WilliamsMcCarthyLLP is humbled to announce that Thomas S. Johnson, former senior partner, was awarded the Lincoln the Lawyer Award, posthumously, from The Abraham Lincoln Association.
The purpose of the Lincoln the Lawyer Award is to recognize individuals who reflect the characters and ideals of Abraham Lincoln in their legal careers. Johnson was a Rockford native who joined WilliamsMcCarthy after graduation from Rockford University (formerly Rockford College), Harvard Law School and service in the United States Army. He was a recognized expert in estate and trust law, serving with the firm for 46 years up to his death in 2016 at age 73.
Johnson actively served in leadership positions in a wide range of professional organizations in the legal profession, including local, state and national Bar Associations. He worked diligently to improve the delivery of legal services, including to the poor and underserved. As a result, Johnson was selected as a Laureate in the Illinois State Bar Association Academy of Illinois Lawyers, which includes a select group of attorneys who maintained the highest principals of the legal profession as demonstrated by their pervasive record of service to the law and the public.
Johnson was a loyal supporter of education. He served as a trustee and board member for several colleges and academic institutions; served as the President of the Board of American Legion Premier Boys State of Illinois; and served as Chancellor of the Lincoln Academy of Illinois.
“Tom had incredible humor, wit and intellectual depth,” said John Holevas, president of WilliamsMcCarthy. “Lincoln was the source of his many stories. He admired Lincoln and took great effort to preserve his legacy for future generations.”
Holevas received the award on Johnson’s behalf at a ceremony held on February 12 in Springfield, IL, during Abraham Lincoln’s 208th Birthday Celebration.
About WilliamsMcCarthy LLP
WilliamsMcCarthy LLP is a full-service Illinois-based law firm offering a broad array of legal services. Founded in 1932, its practice focus is in the areas of business law, commercial litigation, employment, health care, real estate, wills and trusts, insurance law, personal injury and intellectual property law.