Chicago DUI attorney comments on the passing of a Lion of Justice

We were away for the weekend.  My husband received an award for his stream conservation work from the Wisconsin State Council of Trout Unlimited.  Once I returned from court this morning I was shocked to find that James Ahern had passed.

From isba.org, on the occasion of The 2001 Laureate Award:

To anyone who practices traffic law in Illinois, it is well known that the "dean" of the traffic bar is James J. Ahern, senior. His law firm – Ahern, Maloney, and Moran with primary offices in Skokie –concentrates in the defense of DUI and representation in other traffic matters.

His reputation in the law has several dimensions. He is, first and foremost, an outstanding lawyer. He has appeared frequently in the Appellate and Supreme courts. He represents his clients' interests fully, professionally, and with compassion.

He also is known far and wide as an unselfish teacher. For over twenty years, he has been a member of the Executive Committee of the Illinois Traffic Court Conference. His development of scenarios faced by traffic law attorneys and the panel discussion of these fact situations is a highlight of the annual conference. That part of the seminar is now referred to as "The Ahern Panel."

One of his nominators summed up Jim Ahern's career: He exemplifies the type of lawyer everyone wanted to be when they started law school.

 What do we do when a Lion of Justice passes?  We do our best to carry on.  We strive daily to be the type of lawyer he was.