Steven M. Puiszis
2011
Distinguished Member
Award Recipient

IDC’s 2011 Distinguished Member Award recipient is Steven M. Puiszis, partner in the Chicago law firm Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP. Puiszis who is a past president of IDC was recognized for his outstanding leadership and involvement in the association. The Distinguished Member Award is given to individuals who have contributed to the IDC in many capacities and exemplify the best in the practice of law by continually bringing credit to the profession, the law and the association.

As a member of the association and as an attorney, Puiszis unequivocally meets those standards. Nationally recognized as a top litigator, Puiszis is also a high profile advocate of level playing fields and fairness to all parties.

Board member David H. Levitt, a partner at Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP, credits the work of Puiszis along with Glen Amundsen, and Jeff Hebrank for moving IDC to the next level in affecting the law. Said Levitt, "The IDC board was determined to make the association more relevant to our members and to the legislature. It really began bearing fruit under Steve, to the point the IDC is still building on the effort today. Steve stands out because he really cares and he is not afraid to get in and work hard, and get his fingernails dirty. He gets it done.”

Puiszis’ focus on branding IDC as "the" legal organization in the State of Illinois that stands for a fair and just legal system is one of reasons 2011-2012 IDC President Anne M. Oldenburg says it was a s privilege to serve with him during his tenure on the IDC board and executive committee. President Oldenburg, a partner in the Chicago firm, Alholm, Monahan, Klauke, Hay & Oldenburg, L.L.C. said, "He is a very focused and driven individual whose attention to detail is unsurpassed. During his presidency, he left no stone unturned in evaluating legislation and insuring that the voice of the IDC strengthened in Springfield. It was truly an honor to serve with Steve and to follow in his footsteps as the incoming president of the IDC.”

Puiszis most recent project is a venture he undertook for DRI. Currently the chair of DRI’s Judicial Task Force, he served as editor of Without Fear or Favor 2011. The report is an in-depth examination of growing threats to judicial independence and fairness in the legal system. Without Fear or Favor 2011 is available through the IDC website, and Puiszis urges members to not only read it, but to be willing to take action. "Canons of judicial ethics prevent judges from responding to many of these issues so lawyers must do so to protect the independence of our court systems,” said Puiszis.

Puiszis is the author of Illinois Governmental Tort and Section 1983 Civil Rights Liability. Municipal and civil rights law are two of the primary areas of his practice. Illinois Super Lawyers magazine has named Mr. Puiszis to the Super Lawyers list in the area of Civil Rights Law, Constitutional Law and Civil Rights/First Amendment Law. He has also been recognized by his peers as a Leading Lawyer in the categories of governmental law, municipal law, lobbying & administrative law and personal injury defense law.