casualty Company v. Great American Insurance Company, 711 F. Supp. 1475, 432 F. Supp. 929, 438 F. Supp. 1170 (N.D.Ill.1990). Represented Plaintiff before Judge Brian Duff in the Northern District of Illinois, transferred to Judge George LaPlata in the Eastern District of Michigan.
    • Ranger Insurance Company v. Home Indemnity Insurance Company, 714 F. Supp. 956 (N.D.Ill.1989). Represented Defendant before Judge Marvin Aspen in the Northern District of Illinois. Successful in defeating the Plaintiff’s bad faith motion.

    Cases in which Pam Menaker assisted on various complex motions/briefs in preparation for trial:

    • Machline vs. National Helicopters, et al., Case Number: 96 Civ. 5999 (LBS), U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York. Brazilian entrepreneur and his wife are killed in helicopter crash. Settled $10 million, March 28, 2007.
    • Levenberg et.al. v. McDonnell Douglas, et.al., 93 L 4325 (1989). Choice of venue motion. United Airlines Flight 232 cartwheels down the runway in Sioux City, Iowa, killing 112 and injuring 184 others. Consolidated cases in U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois. $28.3 million verdict on behalf of Plaintiff Doris Levenberg, 1994; Settled $15 million, Plaintiff Terry Brown.

    Cases Pam Menaker researched and wrote then argued appeal before the U.S. Court of Appeals, 7th Circuit (court- appointed):

    • United States v. Rodriguez, 831 F.2d 162 (7th Cir.1987). Affirmed.
    • Weber v. Israel, 730 F.2d 499 (7th Cir.1984). Affirmed.

    Reported Cases in which Pam Menaker was the principal attorney researching/writing the brief on appeal:

    • Ainsworth Corporation v. Cenco Inc., 158 Ill. App.3d 639, 511 N.E.2d 1149 (1st Dist.1987). Represented Plaintiff-Appellant. Reversed and remanded.
    • Knapp v. Palos Community Hospital, 176 Ill. App.3d 1012, 531 N.E.2d 989 (1st Dist.1988). Represented Plaintiffs-appellants. Affirmed in part, reversed in part.
    • Kaput v. Hoey, 124 Ill.2d 370, 530 N.E.2d 230 (Ill.1988). Represented Defendant-Appellate. Affirmed.
    • Bautista v. Verson Allsteel Press Co., 152 Ill. App.3d 524, 504 N.E.2d 772 (1st Dist.1987). Represented Plaintiff-Appellant. Affirmed.
    • Graphic Sales v. Sperry Univac, 824 F.2d 576 (7th Cir.1987). Represented Plaintiff-Appellant. Affirmed.
    • Lee v. Grand Trunk Western Railroad, 143 Ill. App.3d 500, 492 NE.2d 1364 (1st Dist.1986). Represented Plaintiff-Appellant. Affirmed.
    Classes/Seminars
    • “Law, Policy and Ethics,” Adjunct Professor, 2013-Present
    • “Law, Policy and Ethics,” Adjunct Professor, Winter, 2014; Fall, 2015
    • Northwestern University, Medill School of Journalism, Graduate School of Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC Program), “Consumer, Law and Ethics of Marketing,” Adjunct Professor, Fall, 2005-2013
    • Attorneys Registration and Disciplinary Board (ARDC), Annual Meeting, “Marketing and Legal Ethics,” Chicago, IL Oct., 21, 2010
    • Attorneys Registration and Disciplinary Board (ARDC), Annual Meeting, “Marketing and Legal Ethics,” Chicago, 2010
    • Northwestern University, Medill School of Journalism, Legal Reporting class, May 7, 2008
    • Northwestern University, Medill School of Journalism, Legal Reporting class, 2008
    • Public Relations Society of America, “Litigation Communications: Winning in the Court of Public Opinion,” Chicago, Feb. 20, 2007
    • Adjunct Professor, Ethics of Marketing, Fall, 2005
    • Northwestern University, Medill School of Journalism, IMC, “Marketing and Communications Ethics in an Integrated World,” Evanston, IL, May 18, 2005
    • “Consumer, Law and Ethics of Marketing,”, Northwestern University, Medill School of Journalism, IMC, 2005
    • Northwestern University, Medill School of Journalism, Graduate Program, Reporting and Writing, Law of Journalism, Adjunct Professor, 1987,1986, 1984
    • Columbia College, Chicago, Reporting and Writing, 1980
    • Adjunct Professor, Law of Journalism, Northwestern University, Medill School of Journalism, Graduate School of Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC Program)
    Honors and Awards
    • 2020 Advocate for Diversity Award from the Diversity Scholarship Foundation for her service as a Board Member and a mentor to law students
    • “Women of Inspiration,” American Bar Association, 2019 Women in Litigation Joint CLE Conference, Chicago, IL Nov. 13-15, 2019
    • Winner of prestigious Burton Award, 2010
    • Northwestern University School of Law, Arlyn Miner Moot Court Judge, 2006 – Present
    • Best Law Firm Profile Award
    • Martindale-Hubbell, AV rated
    Professional Associations and Memberships
    • Diversity Scholarship Foundation Board Member, 2018-2024 (mentor to law school student, 2022)
    • Illinois Bar Foundation
      • Liaison to the IBF Gala, 2019
      • Bronze Member, 2016-present
      • Annual Gala Committee Member, 2020
    • Illinois State Bar Association
      • Board of Governors, elected 2016-19, 2019-2022 (two consecutive terms)
        • Standing Committee on Scope and Correlation (SCOPE), 2017-18,
          2019-2020
        • Liaison, Legal Technology Committee, 2016-17. 2018-2019
        • Liaison, ARDC Committee, 2016-20
        • Liaison, Human Rights Committee, 2017-18
        • Liaison, Editorial Board, 2016-2020
        • Liaison, Marketing and Communications Committee, 2017-18
        • Liaison, Standing Committee on Delivery of Legal Services, 2018-2020
      • Assembly Member, elected three consecutive terms, 2010-2016
      • Illinois Bar Journal, Editorial Board member, 2009-present
      • Marketing and Communications Committee, member, 2013-2018
      • Ask-A-Lawyer Day, Subcommittee Chair, 2014-2016; institute Skype in 2016
    • Commission on Women in the Profession, Planning Committee Member, 2019-20
      • Women in the Law Mini-Summit, Chicago, IL, March 2020
    • Catholic Lawyers Guild of Chicago
      • President, 2019-2020
      • Board of Governors, 2012-2018, 2024-present
    • CBA, Board of Managers, 2016 – 2018
    • ABA, Young Litigators Task Force, 2016 – 2017
    • Women’s Bar Association of Illinois Board, Director, 2015 – 2016
    • American Bar Association, Host Committee, Member, Annual Meeting, 2015 – Present
    • Chicago Bar Association, Public Affairs Committee, 2013 – Present
    • Illinois Supreme Court Historic Preservation Commission, Executive Committee Member, 2012 – Present
    • American Bar Association, Standing Committee on Strategic Communications, member, 2012 – 2015
    • American Bar Association, Task Force on Human Trafficking, member, 2012 – 2013
    • American Bar Association, Host Committee, Member, Annual Meeting, 2012 – Present
    • Chicago Bar Association, Hearings Unit, 2010 – Present
    • The Advocates Society of Polish Lawyers in Chicago, Marketing Committee Chair, 2010 – Present
    • Chicago Bar Foundation, Marketing Committee, member, 2010 – 2012
    • Chicago Bar Foundation, Organizational Committee, 2009
    • Chicago Bar Association, Judicial Evaluation Committee Investigative Unit, 2007 – 2010
    • Chicago Bar Association, Investigative Unit, 2007-2010
    • American Bar Association, Ethics and Professionalism, Committee Member, 2006 – Present
    • Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, Board of Managers, 2005 – 2006
    • American Bar Association, Advisory Committee, Member, Annual Meeting, Chicago, 2004 – 2005
    • American Bar Association, Chair, Written Materials/Annual Meeting, 2004 – 2005
    • American Bar Association, Chair, Printed Materials Committee, 2003 – 2004
    • American Bar Association, Litigation Magazine, Editorial Board, 2002 – Present
    • American Bar Association, Chair, Unpublished References Committee, 2002 – 2003
    • American Bar Association, Organized Town Hall Meeting moderated by Bill Kurtis, April, 2002
    • Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, Medical Malpractice Committee, 2001 – Present
    • American Bar Association, Chair, Media Relations, 2001 – 2002
    • Chicago Bar Association, Editorial Board Member, 1997 – Present
    • Chicago Bar Association, Chicago Bar Record Editorial Board Book Review Editor, 1997 – 2016
    • American Bar Association, Section of Litigation
    • Chicago Bar Association’s Editorial Board for the Chicago Bar Record, Book Review Editor
    • American Bar Association, Co-Chair, Section of Litigation’s Unpublished Reference Committee
    • Chicago Bar Association’s Editorial Board for the Chicago Bar Record, Member
    • American Bar Association, Host Committee, Member, Annual Meeting, 2009 – Present
    • Chicago Bar Foundation, Investing in Justice campaign for legal aid and pro bono organizations, Organizational Committee, 2009 – Present
    • Chicago Bar Association, Pro Bono Week Committee, Co-Chair, 2006 – Present
    • Chicago Bar Foundation, Fall Benefit, Steering Committee, 2006 – Present
    Past Employment Positions
    • Contributing Columnist, North Shore Magazine, Winnetka, Illinois, 1986 – 1988
    • Tribune Entertainment/New York Times Corp., Producer/Writer, 1986
    • Cook County State’s Attorney, Consumer Fraud Division, winter, Extern Attorney, 1984
    • ABC/WLS-TV, Chicago, Producer/ News Writer, 1978 – 1984
    • The Chicago Tribune, Reporter, 1976 – 1978
    • Washington Correspondent, Southern Illinoisan and Alton Evening Telegraph, 1976
    • Political Speech Writer, U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, D.C., 1975 – Present
    • Rinella & Rinella, Chicago, Illinois, Law Clerk, 1974 – 1976
    • Brinton & Fedota; Bollinger & Ruberry, Attorney, part-time
    • Bollinger & Ruberry, Attorney, part-time
    • William Harte, Ltd., Attorney, part-time
    • Abramson & Fox, Attorney, part-time
    • Burke Bosselman & Weaver, Attorney, part-time
    Pro Bono Activities
    • Board Member, and mentor, for law students of the Diversity Scholarship Foundation (2018-Present)
    • Misericordia Baking for Christmas Volunteer, Nov. 23, 2019
    • WTTW Pledge Night, volunteered for Chicago’s public television station, Aug. 20, 2019; Dec. 9, 2019
    • Subcommittee Chair, Illinois State Bar Association Ask-A-Lawyer Day, 2016
    • Participated on Skype, Illinois State Bar Association Ask-A-Lawyer Day, 2016
    • Committee Chair, Illinois State Bar Association Ask-A-Lawyer Day, 2014, 2015, 2016
    • Loyola University School of Law, Dean’s Circle member, 2012
    • Northwestern University Reunion Committee, Co-Chair, 2010, 2015
    • Lawyers Lend-A-Hand to Youth, 9th Annual Barristers Big Band Benefit Ball, Planning Committee, 2010
    • St. James Christmas Brunch, Feeding the Homeless Christmas Day and gift giving, 2007-present
    • Pro Bono Week Committee, Chicago Bar Association Chair, 2006-2007
    • Illinois Bar Foundation, Benefit Co-Chair, Host Committee, 2006 – Present
    • Illinois Bar Foundation, Benefit Co-Chair, Host Committee, 2006 Pro Bono Week
    • Committee, Chicago Bar Association Chair, 2006-07 Committee Member, 2005-06
    • Pro Bono Week Committee, Chicago Bar Association, Committee Member, 2005 – 2006
    • Executive Board and Marketing Committee Chair, Chicago Pro Bono Center for Disability and Elder Law, 2002-2006
    • Executive Board and Marketing Committee Chair, Chicago Pro Bono Center for Disability and Elder Law, 2002-06
    • Center for Conflict Resolution
    • Public Interest Law Initiative
    Pamela Sakowicz Menaker
    About Pamela
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