For Ted Helwig BA ’77, legal aid has been a central part of life for decades. Recently, he was honored as the 2024 Champion of Justice from Legal Aid Chicago, celebrating his years of service.

Helwig graduated from North Park University with majors in history and mathematics. He said he chose North Park because it was “known, comfortable, and got me back to Chicago after spending a large portion of my childhood there.”

He went on to law school at Loyola University Chicago, worked as a law clerk for a federal judge, and then as an assistant United States attorney. Later, Helwig became a partner in the litigation department at Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP, from which he retired in early 2022 after 32 years.

Alongside his legal career was his tenure with Legal Aid Chicago, focused on civil matters for those unable to afford representation. During Helwig’s 15 years on the board, Legal Aid made considerable changes, such as expanding its services and centralizing its operations to downtown Chicago.

Helwig received the 2024 Champion of Justice award from Legal Aid Chicago.

Another significant move was creating Legal Action Chicago, a separate nonprofit, to pursue activities Legal Aid is barred from engaging in, such as class action lawsuits and lobbying. Helwig said one of their recent critical cases involved advocating for property owners subject to forced real estate sales because of delinquent taxes.

In addition to his extensive legal career, Helwig served 25 years on the board of a food pantry that North Park Covenant Church formed. Though the pantry has moved several times and is now independent, it’s still in the same neighborhood under the name The Friendship Center.

Since retiring from his full-time law career, Helwig makes a point of working there at least one day a week—hands-on.