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  • April 18, 2017 | People
    Tony Valukas Steps Down as Chairman of Jenner & Block

    Anton R. “Tony” Valukas has decided to step down from the honorary role of chairman of Jenner & Block, and will continue as an active, senior partner of the firm. “In the coming years, I intend to remain an active practitioner, helping our firm to develop opportunities representing our clients and mentoring the next generation of lawyers, but I believe now is an appropriate time for me to continue a natural transition of my practice,” Mr. Valukas said. “I am very confident in the direction the firm is taking. We are firmly committed to our core values, have a clear strategy for the future, and a talented and committed leadership team.”

    Various firm leaders commented on Mr. Valukas’ career. Craig C. Martin, chair of the firm’s Litigation Department said, “Tony has been and will continue to be a tremendous asset to our firm. He not only has practiced at the highest levels of our profession, but time and time again has embraced and embodied our commitment to pro bono work, community service and assisting those who do not have meaningful access to the legal system.”

  • April 14, 2017 | People
    Lawrence William "Bill" Reisch, Jr. 1928-2017

    Lawrence William "Bill" Reisch, Jr., 88, of Springfield, died at 10:15 p.m. on Monday, March 20, 2017 at Lewis Memorial Christian Village.

    Bill was born June 13, 1928 in Springfield, the son of Lawrence W. and Margaret McGowan Reisch. He married Elizabeth "Bitsy" Garvey on May 28, 1960 in Springfield. 

    Bill graduated from Springfield High School in 1946 and went on to attend the U.S. Naval Academy during WWII. He earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Missouri and earned his law degree from Washington University. He served as an assistant states attorney of Sangamon County and was then in private practice before becoming an assistant attorney general in the Office of the Illinois Attorney General for 33 years. He then served as an attorney in the Office of General Counsel of the Illinois Department of Revenue until his retirement in 1993.

    Bill was admitted to practice at the U.S. Supreme Court and U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit, and the U.S. District Court in the Central District of Illinois. He was a member of the Sangamon County Bar Association, Sangamon Club, American Legion Post #32, Sangamon Historical Society, Springfield Art Association, Illinois State Museum Society, and St. Agnes Church. He volunteered as a docent at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum and for Central Illinois Senior Services. Bill had an interest in computers and enjoyed reading, playing golf, and spending time with his family. 

  • April 14, 2017 | People
    Camille Ada Oliver Hoffmann 1927-2017

    Camille Ada Oliver Hoffmann, 90, of Stuart, FL, and a former long-time resident of Naperville, IL, passed away under the care of Hospice of the Treasure Coast with her two daughters by her side. 

    She was born March 13, 1927, in Chicago, to the late James and Ada-Marie Oliver.  She was a graduate of Lake Forest College in 1949, and later received her law degree in 1952 from DePaul University, in Chicago. 

    Camille was the second woman in the States Attorney’s Office in Illinois and the first woman lawyer in DuPage County’s States Attorney’s office. 

    Camille founded Oliver Construction in the 50s and was later joined by her husband in forming the Oliver Hoffmann Development Corporation of Naperville that developed many residential land projects including, Rock Ridge, Stillwater, Paddocks Subdivision, Kinloch, River Run, Spring Brook Square, and Ash Wood Creek, all of Naperville and many developments in Aurora, Oswego, Sugar Grove, and Batavia. 

    Camille funded many medical projects for Edward Hospital for equipment purchases as well as being a founding annual supporter of Ribfest. She headed the Open Door annual Winter Coat Drive, and formal wear drive for their annual dance for special needs adults. Camille personally tutored the handicapped in both oral and written communication. 

  • April 14, 2017 | People
    Keith E. Yard 1961-2017

    Keith E. Yard, 55, of Morris, passed away Tuesday, March 28, 2017 in Loyola Medical Center in Chicago. Born August 31, 1961 in Morris, he was the son of the late Kenneth and Virginia (Walden) Yard. 

    Raised and educated in Morris, Keith graduated from Morris High School with the Class of 1979. He received his B.S. from Western Illinois University and then attended Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Lansing, Michigan, where he obtained his J.D.

    Survived by his children, Leah (Daniel) Peat of St. Joseph, MI, Mark Yard of Morris, Christopher (Katie Walker) Yard of Dwight, and Riley Yard of Mazon; Darla Yard Roe of Mazon; grandchildren, Violet and Arthur Peat, and Lucas Yard. He is also survived by two brothers, Jim (Karla) Yard and Kevin Yard, both of Morris; and one sister, Denise (Greg) Gillespie of Varna, IL.

    He was preceded in death by his parents; and one brother in infancy, Kenneth Eugene.

  • April 14, 2017 | People
    Francis Maxwell 1923-2017

    The Honorable Francis Edgar Maxwell, retired judge of the 20th Judicial Circuit, Nashville, Illinois, died March 21, 2017.

    Francis Edgar Maxwell (known to many of his friends as Max) was born on Nov 7, 1923, in Hoyleton, Illinois, to Ruth Edgar Maxwell and Joseph Daniel Maxwell, who was then teaching school in Hoyleton. Francis moved to Nashville after his father was elected County State’s Attorney, and attended public schools in Nashville. 

    After graduation, Francis won a scholarship to the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana, where he began his studies in 1941. In October 1942, however, he enlisted in the Army and was sent to the ASTP program at the University of Nebraska. He then served in Battery C 156th Artillery in France, Austria, and environs, until the end of World War II. In 1944, Francis married Joan Beckmeyer, daughter of Myrtle and Gustav Henry Beckmeyer of Nashville, his classmate in school in Nashville. 

    After discharge from the Army, Francis returned to the University of Illinois to finish his law degree while Joan worked in an abstract of title office in Urbana. Francis was sworn in as an attorney shortly after their twin daughters were born on January 17, 1949.

  • April 13, 2017 | People
    Joint Secretary of State and Supreme Court Restoration Project of Illinois Attorney Oaths Complete

    A long-term restoration project between the Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White’s office and the Supreme Court of Illinois has led to the discovery of some rare, historic documents involving famous and infamous Illinois attorneys.

    “I am pleased with the results of this project, which sought to restore and preserve a unique facet of our state’s history,” said White, who also serves as State Archivist. “Since 2010, the State Archives Department has been restoring attorney oaths for the Supreme Court. Approximately 142,000 oaths, some preceding the Civil War, have been restored.”

    Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice Lloyd A. Karmeier said, “The Court recently had the opportunity to tour the State Archives and see, firsthand, the efforts being made there to conserve these important documents. Attorney oaths offer scholars, educators and students a very tangible, but very fragile connection to the lawyers who have helped shape our laws and the legal profession over the past two centuries. The Court is extremely grateful to the Archives for everything it has done to ensure that this irreplaceable record of the legal profession’s history is preserved and protected for future generations. The work done by the Archives’ staff has been nothing less than extraordinary.”

  • April 11, 2017 | People
    Timothy Murphy 1955-2017

    Timothy J. Murphy, 62, passed away due to complications from his relentless battle with cancer on April 4, 2017. Survived by wife of 37 years Kathleen (Meersman), children Sarah (Joe) Reth, Patrick (Ryan) Murphy, Claire (John) Hollyoak, and Jack Murphy, grandson Owen Reth, parents Robert and Dolores Murphy, many loving brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, and large extended family. Tim was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, brother-in-law, nephew and friend.

    Born and raised on the South Side of Chicago, Tim was proud of his Chicago roots. He enthusiastically cheered for the Chicago White Sox, Blackhawks and Northwestern Wildcats. An alum of DePaul Law School, he was a dedicated and dogged attorney that practiced his talents in the city for over 37 years. Devout in his faith, he believed strongly in helping and serving others and his community, including as a committed member of the Mt. Prospect Lions Club. He brought energy and zest to every occasion and enjoyed life to the absolute fullest. He loved getting together with friends, going to countless rock concerts, and making others laugh with his wit and humor. He was a loyal friend, willing confidant, peacemaker and sage counselor and will be missed by all. 

  • April 11, 2017 | People
    SmithAmundsen Promotes Thomas Hayden, Yesha Sutaria Hoeppner, and Kay Weiler to Partner

    The law firm of SmithAmundsen recently promoted the following attorneys to partner based on professional achievement: Thomas Hayden, Yesha Sutaria Hoeppner, and Kay Weiler.

    Thomas Hayden is a member of the Construction and Product Liability practice groups in the firm’s Chicago office. He focuses on a wide range of areas including products liability, construction negligence, transportation, retail claims, and municipal tort liability. He has represented clients in matters involving commercial litigation, real estate, regulatory issues, civil rights, and numerous other areas of law, and has experience defending personal injury and insurance subrogation claims.

    Yesha Sutaria Hoeppner is a member of the Class Action, Commercial Litigation and Toxic Tort & Environmental practice groups in the firm’s Chicago office. She defends clients ranging from small businesses to publicly traded, multimillion dollar companies in a wide variety of class action cases in federal and state courts across the country. Yesha regularly serves clients dealing with consumer fraud and marketing related issues, product defect, breach of contract, and violations of statutes and regulations.

  • April 10, 2017 | People
    Tobias Barry 1924-2017

    ​Justice Tobias “Toby” Barry, 92, of Ladd, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 4, 2017, at the Illinois Valley Veteran’s Home in LaSalle, surrounded by loved ones. Toby was born on April 12, 1924, in Chicago to Tobias Sr. and Mary (Castignari) Barry. He graduated from Ladd Grade School, St. Bede Academy, LPO Junior College, Marquette University and the University of Notre Dame Law School. He interrupted his studies at Marquette University to serve his country in the U.S. Navy during WWII, from 1943-1946, as a combat medic. Following his service in the Navy, he returned to Marquette University to complete his undergraduate degree in Philosophy. In 1952, he earned a Juris Doctorate degree from Notre Dame’s Law School, beginning his legal career which spanned more than 50 years.

  • April 7, 2017 | People
    Larry Oldfield 1944-2017

    E. Lawrence "Larry" Oldfield, 72, passed away March 18, 2017. Larry was born December 21, 1944 in Lake Forest and was raised in Brooklyn, NY.

    He attended Long Island University and Wheaton College. He joined the U.S. Army and served in the 3rd Missile Battalion, 21st Artillery Regiment, where he earned the nickname "Barney" as the Colonel's driver. He received his B.A. in political science from Northern Illinois University and became a Federal Agent for HUD before enrolling at DePaul University Law School in Chicago.

    Larry was as an attorney for Ruff & Grotefeld, Ltd., The Hartford Fire Insurance Company as general counsel in the Livestock Department for 10 years, and in 1987, started his own firm, E. Lawrence Oldfield & Associates, in Oak Brook. He then founded Oldfield & Fox, P.C. in 2000. Since 2015, Larry was of counsel, for Stock, Carlson, Oldfield & McGrath LLC. Larry defended litigation cases involving cattle rustling and the sale or purchase of stolen or mortgaged livestock in 26 states and 19 federal jurisdictions, including the U.S. Supreme Court. He was involved in 15 reported appellate cases in the United States, including one that was heard by the U.S. Supreme Court. He was the preferred legal counsel in the United States for the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA), and an annual speaker at their conference. He held the highest peer review rating (AV-Preeminent) from Martindale-Hubbell.