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  • January 4, 2017 | People
    Jonathan Cavins and Rachel Stern named to partnership

    Brennan Burtker is pleased to announce that Jonathan E. Cavins and Rachel S. Stern have been named partners at the firm.

    Jonathan E. Cavins concentrates his practice in civil litigation, with an emphasis on medical liability defense and commercial litigation. He has extensive experience representing hospitals, medical groups, and physicians in all phases of litigation, including pre-suit investigation, all aspects of discovery, dispositive motion practice, and multiple jury trials to verdict.  He has won summary judgment or dismissal for his clients on numerous occasions. He also has extensive experience representing large and small businesses as both plaintiffs and defendants in commercial litigation and employment disputes dealing with issues of breach of contracts, tortious interference with business relationships, failure to pay wages, breach of restrictive covenants including non-disclosure, non-compete and non-solicitation agreements, and misappropriation of trade secrets. Additionally, Mr. Cavins counsels his commercial clients regarding the drafting and implementation of business and employment agreements. 

  • January 4, 2017 | People
    David J. Slawkowski 1950-2016

    David J. Slawkowski, 66, of Fairhope, Ala. and formerly of Arlington Heights, Ill., passed away on December 1, 2016 in Mobile, Ala.

    David was born in Chicago to Loretta (Guminski) and Edward Slawkowski on September 18, 1950. He graduated from Mendel Catholic High School in Chicago in 1968, and from the University of Notre Dame in 1972. He married his wife Penny (Al-Greene) in 1972, and they resided in Cambridge, Mass. while David completed law school at Harvard University, graduating in 1975. After law school, they moved to Arlington Heights, Ill. which remained their home until 2010, when they moved to Fairhope, Ala.

  • January 4, 2017 | People
    Jack Samuel Ring 1932-2016

    Jack Samuel Ring died peacefully in Chicago on November 20, 2016, surrounded by family. He was the beloved husband of Hazel Gitlitz Ring and was predeceased in 2001 by his late wife, Susan Ring; loving father of Joshua (Melissa), Scott (Marina), step-father of Scott (Angela) and Jamie Gitlitz; cherished grandfather of Sydney, Jolie, Alex and Levi Ring, and Rachel and Jessica Gitlitz; loving brother of Miriam (late Walter), Norman (Bea) and the late Ida and Leonard; devoted son of the late Abe and the late Rose Ring.

  • January 3, 2017 | People
    Mark Rust named Vice-Chair of Barnes & Thornburg

    Barnes & Thornburg LLP has announced that Mark Rust, managing partner of the Chicago office, has been elected as vice chair of the firm. Three Chicago partners also have been re-elected to the management committee.

    For more than 15 years, Rust has overseen growth in the Chicago office that has attracted experienced lawyers from large Chicago firms and brought new clients and a broader perspective to the practice of law in the office. In 2016 alone, nine partners were hired in the Chicago office, which now numbers more than 100 attorneys.

  • December 20, 2016 | CLE
    CLE: ISBA Basic Skills Live – For Newly Admitted Attorneys

    Complimentary Program for ISBA Members in the first 5 years of practice!


    New attorneys....did you know that your first year of membership with ISBA is free and automatic? Jump start your new Illinois legal career by attending this outstanding Basic Skills professional responsibility course in Chicago on January 20, 2017 that’s designed to equip you with the information you need as a new Illinois attorney, as well as help you begin to fulfill your Illinois Supreme Court Newly Admitted Attorney requirement (S. Ct. Rule 793). Our faculty of high-profile attorneys and judges offers insights, tips, and advice on the issues you face in your practice. The program closes with an in-depth look at the questions you need answered and issues you need help with as a new attorney. Attire is business casual.

  • December 19, 2016 | Practice News
    Supreme Court Justice Anne Burke announces vacancy in second subcircuit of Cook County

    Illinois Supreme Court Justice Anne M. Burke has begun an application process for a judicial vacancy in the Second Subcircuit of Cook County.

    The vacancy was created by the resignation of Circuit Judge James L. Rhodes. Judge Rhodes had served as a judge since 1996. His resignation took effect December 6, 2016.

  • December 19, 2016 | ISBA News
    ISBA offices closing during holidays

    The ISBA Springfield and Chicago offices will be closed for the holidays beginning Thursday, December 22 at 3 p.m. The offices will reopen on January 3, 2017.

    On behalf of the ISBA staff, we wish you all happy holidays and best wishes in the new year.

  • December 13, 2016 | People
    Greensfelder expands intellectual property practice in Chicago with addition of attorney Todd S. Parkhurst

    The law firm Greensfelder, Hemker & Gale, P.C. is pleased to announce that attorney Todd S. Parkhurst has joined the firm as Of Counsel and a member of the Intellectual Property Practice Group in Chicago.

    Most recently a partner with Hughes Socol Piers Resnick & Dym, Ltd., in Chicago, Mr. Parkhurst has more than 40 years of experience in litigation, transactions and counseling in patent, trademark, copyright and trade secret law. Previously, he created and led the intellectual property practices in Chicago at the law firms Jenner & Block, Schiff Hardin and Holland & Knight LLP. 

  • December 13, 2016 | People
    Maureen Maffei joins Ice Miller LLP

    Ice Miller LLP is pleased to announce that Maureen Maffei is joining as of counsel, on Jan. 1, 2017. The addition brings the Firm’s Illinois presence to approximately 45 attorneys. The attorneys will join Ice Miller from The Coman Law Group, P.C., which was formerly known as Coman & Anderson, P.C.

    “Having worked together in a close-knit firm, these attorneys join us with a commitment to client service that’s consistent with Ice Miller’s core values,” said John Burke, a managing partner of Ice Miller. “Their extensive backgrounds and experience brings value to clients who rely on our Business, Tax, Real Estate and Employment and Immigration groups. And for current clients of The Coman Law Group, we believe they will find the same highly effective legal representation they have enjoyed at Coman—but now with a broader array of services.”

  • December 12, 2016 | People
    John J. Cassidy, Jr. 1925-2016

    John J. Cassidy, Jr., (Jack) of Naples, FL, Curraheen, Count Kerry, Ireland and formerly of Chicago, IL passed away peacefully on November 9, 2016. He was born December 7, 1925 to Margaret Fitzgerald Cassidy and John J. Cassidy. He is survived by his wife of 57 years Marilyn (nee Gariepy); loving father of John (Susie), Megan Walls and Mark (Pam). Loving Grandfather to Kaitlin Cassidy, Victoria and Christopher Walls, and Caroline, Claudia and Megan Cassidy. Brother of Mary Cassidy Burns (the late John), the late Margaret Cassidy Burns (the late Bart) and Barbara Cassidy DeSmet (Harry). Beloved uncle to many nieces and nephews.