Juan Morado Jr.

Focus, dedication and energy. These are the traits that Juan Morado Jr.’s peers point to when explaining what sets this health-care specialist apart from other Chicago attorneys.

Nominators say that Morado is passionate about every case he tackles. He’s also devoted to his clients and works countless hours to earn them the best possible results. It’s why this young attorney is already recognized as one of the top health-care specialists in the city.

“I have watched him turn what could be considered ‘no-go’ cases into successful outcomes,” said Fernando Grillo of Chicago’s Grillo & Associates. “I am always impressed with the professionalism, reasonableness and skill Juan brings to the negotiation table.”

An example of this skill? When Morado served with the Governor’s Legal Counsel Office, he took on an executive clemency case. Grillo said that Morado recognized the difference this case would make in the applicant’s life and was passionate about reaching a positive outcome for his client.

“Juan knew the complexity of the process and the hurdles,” Grillo said. “With a strong command of the law, policy and human compassion, he guided the process to a positive outcome.”

This isn’t an isolated example of Morado’s legal skills. He has built a reputation as a savvy and talented health-care specialist. He works with hospitals, health systems, physician groups, consulting firms and pharmacies, helping them to remain compliant with regulatory requirements and implement industry best practices. He also has extensive experience working with state and federal agencies. He previously served as general counsel to the Health Facilities and Services Review Board of the State of Illinois before joining Benesch.

Morado has found time, too, to support his profession. He has served as president of the Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois, an organization that Morado helped build into a busy and viable one. In addition, Morado was appointed by Mayor Rahm Emanuel to the Illinois Medical District Commission where he served as vice-president, and he was recently appointed to Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot’s Health and Human Services Transition team. Nominators say that leaders from all walks of life seek Morado’s advice, including those working in the legal profession, candidates for judgeships, those running for the Chicago City Council and those working for the mayor’s and governor’s offices.

“Juan is a man of action who does not just talk about the issues and what is needed,” said Monica Llorente, director of the Children’s Law Pro Bono Project of the Children and Family Justice Center at Northwestern University. “He actually takes the time to develop real solutions and implements them.”

Llorente said that she had never seen any past president of the Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois achieve so much in such a short time. This includes the planning and execution of the State of Latinos Conference to his success in empowering the Latina Lawyers Committee.

Llorente said that when Morado first spoke to her about his desire for more equity and diversity in the Hispanic lawyers association, she wasn’t sure if this young attorney was willing to do what needed to be done.

“He certainly proved me wrong,” Llorente said. “He faced many challenges but took the time to consult with different generations of Latina lawyers to figure out what needed to be done. He didn’t just do what he wanted to do or what he thought should be done. He consulted with community members directly impacted and did what they needed to be done.”