[caption id="attachment_19014" align="alignright" width="160" caption="Donald J. Straka"][/caption] Walentine O’Toole McQuilan & Gordon is pleased to announce that Donald J. Straka has joined the firm as a partner in the area of corporate and banking law. Straka has over 20 years of experience in representing public and private corporate clients, financial institutions, medical practices, manufacturing concerns and regulatory authorities in multiple jurisdictions. He specializes in corporate law, banking law and regulation, lending and finance, mergers and acquisitions (private and public companies), business transactions and litigation, regulatory matters, securities, real estate and employment matters. He provides strategic legal advice to clients relative to their growth and financial objectives, organizing and structuring business entities, acquisitions and divestitures, and negotiating and closing complex transactions. He served for eight years as the Chief Legal Officer of a Midwest regional Bank Holding Company and its subsidiaries where he advised the Board of Directors and led the Legal, Human Resources and Security Departments and served on a number of Committees. He has also served as a Director and/or CEO of various other corporate entities in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

On March 21, 2011, sponsored by Most Rev. Thomas J. Paprocki and Kent D. Sinson, certain members of the Chicago Lawyers Hockey team were admitted in open court to the Bar of the Supreme Court of the United States. Those photographed in the Court’s East Conference Room prior to admission are (left to right): Lowell D. Snorf, III, Michael B. Goldberg, Kent D. Sinson, Ronald Kalish, Most Rev. Thomas J. Paprocki, Kevin M. Magnuson, David M. Goldman, Steven L. Demitro (Captain) and David Vander Ploeg. According to Supreme Court Clerk, William K. Suter, the March 21, 2011 open admission was the first time any lawyers hockey team was admitted in open court. Following the March 21 admission, on March 24 the Lawyers hockey team returned to Chicago’s McFetrich Ice Arena and captured their fourth consecutive Masters Hockey league championship, defeating the Chicago Democrats hockey team, 4-3. Several members of the lawyers hockey team played NCAA Division I hockey and/or semi professional hockey; some lawyers have been on the team for 20 years. The lawyers hockey team plays in the Masters Hockey League out of Chicago’s McFetridge Sports Center. Other members of the Lawyers hockey team are: Anthony J.

[caption id="attachment_18198" align="alignright" width="150" caption="Eric Dearmont"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_18197" align="alignright" width="150" caption="Ross Titzer"][/caption] Williams Venker & Sanders LLC is pleased to announce the addition of Eric Dearmont (edearmont@wvslaw.com) and Ross S. Titzer (rtitzer@wvslaw.com) as the newest associates to join the growing law firm. As former legal counsel to the Missouri Public Service Commission and Executive Director of the Columbia Missouri Police Officer’s Association, Eric Dearmont is well-equipped to handle the complex litigation the firm is known for.  He will focus primarily within the asbestos practice group, working closely with the firm’s many toxic torts clients. Ross S. Titzer will also work within the firm’s toxic torts group, as well as the commercial litigation and transportation law practice groups.  Experienced in defense litigation, he has handled all phases of a case, including drafting pleadings, arguing motions and developing overall strategy. Located in St.

[caption id="attachment_17873" align="alignright" width="150" caption="William P. Hoffman"][/caption] The law firm of Greensfelder, Hemker & Gale, P.C. is pleased to announce William P. Hoffman has joined the Firm’s Health Care Practice Group as an Associate. Hoffman’s practice focuses on representation of hospitals, health care systems, physician groups, and other health care providers in a variety of transactional matters, providing regulatory advice, and assisting with compliance matters. Hoffman received his Juris Doctorate and Health Law Certificate from Saint Louis University School of Law in 2010 where he graduated cum laude, Order of the Woolsack.  He received his bachelor’s degree from University of Illinois in 2006. He is licensed to practice law in Missouri. Greensfelder offers comprehensive legal solutions in 16 practice groups for clients locally, nationally and internationally including, communications and media; construction; corporate; creditor’s rights and bankruptcy; educational; religious and tax-exempt organizations; employee benefits; environmental; franchising & distribution; health care; immigration; intellectual property and technology; labor and employment; litigation; real estate; tax; and trusts and estates.  Find out more at www.greensfelder.com.