Professor Lawrence "Larry" Schlam

Lawrence “Larry” Schlam, 72
Lawrence “Larry” Schlam, 72 of Kingston, Illinois died on Saturday, March 7, 2015, at the University of Wisconsin Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin. He was born October 24, 1942 in Brooklyn, New York to Emanuel & Lillian Schlam. He graduated in 1959 from the prestigious Stuyvesant High School in New York City. He went on to earn his undergraduate degree at City College of New York and law degree at New York University School of Law. He enjoyed a successful legal career that spanned nearly 50 years.

At the time of his death, Larry was a Professor of Law at Northern Illinois University College of Law where he spent the last 41 years. He taught State Constitutional Law, Juvenile Law, Criminal Law, Legislation, Professional Responsibility, Civil Rights Litigation, and Civil Procedure. Larry thrived in the areas of pro bono service and juvenile justice throughout his career, and served as the NIU Law Director of Pro Bono Initiatives since 2010. He developed and coordinated numerous pro bono programs in the community to work on behalf of persons with limited means while providing students the opportunity to gain practical legal experience under his supervision.

Considered an expert source, Larry was appointed by former Governor Pat Quinn to the Illinois Guardianship & Advocacy Commission, which protects and enforces the rights of individuals with mental illness, developmental disability, or physical disability. He was recently appointed to the Illinois State Bar Association’s Child Law Section Council, and re-appointed as Professor/Reporter to the Juvenile Justice Committee of the Illinois Judicial Conference. Over the years, he has chaired or been a member of numerous committees including the Illinois State Bar Association Section Council on Individual Rights and Responsibilities, DeKalb County Juvenile Court Mediation Panel Project (Director), Safe Passage Board of Directors, and the Cook County Legal Assistance Foundation Board of Directors.

During his distinguished career, Larry litigated several federal civil rights cases concerning police misconduct, sex discrimination, education, and wrongful discharge of public employees. He was counsel to several law reform and legal aid programs. He also served brief stints at DePaul University School of Law, Northwestern University School of Law, and Benjamin Cardozo School of Law in New York. He authored numerous books, book chapters, articles; and presented at conferences around the country.
Larry is survived by his daughter Lisa Rodriguez Schlam and cousin Judith Schlam.

A Celebration of his life will be held from 5 to 8 pm, on Thursday, April 9th at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, 1860 S. Mulford Rd., Rockford, IL, with a service starting at 7 with Rabbi Binah Wing officiating. Arrangements by Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory. 1860 S. Mulford Rd., Rockford, IL. 61108 -Online condolences may be made to the family at www.Fitzgeraldfh.com