Dear Members and Friends of the Justinian Society,

Thank you to everyone who attended the Justinian Society of Lawyers’ 2026 Installation & Awards Dinner on Thursday, May 14th, at RPM Events. The evening was a wonderful celebration of our Society’s enduring traditions, shared values, and strong sense of community. I am grateful to all who helped make the event such a memorable and meaningful occasion.

It was truly an honor to be installed as President of the Justinian Society. I extend my sincere appreciation to our Emcee, Dion Davi, who asked me to serve as Secretary during his presidential year. I would also like to thank the Honorable Gloria Coco for swearing me in along with my fellow officers.

One of the highlights of the evening was honoring our Award of Excellence recipient, Chief Judge of Cook County Charles S. Beach II. Chief Judge Beach’s leadership has strengthened the legal community throughout Cook County and beyond. Judge Mary Cay Marubio delivered a thoughtful and heartfelt introduction that perfectly captured Chief Judge Beach’s impact and leadership.

Thank you to Past President Catie Locallo for your outstanding dedication to the Society. Under your leadership, the Justinians achieved the remarkable milestone of surpassing 300 members. Building on your momentum, I hope to continue to grow our membership by expanding our mentorship initiatives, strengthening relationships with our student chapters, and collaborating more closely with the Illinois Italian American Judges Association, the DuPage Justinian Chapter, and many other distinguished organizations.

I look forward to working alongside our distinguished officers for the 2026–2027 term—the Honorable Jill Cerone-Marisie, Michael Grieco, Sarah LeRose, Dominic LoVerde, and William Davy—as we continue to serve and grow the Society in the year ahead.

I am proud to continue a family tradition of service within the Society, following in the footsteps of my father and Past President, the Honorable Robert W. Bertucci. He now serves on my Advisory Council along with Judge Coco and Frank Sommario. Your example of leadership, professionalism, and dedication to the Justinian Society continues to inspire me every day.

Finally, thank you to all of our sponsors, guests, and supporters for celebrating with us and for your generosity. I hope you will remain engaged throughout the coming year as we continue to expand mentorship opportunities, support legal education, and advance the mission of our Society.

The strength of the Justinian Society lies not only in our professional connections, but in the friendships, mentorship, and shared heritage that has united us for generations. Together, we will continue building upon a proud tradition of leadership, justice, and Italian-American pride.

With enduring gratitude,

Michael Bertucci

President, Justinian Society of Lawyers