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  • March 28, 2013 | People
    Wojcik, Schmetterer receive Pillars of Justice Awards

    Lawrence Wojcik and Ken Schmetterer, partners in DLA Piper’s Chicago office, received the Pillars of Justice Awards from Appleseed for their pro bono work. They were honored at Appleseed and Chicago Appleseed’s annual Pillars of Justice Awards reception on Wednesday, March 20 at the House of Blues in Chicago.

    Lawrence Wojcik received the Pro Bono Champion Award for his more than 30 years of litigation.  He has represented children in juvenile courts and researched obstacles that children face leaving juvenile detention and returning to school.  He has also advocated for the fair sentencing of children and against juvenile life in prison without the possibility of parole. For more than 30 years, hehas focused his law practice on the defense of auditors, accountants, lawyers and other business entities and professionals. He has handled litigation involving business, securities, tax and intellectual property disputes, including representations before federal, state, and municipal regulators. He has represented clients throughout the country and has tried cases in federal and state courts in several jurisdictions.

  • March 28, 2013 | Events | ISBA News
    YLD to host Soiree fundraiser on April 26

    The ISBA Young Lawyers Division will host its Soiree fundraiser on Friday, April 26 at the Hard Rock Hotel Chicago. Details are below:

    • When: Friday, April 26, 2013, 7:00 – 10:00 p.m.
    • Where: Hard Rock Hotel Chicago, 230 N. Michigan Avenue, Chicago (map and directions)
    • What: Open Bar, Hors d’oeuvres, Dancing, and Raffle for great prizes, Cocktail/Semi-formal Attire Preferred
    • Cost: $75 per ticket. 
    • Deadlines: All advertisements must be purchased in by Monday, 4:30 pm April 12, 2013.
      Tickets must be purchased by April 22

    Purchase tickets, advertising or become a sponsor at www.isba.org/sections/yld/soiree

    Space is limited so register early! Parking will be available at a discounted rate.

    For more information, contact Janet Sosin at 312-726-8775 or email jsosin@isba.org

    The YLD Children's Assistance Fund is a special fund of the Illinois Bar Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable entity.

  • March 27, 2013 | CLE
    CLE: Civility and Professionalism in 2013

    Join us in Chicago on April 18th to get the wisdom and insight you need to make strong ethical and professional decisions throughout the coming year! Included are comments from an Illinois Supreme Court Justice; insight from a law school dean; judicial expectations; the current state of civility and professionalism; understanding how the legal profession handles mental illness and addiction; professional ethics; and much more! The program concludes with an interactive panel discussion of hot topics with a focus on social media, contempt findings, and best practices.

    The seminar is presented by the ISBA Bench & Bar Section and co-sponsored by the Loyola University Chicago School of Law. It qualifies for 6.0 hours MCLE credit, including 6.0 hours Professional Responsibility MCLE credit (subject to approval).

    Click here for more information and to register.

  • March 26, 2013 | Events
    Illinois Judges Foundation to host Justice for All reception on April 3

    The Illinois Judges Foundation and its Lawyers Auxiliary Committee are hosting the Justice for All Spring Reception on Wednesday, April 3 from 5:30 to 7:30 at the CBA building, 321 S Plymouth Court, Philip Corboy Hall. There will be an open bar and hors d'oeuvres.

    Chief Judge Timothy Evans will present its annual Harold Sullivan Scholarship to our 2012-13 law student recipient, Chief Justice Thomas Kilbride will be presented with the Justice for All award, and Chief Judge James Holderman will present an original poem.  

    The proceeds from the reception, after expenses, will be allocated toward the Access to Justice externships. IJF also awards grants to the IJA for the 7 Reasons to Leave the Party program and Bringing the Courtroom to the Classroom. Tickets are $100 and sponsorships are available.

    Reservations may me made online at http://www.ijafoundation.org/civicrm/event/info?id=64&reset=1.

  • March 25, 2013 | Practice News
    2 finalists announced for DuPage associate judge vacancy

    Chief Circuit Judge John T. Elsner is pleased to announce two finalists have been slected for the Office of Associate Judge of the 18th Circuit Court. The finalists are seeking to fill the vacancy created by the elevation of Robert G. Kleeman to Circuit Judge. From these names, the Circuit Judges will select two appointees by secret ballot.

    • Sean M. McCumber, J.D., University of Illinois, College of Law, 1998; admitted to the practice of law in Illinois, 1998. Mr. McCumber currently serves as a partner with the law firm of Sullivan, Taylor & Gumina (2005-present).
    • Jeffrey S. McKay, J.D.-Kent College of Law, Chicago, 1992; admitted to the practice of law in Illinois, 1993. Mr. McKay currently is an Associate with the law firm of Ekl, Williams and Provenzale (2001-present).
  • March 25, 2013 | People
    Neal & Leroy celebrates 75th anniversary

    Neal & Leroy, LLC (“Neal & Leroy”) celebrates its 75th anniversary this year.  The firm traces its origin back to 1938 when Earl J. Neal began his law office in Chicago, IL.  Earl J. Neal practiced law until 1962 when he became a Cook County magistrate and later an Associate Cook County Circuit Court Judge.  In 1955, his son Earl L. Neal joined the firm working side-by-side with father handling trial work.  Earl L. Neal accepted responsibility as principal after his father was appointed judge. In 1968, he formed, Earl L. Neal and Associates, and continued to handle trial work for the City of Chicago and other public agencies.

    In 2005, the firm’s name changed to Neal & Leroy.  It is believed to be the longest operating African-American owned law firm in Illinois.  Langdon D. Neal, son of Earl L. Neal, began practicing with the firm in 1981 and is currently the firm’s principal and owner.Over the past seven decades, Neal & Leroy has consistently maintained a strong governmental and institutional practice performing legal services in all areas of real estate law including eminent domain, zoning and land use, tax increment financing, and real estate transactions, among others; and governmental and municipal affairs services. 

  • March 20, 2013 | People
    KFTR celebrates 20 years of providing creative solutions with superior results

    Kubasiak, Fylstra, Thorpe & Rotunno, P.C., a full-service and independent Chicago-based law firm, will commemorate its 20th anniversary on March 16.

    “This important milestone is a reflection of the tireless work of KFTR’s dedicated team of attorneys and staff, as well as a validation of the strong client partnerships we’ve forged over two decades,” said Gerald E. Kubasiak, KFTR director/shareholder. “We look forward to building on this tremendous accomplishment in the future.”

    Since 1993, KFTR has offered complex litigation services and sophisticated transactional representation, turning problems into solutions. With extensive resources to address virtually any type of business or liability matter, the firm is able to integrate its legal team’s skills, knowledge and experience to achieve creative solutions with superior results.

    KFTR’s experienced attorneys have earned a reputation for representing client interests ethically and economically. To accomplish this, KFTR maintains close working relationships with its clients and pairs the firm’s areas of experience with client needs.

    Founding members Gerald E. Kubasiak and Raymond A. Fylstra, both director/shareholders, remain an active part of the firm’s leadership. Steven J. Rotunno, who joined the firm soon after it started, also is a KFTR director/shareholder. The firm, which started with seven lawyers two decades ago, now includes 16 lawyers.

  • March 19, 2013 | People
    Robert B. Baal 1946-2013

    Robert B. Baal, 66, former partner with Baal & O'Connor Law Firm in Chicago. Bob was an alumnus of Leo H.S. (1964), Xavier U. (1968) and DePaul U. School of Law (1973).

    He was the beloved husband of Patricia (nee Cooke) for 43 years. Loving father of Anne (Joe) Linnen, Kathryn Baal and Mary Beth (Matt) O'Mara. Proud grandpa of Liam Patrick and Colin Robert. Dear brother of Jane (Dan) McWeeny. Fond brother-in-law of Maureen (Mike) Schmidt, Dr. William Cooke and Mary Jo (Nolan) Small. Uncle of many nieces and nephews.

    Memorials to Robert H. Lurie Cancer Center/Kidney Research Northwestern University Office of Development 750 N. Lake Shore Dr./9th Floor Chicago, IL 60611 or Christ the King School Foundation are most appreciated. 708-636-5500 or heeneyfh.com.

  • March 18, 2013 | ISBA News
    ISBA members, John Marshall students march in St. Patrick's Day Parade


    Several members of the Illinois State Bar Association and students from The John Marshall Law School donned stovepipe hats and marched in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade along Columbus Drive near downtown Chicago on March 16. The group marched alongside the ISBA's mobile billboard, which features a photo of Lincoln the lawyer with a message that reads: “Illinois has a history of some pretty good lawyers. We’re out to keep it that way.”

  • March 14, 2013 | People
    Hon. Roger William Eichmeier 1932-2013

    Former ISBA Board member the Hon. Roger William Eichmeier passed away in Chandler, AZ, on March 2, 2013. He was born on May 15, 1932, in Freeport, IL, to Charles Simon and Lee Nampel Eichmeier. 

    He graduated cum laude from Depauw University, Greencastle, IN. He was the president of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. He earned his Juris Doctorate from Northwestern Law School, Chicago and wrote for the Law Review.

    In 1957, Roger and his family moved to Aurora, IL. He joined the law firm of Matthews, Jordan, Dean, and Peterson where he practiced law for many years. He was appointed an associate judge of the Kane County 16th Judiciary Circuit in 1987 until his retirement in 2000. He loved the law and was on the Board of Governors for the Illinois State Bar Association.

    He was active in Aurora as an elder of Westminster Presbyterian Church and as a member of the Lion's Club. He spent hours on swimming pool decks refereeing his children's competitive swimming meets.

    Roger retired to Galena, IL, where he enjoyed horseback riding and his dogs. He served as president of the Galena Territory HOA and chaired the legal and bylaws committee.

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