Trailblazing Attorney With Historic Family Ties Leaves Lasting Impact at 66

Chicago mourns the loss of a legal trailblazer and daughter of a pioneering mayor, leaving behind a legacy of breaking barriers and fighting for justice.

At a Glance

Kathy Byrne, prominent Illinois trial attorney and daughter of Chicago’s first female mayor, passed away at 66
Specialized in asbestos litigation, winning multi-million-dollar verdicts for clients harmed by asbestos
Second woman elected to lead the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association
Continued her mother’s legacy of public service and leadership in Chicago

A Legal Legacy Forged in Chicago’s Political Crucible

Kathy Byrne, a respected trial attorney and daughter of Chicago’s trailblazing first female mayor, Jane Byrne, has passed away at the age of 66. Her death marks the end of an era for a family deeply rooted in the city’s history and public service. Byrne’s life and career reflected the values of perseverance, dedication to justice, and breaking barriers that her mother instilled in her from a young age.

Raised in the Sauganash neighborhood of Chicago, Byrne’s upbringing was steeped in politics and public service. After earning her law degree from Loyola University, she embarked on a distinguished legal career that would see her become a leading figure in asbestos litigation. As a partner at Cooney & Conway, Byrne built a reputation as a fierce advocate for her clients, particularly those suffering from mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure.

“Her greatest legacy to me was that there is no ceiling,” Kathy Byrne said in a post on the website of her Chicago law firm, Cooney & Conway. “You talk about a glass ceiling, but I’m unaware. I’m sure there probably is one, but I’ve never felt there was anything that I could possibly be prohibited from doing.”

Breaking Barriers and Championing Justice

Byrne’s commitment to justice and equality extended beyond the courtroom. She became the second woman elected to lead the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, using her position to encourage younger women attorneys to pursue leadership roles. Her efforts to promote women in the legal profession were a testament to her belief in breaking down barriers and creating opportunities for others.

“She encouraged a lot of young women attorneys that they could become leaders in the bar. There are a lot of young women attorneys who had been lawyers in recent years but she was very big on saying, ‘Yes, but you can also be significant movers and shakers and leaders in the bar,'” Conway said. “Sure enough, she had a number of people following her.”

Byrne’s passion for justice was perhaps most evident in her work on asbestos litigation. She was a vocal critic of companies that knowingly exposed workers to dangerous asbestos fibers, and she fought tirelessly to hold these corporations accountable.

A Legacy of Public Service

While Byrne made her mark in the legal world, she never strayed far from her family’s tradition of public service. She remained active in politics, co-chairing Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza’s 2019 mayoral campaign and co-hosting a fundraiser for Joe Biden. Her involvement in these campaigns demonstrated her commitment to continuing her mother’s legacy of civic engagement and leadership.

Kathy Byrne was more than a trailblazer for Chicago women in law. She reached out to help countless candidates as they struggled to start their public careers. We have lost one of our best. https://t.co/R0QpCjaZqZ

— Senator Dick Durbin (@SenatorDurbin) August 12, 2024

Byrne’s passing has left a void in Chicago’s legal and political communities. Her dedication to justice, her advocacy for women in leadership, and her commitment to public service serve as an inspiration to future generations of lawyers and civic leaders. As we remember Kathy Byrne, we are reminded of the power of perseverance, the importance of breaking barriers, and the lasting impact one individual can have on their community and profession.