The American Bar Association (ABA) has honored Sidley senior counsel John G. Levi with an “ABA Presidential Citation” for his service as board chair of the Legal Services Corporation (LSC). The citation, which was presented to him by ABA President Mary Smith, noted John’s “unparalleled dedication to promoting access to justice as chair of the Legal Services Corporation and ensuring legal aid for those unable to afford representation, elevating the noble pursuit of justice for all.”
John was lauded by the ABA for being a “longtime ally” of the association and its commitment to equal access justice as the current and longest-serving board chair of the LSC. He was appointed by President Barack Obama to the 11-member board and confirmed by the Senate and elected by board members as chair in 2010, commencing his service in this role during the administrations of three U.S. presidents. Notably, John helmed the creation of LSC’s Pro Bono Task Force in 2011, the Leaders Council in 2015, and many other special task forces helping LSC supported programs across the country on numerous civil legal issues affecting low-income Americans, from natural disasters to the opioid crisis. The opioid task force was specially supported by Sidley.
John has been at Sidley for 50 years and is the former co-head of Sidley’s Labor, Employment and Immigration practice. Throughout his career, he has represented major professional and financial services firms, national and multi-national corporations, as well as a host of medium-sized and smaller corporations in employment and labor matters before numerous federal and state courts, government agencies, and arbitration forums.
