In honor of historic gift, 25 East Pearson building renamed

Philip H. Corboy makes largest-ever gift to law school

Philip H. Corboy (JD '49), one of the School of Law's most notable alumni and ardent supporters, along with his wife, Mary A. Dempsey, have made the single largest gift in the history of the Loyola University Chicago School of Law.

In honor of the couple's generosity, Mr. Corboy's inspiring career, and his long-standing support of Loyola, the building at 25 East Pearson Street, which currently houses the School of Law, will be renamed the Philip H. Corboy Law Center.

"I am extremely grateful for Phil and Mary's historic gift to the School of Law," says Loyola's President Michael J. Garanzini, S.J. "This gift is an example of their commitment to the Law School's national reputation for educating lawyers who are persons for others. We couldn't be more proud that our facility will carry the Corboy name, which is synonymous with excellence in the courtroom and leadership in the legal community."

"Phil Corboy has been the leading personal injury lawyer in Chicago for more than 50 years," says David Yellen, dean of the School of Law. "He has been a transformative leader in his field and has influenced generations of trial lawyers. It is exciting and appropriate that our building will bear his name, and we are deeply grateful to Phil and Mary for their support."

Philip H. Corboy is a founding partner of the Chicago law firm Corboy & Demetrio and is widely recognized as one of the greatest trial lawyers of his generation. Corboy was the first personal injury lawyer to be elected Chicago Bar Association president, and among the first personal injury lawyers in the country to win a million-dollar jury verdict. He has served as general counsel to the Illinois Democratic Party, Illinois Trial Lawyers Association president, chair of the ABA Section on Litigation, and chair and lifetime board member of the National Institute for Trial Advocacy.

"I received a magnificent education at Loyola's law school that prepared me for a career representing brave and injured people and their families," says Corboy. "Thanks to Loyola, I formed lifelong friendships with respected faculty members and many talented students who went on to become some of Chicago's finest lawyers. My continued involvement with Loyola is a result of my tremendous admiration for its commitment to teaching lawyers how to seek justice and how to help others. My wife and I are privileged to support the law school's mission to educate future generations of great lawyers for Chicago and for our nation."

Corboy is also donating his papers to Loyola, which will be housed in the School of Law’s library. "Phil's papers will be important to scholars for many years," says Yellen. "His career has already been the subject of a book-length study through the American Bar Foundation."

Philip H. Corboy's leadership and generosity has been instrumental in maintaining Loyola's reputation for excellence in trial advocacy. In 1995, Corboy created the Philip H. Corboy Fellowship in Trial Advocacy program at Loyola. As a result of this exceptional program, more than 100 Loyola law students have received scholarship assistance, in addition to some of the best advocacy training in the nation.

A dedication of the Philip H. Corboy Law Center will take place later this fall. The naming gift will be used to support ongoing renovations of the building, new faculty hiring, and student scholarships.