Board Member Biographies
James Burton, President
James Burton is a founding member of OCI. His passion for the children stems from representing abused, neglected and dependent children in the Cook County Juvenile Court system since 1992. Prior to the Public Guardian’s Office, he managed a dormitory facility for 30 disabled adults. He also managed a group home for 4 young adults with Autism. He graduated from John Marshall Law School in 1991. At present, Jim works in the Citation Unit of the Public Guardian’s Estates Division, recovering stolen property for disabled and elderly victims.
Jessica Haspel, Vice-President
Jessica Haspel has worked for the Cook County Public Guardian’s Office as a lawyer and guardian ad litem representing foster children in abuse and neglect proceedings since April 2004. She graduated from Stanford Law School in May 2003. During her law school career, Jessica interned at the American Bar Association Center for Children and the Law, researching policy issues related to the child welfare system; the Children’s Law Center of Massachusetts, assisting lawyers providing direct legal services to indigent youth; and Bingham McCutchen, conducting legal research and writing as a summer associate in the firm’s litigation practice. In addition, Jessica graduated summa cum laude from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University in June 1999. Jessica is a founding member of OCI.
Alpa J. Patel, Treasurer
Alpa Jayanti Patel is a Supervising Attorney at The Office of the Cook County Public Guardian (OPG). Alpa joined the office in 1994 as an entry level attorney, and has advocated for abused, neglected, and dependent children in various capacities throughout the years. Alpa received her undergraduate degree from the University of Chicago, and her Juris Doctorate from Loyola University Chicago School of Law. Prior to joining the OPG, Alpa clerked with the Legal Assistance Foundation of Chicago and volunteered at Apna Ghar, a domestic violence shelter serving primarily Asian women and children. As a founding member and Treasurer of Our Community of Illinois, Alpa is proud to be a part of a fledgling organization committed to bettering the lives of Illinois’ foster children.
Todd Kooperman, Board Member
Todd Kooperman has been a lawyer and advocate for foster children since 2005. He graduated from University of Wisconsin Law School in 2004 and from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2000. Prior to becoming a lawyer for children, Todd was employed as a Domestic Violence Victim Advocate with the Champaign County State's Attorney's Office where he assisted individuals with orders of protection. Todd also worked for University of Illinois and University of Wisconsin as a Sexual Assault Educator, speaking to students about sexual violence and its impact. Personal accomplishments include earning his wings upon graduation from Space Camp, hiking the John Muir Trail in California, and creating over 100 mediocre works of "art". Todd also has a large sea-glass collection. Looking for sea glass is quite relaxing. Todd recommends it to everyone. Todd is a founding member of OCI.