Our Professionalism Spotlight series highlights Illinois legal professionals who demonstrate the ideals of professionalism in their careers.
In this Professionalism Spotlight, we spoke with Howard Ankin, a partner at Ankin Law, the Chicago-based firm he owns with his father and fellow partner, Paul B. Ankin.
Howard focuses his practice on plaintiff’s personal injury and petitioner’s workers’ compensation matters.
Beyond his legal work, he has previously served on the Board of Directors of Chicago Volunteer Legal Services and is actively involved with the American Association for Justice, Illinois Bar Foundation, Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, and his alma mater, University of Illinois Chicago School of Law.
Why did you want to be a lawyer?
My grandfather (my mother’s father) and my father were both lawyers. In my mom’s view of the world, the men in her life were lawyers. I was a lawyer out of the womb.
Whenever I have considered any other profession or business, my thoughts always go to whether I would be able to help people. The thought of not being of service to others always keeps me moving forward in my chosen profession — or the one that was chosen for me.
How do you remain civil in tense situations?
Remaining calm in tense situations is something I have worked on, and will continue to work on, throughout life.
The positive of getting older, and possibly wiser, is I find myself thinking, or even saying out loud, “In times past, I would have lost it over this situation.” The bar for what is a tense situation continues to get higher.
In tense situations, I try to remember that I am the older, ostensibly established lawyer, and not a green lawyer trying to make his way. This grounds me.
What do you do for fun?
I enjoy spending time with family and friends. Any way that I can get to be with them, I will take.
I’m now in my fifth season of golf. It’s a very challenging and addictive sport. I also enjoy tennis.
When I studied for my bar exam, I spent countless hours at coffee shops. In the winter months, a cool coffee shop on a Sunday, reading something educational, I enjoy very much. Some may say that does not sound fun, but I’m a lawyer.
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Our mission is to promote a culture of civility and inclusion, in which Illinois lawyers and judges embody the ideals of the legal profession in service to the administration of justice in our democratic society.
The Commission was established in 2005 under the authority of the Illinois Supreme Court and is governed by Illinois Supreme Court Rule 799.