Lisa T. Scruggs '98 Named to "40 Illinois Attorneys Under Forty to Watch" List by the Law Bulletin Publishing Company

Lisa T. Scruggs, a partner at Jenner & Block, has been named to the Law Bulletin Publishing Company's "40 Illinois Attorneys Under Forty to Watch" list for 2009.

This prestigious annual list, now in its tenth year, honors 40 young Illinois attorneys who have demonstrated "intelligence, passion, scores of successful verdicts, hard work for their clients, a desire to help the community and willingness to work hard at one of the country's most important professions." Ms. Scruggs was chosen from more than 1000 nominees.

In recognizing Ms. Scruggs, the Law Bulletin highlighted her prowess in civil and commercial litigation. It recognized, among other things, Ms. Scruggs' 3-0 record in representing GE Healthcare on high-stakes commercial litigation matters, her successful defense of Sara Lee Corporation against several multimillion dollar putative class actions, and her key role on the Jenner & Block team that recently won two trials for Equity Lifestyle Properties in separate constitutional challenges involving mobile home rent control.

The Law Bulletin also acknowledged Ms. Scruggs' thriving public policy practice. Hailing her as "a recognized authority in education law," the publication noted Ms. Scruggs' role as counselor to a growing list of education clients and her prior service from 2004-2006 as a senior policy advisor to U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, then CEO of the Chicago Public Schools.

Underscoring Ms. Scruggs' commitment to public service and educational reform, the Law Bulletin recognized her groundbreaking pro bono challenge to racial inequity in the State of Illinois' educational funding system, which became the first suit of its kind in Illinois to survive a motion to dismiss.

The publication also recognized Ms. Scruggs' role as Board President of the youth civics organization The Mikva Challenge Foundation, her service on the Board of the Chicago Foundation for Education, and her role as a founding Board member and former Vice-President of the Young Women's Leadership Charter School.