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Out of State

  • August 31, 2011 | ISBA News
    ISBA leaders attend judicial merit selection conference

    ISBA President John G. Locallo and ISBA President-elect John E. Thies attended the National Summit on Defending Merit Selection earlier this week in St. Louis. The ISBA has been on record in support of the merit selection of judges since 1987.

    The purpose of this conference was for bar leaders from around the country to meet and discuss strategies for advancing and preserving merit selection of judges in their respective states as a way to keep politics out of the courtroom. Retired Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor was the keynote speaker, and attended one of the plenary sessions.

  • August 19, 2011 | People
    Frederic S. Carr Jr. 1936-2011

    Former Kankakee County Judge Frederic Scott Carr Jr. was born Aug. 28, 1936 in Kingston, N.Y., the oldest son of Frederic Scott Carr Sr. and Cornelia Dwyer Carr. He peacefully passed away July 9, 2011 in Virginia Beach.

    Fred joined the Marine Corps in 1955 and served honorably until he retired as a lieutenant colonel in 1976. He served two tours in Viet-nam where he earned two bronze stars for valor. After a short time working in the business world, he decided to attend John Marshall Law School in Chicago. At age 50 he was awarded a law degree.

    After practicing law for five years, he was selected to be a circuit judge in Kankakee County. He contributed his talents and knowledge of the law to the judiciary for 10 good years.

  • August 11, 2011 | People
    Bergmann takes gavel as ABA YLD President

    ISBA Council member Michael G. Bergmann took the gavel as the new president of the ABA Young Lawyers Division on Saturday, August 6 at the ABA Annual Meeting in Toronto. Bergmann is the Executive Director of the Public Interest Law Initiative (PILI) in Chicago. Bergmann is pictured (second from right) with fellow ISBA Section Council members (from left) Tarek Fadel, Kenya Jenkins-Wright and Bob Fink (ISBA YLD Immediate Past Chair).

  • August 2, 2011 | People
    Sandberg Phoenix welcomes Joshua Davis and Melanie Riley as new associates

    Sandberg Phoenix & von Gontard P.C. welcomes Joshua Davis and Melanie Riley to the firm as new associates.

    Josh is a member of the firm’s Products Liability Practice Group. Prior to joining Sandberg Phoenix, Josh practiced for several years with an insurance litigation firm in St. Louis where he was responsible for all aspects of insurance law, focusing on fire and explosion litigation. Josh is a member of the Missouri Organization of Defense Lawyers and the National Association of Subrogation Professionals. He also serves on the firm’s Associate and Charitable Efforts Committees.

    Melanie is a member of the firm’s Health Law and Products Liability Practice Groups. Prior to joining Sandberg Phoenix, Melanie practiced for several years with a defense firm in Edwardsville, Illinois. She is a member of the American Bar Association, Illinois State Bar Association, Madison County Bar Association, the Missouri Bar, and the Lawyers Association of St. Louis, Missouri. She also serves on the firm’s Associate, Charitable Efforts, and Wellness Committees.

    About Sandberg Phoenix

    At Sandberg Phoenix, our culture sets us apart from other firms. Guided by strength, character and personality, we believe that collaboration and mutual respect are essential to the success of our firm and our clients.  This commitment has positioned our firm as one of the premier full-service law firms in Missouri and Illinois, with 75 attorneys and nearly 100 staff.  As we continue to grow, so will our commitment to delivering superior client service.

  • June 21, 2011 | ISBA News
    ISBA Assembly votes to support limited scope representations
    [caption id="attachment_20526" align="alignright" width="300" caption="The ISBA Assembly voted to establish two at-large Board of Governors to be filled by ISBA Vice Presidential appointment to reflect under-represented segments of the ISBA in its governance. Jessica Arong O’Brien (left), a lawyer in the Chicago office of the Illinois Department of Revenue, and Vincent F. Cornelius, a criminal defense attorney in Wheaton, were selected to fill the seats."][/caption] Also establishes 2 at-large Board seats to reflect under-represented segments of the Illinois Bar The 201-member Assembly of the Illinois State Bar Association voted at its Annual Meeting on Saturday morning to approve recommendations by an ISBA task force that supports the ability of lawyers to engage in limited scope recommendations that it believes will benefit lawyers and consumers. Working with the Illinois Judges Association and the Chicago Bar Association, the ISBA prepared a report on behalf of the Joint Task Force on Limited Scope Representation that would, among other things, establish a “Limited Appearance” form and other procedures that specifically identify a lawyer’s participation in a matter in which a litigant represents himself or herself in court. The report, which is the culmination of an 11-month process, will be presented to the Illinois Supreme Court.
  • June 20, 2011 | ISBA News
    John Locallo sworn-in as new ISBA President
    [caption id="attachment_20469" align="alignright" width="300" caption="ISBA President John G. Locallo is sworn in by his cousin, retired Cook County Judge Dan Locallo."][/caption] Chicago property tax attorney John G. Locallo was sworn-in as the 135th ISBA President on Friday night at the Annual Meeting in Lake Geneva, Wis. Locallo is a partner in the firm of Amari & Locallo. Locallo's theme for the evening was family, with his brother and law partner Joe Locallo presenting him and his cousin, retired judge Daniel Locallo, swearing him in. His sister, opera singer Diana Locallo Vera, sang the aria Where'er you walk with John on piano. "I am so glad I was able to keep it in the family tonight with my brother Joe, cousin Dan and law partner Leonard Amari," Locallo said. As a tax lawyer, Locallo enjoys saving clients money and will focus his year on helping ISBA members with technology. “We’re at a critical juncture in the law as more business is flowing to online legal services,” Locallo said. “It is a must that lawyers provide the most cost-efficient services to their clients.” Click here to view pictures from the Annual Dinner and Swearing-in.
  • June 17, 2011 | ISBA News
    ISBA members honored at Awards Luncheon
    President Mark D. Hassakis and incoming President John G. Locallo conferred awards on several distinguished ISBA members on Friday at the 2011 Annual Awards Luncheon. Click here to view pictures from the Luncheon. Those being honored were:
  • June 16, 2011 | Events | ISBA News
    135th Annual Meeting underway in Lake Geneva
    The Illinois State Bar Association's 135th Annual Meeting kicked off Thursday night at the Abbey Resort at Lake Geneva. The evening featured an Opening Reception with food and games for the kids on the lakeside lawn and Workshop on “Who Me? A Law School Professor,” presented by the Southern Illinois University School of Law. Chicago attorney John G. Locallo will be sworn-in as the next ISBA president at Friday night's Annual Dinner. Click here to view pictures from the Opening Reception.
  • June 7, 2011 | Events | ISBA News
    45 ISBA members sworn-in by U.S. Supreme Court
    [caption id="attachment_19831" align="alignright" width="300" caption="ISBA President Mark D. Hassakis (front row, center) with the 45 new admittees to the U.S. Supreme Court."][/caption] U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts granted the motion by ISBA President Mark D. Hassakis on Monday to admit 45 ISBA members to practice before the nation's highest court. The admittees and their families enjoyed a continental breakfast in the East Conference room of the Supreme Court before the admission ceremony and to a history of the court after the ceremony. The group was also treated to special appearances by Supreme Court Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Sonia Sotomayor. The Illinois State Bar Association conducts trips to the U.S. Supreme Court every two years - the next trip will be led by current ISBA 2nd Vice President John Thies of Urbana on June 3, 2013. Click here to view a photo gallery from this event.
  • June 5, 2011 | ISBA News
    U.S. Supreme Court to swear-in 45 ISBA members
    [caption id="attachment_19819" align="alignright" width="300" caption="ISBA President Mark D. Hassakis with his wife, Janet Hassakis, ISBA President-elect John G. Locallo, Marron Mahoney, IBF President George Mahoney and IBF Past President David Sosin "][/caption] The U.S. Supreme Court will swear-in 45 Illinois State Bar Association members on Monday, June 6. Supreme Court Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Elana Kagan have agreed to meet with the new admittees and their families after the ceremony. A reception sponsored by GEICO Insurance and the ISBA was held on Sunday night at the historic Willard InterContinental Hotel. Click here to view a photo gallery from the reception.