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Chicago Area

  • April 7, 2017 | People
    Larry Oldfield 1944-2017

    E. Lawrence "Larry" Oldfield, 72, passed away March 18, 2017. Larry was born December 21, 1944 in Lake Forest and was raised in Brooklyn, NY.

    He attended Long Island University and Wheaton College. He joined the U.S. Army and served in the 3rd Missile Battalion, 21st Artillery Regiment, where he earned the nickname "Barney" as the Colonel's driver. He received his B.A. in political science from Northern Illinois University and became a Federal Agent for HUD before enrolling at DePaul University Law School in Chicago.

    Larry was as an attorney for Ruff & Grotefeld, Ltd., The Hartford Fire Insurance Company as general counsel in the Livestock Department for 10 years, and in 1987, started his own firm, E. Lawrence Oldfield & Associates, in Oak Brook. He then founded Oldfield & Fox, P.C. in 2000. Since 2015, Larry was of counsel, for Stock, Carlson, Oldfield & McGrath LLC. Larry defended litigation cases involving cattle rustling and the sale or purchase of stolen or mortgaged livestock in 26 states and 19 federal jurisdictions, including the U.S. Supreme Court. He was involved in 15 reported appellate cases in the United States, including one that was heard by the U.S. Supreme Court. He was the preferred legal counsel in the United States for the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA), and an annual speaker at their conference. He held the highest peer review rating (AV-Preeminent) from Martindale-Hubbell.

  • April 7, 2017 | People
    Hon. John Darrah 1938-2017

    John Darrah, age 78, devoted husband, loving father of five, loving stepfather of five, proud grandfather of nineteen, and doting great-grandfather of three, passed away peacefully at his home March 23, 2017. Born on December 11, 1938, on Chicago's south side, Jack was the eldest son of Paul and Adele Darrah.

    Following his graduation from Mt. Carmel High School, Jack went to Loyola University where he graduated with a degree in philosophy. Jack attended night school while working at the Chicago pipeyard. He graduated from the Loyola University Chicago School of Law in 1969. He served as an attorney for the Federal Trade Commission from 1969 to 1971. From 1971 until 1973, he was a deputy public defender for the DuPage County Public Defender's Office. Jack was a DuPage County assistant state's attorney from 1973 until 1976. Then, Jack went into private practice at Ryan & Darrah. In 1986, Jack was elected to serve in the State Court, assigned to the Chancery Division of the 18th Judicial Circuit, DuPage County. Jack served in this capacity until 2000, when he was appointed to the United States Federal District Court for the Northern District of Illinois by President Bill Clinton. In addition to his time on the bench, Jack served as an adjunct professor at Northern Illinois University College of Law and The John Marshall Law School. Jack remained active in the legal community mentoring countless attorneys throughout their careers.

  • April 6, 2017 | CLE
    CLE: 16th Annual Environmental Law Conference

    Don’t miss ISBA’s 16th Annual Illinois Environmental Law Conference in Chicago on May 4-5, 2017!

    Once again, this two-day premier conference features annual updates on agency activities and priorities in Illinois and the Region presented by top representatives from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, and the Illinois Attorney General’s Office. In addition, you won’t want to miss the lively two-hour professional ethics session on “Identifying and Resolving Ethical Issues Arising in Environmental Law” and a new plenary session on “Carbon-Sequestration Technology.” Attendees will also learn about the latest hot topics in environmental law from leading practitioners, including: the evolving regulation of lead in drinking water; federal, state, local, private, and non-profit sector response to the legal and political dynamics of carbon; watershed-level pollution reduction strategies; the public and private rights of Lake Michigan shores; understanding how pharmaceuticals and personal care products are contaminating the environment and the legal developments surrounding this issue; how two recent federal developments may impact the management of hazardous materials and chemicals; what to do after buying an environmentally-impacted property; the ongoing issues with “The Clean Water Rule and the “waters of the United States”; techniques to enforce the RCRA air emission standards; and much more!

  • April 6, 2017 | People
    Ward Phelps Fisher 1925-2017

    Ward Phelps Fisher, 91, a fifty year resident of Oak Park, died peacefully on March 22, 2017. A lifelong Chicagoan, Ward was born May 26, 1925.

    In his youth, he was president of his class at McKinley High School and an Eagle Scout. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps in WWII and served as a lieutenant. He received his B.S. in political science from Northwestern University and his J.D. from the University of Chicago Law School in 1952. He was a passionate defender of truth, justice, and freedom ,and fought in the courts and in life for social justice and individual and civil rights. He practiced law in the state of Illinois for more than 60 years.

    Ward married his high school sweetheart, Rita Guerrieri, who was an educational psychologist, in 1947. He is survived by daughters Joan Carroll (Rick) of Alexandria Township, NJ; Lynn Fisher (David Kundla) of Austin, TX; Karen Fisher of Chicago; grandchildren Lindsay, Chelsea, Giancarlo and Margarita and great grandson Griffin.

    A memorial visitation will be held on Thursday, April 6, from 4 - 8 p.m. at Drechsler, Brown & Williams Funeral Home, 203 S. Marion St. in Oak Park. A memorial service will be held on Friday, April 7, at 4 p.m. at First United Church of Oak Park, 848 Lake Street.

  • April 3, 2017 | People
    John J. Caulfield 1931-2017

    John J. Caulfield J.D., age 85, of Oswego passed away on Monday, March 13, 2017, at his home. He was born on November 3, 1931 in Chicago, the son of John Patrick and Margaret (Noonan) Caulfield. John was united in marriage on April 11, 1953 to Rosemary D'Ambrosio. During their 63 years together John was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, and uncle who will be deeply missed by his family and many friends.

    John was a 1954 graduate of Loyola University Chicago and a 1959 graduate of the Loyola University Chicago School of Law. He practiced law in Chicago for over 50 years. John was a Chicago attorney for Workmen's Benefit Fund of U.S.A., the former general counsel, Catholic Order of Foresters, and the former Outside Consulting Attorney to COF. He was a member of the Law Committee of NFCA, the Illinois Bar Association, the Kane County Bar Association, the Association of Fraternal Benefit Counsel, and former member of the Northwest Suburban Bar Association. John was the former secretary and treasurer of the Little Brothers-Friends of the Elderly National Board and president of Chicago Little Brothers-Friends of the Elderly. John served his country as a member of the United States Army from 1952 to 1954. He was a longtime member of St. Anne Catholic Church in Oswego, where he was chairman of the Administration Commission. John was a past Grand Knight - Damen-Hildebrand Council #650 Knights of Columbus. He was also an active supporter of the Misericordia Home in Chicago, IL.

  • March 31, 2017 | People
    Candice M. Kane 1948-2017

    Candice Marie (Candy) Kane, 68, of Springfield, passed away on Friday, March 3, 2017 at her home.

    Candice was born August 6, 1948 in Mamaroneck, NY, the daughter of Gregory and Velma Marie Sammarco Kane. She married Carol Corgan on May 8, 2014 at Garfield Park Conservatory in Chicago.

    Candice obtained her bachelor's degree from Wheaton, a women's college in Connecticut, attended Northwestern University, where she earned her Ph.D. in psychology, and later obtained her juris doctorate from Northern Illinois University. She worked as the executive director of the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority until 2004, and retired in 2014 from University of Illinois at Chicago, Cure Violence, where she was C.O.O. Her career was devoted to social justice and ending violence. She loved work and her family of colleagues.

    Candice was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Greg Kane. She is survived by her spouse, Carol Corgan of Springfield, and her cousin, David "Skip" Sammarco of White Plaines, NY, who was a favorite childhood friend.

  • March 31, 2017 | People
    James F. Ashenden, Jr. 1925-2017

    James F. Ashenden, Jr., a 3rd generation Chicagoan, age 92, died surrounded by loving family on March 18, 2017. Beloved husband of Phyllis Ashenden for 11 years and the late Mary Jane “Janie” Ashenden for 55 years, who died in 2004. Loving father of Tom (Beverly), John (Maureen), Bob (the late Georjann), Bill (Beverly), Dan (Mary), and the late James Ashenden, III. Proud grandfather of Katie, Sean, Dana (Tyler Smith), Catherine (Joe) Bozikovich, Helen (Evan) Gremillion and Patricia, Daniel Burke and Emily Jane; and great grandfather of Riley Ann. Devoted brother of the late Dorothy (the late Robert) Brice.

    Jim graduated from Loyola Academy and attended Notre Dame University while in the U.S. Navy Air Corps program during World War II. He received his bachelor’s degree and juris doctor degree from Loyola University. Jim was a World War II Navy pilot. He then started his legal career at the Cook County Public Defender’s Office. He went into private practice at O’Keefe, O’Brien & Hanson as an associate and eventually became a partner with the firm, then renamed O’Keefe, Ashenden, Lyons & Ward. As a devout Catholic, he was retained by the Daughters of Charity. He proudly represented them throughout most of his career. Jim was highly respected and went on to become a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers. Jim retired from O’Keefe, Ashenden, Lyons & Ward when he was 70 years old. 

  • March 31, 2017 | ISBA News
    2017 Class of Laureates Honored for Upholding Highest Principles of Law

    The 2017 Class of Laureates Induction took place on Thursday, March 30, 2017, at a luncheon held at the Standard Club in Chicago.

    This year, the Academy of Illinois Lawyers, founded in 1999 to enhance the honor and dignity of the Bar of Illinois, recognized nine lawyers as Laureate Award recipients. Selected by the Board of Regents, these nine individuals — ISBA members who have practiced law primarily in Illinois for at least 25 years — have distinguished themselves by exemplifying the highest ideals of the profession. They are beacons to others who seek to uphold the highest standards in the practice of law.

    Thursday’s luncheon began with a welcome reception, giving Laureate Award recipients and their family, friends, and colleagues an opportunity to socialize and network with other attendees. The reception was followed by lunch and the award ceremony.

    During the ceremony, award recipients took the stage. One by one, the nine recipients were introduced to the audience. Each Laureate stood during his or her introduction, as career highlights and notable professional accomplishments were presented. ISBA President Vincent Cornelius then awarded each recipient with a medal to honor their record of service to the law and public.

    This year’s recipients are among the 111 lawyers who have been selected for the award since its inception in 1999.

    Congratulations to the 2017 Class of Laureates!

  • March 29, 2017 | CLE
    CLE: Winding Down Your Practice

    If your long and distinguished law career is winding down – or you’re just trying to plan ahead for your future retirement days – then you won’t want to miss this half-day seminar in Chicago on April 21, 2017 that gives you the basic information you need to plan every step before walking away. Attorneys who attend this seminar will learn: how to prepare a succession plan; how to protect clients if the unfortunate should occur; why adding tail coverage to your professional liability policy is a must; what it means to be “of counsel”; and things to consider before selling your practice. Please join us after the seminar for drinks and hors d’oeuvres to help celebrate the ISBA Senior Lawyers Section’s tenth anniversary!

    The seminar is presented by the ISBA Senior Lawyers Section and qualifies for 3.50 hours MCLE credit, including 3.50 hours PMCLE credit (subject to approval).

    Click here for more information and to register.

  • March 29, 2017 | People
    Thomas Joins Quintairos, Prieto, Wood & Boyer as Of Counsel

    Juan R. Thomas is of counsel to Quintairos, Prieto, Wood & Boyer, P.A. and the founder and principal of The Thomas Law Group. Mr. Thomas’s practice includes the following specialties: real estate/estate planning, labor and employment, and family law. In addition, Mr. Thomas provides counseling and training to firm clients in areas involving personnel, collective bargaining, and business development matters. Mr. Thomas is the president-elect of the National Bar Association (NBA) and will be sworn in as the 75th president of the NBA in the summer of 2017 during the Association’s 92nd Annual Convention in Toronto, Canada.

    The National Black Lawyers: Top 100 includes Mr. Thomas on its Top 100 Lawyers list, an honor given to only a select group of lawyers for their superior skills and qualifications in the field. Membership in this exclusive organization is by invitation only, and is limited to the top 100 attorneys in each state or region who have demonstrated excellence and have achieved outstanding results in their careers. Mr. Thomas’s selection was based upon his performance as an exceptional lawyer in the practice area of matrimonial and family law in the state of Illinois.