Hon. Fred Foreman Retained as Special Counsel

LEESBURG, VA (September 10, 2014) – The Board of Directors of the Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes (Coalition) announced today the appointment of the Hon. Fred Foreman as its new Special Counsel. Foreman is currently Senior Counsel at Freeborn & Peters LLP, a Chicago-based law firm.

Foreman, who retired as Chief Judge of the 19th Judicial Circuit of Lake County, Illinois, in January, built a reputation as a distinguished litigator during a prior stint at Freeborn for his service as outside counsel on behalf of the State of Illinois v Philip Morris, et al. and as special counsel in representing state officials and state agencies. His experience includes trials involving antitrust, securities, RICO, environmental, constitutional law, civil rights, fraud and murder. Foreman is a veteran of the United States Air Force, having served during the Vietnam War.

“As we continue to evolve our internal and external policies and procedures, particularly in the areas of corporate compliance and governance, we felt it was important to bring in an expert to advise us along the way,” said David Walker, President & CEO of the Coalition. “We couldn’t have asked for a more accomplished or respected professional than Judge Foreman, and we’re so pleased he has agreed to join us as our Special Counsel.”

Foreman was elected Circuit Judge of Lake County in 2004. From 2004-2012, he presided as a Trial Court Judge, until his election by his fellow Circuit Judges as Chief Judge in 2011. He served in that capacity from 2012 to 2014. During this time, Judge Foreman was instrumental in establishing Lake County’s first Veteran’s Court and the Circuit’s participation with the Veteran’s History Project with the Library of Congress. Throughout his career, Foreman has also served as a public defender, a prosecutor and Lake County State’s Attorney. President George H.W. Bush appointed him U.S. Attorney for Chicago in 1990.

He rejoined Freeborn & Peters as Senior Counsel in the firm’s Litigation and Government & Regulatory Practice Groups in March of this year.

“I am delighted to serve as Special Counsel to the Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes, an organization that is doing exceptional work for the thousands of combat-wounded veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan,” said Foreman. “David and his staff have made great strides in their administrative, operational and governance practices over the last two years, and I look forward to helping them build a ‘best-in-class’ operation over the next two years.”

About the Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes

The Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes, based in Leesburg, VA, has provided an invaluable, immediate lifeline to thousands of America’s wounded veterans since its establishment in 2004. The Coalition is distinguished from other veteran-focused organizations by its direct financial assistance to America’s wounded heroes. Its Emergency Financial Aid program has stopped foreclosure proceedings on veterans’ homes and kept their vehicles from being repossessed. The organization regularly provides gift checks to cover meals, medical and utility bills, clothing, car repairs and even baby diapers.