A Legacy of Breaking Barriers
Kathy Byrne, daughter of Chicago’s first female mayor Jane Byrne, passed away on August 8, 2023, at the age of 66. A trailblazing attorney and staunch advocate for justice, Byrne’s life was marked by her unwavering commitment to her clients and her family’s political legacy. Her death, caused by complications from surgery to remove a blood clot, marks the end of an era in Chicago’s legal and political landscape.
A Life Dedicated to Justice
Kathy Byrne’s legal career was nothing short of impressive. As a partner at Cooney & Conway, she specialized in asbestos litigation, winning numerous multi-million-dollar verdicts for clients harmed by dangerous products. Her dedication to justice was recognized with accolades such as “Best Lawyer in America” by U.S. News and World Report and a “Top Lawyers in Leadership” award in 2016.
Kathy Byrne, the daughter of former Chicago Mayor Jane Byrne and an influential trial attorney in Chicago has died. https://t.co/UTZ8V4IhHT
— Chicago Tribune (@chicagotribune) August 12, 2024
Byrne’s commitment to her clients was deeply personal. In a post on her law firm’s website, she recalled the moment that changed her career trajectory: “I stayed up until 3 in the morning reading it,” she said about a book on the asbestos industry. “As I read I kept thinking, ‘These companies knew? They did math and figured it would cost them less to kill people than it would be to put in some machines or pay an extra quarter a ton for a different fiber?'” This revelation fueled her passion for representing victims of asbestos-related diseases.
Breaking Glass Ceilings
Following in her mother’s footsteps, Kathy Byrne was a trailblazer in her own right. She became the second woman elected to lead the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association and established a scholarship at Loyola University School of Law, her alma mater. Byrne was a vocal advocate for women in the legal profession, encouraging younger female lawyers to seek leadership roles.
“She encouraged a lot of young women attorneys that they could become leaders in the bar. There are a lot of young women attorneys who had been lawyers in recent years but she was very big on saying, ‘Yes, but you can also be significant movers and shakers and leaders in the bar,'” her law partner Kevin Conway told WBEZ. “Sure enough, she had a number of people following her.”
A Lasting Impact
Kathy Byrne’s passing is a significant loss to the Chicago legal community and beyond. Her tireless advocacy for asbestos victims, her role in breaking gender barriers in the legal profession, and her dedication to preserving her family’s political legacy have left an indelible mark on the city she loved.
As we reflect on Kathy Byrne’s remarkable life and career, it’s clear that her impact will be felt for generations to come. Her story serves as an inspiration to aspiring lawyers and public servants, reminding us all of the power of dedication, perseverance, and a commitment to justice.
