Corboy & Demetrio Partner Edward G. Willer receives Lifetime Community Service Award
Corboy & Demetrio Partner Edward G. Willer received a Lifetime Community Service Award from the North Suburban Bar Association (NSBA) on Oct. 1, 2026, at the group’s Annual Installation and Recognition Dinner.
“Leonard Ring, Phil Corboy, Tom Demetrio, and Flip Corboy have all been great mentors to me in my legal journey,” Edward said during his acceptance remarks.
Ed joined Corboy & Demetrio in 1994 after working for the late Leonard Ring, who was a contemporary of Philp H. Corboy. In addition to his success in the courtroom, securing millions in verdicts and settlements for clients, Ed is equally as proud of his community and civic work.
“Like many of us, I started out as a law clerk. In fact, I was Leonard Ring’s first law clerk. One of the earliest lessons I learned from Ring occurred on my first Thanksgiving Day as a clerk. We were working on an appellate brief in the office library. As the office building was officially closed, there was no heat on and very little lighting. I watched Leonard work all that day and then realized that what lawyers do is not an occupation, but a profession,” Mr. Willer said.
“That same professional zeal further developed throughout my years at Corboy & Demetrio. Phil Corboy, Tom and Flip provided me with an opportunity to hone my legal skills and get involved in the legal and civic communities,” he stated.
Ed is a longtime member and supporter of the Knights of Columbus, serving as the registered agent for the entire state of Illinois. He currently serves as Secretary of the Illinois Supreme Court Minimum Continuing Legal Education Board. From 2012-2023, Ed served on the Illinois Supreme Court Committee on Character and Fitness. As a longtime active member of the American Association for Justice (AAJ), Ed served on its Stalwarts Committee from 1999-2023 and on its Hall of Fame Committee from 2000-2023.
“My work experiences with Leonard Ring and at Corboy & Demetrio have, over the decades, reaffirmed that what we do as lawyers is not about us, but rather how we better the lives of our clients and enhance our communities,” Mr. Willer said.
“We all need to be mentors to the next generation of lawyers. Legal knowledge and life experiences only become valuable if they are shared,” he added.
