Anthony "Tony" Novak of Urbana passed away Saturday (Feb. 8, 2014) at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago after losing his battle with cancer. He was 63.

Tony is survived by his wife, Amy Fuller; his son, Henry; his mother, Anna Novak-Heller; his brother, Rick; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

A devoted criminal defense attorney, Tony worked to ensure the justice system delivered on its promise of a fair trial.

He was active in the Jewish community, and was a past president of Sinai Temple and the Champaign-Urbana Jewish Federation.

He was passionate about tennis, skiing, bowling, boating, water-skiing and his friends.

He picked up friends across the spectrum and around the country; he collected people, art, funky furniture, toys and experiences.

He loved a good meal at a dive; pie; his mother's cooking; a good ski trip; a long story.

If an argument broke out, or someone voiced a harsh opinion of someone else, Tony's booming voice would interrupt with the solution that pleased the most parties, or made the most sense. He was a mediator of conflicts large and small, and he relied on a strong sense of justice to mete out his decisions.

His house represents him to his friends and family. It's independent, like Tony - outside of town, out of the way. It's colorful, filled with the quirky furniture and art that he collected over the years. It's filled with the memories that show his life was full, even if it ended too soon.

The house, and the woods behind it - the neighbors and family and friends who frequently visited both can go there to remember him.

The United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit is accepting applications from all qualified applicants for the position of Federal Defender for the Central District of Illinois headquartered in Peoria. The Federal Defender provides federal criminal defense services to individuals unable to afford counsel. The courts are an equal opportunity employer.

An applicant should have the following qualifications: (1) a member in good standing in the bar of each state in which admitted to practice; (2) a minimum of five years criminal practice experience, preferably with significant experience in federal criminal defense at the trial and appellate levels, which demonstrates an ability to provide zealous representation of consistently high quality to criminal defendants; (3) the ability to effectively administer the office; (4) a reputation for integrity; (5) a commitment to the representation of those unable to afford counsel; and (6) have demonstrated a commitment to equal justice under the law. Applications can be obtained by accessing the website of the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
at www.ca7.uscourts.gov.

Completed applications are due before the close of business on February 24, 2014, and are to be sent to:

• Collins T. Fitzpatrick
• Circuit Executive
• United States Court of Appeals
• for the Seventh Circuit
• 219 S. Dearborn Street, Rm 2780
• Chicago, Illinois 60604

Are you familiar with the updated Illinois and federal estate and income tax laws? Do you know how to best represent your client before the ICC when a utility files a petition to construct a new transmission line? Do you understand the importance eminent domain has on negotiating compensation during a pipeline easement acquisition? Join us in Bloomington-Normal on February 7th for a fuller understanding of the law and practice affecting these issues, including: whether a credit trust is still viable under the new tax bill; income tax issues, including IRS regulations and court cases as they relate to agricultural pursuits; rapidly deploying high-voltage overhead transmission line easement projects, pipeline easements, and the best ways to negotiate for farm owners’ interests; fracking issues that can arise with long-reach horizontal drilling and modern hydraulic fracturing; changes to the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act; food safety law and food labeling; and new law office technology, social media, and ethical issues to avoid when using social media as an advertising and communication tool.

The program is presented by the ISBA Agricultural Law Section and qualifies for 6.5 hours MCLE credit, including 1.0 hour Professional Responsibility MCLE credit (subject to approval).

Click here for more information and to register.

Keith E. Emmons, a principal at Meyer Capel, in Champaign, has been appointed to the Board of Directors of the Illinois Bar Foundation (IBF), the charitable arm of the Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA).

Emmons concentrates his practice in health care law and litigation services, with an emphasis on health care provider employment agreements, health care transactions, health care regulatory compliance, government investigation defense, hospital medical staff and governmental medical disciplinary issues, risk management and both HIPAA and state medical privacy law-related matters.

Long active in the ISBA, he is a past chairman and current member of its Health Care Law Section Council, and served as an associate editor of the section’s newsletter, and is a member of the ISBA Standing Committee on Legislation. He is a member of the American Bar Association, American Society of Medical Association Counsel, the American Health Lawyers Association, and the Illinois Senate Task Force on Comfort Care for the Terminally Ill. A past president and member of the board of directors of the Illinois Association of Healthcare Attorneys, he has authored numerous articles and is a frequent speaker on health care related legal issues.

Emmons received his J.D. from Loyola University Chicago School of Law in 1974.

The mission of the Illinois Bar Foundationis to ensure meaningful access to the justice system, especially for those with limited means, and to assist lawyers who can no longer support themselves due to incapacity.