Our Hero as well: Chuhak & Tecson’s Loretto Kennedy honored with “My Hero Award” from Lawyers Lend-A-Hand to Youth

Setting an example, leading the way and guiding those who follow in her footsteps are all second nature for Loretto Kennedy. As the oldest of 10 kids, she has served as a de facto mentor, teacher and cheerleader for others her entire life. While Loretto’s nine siblings may think of her as just their loving big sister rather than a “hero,” countless others won’t hesitate to apply that label to the accomplished attorney, principal and general counsel at Chuhak & Tecson, P.C. That’s because Loretto has spent decades putting her heart and soul, time and effort into helping young people learn, grow and thrive.

In recognition of just one of her many such endeavors, Loretto has recently been honored by Lawyers Lend-a-Hand to Youth as the recipient of their annual “My Hero Award,” bestowed upon attorneys for their contribution to tutoring and mentoring programs. The award will be presented during the organization’s 2025 Spring Awards Celebration on Thursday, April 3, at the Four Seasons Hotel, Chicago.

Lawyers Lend-A-Hand to Youth channels the legal community’s resources to promote one-on-one mentoring and tutoring programs to support Chicago youth. It is honoring Loretto this year for her more than 10 years of service as a “Mentor Angel” at Imerman Angels, which provides free one-to-one support to cancer fighters, survivors and caregivers.

Through its unique matching process, Imerman Angels connects individuals seeking cancer support with a “Mentor Angel” — a cancer survivor or caregiver who is as similar as possible in age, gender and, most importantly, cancer experience. The service is absolutely free and helps anyone touched by any type of cancer, at any cancer stage level, at any age, living anywhere in the world.

In addition to the mentoring and support she provides to Chicago youth and those impacted by cancer, Loretto also manifests her prodigious sense of service through her work raising up women in the legal profession. Loretto was a founding member of and continues to be a driving force behind Chuhak & Tecson’s award-winning Women Helping Women program. For more than 15 years, this groundbreaking initiative, designed exclusively by women, for women, has fostered professional empowerment and strengthened bonds among women professionals while partnering with nonprofit organizations to provide resources and expand opportunities for women throughout Chicagoland.

Chuhak & Tecson congratulates Loretto for her well-deserved honor as a recipient of the “My Hero Award” and are proud of all that she has done to help others overcome obstacles and achieve their goals. She is our hero as well.