Paul Homer commenced practicing law in 1951. He is a general practitioner with emphasis on business litigation, securities, and corporate law. He has lectured and written on securities law aspects of real estate financing.
For almost 20 years Mr. Homer has been associated as a volunteer attorney and member of the Executive Committee of Uptown People's Law Center (a neighborhood legal service center for the poor and indigent), staffed by personnel who themselves live in the community. In 1985 he organized a volunteer panel of attorneys within his firm which was the first recipient of the Legal Assistance Foundation First Equal Justice Award for pro bono representation of the poor. In 1996 he was the first recipient of the Lexus-sponsored award given by the Chicago Bar Association for past pro bono services. Since 1992, he has been President of the Law Center. A satellite center at Milwaukee and Ashland serves the increasing needs of the near northwest side's Hispanic community. Until late in 1996, UPLC handled almost 7000 files each year when its office was destroyed by fire. It continues serving the Uptown community from a new office in that area. Most UPLC cases deal with matters that do not create headlines. Rather, they involve cases wherein indigents find it difficult to obtain representation, such as landlord/tenant disputes, unemployment compensation claims and juvenile court proceedings. Some of these cases were argued at the Appellate level and have had a continuing impact.
In addition, for over ten years, he has represented Planned Parenthood Association/Chicago Area in various real estate matters setting up new neighborhood clinics. Mr. Homer summarizes his philosophy by stating "providing free legal service to the poor is a key measure of our society's moral worth."
In recognition of his many years providing legal services to the poor on a pro bono basis, the City of Chicago declared Novermber 7, 2003--Mr. Homer's 80th birthday--to be Paul Homer Day.
In 2005, he was designated a Super Lawyer in the first ever survey of Illinois lawyers conducted by the Super Lawyers rankings, a research project originating with Law & Politics magazine.
Admissions
Memberships
Civic and Charitable
President and Executive Committee, Uptown People's Law Center, a neighborhood legal service center for the poor and indigent
Recipient, Legal Assistance Foundation First Equal Justice Award for pro bono representation of the poor
Recipient, Lexus-sponsored award given by the Chicago Bar Association for past pro bono services
Counsel to Planned Parenthood Association/Chicago Area
EDUCATION
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J.D., Northwestern University School of Law 1951
Order of the Coif^Note Editor, Northwestern Law Review
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B.A., University of Chicago 1947
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