Highland Park City Attorney 'Dedicated To The Legal Profession'

HIGHLAND PARK, IL — Without community leaders, Highland Park wouldn’t hum along nearly as smoothly as it does. We’d miss their contributions in big and small ways.

Patch has partnered with T-Mobile to recognize these often unsung community leaders and celebrate their contributions.

This submission comes from Susan Shulman, a Highland Park reader who nominated Steven Elrod.

How do you know this community leader?

Colleague, board member, community volunteer

What does this community leader do?

• Managing Partner/Co-Founder Elrod-Friedman
• Founding Board Member, North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic
• Chicago Bar Association: President 2018-2019; Treasurer 2014-2016; Board of Managers 2012-2015
• Chicago Bar Association Media and Civic Education Committee: 2021
• Chicago Bar Foundation: 2015-2020
• Constitutional Rights Foundation Chicago (1983 – 2019): President, Board of Directors, and founder of the Edward J. Lewis Lawyers in the Classroom Program
• Harold E. Eisenberg Foundation (2016- Present): Executive Committee Second Vice President
• Illinois Local Government Lawyers Association (2020 – Present)
• Lambda Alpha International Honorary Land Economics Society (2008 – Present)
• Economic Club of Chicago (2016- Present)
• The Standard Club of Chicago: Board of Directors 2012-2018

Why do you believe the community leader should be recognized or honored?

As a prominent attorney and community leader who has dedicated his career to the legal profession, Steve embodies the qualities and values that this esteemed award seeks to honor and memorialize. He has consistently demonstrated the highest level of integrity and professionalism in his practice and beyond.

As a co-founder the North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic (NSLAC) in 2015, Steve’s legal prowess and extensive experience on not-for-profit boards were the perfect combination as he quickly and skillfully helped to establish the North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic (NSLAC), a legal aid clinic that focuses on three core law practice areas that are critical to its mission: Domestic Violence, Housing, and Immigration. Since its inception, NSLAC has served more than 6,500 people and caseloads steadily increase each year. Steve's day-to-day professional experience where he provides counsel for village boards and staff, understands their goals, and protects them are the same skills he brought forward to carry out the work and mission of NSLAC.

Beyond helping to establish NSLAC, Steve has served on the Executive Committee as the Secretary and At-Large. He has a unique understanding about how to grow an organization from the ground up – legally and practically. He immediately brought ‘law and order’ to the organization. He was instrumental in building a solid foundation that included securing seed funding, initiating legal filings, managing incorporation, and recruiting a diverse board. Steve wrote the bylaws and works closely with the board and staff to monitor and update that document. He also initiated NSLAC’s strategic planning process and helped to establish the Attorney Advisory Committee, Community Advisory Committee, and Student Board.

Steve is an adjunct professor at Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law, where he teaches local government and land use law. He zealously shares his expertise and passion for law with the next generation of lawyers. His desire to teach and mentor students is a testament to his commitment to shaping the future of the legal profession. Steve closes the law school class that he teaches at the end of the semester with this phrase, passed on to him from his famed teaching predecessor and personal mentor, Dawn Clark Netsch:
“Now go out there in the real world. But don’t just think about doing something: Do it. No matter how you get involved, get involved. Be on a school board or city council. Be a community organizer. And don’t let any barrier stand in the way.”

Steve teaches this guiding principle to all new members of the NSLAC staff and NSLAC Board of Directors. His leadership style includes a personal touch - he is accessible and inclusive. He meets with new board members, has mentored a board chair, and spearheads the board mentorship program.

Beyond his legal accomplishments, Steve’s commitment to pubic and community service is admirable. His role as Vice President of the Harold E. Eisenberg Foundation demonstrates his compassion for humanity and his dedication to supporting life-saving cancer research and providing resources for individuals and families.

What's one thing you want everyone to know about the community hero?

Steve is an exceptional attorney, community leader, humanitarian, colleague, volunteer, advocate, friend, mentor, and family man who continues to make a significant impact on the legal profession and the lives of those who are fortunate to be touched by his spirit and generosity.

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