Chicago Area

Clark Hill PLC today announced the addition of John G. Fogarty, Jr. to the firm as Senior Counsel in its Chicago office, where he is a member of the Government and Public Affairs Practice Group.

He joins the firm from his private practice. A graduate of Northwestern University and Chicago Kent College of Law, Fogarty represents candidates, office holders, political committees, individuals, corporations, and nonprofits in all aspects of the electoral and legislative processes, including ballot access, campaign finance and disclosure, lobbying and government affairs, media issues and party governance. 

The Illinois State Bar Association honored the Class of 1968 Distinguished Counsellors on Nov. 15 at the Union League Club in Chicago. The title is conferred annually upon ISBA members who are completing their 50th year of practice.

The International Legal Honor Society of Phi Delta Phi, a 150-year-old law student-based organization dedicated to professionalism and civility in the practice of law, has announced the election of its international officers for the 2018-2020 biennium: President Patricia Hodny, Vice President Alma Esperanza Santa Ana Vara, Director Michael Phillips, Director Javier Christian Súarez Torres, and Director Constance Mutong, who collectively will serve as members of the Phi Delta Phi Board of Directors, known as its council. Executive Director Tim Wheat will continue his service to Phi Delta Phi as an ex officio member of the council.  Also elected were three justices of Phi Delta Phi’s court of appeals (its board of trustees): Chief Justice Joseph F. Vitu, Jr., Justice Jeffrey Flint Buebendorf, and Justice Julie Sumner.

Illinois Supreme Court and Illinois Appellate Court justices welcomed 1,283 new attorneys to the legal profession on Nov. 8 during admissions ceremonies held at five different locations across the state. 

ISBA staff members were in attendance at all five ceremonies to welcome the state's newest attorneys to the profession, take photos, and talk about the benefits of ISBA membership, which is free for one year for new admittees. Member benefits can be activated by filling out the New Admittee Membership Form. 

All of those who were sworn in have passed the Illinois State Bar Examination and a required ethics examination and were certified by the Supreme Court Committee on Character and Fitness. They bring the total number of licensed attorneys in Illinois to approximately 98,000.