Reflecting on Tom Yates’ Tenure as Executive Director at Legal Council for Health Justice

As Legal Council for Health Justice celebrates the retirement of Executive Director, Tom Yates we are filled with gratitude for his commitment to our work. Tom served as Executive Director for nearly a decade but spent most of his 40-year career as a public interest attorney.

We sat down with Tom to gain deeper insights into his journey, his hopes for the future, and the excitement surrounding the appointment of Julie Justicz as the incoming Legal Council Executive Director.

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Q: Tom, as Executive Director you have been part of many changes and successes at Legal Council. What do you consider your most significant achievement during your tenure?

A: I’m proud of the growth that we’ve had over the last 9-10 years, in building the staff and having the capacity to deliver services to more people and to take on bigger types of projects.

The public charge litigation that our team worked on is a perfect example of that. Because we were experienced in these areas, we had the expertise to go in, file a lawsuit against the federal government, and prevail on that. We were able to create a type of framework so people could do those kinds of pieces of work here and that has meant a lot to me.

Q: Fighting for our client’s rights is the essence of this work. Throughout your years of working directly with clients, is there one client story that has remained particularly memorable for you?

A: It is hard to think of just one client. I have favorite clients who I still stay in touch with, and I have lunch with occasionally. But I’m always moved by people who are just facing challenges that none of us have had to face, and the way that they’re able to keep themselves together and keep fighting.

I can think of lots of examples where we represented medically fragile technology-dependent kids. What those kids were going through – and what their families were going through – with very little help from the state still amazes me. I was very happy that we took on work to try to get a little bit more assistance from the state in providing home services for those kids and those families.

 

Q: Indeed, our legal teams face formidable challenges. While combating systemic barriers, what do you find energizes you and gives you hope for the future?

A: Boy, it sometimes seems like we are in hopeless times right now, but I feel like I have been saying that since November 5, 2016. I think what gives me hope is that we continue to have people coming in and doing this work. I think we also have made great strides in getting communities to get involved on their behalf and fighting for their rights. Chicago is a great example of a city that has a lot of issues, and a lot of problems, but we’re all still trying to make this a better place to live.

There’s kind of a collective spirit there that I think helps energize me. I would say the same thing about the state of Illinois. We’ve made tremendous strides here. I realize sometimes its two steps forward, and one-step back, in providing health insurance and access to healthcare for everyone in this state. But I agree that the moral arc of the universe is bending towards justice. So I feel like we just have to keep fighting.

 

Q: Speaking of energy and hope, you have known Julie Justicz for many years. What excites you the most about her taking on this position?

A: I think Julie is just an amazing individual; she has been a legal services lawyer for many years. She has done the kinds of work that everyone at our organization has done, so she comes in here understanding what the legal work entails, what the challenges are, and what the emotional tolls of doing this work are. She also has a strong background in development and nonprofit governance and knows how to run nonprofits. She has worked with great people. She’s going to bring new enthusiasm and vision to Legal Council and I think the agency will be stronger in the long run for having Julie come in as our new Executive Director.

I am excited to have Julie here, and it also goes back to my sense that change is good in nonprofits. It is hard to sustain a vision and energy sometimes so bringing in new leadership can help reinvigorate an agency and make it stronger as we move forward. I think Julie is exactly the right person to do that, and again, we have a wonderful staff here, we have great people! I see Julie coming in and adding to that mix, and helping keep Legal Council strong for another 36 years moving and even more.

 

Q: As you look forward to the future, what are your plans for retirement?

A: I am still trying to figure that out, but I have some travel. I have a long list of projects and books I want to read. My mother is 90 and I think I will spend some time out in California with her. Not very exciting, but just stuff that I will be happy to have time to do.

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All of us at Legal Council are grateful to Tom for his leadership and commitment to our work; and for his belief in the enduring power of advocacy and compassion. As we welcome Julie Justicz as our incoming Executive Director, our commitment to our clients and to this work continues. We are dedicated to our mission of championing justice, equity, and a healthier future for all.