The Jackson County Bar Association, an Illinois State Bar Association-affiliated bar association located in Carbondale, recently held its Ninth Annual Holiday Food Drive to benefit the Murphysboro Food Pantry, a volunteer-operated food pantry that serves all of Jackson County. Donations were collected from individual members throughout the month of December. Members, Michael Fiello, Alice Noble-Allgire and Craig Reeves challenged members to match their combined donation of $1,500, and the members rose to the challenge, collecting a total of $3,620 for the Food Pantry. This money will help the Food Pantry purchase food at discounted rates to distribute to local families and support the Pantry’s other programs.
People
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December 23, 2015 |
People
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December 23, 2015 |
People | Events
Fourth Circuit Judge Ronald Spears (left) was honored at a retirement party Dec. 18 in Taylorville. Judge Spears retired after 22 years of service in Christian County. ISBA Past President J. Timothy Eaton (right), Judge Spears' law school roommate, spoke in his honor.
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December 21, 2015 |
People
Sugar Felsenthal Grais & Hammer LLP (“SFGH”), announced on Wednesday that Michael H. Traison has joined its corporate restructuring and creditor’s rights practice as a partner.
Michael has been a pillar in the global restructuring community for the past 35 years—during which time he has represented debtors, creditors, creditors’ committees and asset purchasers in deals throughout the United States and around the world. His client-centric and leveled approach to solving complex financial problems has made him a considerable asset to his clients and peers alike. Michael’s desire to help people extends well beyond the office doors and into the global community. For decades, Michael has served as a tireless civic leader and advocate for human rights, with a special focus on Poland, the Jewish people and Israel. He was awarded The Knight's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland for his civic leadership by its President in 2012.
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December 21, 2015 |
People
On December 11, 2015, the Illinois Supreme Court issued an Order appointing John Kujawski of O’Fallon, Illinois to the Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism. The Mission of the Commission is “to promote a culture of civility and inclusion, in which Illinois lawyers and judges embody the ideals of the legal profession in service to the administration of justice in our democratic society.” The Commission is charged by Supreme Court Rule 799 to promote among both lawyers and judges in Illinois greater integrity, professionalism and civility; to foster commitment to the elimination of bias and divisiveness within the legal and judicial systems; and to ensure those systems provide equitable, efficient and effective service to the citizens of Illinois.
John Kujawski is the founding member of Kujawski Marcus, LLC, based in O’Fallon, Illinois. Mr. Kujawski is a resident of the Central West End, and has been practicing law since 1973 in the areas of Federal Employers’ Liability Act (FELA) and personal injury. Mr. Kujawski has earned Martindale-Hubbell's AV Preeminent peer review rating. Mr. Kujawski is a former Commissioner for the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission and is a member of the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 520. Recently in 2011, Mr.
Kujawski and his partner Bob Marcus prevailed in the United States Supreme Court in the case of CSXT v. McBride, which solidified the application of the FELA in fully protecting injured railroad workers and their families. Kujawski Marcus, LLC’s practice extends regionally to over 20 states. -
December 17, 2015 |
People
King Law Firm, LLC is proud to announce that Stephanie A. King will be joining the firm as an Attorney in January 2016.
Stephanie – a licensed Attorney in Illinois and Missouri – brings valuable and instrumental courtroom skills, legal ability, management experience, and strong professional relationships with courthouse staff and a variety of government offices. She is a member of the Alton-Wood River Bar Association, Madison County Bar Association, Illinois State Bar Association, The Missouri Bar, and American Bar Association. Stephanie earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Bridgewater State University and Juris Doctor from Thomas M. Cooley Law School. From 2010-2015, Stephanie served as an appointed Assistant State’s Attorney in Madison County, Illinois.
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December 17, 2015 |
People
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP welcomes a lateral associate and two recent law school graduates to the firm’s Chicago office.
Jack A. Gould joins the firm from Matushek, Nilles & Sinars, L.L.C., where he was also an associate. He focuses his practice on Asbestos Litigation, Product Liability and General Trial Practice. Mr. Gould received his J.D. from Chicago-Kent College of Law in 2011 and his B.A. cum laude from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2008.
Associate Ryan J. Devall focuses his practice on Commercial Litigation and Business Disputes, Environmental Law, and Creditors’ Rights and Bankruptcy. Mr. Devall received his J.D. from Chicago-Kent College of Law in 2015 and his B.A. from the University of California at San Diego in 2011.
Associate Lena M. Shapiro focuses her practice on Medical Negligence and Healthcare, Commercial Litigation and Business Disputes, Product Liability, and Intellectual Property Litigation and Transactional Services. Ms. Shapiro received her J.D. from the University of Illinois in 2015 and her B.A. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2012.
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December 16, 2015 |
People
When Supreme Court Chief Justice Rita B. Garman asked William McCleery to speak at the 2015 Admission Ceremony for the Fourth Judicial District in Springfield on November 6, he humbly accepted. Among the fifty-two lawyers to be sworn in from the fourth district, was his son, Daniel McCleery. William said “I was honored to address this talented group of young men and women and take great pride knowing Daniel was one of them.”
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December 15, 2015 |
People
Nerino J. Petro, Jr., has been appointed to the Citrix ShareFile® Advisory Board. This Board is composed of 17 members who will collaborate with Citrix® providing advice on the use of ShareFile® in the legal marketspace and to develop a new product that helps lawyers manage their practices more effectively, efficiently and productively. Citrix® solutions are in use at more than 400,000 organizations and by over 100 million users globally, including law firms and their staff.
When asked about selections for the new Board, Bill O’Boyle of Citrix explains, “When developing vertical specific solutions, our core strategy involves consulting with industry thought leaders. Nerino Petro and Jeff Krause have many years of highly respected experience in legal technology and are considered experts in the field. We are grateful for their participation and service on our advisory board.”
Nerino J. Petro, Jr. is the Chief Information Officer at HolmstromKennedy in Rockford. Recognized nationally as a speaker and author on legal technology and practice management, Petro speaks throughout the US and abroad on these topics. HolmstromKennedy is a century-old, 17-lawyer firm providing innovative solutions to complex issues throughout Northern Illinois, with offices in Rockford and Byron.
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December 15, 2015 |
People
The Illinois Supreme Court has announced that effective January 1, 2016, Quincy attorney James A. Rapp will chair the Supreme Court’s Minimum Continuing Legal Education Board.
The Supreme Court adopted minimum continuing education requirements for Illinois attorneys in September, 2005. The board is composed of nine members including attorneys, judges, and a non-lawyer member. Rapp is a charter member of the governing board and has served as Vice Chair and on the board’s rules and regulations as well as finance committees. There are approximately 106,000 attorneys in Illinois subject to the requirements.
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December 14, 2015 |
People
Thomas R. Smith, 76, of Danville passed away at home on Monday (Nov. 23, 2015).
Thomas was born Aug. 6, 1939, to Kenneth and Naydean (Phillips) Smith. He married Nancy (Underwood) Nixon on June 6, 1975; she survives.
Also surviving are a stepdaughter, Melissa (Matthew) Muirhead of Danville; his children, Kenneth Smith of Milwaukee, Thomas Smith of Zionsville, Ind., Melinda Smith of Zionsville, Michele (Mark) Jones of Monrovia, Ind.; and eight grandchildren, including a very special grandson, Grant Thomas Muirhead.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Jack Smith.
As a youth, he was active in Boy Scout of America, earning his Eagle Scout badge and representing his council several times in both national and international gatherings. He was a member of the Danville Jaycees, serving a term as president. He was an avid sports fan, especially Illini sports and the Indianapolis Colts.
Thomas graduated from Danville High School in 1957, DePauw University, Greencastle, Ind. where he was a member of the golf team in 1961, and the University Of Illinois College Of Law in 1964.
He practiced law in Danville for 50 years and was a partner in the law firm of Acton & Snyder. Thomas was also a member of both the Illinois and Indiana State Bar Associations, as well as the Vermilion County Bar Association.