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Central Illinois

  • September 24, 2014 | ISBA News | Events
    ISBA Task Force on Law School Curriculum hearings set for Champaign, East Peoria

    The Illinois State Bar Association's Task Force on the Impact of Law School Curriculum and Debt on the Future of the Profession will hold seven open hearings throughout the state. The Task Force was established by President Richard D. Felice and is chaired by Hon. Ann Jorgensen, Justice of the Second District Appellate Court. ISBA members are encouraged to attend these hearings to discuss the core skill sets that new lawyers should have and how law schools can graduate more “practice ready” lawyers.

    Those who provide comments should focus on:

  • September 23, 2014 | People
    Hon. Garry William Bryan 1953-2014

    Judge Garry William Bryan, 6th Judicial Circuit, 60, of Clinton, passed away peacefully on August 21, 2014, at Evanston Hospital surrounded by his family. His heroic fight to overcome a long illness is a testament to his love for his family, friends, and his work.

    Garry was born on October 8, 1953, in Harvey, Illinois, the son of George W. and Helen Bryan. He is survived by his beloved wife: Joyce; son: Jason Bryan and partner Michele Carroll; son: Jeremy Bryan and wife Amber; precious granddaughters: Mackenzie and Marley Bryan; brother: Corey Bryan and wife Lorraine Gallagher; and numerous much-loved family and friends.

    He was preceded in death by his parents.

    He began his childhood in Harvey, IL and moved to Naperville, IL where he met Joyce, the love of his life, in high school. They married in 1975.

    Judge Bryan received his bachelor’s degree in English from Lewis University and his law degree from John Marshall Law School. His career included working for the Public Defender’s Office, the State’s Attorney’s Appellate Service Commission, and serving as a clerk for Judge A. G. Webber. He spent the majority of his career in law practice with Ray and David Moss. Ultimately, he became the DeWitt County Circuit Judge.

    Garry was an avid fisherman, epicurean, connoisseur of fine wine, and gardener. He loved growing orchids, faceting gemstones, and prided himself in preparing gourmet meals for his friends and family.

  • September 18, 2014 | People
    Walter W. Winget 1936-2014

    Walter W. Winget, 77, of Peoria, Ill., passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 16, 2014, at his home, surrounded by many of his loved ones.

    He was born Sept. 12, 1936, in Peoria, Ill., the son of Walter and Arabella (Richardson) Winget. He married Alice (Bagdade) Winget on Sept. 23, 1995, in Ann Arbor, Mich. She survives.

    Also surviving are his loving children, Marie Winget, recently of Richmond, Va., and Marshall (Carol) Winget of Kirkland, Wash. He also was blessed with loving stepchildren, Vicki (Chuck) Lantz of Saint Charles, Ill., and Julie (Dan) Machock of Venice, Calif.; and two grandchildren, Nathan Winget and Benny Machock.

    Walter was preceded in death by his parents.

    1 comment (Most recent September 18, 2014)
  • September 11, 2014 | Practice News
    Geisler appointed associate judge in 6th Circuit

    Michael J. Tardy, Director of the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts, announced today that the Sixth Judicial Circuit judges voted to select Jeffrey S. Geisler as an associate judge of the Sixth Judicial Circuit.

    Mr. Geisler received his undergraduate degree in 1982 from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale and his Juris Doctor in 1986 from Memphis State in Memphis, Tennessee. Mr. Geisler is currently affiliated with Geisler Law Offices in Decatur.

  • September 10, 2014 | People
    Kurt Paul Froehlich 1943-2014

    Kurt Paul Froehlich, 71, of Champaign, Illinois, passed away at 11:02 a.m. Friday, August 22, 2014, at Champaign-Urbana Nursing & Rehab, Savoy, Illinois.

    A funeral Mass will be celebrated at noon on Friday, September 5, 2014, at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 405 W. Clark St., Champaign, Illinois 61820, with the Reverend Father David Sajdak officiating. Burial will be in Roselawn Cemetery, Champaign, with military rites by American Legion Post 71. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to noon at Holy Cross Catholic Church.

    Kurt was born on March 23, 1943, in Moline, Illinois. He was the son of Dr. Kurt P. and Loris J. Barrett Froehlich. He married Bonnie J. Froehlich on August 27, 1966, who died January 1, 2009.

    He is survived by a son, Kevin Paul Froehlich of Phoenix, Arizona. He married Peggy Ann Sancken Smith on July 31, 2010, in Pontiac, Illinois. She survives.

    Also surviving is one brother: Jeff E. Froehlich (Karen), Jackson, Michigan; one sister: Paula Bennett (Rik), Placentia, California; and many nieces, nephews and great-nieces and -nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents.

    He was a member of Holy Cross Catholic Church, Champaign.

    Kurt was a partner in the Champaign law firm of Evans, Froehlich, Beth & Chamley, where he concentrated his practice in public and municipal finance and local government law. Kurt was an expert on local government law, municipal finance and taxation.

    He counted as friends and colleagues scores of municipal attorneys and officials from across the state and nation and served as a mentor to many.

  • September 8, 2014 | Practice News
    Illinois Supreme Court annouces judicial vacancy in 6th District

    Chief Justice Rita B. Garman of the Supreme Court of Illinois has begun an application process for a Circuit Court vacancy in the Sixth Judicial Circuit.

    The DeWitt County resident circuit vacancy is created by the death of Judge Garry W. Bryan. Judge Bryan had served as a resident circuit judge in the Sixth Judicial Circuit since 2008.

    Under the Illinois Constitution, the Supreme Court holds the authority to fill interim judicial vacancies until the next General Election. The application process will lead to final Court approval. The applicants will undergo an evaluation and screening process.

    Notice of the vacancy has been posted in courthouses throughout the Circuit. The application form and instructions may be obtained by visiting the Supreme Court’s website at www.illinoiscourts.gov and following the instructions in the “Latest News” scroller announcing the Sixth Judicial Circuit vacancy. Applications must be submitted by mail to:

  • August 27, 2014 | Practice News
    Historic Illinois Supreme Court Building reopens after 13-month restoration

    The Illinois Supreme Court Building officially re-opened to the public Wednesday after a 13-month restoration. View our photo gallery of the restoration at iln.isba.org/gallery

    The Court building has been closed since June 2013 when major work began on the historic building for the first time in nearly a century.

    The building was constructed in 1906 and is eligible for inclusion on the National Historic Register. While the building was closed, the Supreme Court met during its regular terms in Chicago. It returns to begin its September 2014 term on Monday, Sept. 8.

    The year-long project included restoration and preservation of the public spaces, courtrooms, library and support spaces. Offices, storage and work areas were updated for improved efficiencies in the digital and electronic age.

    Major mechanical, heating, cooling, plumbing, and ventilation systems were replaced with installations to provide consistent humidification levels for the long-term maintenance of the historic ele-ments within the building. Technology enhancements included three new High Definition cameras permanently installed in the Supreme Court Courtroom and connected to a commercial grad production video switcher. The new video recording system will allow the Court's oral arguments and courtroom events to be recorded in a standard HD format and usable via download by the commer-cial media. As well as viewed by the public.

    1 comment (Most recent August 28, 2014)
  • August 20, 2014 | People
    Hardin joins Bozeman, Neighbour, Patton & Noe, LLP

    The law firm of Bozeman, Neighbour, Patton & Noe, LLP is pleased to announce that Daniel F. Hardin has joined the firm as an Associate.

    Daniel graduated magna cum laude from the University of Illinois College of Law in 2012. While in law school, Daniel was the Managing Editor for the Journal of Law, Technology and Policy. Daniel received the Rickert Award for Excellence in Legal Writing, one of the College's highest honors. Daniel is originally from Portland, Oregon and graduated magna cum laude from Portland State University in 2007.

    Prior to joing the firm, Danield worked as a judicial law clerk for Justice Mary W. McDade of the Illinois Appellate Court. He also served as a volunteer attorney at a legal aid clinic in Rock Island. Daniel is licensed in Illinois and will sit for the Iowa Bar examination in July of 2014. Daniel is engaged in general practice with a focus on litigation.

    Bozeman, Neighbour, Patton and Noe was founded in 1954 by Virgil Bozeman and has been located in the 5th Avenue Building in downtown Moline since its founding. The firm also has offices in Davenport and Cambridge.

    The firm now consists of 11 partners, 2 associates and 4 of counsel attorneys. BNPN provides consistent, professional and quality representation for its many clients in Western Illinois and Eastern Iowa.

  • July 29, 2014 | People
    Butler appointed resident circuit judge of Schuyler County

    The Illinois Supreme Court announced Monday the appointment of Associate Judge Scott J. Butler of the Eighth Judicial Circuit as a resident circuit judge of Schuyler County.

    Judge Butler was appointed to fill the resident Circuit Court vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Alesia A. McMillen on August 1, 2014. The appointment is effective August 4, 2014 and will expire December 5, 2016 when the position will be filled by the 2016 General Election.

  • July 14, 2014 | Practice News
    Steadman appointed Resident Circuit Judge of Macon County

    Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice Rita B. Garman announced Monday the appointment of longtime Associate Judge Timothy J. Steadman to Resident Circuit Judge of Macon County in the Sixth Judicial Circuit.