Chicago Gala Honors Corboy & Demetrio Partner for Long Record of Public Service

A local lawyer recognized on the big night

At a downtown Chicago gala on December 12, 2025, Conrad Nowak, a partner at the law firm Corboy & Demetrio, received the Chicago Sister Cities International Volunteer of the Year Award. The honor singled him out for steady, hands-on work in neighborhoods across the city — from free legal clinics to neighborhood revitalization projects. The award drew community leaders, nonprofit partners and colleagues to celebrate the kind of civic effort that often happens behind the scenes but changes lives in visible ways.

Why this award matters in the city

The Volunteer of the Year Award is given by Chicago Sister Cities International, a nonprofit that builds connections between Chicago and cities abroad while supporting local community programs. The group looks for people who donate time, bring people together and create projects that last. Winners typically have years of volunteer service and a record of working with diverse groups — schools, shelters, cultural groups and civic boards.

In Chicago, the award is seen as a stamp of community impact rather than a ceremonial title. Recipients are chosen for work that complements public services, often stepping in where city budgets or attention fall short.

From courtroom to community rooms: Nowak’s path

Nowak joined Corboy & Demetrio more than a decade ago and rose to partner after building a busy civil litigation practice. In court he represents clients in serious personal-injury cases; outside court he has focused on making legal help accessible to people who cannot afford it.

His volunteer work includes running monthly pro bono clinics offering free legal guidance, setting up a neighborhood tenant-rights workshop series, and organizing a coalition that refurbishes community centers. He also serves on the board of a local youth program that teaches job skills and civic engagement.

Colleagues say Nowak brings the same discipline he uses at the firm to community projects: clear planning, steady follow-through and a willingness to involve junior lawyers so the work can keep going. That practical approach helps transform short-term charity into programs that survive staff changes and funding cycles.

Voices from the Gala and what people said

At the ceremony, the executive director of Chicago Sister Cities International praised Nowak for “quiet persistence” and for turning small acts into lasting programs. “Conrad doesn’t join a cause for a headline,” she said. “He builds the scaffolding so others can step in and keep the work moving forward.”

Nowak told the crowd he sees volunteering as part of being a neighbor. “Helping people navigate the legal system is about dignity, not just paperwork,” he said. “If we can give someone a chance to keep their home or find steady work, we’ve done something real.”

For community groups, the recognition matters because it draws attention and resources. Nonprofit leaders at the gala said the award helps highlight partnerships that multiply the impact of legal services and civic programs.

Gala details, next steps and media contact

The gala was hosted by Chicago Sister Cities International at the Chicago Cultural Center on December 12, 2025. Organizers said this year’s event raised funds for international exchange programs and local service projects tied to sister-city partnerships. Planned follow-ups include expanding the tenant-rights workshops and recruiting more volunteer lawyers to staff clinics.

Corboy & Demetrio provided a firm statement noting pride in Nowak’s work and confirming the firm will continue supporting his community projects through pro bono hours and volunteer recruitment.

For press inquiries or more information, contact Corboy & Demetrio Media Relations at [email protected] or (312) 555-0123.

Sources

• prnewswire.com