Michael J. Freed Honored With Torch of Learning Award
On September 7, 2005, more than 250 American Friends gathered for a gala dinner at the Fairmont Chicago Hotel as the Torch of Learning Award was presented to Michael J. Freed. Michael, a partner at the Chicago firm of Much Shelist Freed Denenberg Ament & Rubenstein, P.C., is a nationally respected litigator with 30 years' experience in class action and complex antitrust, securities, commodities and commercial fraud matters in federal and state courts throughout the U.S. He has served as counsel for plaintiffs in some of the country’s largest class action settlements and judgments.
A member of the National Board of Directors of American Friends of The Hebrew University and president-elect of its Chicago Chapter, Michael has been integral to the success of AFHU’s local activities. "To me, education is the lifeblood of future generations. The Hebrew University is synonymous with education in Israel," Freed said. "Support for The Hebrew University is one of the finest investments anyone can make in Israel’s future."
The event, co-chaired by Harvey J. Barnett and Todd S. Lundy, featured HU president Professor Menachem Magidor, who presented the award, and keynote speaker Saul Levmore, the Dean of the University of Chicago Law School. Several distinguished Illinoisans served as honorary co-chairs, including Senator Richard Durbin, Governor Rod Blagojevich, Chicago mayor Richard M. Daley, and Michael D. Belsky, the mayor of Mr. Freed’s hometown of Highland Park, Illinois. In recognition of the occasion, Mayor Belsky proclaimed September 7 as "Michael J. Freed Day" in that city.
