View our wrap up video from this incredible night!
THE HBAF CELEBRATES ITS 75TH ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP BALL
The Hellenic Bar Association Foundation, the charitable arm of the Hellenic Bar Association of Illinois, hosted its 75th Annual Scholarship Ball on November 1, 2025 at the Hilton Oak Brook Hills Resort.
The theme of this year was “Celebrating Our Legacy, Empowering Our Future” and it was truly an extraordinary, record-breaking evening marked by remarkable generosity, unity, and pride in our Hellenic legal community. Thanks to our dedicated sponsors and supporters, we raised a record number of sponsorships and scholarships, allowing us to award an incredible $80,000 in scholarships to nine outstanding recipients from a highly competitive pool of applicants.
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING THE 75TH ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP BALL!
On behalf of the Hellenic Bar Association Foundation, and the Officers & Directors, we extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who joined us in celebrating the 75th Annual Scholarship Gala, our Diamond Jubilee.
The theme of this year was “Celebrating Our Legacy, Empowering Our Future” and it was truly an extraordinary, record-breaking evening marked by remarkable generosity, unity, and pride in our Hellenic legal community. Thanks to our dedicated sponsors and supporters, we raised a record number of sponsorships and scholarships, allowing us to award an incredible $80,000 in scholarships to nine outstanding recipients from a highly competitive pool of applicants.
We were honored to celebrate our distinguished 2025 Honorees — Taso Pardalis, Hellene of the Year; Tina Manikas, Lifetime Achievement Honoree; Jimmy Samartzis, Visionary Impact Honoree; and Tinos Diamantatos, Lawyer of the Year — each of whom exemplifies the dedication, leadership, and service that define the ideals of the Hellenic Bar Association.
VIEW PHOTOS FROM THE GALA!
OUR HONOREES
HELLENE OF THE YEAR
TASO PARDALIS
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
TINA MANIKAS
LAWYER OF THE YEAR
TINOS DIAMANTATOS
VISIONARY IMPACT AWARD
JIMMY SAMARTZIS
2025 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
LAWYER OF THE YEAR AWARD
The HBA would like to congratulate our past and current Lawyers of the Year.
Lawyers of the Year are awarded annually at the Scholarship Ball.
Tinos Diamantatos
2025
Matina Kolokotronis
2024
Perry Siatis
2023
Harry J. Secaras
2022
Joan Tolios Berg
2021
Georgia Loukas Demeros
2020
Eleni Kouimelis
2019
Angelo Spyratos
2018
Maria Z. Vathis
2017
Nicholas C. Syregelas
2016
Brian P. Liston
2015
Hariklia “Carrie” Karis
2014
HELLENE OF THE YEAR AWARD
The HBA would like to congratulate our past and current Hellenes of the Year.
Hellenes of the Year are awarded annually at the Scholarship Ball.
Taso Pardalis (2025)
Alex Pissios (2024)
Chris Atsaves (2023)
Leonidas Platanias, MD, PhD (2022)
Andrew Limouris (2021)
John G. Manos (2020)
Paula Fasseas (2019)
John C. Kocoras (2018)
Robert A. Beuhler, Phihellene of the Year (2017)
John S. Koudounis (2016)
Mariyanna T. Spyropoulos, Tribute to Ted Spyropoulos (2015)
Michael S. Poulos (2014)
Frank S. Kamberos (2013)
Dr. George K. Bovis (2012)
Congressman John Sarbanes (2011)
Constantine M. Zografopoulos (2010)
Peter Parthenis (2009)
John L. Marks (2008)
Eleni Bousis (2007)
Demetrios Logothetis (2006)
His Eminence Metropolitan Iakovos (2005)
Chris P. Tomaras (2004)
John P. Vranas (2003)
Honorable Dorothy Kirie Kinnard & Honorable Themis Karnezis (2002)
Dr. Mary Dochios Kamberos (2001)
Honorable Adeline J. Geo-Karis (2000)
Andrew A. Athens (1999)
Anthony A. Nichols (1998)
Honorable Louis G. Apostol (1997)
Peter Fasseas (1996)
Honorable Charles P. Kocoras (1995)
Honorable Samuel Maragos (1994)
James Thomas Demos (1993)
Alec K. Gianaras (1992)
