Michael McArdle

Mike McArdle was a great man, a great lawyer, a great guy. He really did make her city, state, and world, a better place by passing through it. Professionally, Mike and I were adversaries. He was on the plaintiff´s side; I was with the defense bar. Whenever I encountered him in a case-and I did quite a number of times- he was always thoroughly prepared, and engaged in a personal way for his clients. He fought for them, respected them. He was tough, skilled, smart, savvy, powerful, convincing. And, at the same time, always fair and honest. He always operated with the highest standards of ethical behavior. "Once a Marine, always a Marine." "Semper Fi." Always faithful to his clients, his beloved wife, his family, his country, his Code, and his faith - and without the least smidgeon of sanctimony, pomposity, or phoniness. There was always a "freshness" to Mike. Being with him was like being in the fresh air. There was an authenticity in him impossible to miss. You knew he was "The Real Thing." Judges knew it; juries knew it; even adversaries like myself knew it. He was a "100%-er." No wonder his professional colleagues (and we´ve always had some of the best in the business in Chicago!) elected him as President of our Illinois Society of Trial Lawyers. Although we were on opposite sides, we became friends. I always had the highest respect for him as a lawyer, and as a man- a real, genuine human being. Let me put it this way: when I was rammed as a pedestrian in the crosswalk at Adams & State by a wild left-turning car, the first person I called - while in the Fire Department ambulance being taken to the hospital - was Mike McArdle -even before calling home! I knew he would take care of me - and he did! Mike was nothing but real. He was a real trial lawyer, a real American patriot, a real family man, and a real Catholic. He didn't look for honors, accolades, or front row seats at the Church. He just lived it. Few people were more generous than Mike. Few people believed in God or Our Lady more than Mike - or is the best ideals of the USA -and few people were more willing to fight and sacrifice for all that. There was no question about which "pronouns" applied to Mike. There was never any doubt that they were always "HE" and "HIM." In a crisis or a fight, he was the guy you would want on your side. I was privileged to be a friend of Mike McArdle. As I said at the beginning, we are all better off because he passed through our world.

I met Mike once briefly years ago, but knew him best from listening to tales from mutual friends over the decades.They always spoke of him with affection and respect. I felt like I knew Mike through those conversations. May this extraordinary and highly principled man now know God´s presence, and may you who miss him know endurance as you mourn, and healing. Peace.