[caption id="attachment_796" align="alignright" width="300" caption="The 2009 Class of Laureates includes (from left): Thomas F. Londrigan of Springfield; Daniel L. Houlihan of Wilmette; Russell K. Scott of Belleville; John W. Damisch of Northfield; Joseph L. Stone of Chicago; Sheila M. Murphy of Chicago; Mary Ann G. McMorrow of Chicago; F. Lance Callis of Granite City; and Joseph M. Laraia of Wheaton."][/caption] The Illinois State Bar Association’s Academy of Illinois Lawyers presented Laureate medallions to nine distinguished Illinois attorneys named to the 2009 Class of Laureates at an April 29 luncheon at The Standard Club in Chicago. The 2009 class, nominated by their peers in the profession, includes Thomas F. Londrigan of Springfield, a partner in Londrigan, Potter & Randle; Daniel L. Houlihan of Wilmette, who recently retired from the active practice of law after 45 years; Russell K. Scott of Belleville, a partner in Greensfelder, Hemker & Gale; John W. Damisch of Northfield, a principal in the Chicago law firm of Damisch & Damisch, Ltd.; Joseph L. Stone of Chicago, of counsel to Seyfarth Shaw; Sheila M.

Does your firm have a presence on Facebook? Or maybe a key client's firm or business? If so, check out this article in the National Law Journal to learn about some important -- and imminent -- deadlines. Here's a quote: "Starting Saturday, at 12:01 a.m. EST, Facebook will allow an estimated 200 million users to select any 'usernames,' which can include a trademark, brand name or personal name. And if the owner hasn't registered the trademark first with Facebook, it's up for grabs."

[caption id="attachment_650" align="alignright" width="300" caption="New Harvard Law Dean Martha Minow~Justin Ide/Harvard News Office"][/caption] Harvard Law School named Martha Minow as its new dean Thursday. Minow, who has been a member of the Law School faculty since 1981, is the daughter of Newton Minow, senior counsel at Sidley Austin. The Tribune's Chicago Law has the story. Martha Minow replaces Elena Kagan, who became U.S. solicitor general earlier this year, on July 1.