Cozen O’Connor and Chicago-based Meckler Bulger Tilson (MBT) are pleased to announce their respective partners have agreed to a combination of 60 attorneys from MBT with Cozen O'Connor. Upon completion of the transaction, together with Cozen O'Connor’s existing attorneys in Chicago, the firm will have 60 attorneys in Chicago and 15 attorneys in San Francisco.
Chicago Area
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April 23, 2015 |
Practice News | People
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April 22, 2015 |
People
Lawrence Schlam, 72 of Kingston, Illinois died on Saturday, March 7, 2015. Born October 24, 1942, in Brooklyn, New York to Emanuel & Lillian Schlam, he graduated from Stuyvesant High School, City College of New York and New York University School of Law.
At the time of his death, Larry was a Professor of Law at Northern Illinois University College of Law and its Pro Bono Director. Larry came to Chicago as a young VISTA volunteer lawyer; he began and ended his career serving the neediest.
He was appointed by former Governor Pat Quinn to the Illinois Guardianship & Advocacy Commission, served on the Illinois State Bar Association's Child Law Section Council, and was the Professor/Reporter to the Juvenile Justice Committee of the Illinois Judicial Conference. Professor Schlam litigated myriad civil rights cases involving police misconduct, sex discrimination, education, and wrongful discharge. A prolific writer and speaker, he also led a law-student doo-wop group called "The Schlamtones."
Larry is survived by his daughter, Lisa Rodriguez Schlam; and cousin, Judith Schlam.
Services have been held. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.Fitzgeraldfh.com
1 comment (Most recent April 23, 2015) -
April 22, 2015 |
People
Don Banta gave a gift to his family and historians by writing down his vivid memories of serving in World War II, including being in the middle of Operation Varsity, the largest airborne assault in a single day in military history, when 17,000 Allied paratroopers rained down from the skies over Germany on March 24, 1945. Nearly 3,000 of them would die.
Mr. Banta made it through the hellish fighting. He lived to be 89 and went on to become a respected Chicago labor lawyer. He died at Weiss Memorial Hospital March 30 after suffering a stroke.
Daredevil war correspondent Robert Capa jumped with Mr. Banta’s 513th Parachute Infantry Regiment in the Army’s 17th Airborne Division. He “hit the ground very close to me. Capa calmly went on shooting pictures in the middle of all the firing,” Mr. Banta said in his memoir.
At one point, he was so close to Gen. George S. Patton, he could see the general’s famed ivory-handled revolvers. He wasn’t a fan of the pugnacious Patton. Echoing dialogue from the George C. Scott film about the commander, Mr. Banta wrote, “He is called ‘Blood and Guts’ for a reason. But it has been the regiment’s guts.”
He also recalled the marrow-freezing misery of the Battle of the Bulge.
In Germany, Mr. Banta said, the “Displaced Persons” used as Nazi slave labor rose at night, like avenging ghosts, from underground coal mines they lived in. They inflicted nocturnal retribution on their former captors by killing cows and vandalizing property.
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April 22, 2015 |
People
DuPage family law attorney Don Pesce is proud to announce the opening of Pesce Law Group, P.C.. The DuPage County law firm will assist clients from three convenient office locations in Naperville, Oak Brook and Burr Ridge.
The family law firm’s main office is located in Naperville, IL. Pesce Law Group, P.C. will represent clients throughout DuPage County with numerous family law matters including, but not limited to: divorce, child support, child custody, high net worth divorce, paternity, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements.
“I am excited to announce the opening of Pesce Law Group. I look forward to expanding my practice throughout DuPage County while continuing to focus on the specific needs of every client,” says Managing Partner Don Pesce.
DuPage County divorce lawyer Don Pesce received his J.D. from the IIT/Chicago-Kent College of Law in 2005. He serves as a Court-approved Guardian ad litem for the 18th Judicial Circuit in DuPage County. Pesce is also Court-approved in DuPage County to serve as a Mediator to resolve custody and visitation matters.
1 comment (Most recent April 23, 2015) -
April 20, 2015 |
People
Justice Mary Jane Theis and the Illinois Supreme Court on Monday announced the appointment of veteran Oak Park attorney William B. Sullivan as Cook County Circuit Judge in the Eleventh Judicial Subcircuit.
Mr. Sullivan, a longtime resident of the Eleventh Subcircuit, was appointed by the Court to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Susan Zwick. The appointment takes effect June 11, 2015 and will terminate Dec. 5, 2016, when the position is filled by the 2016 General Election.
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April 20, 2015 |
CLE
Don’t miss this opportunity to update your knowledge on a number of key criminal law areas, including pre-trial motions, pleas of guilty, jury selection, and more. Criminal defense attorneys, general practitioners, assistant state’s attorneys, and assistant public defenders with all levels of practice experience who attend this seminar in Collinsville on May 1, 2015 will better understand: how successful attorneys use strong opening/closing arguments and direct/cross examinations to convince the judge and jury of their client’s innocence; the new amendments moving through the Illinois legislature; the pre-trial issues that can arise in your next criminal court case; how to properly present plea agreements and avoid claims of ineffective assistance of counsel; how Sixth Amendment law continues to be impacted as a result of Crawford v. Washington; how to develop good relationships with your clients; the importance of successful jury selection; how to properly preserve your trial and/or hearing for appeal; and much more!
The seminar is presented by the ISBA Criminal Law Section and co-sponsored by the Southern Illinois University School of Law. It qualifies for 6.0 hours MCLE credit, including 2.25 hours Professional Responsibility MCLE credit (subject to approval).
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April 15, 2015 |
People
Arthur C. Chapman, 97, of Evanston and formerly Highland Park passed away on March 10, 2015 at the Mather in Evanston. The son of Louis Chapman and Regina Giller Chapman, he was a New York native, graduated from NYU and its law school where he was on law review, served in North Africa in World War II and after the war in the reserves in the Judge Advocate Corps of the 5th Army.
After practicing law in New York he moved to Chicago in 1946 where was in practice for 54 years. The impetus for the move was the love of his life, Lorraine Grossberg Wagner, his wife of 69 years. Together they traveled the world, sailed the Caribbean, and made a multitude of friends wherever they went. Arthur was the consummate gentleman, devoted husband and father, tenacious lawyer, and caring humanitarian. Besides, his wife Lorraine, he is survived by his daughter Louise Chapman Locker and her husband Gershon Locker, son Eliot Chapman, granddaughter Rachel Locker Shalem and her husband Alan Shalem. His beloved grandson Joshua predeceased him. In lieu of flowers contributions to Chicago Botanic Gardens in Glencoe IL or Anshe Emet, 3751 N Broadway Chicago, IL 60613 would be appreciated. For Info: 847-256-5700 -
April 15, 2015 |
People
The University of Michigan lost one of its most ardent fans Wednesday, March 4, 2015, when David Faulkner Schmidt, the mayor of Park Ridge, Illinois, died after a sudden illness at his home. He was 57.
Dave was, in fact, a sports fan of all teams Detroit: Lions and Tigers, Pistons and Red Wings.
Dave was a talented lawyer, a member of Chittenden, Murday & Novotny LLC, with more than 20 years of litigation, trial and appellate experience in courts in Illinois and elsewhere in the U.S. In 2011, 2012 and 2014, he was named a Leading Lawyer, an honor shared by only 5 percent of all lawyers in Illinois.
A staunch Republican, Dave launched his career in nonpartisan local politics as an alderman serving the 1st Ward on the Park Ridge City Council. He was elected Park Ridge mayor in 2009 and re-elected – handily – in 2013.
A graduate of New Trier Township High School in Winnetka, Illinois, Dave earned a bachelor's degree in business administration and political science from Iowa's Coe College in 1978. He received his law degree, cum laude, from Chicago's Loyola University School of Law in 1990, where he was second in his class. While in law school, Dave served as the president of the Student Bar Association.
He was active as a Cub Scout den leader, and he especially enjoyed coaching his son, Kevin, on their Little League Baseball teams. -
April 15, 2015 |
People
Patrick D. Ertel passed away at the age of 67 on Sunday, March 15th, in his recently adopted hometown of Beaufort, South Carolina, after suffering a massive heart attack.
The youngest son of Louis G. Ertel and Edith (Marks) Ertel, Patrick was born on October 21st, 1947, and was raised in Muncie, Indiana. He graduated with a degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Notre Dame (1970) and earned his Juris Doctor from Northwestern University (1973). He practiced intellectual property law for 42 years in Chicago, the past 16 of those years with Marshall, Gerstein & Borun, where he served as a Managing Partner.
Patrick was respected as a generous mentor, whether it was by colleagues at work or by youth on the soccer field. He held a commitment to education and not only actively pursued his own ongoing learning, but also proudly supported anyone whom he might be able to help do the same. He saw athletics as a tool to positively impact the lives of young people—especially his three daughters, as well as many of their teammates—and was a dedicated youth soccer coach who retired his whistle with a winning record.
Patrick died doing something he loved: running. He ran three days per week during most weeks, and although it had been decades since he completed the Chicago Marathon, he may have been in the best shape of his life. If there was any other activity that Patrick might have chosen as his last, it surely would have been captaining his boat, Pearl of the South, across the waterways of the Lowcountry with his wife and dog by his side.
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April 14, 2015 |
People
Thomas Francis Novotny Sr., attorney and former CPD; 66, of Beverly; passed away peacefully March 20, 2015, after valiantly battling congestive heart failure due to complications from lifelong diabetes.
Devoted father of Thomas Jr. and Annie (Rob Jeffries), proud grandfather of Cecilia Louise; dear brother of Marilyn, Joanne (John) Patterson, and Nancy; beloved uncle and friend.
Alum of St. Rita H.S. '66, Lewis College '70, and Kent College of Law '80. Tom had many talents and his careers included teaching English and coaching hockey at St. Rita H.S., serving on the Chicago Police Department (9th district and Dept. of Research and Dev't.), and eventually practicing law on Chicago's South Side and Oak Lawn.
Member of The Beverly Area Planning Association and DuPage Amateur Radio Club, Tom was an avid ham radio enthusiast (handle W9LCL). Although Tom wore many hats, he cherished his family above all else. Tom will be remembered for his wit and humor, his intelligence and kindness. He will be missed by all.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Diabetes Association (www.diabetes.org)