The Leo High School Family salutes Thomas A. Durkin ’64, recipient of a 2016 Justice John Paul Stevens Award from the Chicago Bar Association.
Durkin, managing partner of the Durkin & Roberts law firm, is one of the Chicago area’s leading criminal defense attorneys. He was honored for exemplifying Justice Stevens’ commitment to social justice during a distinguished legal career that culminated with his appointment to the United States Supreme Court. By his own admission, Durkin has earned his reputation “taking on cases other attorneys don’t want” and ensuring that defendants receive fair and competent counsel even if the charges against them offend community standards.
“Tom has always been a great friend to Leo, and we were honored to have him as our commencement speaker in 2014,” Leo President Dan McGrath said. “He delivered a powerful message about the importance of social justice to the legal system.”
Durkin received his undergraduate degree from the University of Notre Dame after graduating from Leo and his law degree from the University of San Francisco. He was a prosecutor in the United State’s Attorney’s office before joining his wife, Janis Roberts, in private practice.