The Bar News

Bar News Sections

People

  • April 7, 2017 | People
    Michael J. Henshaw 1944-2017

    Michael J. Henshaw, 72, passed away Wednesday evening, March 22, 2017, at his residence. He was born Nov. 21, 1944, in Harrisburg, the son of the late A.J. Henshaw and Morean Elms Henshaw. He married the former Lavon Tanner on Nov. 25, 1995, and she survives.

    Michael was a graduate of Carrier Mills High School in 1963 and attended Southeastern Illinois College where he graduated in 1965. He then attended Southern Illinois University Carbondale where he received his B.A. from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences in 1967. Then he attended IIT Chicago Kent College of Law where he obtained his juris doctor degree in 1971 and was admitted to the Illinois bar the same year.

    He ran for Saline County states atorney in 1972 and was elected and served through 1976. After serving this term he went into private practice for two years before becoming circuit judge of Saline County in 1978. He then was the presiding Circuit Judge from 1978 through 1998 and he became the chief judge of the First Judicial Circuit until his retirement in November 2006. In 2008 he again ran for Saline County states attorney being elected and currently held this position at the time of his death.

    Michael attended First United Methodist Church in Harrisburg.

  • April 7, 2017 | People
    Hon. John Darrah 1938-2017

    John Darrah, age 78, devoted husband, loving father of five, loving stepfather of five, proud grandfather of nineteen, and doting great-grandfather of three, passed away peacefully at his home March 23, 2017. Born on December 11, 1938, on Chicago's south side, Jack was the eldest son of Paul and Adele Darrah.

    Following his graduation from Mt. Carmel High School, Jack went to Loyola University where he graduated with a degree in philosophy. Jack attended night school while working at the Chicago pipeyard. He graduated from the Loyola University Chicago School of Law in 1969. He served as an attorney for the Federal Trade Commission from 1969 to 1971. From 1971 until 1973, he was a deputy public defender for the DuPage County Public Defender's Office. Jack was a DuPage County assistant state's attorney from 1973 until 1976. Then, Jack went into private practice at Ryan & Darrah. In 1986, Jack was elected to serve in the State Court, assigned to the Chancery Division of the 18th Judicial Circuit, DuPage County. Jack served in this capacity until 2000, when he was appointed to the United States Federal District Court for the Northern District of Illinois by President Bill Clinton. In addition to his time on the bench, Jack served as an adjunct professor at Northern Illinois University College of Law and The John Marshall Law School. Jack remained active in the legal community mentoring countless attorneys throughout their careers.

  • April 6, 2017 | People
    Reilly Law Office Welcomes Attorney Jennifer Bunker

    Attorney Jennifer Bunker has joined the law firm of Reilly Law Office, LLC. Jennifer Bunker is a native of Oglesby and presently lives in Peru, Illinois. She has worked in the Illinois Valley legal community for the past seven years handling many litigation related matters, including will contests, property tax appeals, breach of contract, and personal injury claims. Prior to joining Reilly Law Office, she clerked for Justice Robert L. Carter of the Third District Appellate Court.

    Jennifer Bunker is actively involved in the Illinois State Bar Association Trusts and Estates Section Council. She is the editor of the Council’s monthly publication distributed to members throughout Illinois. She also assists the Council in providing continuing legal education to attorneys, determining the need for new legislation, and reviewing and suggesting changes to current legislative proposals affecting wills, trusts, and estates. She has developed and drafted will and trust-based estate plans and administered probate and trust estates. Jennifer Bunker teaches an advanced master of laws (LL.M) class at The John Marshall Law School in estate planning and tax law. She also has experience in Municipal Law representing local governmental agencies and has experience in representing closely held businesses.

  • April 6, 2017 | People
    Ward Phelps Fisher 1925-2017

    Ward Phelps Fisher, 91, a fifty year resident of Oak Park, died peacefully on March 22, 2017. A lifelong Chicagoan, Ward was born May 26, 1925.

    In his youth, he was president of his class at McKinley High School and an Eagle Scout. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps in WWII and served as a lieutenant. He received his B.S. in political science from Northwestern University and his J.D. from the University of Chicago Law School in 1952. He was a passionate defender of truth, justice, and freedom ,and fought in the courts and in life for social justice and individual and civil rights. He practiced law in the state of Illinois for more than 60 years.

    Ward married his high school sweetheart, Rita Guerrieri, who was an educational psychologist, in 1947. He is survived by daughters Joan Carroll (Rick) of Alexandria Township, NJ; Lynn Fisher (David Kundla) of Austin, TX; Karen Fisher of Chicago; grandchildren Lindsay, Chelsea, Giancarlo and Margarita and great grandson Griffin.

    A memorial visitation will be held on Thursday, April 6, from 4 - 8 p.m. at Drechsler, Brown & Williams Funeral Home, 203 S. Marion St. in Oak Park. A memorial service will be held on Friday, April 7, at 4 p.m. at First United Church of Oak Park, 848 Lake Street.

  • April 5, 2017 | People
    Office of Inspector General Seeks Assistant Inspector General

    The Office of Executive Inspector General (OEIG) is hiring an assistant inspector general in Springfield. The incumbent is responsible for drafting final summary reports for investigative cases conducted by the OEIG under the auspices of the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act, and conducting or assisting with research relating to legal, investigative, disciplinary, and other relevant issues. This position involves working with information of an extremely sensitive and confidential nature associated with investigations and legal proceedings.

    Minimum requirements for consideration are: 

    • graduation from an accredited law school;
    • successful completion of the Uniform Bar Examination or license to practice law in the United States;
    • admittance to Illinois State Bar within one year of acceptance of an AIG positions;
    • prior legal experience in the area of ethics, criminal or labor/employment law is desirable;
    • ability to balance multiple concurrent priorities;
    • high ethical standards and the ability to work with sensitive and confidential materials;
    • ability to travel, including overnight;
    • flexibility to work independently and in a team environment;
    • excellent interpersonal, analytical, research, writing, organizational, and communication skills; and
    • demonstrated knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook) and internet applications.

    For more information, visit the OEIG website. Interested applicants should select the employment tab and click the "apply for open position link." 

  • April 3, 2017 | People
    John J. Caulfield 1931-2017

    John J. Caulfield J.D., age 85, of Oswego passed away on Monday, March 13, 2017, at his home. He was born on November 3, 1931 in Chicago, the son of John Patrick and Margaret (Noonan) Caulfield. John was united in marriage on April 11, 1953 to Rosemary D'Ambrosio. During their 63 years together John was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, and uncle who will be deeply missed by his family and many friends.

    John was a 1954 graduate of Loyola University Chicago and a 1959 graduate of the Loyola University Chicago School of Law. He practiced law in Chicago for over 50 years. John was a Chicago attorney for Workmen's Benefit Fund of U.S.A., the former general counsel, Catholic Order of Foresters, and the former Outside Consulting Attorney to COF. He was a member of the Law Committee of NFCA, the Illinois Bar Association, the Kane County Bar Association, the Association of Fraternal Benefit Counsel, and former member of the Northwest Suburban Bar Association. John was the former secretary and treasurer of the Little Brothers-Friends of the Elderly National Board and president of Chicago Little Brothers-Friends of the Elderly. John served his country as a member of the United States Army from 1952 to 1954. He was a longtime member of St. Anne Catholic Church in Oswego, where he was chairman of the Administration Commission. John was a past Grand Knight - Damen-Hildebrand Council #650 Knights of Columbus. He was also an active supporter of the Misericordia Home in Chicago, IL.

  • April 3, 2017 | People
    C. Don Weston 1933-2017

    C. Don Weston, 84, of Macomb passed away at 8:04 p.m. Friday, March 31, 2017, at Blessing Hospital in Quincy. He was born on February 22, 1933, at Phelps Hospital in Macomb to Dr. C.L. (Mike) and Joyce Clark Weston. He married Marjorie Graham Robb on October 3, 1965, in Chicago. She survives.

    C. Don graduated from Western Lab School, Knox College in Galesburg, and Georgetown University Law School in Washington, D.C. He was a member of the Knox College ROTC and served in the U.S. Army. He is a member of the Sigma Nu Fraternity; McDonough County Bar Association; the Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA) for over 50 years, where he received a certificate from the commemorating that accomplishment; McDonough County Republican Party; American Legion; WIU Leatherneck Club; and attended Monday Downtown Athletic Club lunches and the Macomb Elks. He served as assistant state attorney and was elected McDonough County state attorney.

    He was a founding member of the Bears and Bulls stock club in Macomb, from which he recently retired. C. Don always lived in Macomb where he participated in many local committees and activities. He was the oldest practicing attorney in McDonough County, practicing for over 50 years. He was recently asked to serve as grand marshall of the 2017 Heritage Days parade.

    1 comment (Most recent May 8, 2017)
  • March 31, 2017 | People
    David H. Kirk 1944-2017

    David H. Kirk, 73, of Danville passed away suddenly on March 14, 2017, at his home.

    David was born on Jan. 9, 1944, to Claude and Catharine (Strader) Kirk. He attended and graduated from Schlarman High School, the University of Illinois and John Marshall Law School in Chicago. David also took time during those years to enlist and serve in the U.S. Navy, where he was stationed on the aircraft carrier USS Independence during Vietnam.

    Upon completing his military service and his education, David practiced law in a firm with other local attorneys. Following that, he opened his own private practice where he continued his 34-year career before his retirement in 2005.

    David was a longtime member of Holy Family Catholic Church, The Knights of Columbus and American Legion Post 210.

    David was a kind soul who thoughtfully sent a little note or card to someone he hadn't heard from in a while, or who might be in need of a friend. But more than anything else, he loved being at home with his wife Jackie and his two best friends, his fur babies Jesse and Billy.

    David married Jackie Kirchoff on Aug. 21, 1992, in Danville and the two shared over 25 years together. He will be greatly missed by Jackie, his two sons Shane and Adam Kirchoff, his grandchildren Isaac and Amelia Kirchoff, brother Ronald Kirk, sisters Kathy (Dan) Strako and Rosemary Strebin, brothers-in-law Jeff (Lisa) Knapp and Mark (Marilyn) Knapp, several nieces, nephews and cousins. He also leaves behind countless close friends.

  • March 31, 2017 | People
    Candice M. Kane 1948-2017

    Candice Marie (Candy) Kane, 68, of Springfield, passed away on Friday, March 3, 2017 at her home.

    Candice was born August 6, 1948 in Mamaroneck, NY, the daughter of Gregory and Velma Marie Sammarco Kane. She married Carol Corgan on May 8, 2014 at Garfield Park Conservatory in Chicago.

    Candice obtained her bachelor's degree from Wheaton, a women's college in Connecticut, attended Northwestern University, where she earned her Ph.D. in psychology, and later obtained her juris doctorate from Northern Illinois University. She worked as the executive director of the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority until 2004, and retired in 2014 from University of Illinois at Chicago, Cure Violence, where she was C.O.O. Her career was devoted to social justice and ending violence. She loved work and her family of colleagues.

    Candice was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Greg Kane. She is survived by her spouse, Carol Corgan of Springfield, and her cousin, David "Skip" Sammarco of White Plaines, NY, who was a favorite childhood friend.

  • March 31, 2017 | People
    James F. Ashenden, Jr. 1925-2017

    James F. Ashenden, Jr., a 3rd generation Chicagoan, age 92, died surrounded by loving family on March 18, 2017. Beloved husband of Phyllis Ashenden for 11 years and the late Mary Jane “Janie” Ashenden for 55 years, who died in 2004. Loving father of Tom (Beverly), John (Maureen), Bob (the late Georjann), Bill (Beverly), Dan (Mary), and the late James Ashenden, III. Proud grandfather of Katie, Sean, Dana (Tyler Smith), Catherine (Joe) Bozikovich, Helen (Evan) Gremillion and Patricia, Daniel Burke and Emily Jane; and great grandfather of Riley Ann. Devoted brother of the late Dorothy (the late Robert) Brice.

    Jim graduated from Loyola Academy and attended Notre Dame University while in the U.S. Navy Air Corps program during World War II. He received his bachelor’s degree and juris doctor degree from Loyola University. Jim was a World War II Navy pilot. He then started his legal career at the Cook County Public Defender’s Office. He went into private practice at O’Keefe, O’Brien & Hanson as an associate and eventually became a partner with the firm, then renamed O’Keefe, Ashenden, Lyons & Ward. As a devout Catholic, he was retained by the Daughters of Charity. He proudly represented them throughout most of his career. Jim was highly respected and went on to become a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers. Jim retired from O’Keefe, Ashenden, Lyons & Ward when he was 70 years old.