The CBA Legislative Committee is charged with structuring and overseeing
the Association's legislative program. The Committee has three
essential functions: (1) consider and make recommendations to the Board
of Managers on legislation drafted by CBA committees for inclusion in
the Association's legislative program; (2) review committee
recommendations for action on all legislation not sponsored by the CBA;
and (3) provide technical research, drafting and informational
assistance to CBA members and members of the Illinois General Assembly.
The Legislative Committee works with legislative liaisons appointed by
CBA and YLS committees to assist them in learning about the legislative
process to maximize the Association's effectiveness.
2023-2024 Executive Officers
Noah J. Graf
Chair
Noah J. Graf is an attorney in general private practice and a former Assistant Counsel to the Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives. He is a past Chair of the Chicago Bar Association's Civil Rights and Constitutional Law Committee and has served on the Legislative Committee since his appointment in 2013. Mr. Graf is a graduate of Loyola University School of Law (J.D.) and of Northwestern University (B.A. - History).
Angela Inzano
Vice-Chair
Angela Inzano is a Policy & Advocacy Specialist working on general civil liberties issues at the ACLU of Illinois. Prior to that, she was the Director of Advocacy & Engagement at The Chicago Bar Foundation. She has been a member of the Legislative Committee since 2015. Angela is a graduate of Loyola University Chicago (B.A.-Political Science & English) and Loyola University Chicago School of Law (J.D.).
Lawrence J. Suffredin Jr.
Lobbyist
Larry Suffredin has been in private practice for a number of years. Mr.
Suffredin has extensive state and federal trial experience. He has
argued appellate cases before the United States and Illinois Supreme
Courts as well as the Second and Seventh Circuits of the United States
Court of Appeals and three of the districts of the Illinois Appellate
Court. Mr. Suffredin has specialized in recent years in a government
relations practice that has included lobbying and administrative work at
the local, state and federal levels. He has represented major
corporations, large business associations, health care concerns,
cultural institutions, professional associations, local governments and
individuals in their interactions with various governmental units.
Tom Suffredin
Lobbyist Assistant
Since beginning legislative work in 2003, Tom Suffredin has experience
in representing clients before both chambers of the Illinois General
Assembly, the Executive Branch and its agencies, the City of Chicago and
various municipalities. A licensed attorney since 2006, Tom Suffredin
specializes in assisting a diverse group of clients in drafting
legislation and shepherding it through the legislative committee
process; monitoring and analysis of proposed and pending legislation;
working with allied groups and individuals to pass or defeat legislative
initiatives; securing appropriations; and serving as clients' general
eyes and ears in the statehouse. Law Offices of Thomas M. Suffredin,
Ltd. Maintains offices in both Chicago and Springfield.
Juli Vyverberg
Government Affairs Liaison
(312) 554-2062
As Government Affairs Liaison at The Chicago Bar Association, Juli is responsible for the planning and implementation
of all legislative activity in conjunction with the Association's
Legislative Committee, Legislative Counsel and Executive Director. As
the key component in the Legislative Committee's efforts to forward its
legislative agenda to both CBA members and the general public, Juli serves as a legislative liaison to all CBA and Young Lawyers Section
Committees, in addition to outside organizations.