For nearly 40 years, Theresa Ceko has been a steadfast presence at the Loyola University Community Law Center Clinic and in the lives of the children and families it serves. From her early years as a clinical professor to her current role as Director of the Community Law Center, Professor Ceko has demonstrated outstanding leadership and commitment to clients, students, and the legal profession.
Professor Ceko has made a lasting impact on her clients’ lives through direct service and groundbreaking programs. An experienced family law litigator, she has tried over 250 cases and supervised over 2,000 students in their handling of cases. She also serves as guardian ad litem (GAL) for minors in contested probate matters. Through her extensive work in the court, Professor Ceko is well-positioned to identify gaps in services to low-income individuals—and she has gone above and beyond to develop creative solutions to these problems. Alongside her students, Professor Ceko developed the Guardian ad litem Project which has resulted in over two thousand minors having a Loyola GAL. She has also laid the groundwork for two additional programs at Loyola, the Veteran’s Practicum and representing Petitioners seeking to be appointed guardians over persons with a disability, commonly the parents of children who have attained the age of 18 through a unique partnership with a Chicago Public High School for disabled students.
A lifelong educator, Professor Ceko’s impact is further magnified by the values and passion she instills in her students. She has mentored generations of law students, teaching them not only courtroom skills but also the power of compassionate, client-centered advocacy. Thanks to Professor Ceko’s guidance, her former students enter the profession with a passion for pro bono and public service. Her students have gone on to shape the profession as legal aid lawyers, public servants, law firm partners, judges, and more. As one person put it, “Her influence extends far beyond her own cases and classrooms; it lives on through the work of her students.”
Professor Ceko has displayed a rare combination of humility and excellence over the course of a remarkable career. As countless clients and students know firsthand, she truly embodies the spirit of the Leonard J. Schrager Award of Excellence.