The award, presented August 1 during the ABA Annual Conference in Chicago, highlights Baum’s career-long dedication to the principles of equal justice. Since 1993, he has served as one of the few national law firm partners to focus exclusively on pro bono initiatives, managing a diverse portfolio that spans refugee asylum cases, housing discrimination litigation, and support for nonprofit organizations.
Katten Chairman Gil Soffer credited Baum with transforming the firm’s approach to public service, noting that pro bono work is now a fundamental aspect of the organization’s identity. Among his most notable contributions is the 2013 launch of the Katten Legal Clinic at the Jose de Diego Community Academy, an initiative developed with Legal Aid Chicago that has since assisted over 2,000 clients and served as a model for other major firms in the city.
Beyond his work at Katten, Baum’s professional background includes experience as a staff attorney at the University of Chicago Law School’s Mandel Legal Aid Clinic and service as a legislative aide to Representative Abner J. Mikva. Reflecting on the recognition, Baum emphasized that the award serves as a tribute to the necessity of pro bono advocacy, urging colleagues to prioritize access to justice for those without personal resources. His career has previously been honored by the Chicago Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights and the Public Interest Law Initiative.
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