Second Annual Amy Kane Memorial Award
Second Annual Amy Kane Memorial Award
Chicago
March 11, 2024
The Second Annual Amy Kane Memorial Award ceremony held on March 5, 2024, marked a joyful moment at the Chicago office of Hall Prangle and Schoonveld as Molly Pankauskas was honored with this prestigious accolade. As part of her award, Molly also received a monetary stipend for educational pursuits aimed at enhancing her growth as an attorney, perfecting trial skills, or fostering mentorship and leadership.
Established in memory of Amy Kane, an esteemed HPS partner who passed away in March of 2022, the award celebrates her legacy of excellence in practice, alongside her qualities of kindness, empathy, and generosity of spirit. It aims to recognize individuals who embody Amy’s exceptional qualities and strive to enhance their legal abilities.
Marilee Clausing, Managing Partner who worked closely with Amy and works with Molly in Chicago, described Amy as someone incredibly special to work with and who was always willing to give freely of her time, mentorship, and advice. Similarly, she noted that Molly “brings the same kindness, empathy, and mentorship that Amy brought with an equally wicked sense of humor.”
Molly graduated from DePaul University’s College of Law, where she served as Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Health Care Law. Prior to HPS, she worked as a Medical Prosecutor at the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, gaining valuable insight into the administrative and regulatory processes governing physician licensure. Molly specializes in defending medical malpractice claims, bringing valuable insights from her previous roles.
Laura Ginett, a Partner who worked closely with both Amy and Molly, emphasized how deserving Molly was to receive this award, highlighting her incredible attitude and work ethic. “I’ve known Molly a very long time and she is a standout in every respect and I’m a better lawyer from knowing her. The thing that struck me right away working with her was her enthusiasm for what she was doing. It’s extra special that the second award is going to Molly,” Laura said.
HPS colleagues held both Amy and Molly in very high esteem. Tom Comstock, a Partner who has worked alongside the two, regarded Amy as the epitome of excellence in trial advocacy and humanity. He emphasized the prestigious nature of the Amy Kane Memorial Award, noting that Molly shares many of the attributes that made Amy outstanding.
Tom recognized their notable similarities, stating, “Molly shares so many of the attributes and characteristics that made Amy such an outstanding attorney and person. Like Amy, Molly has an unparalleled capacity for hard work. She is always honing her craft, and willing to help out no matter how much is on her plate. Like Amy, remarkably, Molly does it with a heavy dose of wit and humor.”
Molly was deeply honored to receive this year’s Amy Kane Memorial Award, especially considering Amy’s role as one of her mentors early in her career. She strives to emulate Amy’s approach in her practice, describing her as, “Truly one of the brightest minds in our legal community. Her ability to be a fierce advocate for her clients while also being one of the kindest humans was remarkable.”
