Northwestern Pritzker School of Law Honors Seven Distinguished Alumni

For the seventh year, several esteemed Law School alumni were given the honor for their work and achievements in law.

The awards and recipients are:

Distinguished Alumni Award

James D. Oelschlager (JD ’67)

The Distinguished Alumni Award is given annually to an alumnus or alumna for extraordinary achievements in their chosen profession. Jim Oelschlager, a past recipient of the Bert A. Polsky Humanitarian award, is being recognized for his esteemed career as Founder of Oak Associates and his strong philanthropic involvement as founder of the Oak Clinic for Multiple Sclerosis. Oelschlager is an incredibly generous and influential supporter of Northwestern Law student scholarships.

Distinguished Alumni Award

G. Flint Taylor, Jr (JD ’71)

The Distinguished Alumni Award is given annually to an alumnus or alumna for extraordinary achievements in their chosen profession. Flint Taylor, Jr. is being recognized for his outstanding career as a founding partner of the Peoples Law Office in Chicago, which is dedicated to litigating civil rights, police violence, government misconduct, and death penalty. He is also being recognized for his transformational and dedicated service in partnership with the Bluhm Legal Clinic.

Dawn Clark Netsch Award for Public Service

The Honorable Sidney I. Schenkier (BSJ ’76, JD ’79)

The Dawn Clark Netsch Public Service Award is given annually to an alumnus or alumna for their exceptional career achievements and dedication to government service or public interest. Judge Sidney Schenkier is being recognized for his distinguished career as a federal magistrate judge for the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. During that time, Judge Schenkier served on the Court’s Executive Committee as an ex officio member. He is also adjunct faculty at Northwestern Law.

Daniel B. Rodriguez Alumni Club Excellence Award

Michelle Wong (JD ’12)

The Daniel B. Rodriguez Alumni Club Excellence Award, founded in 2018, honors an alumnus or alumna who exemplifies a commitment to philanthropic and volunteer support enhancing the vibrancy of the Law School alumni community. Michelle Wong is being recognized for her outstanding leadership in the Global Alumni Engagement Program since its inception. As co-chair for the Law Alumni Club of Boston, then as chair of the Law Alumni Club of San Francisco, she is a true ambassador for the Law School and we are grateful for her dedicated involvement. Michelle is currently an attorney at a large global law firm where her practice advises the asset management industry. She was recently shortlisted by Chambers as a “Future Leader” for her commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion in the legal profession.

Volunteer Service Award

Christopher J. Lind (JD ’94)

The Volunteer Service Award is given annually to an alumnus or alumna for extraordinary service to the Law School. Chris Lind has an outstanding record of service to Northwestern Pritzker School of Law, including his invaluable leadership as chair of the Bluhm Legal Clinic 50th Anniversary celebrations, his service as co-chair of the Bluhm Legal Clinic Advisory Board, and his involvement in the Northwestern Law Board, reunion committees, and more. Chris is a trial lawyer at Bartlit Beck, where he handles high-profile commercial litigation throughout the country.

Emerging Leader Award

Sandra Abrevaya (JD ’16)

The Emerging Leader Award is given annually to an alumnus or alumna who has graduated from Northwestern Law in the last ten years, for their extraordinary professional achievements. Sandra Abrevaya is being recognized for her achievements as President and Chief Impact Officer at Thrive Chicago and as Co-Founder of I AM ALS. Previously, she served as education policy director in the office of Mayor Rahm Emanuel, associate communications director in the Obama White House, and press secretary to US Secretary of Education Arne Duncan.

International Alumni Award

Mirna R. Torres (JD ’99)

The International Alumni Award is given annually to an alumnus or alumna for helping to expand the international footprint of Northwestern Pritzker School of Law. Mirna Torres is a Foreign Service Officer with the U.S. Department of State who has spent her career working on migration issues, labor trends, human rights, elections, trafficking in persons, humanitarian needs in conflict zones, and refugee issues. She was awarded an Equal Justice Works Fellowship and established the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Immigration Project.