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  • February 22, 2016 | People
    ATG LegalServe and It’s Your Serve Join Forces

    ATG LegalServe, Inc., a subsidiary of Attorneys’ Title Guaranty Fund, Inc. (ATG®, http://www.atgf.com/), and It’s Your Serve, Inc. (IYS)  have combined to create a single, full-service litigation support company offering services to lawyers and law firms throughout Chicago and beyond. Effective February 11, 2016, the blended organization is doing business under the name ATG LegalServe. Each organization will remain at its current downtown Chicago office until they relocate to a new corporate headquarters.

    The accurate and timely service of litigation documents as well as the delivery, retrieval, and filing of documents by companies such as ATG LegalServe and It’s Your Serve are essential to the legal process. In addition to process serving, the two companies also provide related services such as skip tracing, background checks, surveillance services and court filings.

  • February 22, 2016 | People
    ISBA Laureate Thomas S. Johnson 1942-2016

    Thomas S. Johnson, 73 of Rockford, senior partner of one of Rockford's oldest and largest law firms, died unexpectedly at home on February 15, 2016.

    Born May 21, 1942, in Rockford, son of Fred C. Johnson and Pauline Ross Johnson. He graduated from East High School in 1960 where he excelled in debate and received the Oratorical Contest award. He graduated from Rockford College in 1964 and then received his law degree from Harvard Law School in 1967.

    He served in the U.S. Army from 196870, where he received the Meritorious Service Medal. Tom then returned to Rockford to join the law firm founded by his mentors, Karl Williams and John C. McCarthy, and began a distinguished legal career that lasted 46 years. He concentrated his practice in trust and estate law and received the highest recognition in his specialty by being named as a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel.

    He was instrumental in the growth and success of WilliamsMcCarthy LLP and was President of the law firm from 1987 to 2002. Tom possessed a brilliant mind, a sharp wit, and was unwavering in his support of the firm, his colleagues, his community and the legal profession. In the tradition of Daniel Burnham, his motto was "Make no little plans; they have no magic to stir men's blood."

  • February 19, 2016 | People
    Cominos joins Faegre Baker Daniels as Corporate Partner

    Faegre Baker Daniels has added experienced corporate partner Ted Cominos, in Chicago. Cominos comes from Locke Lord LLP.

    Cominos brings substantial experience with private equity-backed M&A transactions across borders, particularly in Europe’s emerging markets and neighboring countries including Russia, CIS, Turkey and North Africa.

  • February 18, 2016 | People
    John C. Prehn Jr. 1956-2016

    John C. Prehn Jr., age 59, passed away peacefully at his home February 2, 2016 surrounded by his family. 

    He was preceded in death by his mother, Patricia; brother, Steven; and grandparents, Frederick and Bertha Prehn. 

    He is survived by his father, John "Jack" Prehn Sr.; and wife of 28 years, Gayle (nee Bordewisch) Prehn. Devoted father to Emily Hadley (Justin) Invergo, Michael (Diana) Hadley, John Prehn III, and Sarah (Jorge Valdez) Prehn. Proud grandfather to Ava, Rhys, and Isla Invergo, Keira and Christian Haldey, and Enrique Valdez. Loving brother to Kathie (Randy) Verhulst, Bob (Julie) Prehn, Laura (Craig) O'Brien, Michael Prehn, Margaret "Peggy" (Brian) Washko and numerous nieces, nephews and "adopted" children. 

  • February 18, 2016 | People
    Sharon Pulsifer 1943-2016

    Sharon L Pulsifer, 72, well-known Moline, Illinois, attorney, died Wednesday, January 27, 2016, in Silvis, Illinois.

    Sharon was born April, 1943 in Cincinnati, Ohio. In 1963 she married Harrison Pulsifer with whom she had four children. She graduated from St. Ambrose University before earning her Juris Doctor degree from the University of Illinois in 1979.

  • February 17, 2016 | People
    Edward Durree 1949-2016

    Edward R. Durree, 66, of Peoria passed away at 5:12 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2016, at UnityPoint Health-Methodist in Peoria after an ongoing fight with cancer, surrounded by his loving family, including his two children, two sisters, his ex-wife, best friends and his beloved dog, Cloe.

    Ed was born on June 2, 1949, in Streator, Ill., to John Reynold and Gladys Lucille (Birtwell) Durree.

    Surviving are his two children, Sara Elizabeth Durree and Benjamin Ray (Kristina) Durree, both of Peoria; one grandchild; and his two sisters, Rebecca Manigold and Jane Briner. Also surviving are his cherished nieces and nephews, whom he loved very much.

    1 comment (Most recent February 19, 2016)
  • February 17, 2016 | People
    Lombard Family Law Firm Announces Porter as New Partner

    The Lombard family law firm of A. Traub & Associates is pleased to announce that Senior Associate and ISBA Board member Chantelle A. Porter has been promoted to Partner. Porter joined A. Traub and Associates in 2008.

    “Chantelle has been a phenomenal asset to A. Traub & Associates and just all in all great to have around. Her unwavering commitment to the local legal community and her clients is impressive. It was an easy decision to name Chantelle as a partner and we look forward to her success within this new role,” says Principal Owner of A. Traub & Associates, Angel M. Traub.

    Lombard divorce lawyer Chantelle A. Porter earned her J.D. from DePaul University College of Law and earned her B.A. from Ohio State University. Porter concentrates her legal practice on family law, juvenile criminal defense, domestic violence, orders of protection and DCFS abuse and neglect cases. She also assists clients with landlord and tenant issues and civil litigation defense. Porter is a Guardian ad litem and an appointed Juvenile Conflict Attorney in the 18th Judicial Circuit.

  • February 10, 2016 | People
    Tiesenga elected as an Oak Brook Village Trustee

    The Oak Brook law firm of Tiesenga Reinsma & DeBoer LLP is pleased to announce that Managing Partner Edward N. Tiesenga has been elected as an Oak Brook Village Trustee. Tiesenga brings more than 30 years of legal and business experience to his new role as village trustee, which will run through April 2019.

    Oak Brook Corporate Law Attorney Edward N. Tiesenga obtained his J.D. from American University, Washington College of Law, and he graduated with a B.A. cum laude from Hope College in Michigan. He is admitted to practice law before the United States Supreme Court, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, and the State of Illinois.

  • February 10, 2016 | People
    Locke forms Locke Law Group

    Barry Locke is pleased to announce the formation of his new firm, Locke Law Group, located in the prestigious Willis/Sears Tower.

    Locke Law Group accepts referrals of cases in all areas of family law.

  • February 10, 2016 | People
    William C. (Bill) Prather 1921-2016

    William C. (Bill) Prather, 94, of Toledo, Illinois died on Saturday morning, January 16, 2016 while recuperating at Cumberland Rehab & Health Care, Greenup, Illinois. Respecting the wishes of William C. Prather, no funeral nor memorial service is scheduled. 

    Bill Prather was born February 20, 1921 in Toledo, the only child of Hollie Cartmill Prather and Effie Ferne (Deppen) Prather. He is survived by several cousins and many friends. 

    Bill was a 1938 graduate of Casey High School, Casey, IL. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Illinois in 1942 where, with Betty Stiglitz, he was Co-President of the Student Government Association. Bill received his Juris Doctorate degree, also from the University of Illinois, in 1947 and was admitted to practice before the Illinois Supreme Court that same year. Bill was admitted to the bar of the United States Supreme Court in 1978.