A brand new firm continuing a tradition of excellence, Tomasik Kotin Kasserman, LLC, opens its doors this week. After decades with the greats of Chicago law, Corboy & Demetrio partners Dan Kotin and Shawn Kasserman and Clifford Law Offices partner Tim Tomasik now are joining forces to build a practice proudly dedicated to representing the interests of those seriously injured or killed as the result of wrongful conduct.
Collectively, the attorneys of the TKK law firm have won more than $400 million in settlements for their clients over the years, working on some of the highest-profile legal cases in popular memory. Tomasik, who frequently handles aviation and personal injury issues, represented victims of the 2002 John Hancock Center scaffolding collapse and was part of the team handling the World Trade Center property damage litigation in the wake of the 9/11 terror attacks. Kotin, a personal injury and wrongful death attorney, represented victims in the 2003 Cook County Administration Building fire and has served as lead counsel in numerous high profile cases involving fires, train derailments and other catastrophes. Kasserman, who is best known for his work representing the families of children killed by defectively designed products, has also served as lead counsel in matters including train derailments, bus crashes, the Nicor mercury spill and the Amoco cancer cluster in Naperville.
Chicago Area
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April 9, 2013 |
People
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April 8, 2013 |
CLE
Join us in Chicago on April 25th for an in-depth look at the basic estate planning tools you need to effectively assist your estate planning clients! Learn the essentials of the initial client meeting, the appropriate use of advanced directives and the ethical considerations in the estate planning process. Don’t miss this opportunity to update your basic knowledge of wills, trusts, and formulating your client’s estate plan. Trusts and estate professionals, new attorneys, small and closely-held business counsel, financial planners and accountants with beginning to intermediate experience who attend this seminar will: learn how to obtain relevant information during the initial client meeting; be better prepared to draft dispositive provisions in a will; understand how to personalize a client’s will; learn to recognize potential gift and estate tax issues; understand the importance of funding trusts; learn to recognize potential gift and estate tax issues; be able to avoid the various pitfalls that may arise throughout the estate planning process; and better understand the ethical considerations in estate planning, including engagement letters, identifying conflicts, and complying with the Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct.
The program is presented by the ISBA Trusts & Estate Section Council and qualifies for 6.25 hours MCLE credit, including 1.75 hours Professional Responsibility MCLE credit (subject to approval).
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April 4, 2013 |
Practice News
Northern Illinois University College of Law will open a free legal clinic this fall in Aurora, focusing on legal issues that may contribute to health problems in the area’s indigent population. NIU Law will partner with both Hesed House - a comprehensive homeless resource center in Aurora that will house the clinic - and Aunt Martha’s Health Center.
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April 3, 2013 |
People
Illinois Judges Association President Hon. Rita M. Novak presented the organization’s Distinguished Service Award to Judge Carole Kamin Bellows on March 28 at the Richard J. Daley Center in Chicago.
The Distinguished Service Award is intended to recognize judges who have demonstrated exemplary service to citizens, bench, and bar as shown by devotion to the law, efforts to improve the legal and judicial communities, reputation for honor, integrity, legal knowledge and diligent service, and otherwise distinguishing him or herself as an Illinois judicial officer.
Judge Bellows was first appointed to serve as a judge of the Circuit Court, Domestic Relations Division, by the Illinois Supreme Court in 1986. By being successfully retained by the voters, she continued to serve on the bench for 26 years. Prior to becoming a judge, she was an attorney for 26 years.
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April 2, 2013 |
People
Norman N. Berkson, age 84, cherished father of Rabbi Jill Berkson (Ely) Zimmerman, David Berkson and Keith (Lori) Berkson. Proud and loving grandfather of Josh, Ben, Justin and Zachary. Dearest brother of the late Jerry, Alvie and Arnie Berkson and Rose Warren. Special companion of Carol Nerius.
Friend and former husband (29 years) of Marlene Marks Kornick. Norm was an attorney, accountant and professor. He was an avid tennis player and model train enthusiast.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Northshore Hospice 4901 Searle Parkway, Suite 160, Skokie, IL 60077. For information (847) 255-3520 or www.shalom2.com to leave tributes and condolences.
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April 2, 2013 |
People
Miles William Hughes, 44, known for his singular wit, passion for life and love of his family, passed away suddenly in the arms of his lifelong love, Leigh Ann Hayward Hughes, in Oak Park on March 17.
Miles met Leigh Ann while in Raa Middle School in Tallahassee, Florida, forming a strong friendship that blossomed into love, marriage and two adored children, Ragan 16, and Reece 10.
He was born on June 20, 1968 in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, to William and Jane Hughes, joining his sisters, Cindy and Sallie. They moved to Tallahassee in 1977, where Miles grew up in the extended family First Presbyterian Church. Miles graduated from Lincoln High School in 1986 before attending the University of Florida, where he received a Bachelor's degree in political science with a minor in history.
Miles married Leigh Ann on May 16, 1992, in Tallahassee. He attended Florida State University College of Law, where he served on the law review and earned a JD in 1997. He was honored to clerk for Justice Ben Overton of the Florida Supreme Court. At the time of his passing, he was an Income Partner for the McDermott, Will & Emery law firm in Chicago.
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March 28, 2013 |
People
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.
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March 28, 2013 |
Events | ISBA News
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.
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March 27, 2013 |
CLE
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).
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March 26, 2013 |
Events
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.