On Monday, December 13, 2021, the Polish American Police Association (PAPA) held its monthly Southside Chapter meeting in Oak Lawn. At the meeting, PAPA concluded voting for a new executive board. One of the newly elected executive board members is longtime Polish American Police Association member and Rathje Woodward LLC attorney, Daniel J. Szczesny. Daniel and the rest of the board are set to take office on January 1, 2022.
Prior to joining Rathje Woodward LLC, Daniel served as an award-winning municipal police officer for the Village of River Forest for six years. Daniel joined PAPA in 2016 and has played an active role in the organization’s recruitment efforts, events, and general membership. Daniel also brings four years of experience as a former Fraternal Order of Police Executive Board Member and local Union President to Polish American Police Association’s Board. As a union president, Daniel spearheaded contract negotiations and labor/management relations on behalf of his fellow union members.
Daniel was elected to PAPA’s Executive Board as Associate Member Chairman, and his responsibilities will include member recruitment, retention, and expanding the organization’s footprint through effective communications and marketing.
At RW, Daniel’s practice areas include litigation, government law, and labor and employment. Additional information on Daniel’s education and experience can be found here.
Rathje Woodward LLC has been a proud supporter of PAPA, donating to the organization’s annual golf outing and otherwise supporting first responders in need.
Outgoing President Martin Obrecki (Chicago Police) conducted the election which also saw Thomas Sieja (Chicago Police Department), the current Southside Sergeant-at-Arms, elected as PAPA President. In total, five new board members were elected, and three others were re-elected to their positions.
Over the last seven years, PAPA has provided: over $25,000 in educational scholarships, over $21,000 in officer assistance and charitable donations to organizations supporting first responders, over $5,000 in monetary contributions in addition to thousands of collected toys for “Toys for Tots,” and organized an annual coat drive for veterans resulting in hundreds of donations. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, PAPA reached a total of just under 500 members nationally.
Daniel and RW look forward to continuing to play an active role in PAPA and its mission of building better communities locally and nationally through grass roots organizing, charity, and modeling good behavior.
PAPA’s 56th Annual Banquet will soon be held at the White Eagle Convention Center in Niles on May 6, 2022. The banquet is the organization’s premier event, drawing hundreds of attendees from across the state, country, and world each year. Please contact Daniel if you’d like to attend or help to sponsor the banquet.
Rathje Woodward LLC advises clients on a broad range of practice areas, including business law, labor and employment, litigation services, and real estate/land use. If you have questions about how RW can assist you or your business with pressing legal needs, please call the Wheaton, Illinois office at 630-668-8500.
Our online contact form can be found here.
For more information regarding Rathje Woodward LLC’s practice and its attorneys, please visit www.rathjelaw.com.