CARPLS is gearing up for our 2017 Golden Gavel Celebration! This year's gala event will be held Tuesday, May 16 at the InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile and we are delighted to honor Gloria Santona, who served as the Chief Legal Officer of McDonald's Corporation and worked at the company for 40 years before retiring in March.

Ms. Santona, who will receive the prestigious Golden Gavel Award, earned her Bachelor of Science from Michigan State University and is a Cum Laude graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. She joined McDonald's legal department straight out of law school and worked her way up the corporate ladder before being named general counsel in 2003.

CARPLS selected Ms. Santona as our Golden Gavel Award recipient because of her extensive commitment to providing access to justice to those most in need.

Under her leadership, McDonald's highly structured pro bono program greatly expanded, with attorneys, paralegals and administrative staff providing numerous hours of free services through a variety of legal and social service organizations. Program participants now help low-income individuals become homeowners, assist the elderly with living wills and powers of attorney, aid the poor in obtaining food benefits, and much more.

Ms. Santona herself has volunteered with the National Immigrant Justice Center's U visa program, which helps victims of crime and domestic violence victims to apply for asylum. She serves in leadership roles in many organizations, several of which focus on pro bono work.

"We are thrilled to have Gloria Santona as the 2017 Golden Gavel recipient," says Al Schwartz, Executive Director. "The timing of our event enables us to honor her both for a most distinguished career that has spanned 40 years and for her dedication and commitment to providing pro bono legal services for low-income families and individuals."

Pauline Levy, McDonald's Corporation's Pro Bono Coordinator, reflects on Gloria's dedication to pro bono during her tenure at McDonald's:

"Gloria was a steadfast supporter and champion of our Pro Bono program. She volunteered, encouraged others to participate and advocated for our program at all levels of the Department and the Company. Under her leadership, our program has provided legal assistance to hundreds of low-income individuals in difficult life circumstances and has become a model for the Chicago legal community. Our program will continue to grow and be strong and none of it would have been possible without the foundation that Gloria helped to lay."

Help CARPLS and the Chicago legal community celebrate Gloria Santona's long time commitment to serving others by purchasing tickets or sponsorships to the Gavel Celebration. Click here for more information or contact Tanya Pietrkowski at tpietrkowski@carpls.org or 312.421.4014.