By: Hon. Debjani Desai
Last Fall, the WBAI joined the Decalogue Society of Lawyers to proudly host the Third Annual Salute to Veterans in the Legal Profession, an event that has quickly become one of our most meaningful traditions. Against the backdrop of the Chicago Police Department’s Pipes and Drums, attorneys, judges, scholars, service members, and their families gathered to honor those who have served in the United States Armed Forces and who continue to embody that spirit of service through their work in the law.
This year’s program carried special significance, as it commemorated the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II and the Nuremburg trials, an inflection-point in global history and the development of modern international law. The evening featured a compelling keynote lecture by John M. Geiringer, Illinois Holocaust and Genocide Commission appointee and Partner at Barack Ferrazzano. His presentation underscored how the trials reshaped legal thinking, introduced enduring principles of accountability, and set the groundwork for contemporary human rights jurisprudence. His remarks resonated deeply with the audience, particularly given the dual-service roles many honorees hold as both veterans and officers of the court.
Throughout the program, attendees reflected on the uncommon path of those who have worn the uniform and later entered, or returned to, the legal profession. The event highlighted the discipline, leadership, and ethical commitment that veterans bring to the practice of law, and it recognized the many invaluable contributions they make to advocacy and community leadership.
As our profession continues to confront questions of justice, democracy, and the rule of law, the service and sacrifice of these individuals stand as enduring reminders of the values that guide both military and legal service. This year’s program was more than a commemoration; it was a reaffirmation of gratitude and a renewed commitment to uphold the principles that so many have fought to defend.
This article was originally published in the WBAI Winter 2026 Newsletter on page 39.