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  • October 30, 2015 | People
    Grace Newgard 1979-2015

    Metropolitan Family Services is saddened to share that Attorney Grace Newgard, Director of the Pro Bono Project at the Legal Aid Society of Metropolitan Family Services, passed away Sunday, October 25, 2015 after an extended battle with pancreatic cancer.

    Grace earned her J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School and joined the Legal Aid Society in 2006 as its first full-time pro bono director. She developed a thriving pro bono initiative that matches thousands of low-income clients with volunteer attorneys and provides access to justice to vulnerable people who cannot afford representation. Her many contributions include:

  • October 30, 2015 | People
    DuPage County Law Firm Expands Healthcare Law Practice with the Hiring of Two Attorneys

    The DuPage County law firm of Momkus McCluskey, LLC located in Lisle, Illinois, is pleased to announce the hiring of Healthcare Law Attorneys Adrienne J. Hersh and Mamta A. Mujumdar.

    Adrienne J. Hersh will serve as of counsel to Momkus McCluskey, LLC’s healthcare law practice. Her background includes extensive experience in providing legal counsel to licensed physicians and health care professionals in Illinois. She obtained her J.D. from DePaul University College of Law and obtained her B.S. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Hersh serves as general counsel to the largest professional trade association in Illinois for chiropractic physicians. She also spent eight years serving as general counsel to the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation. She primarily handles health care legal matters including applications for license, license investigations and disciplinary actions, license restoration, physician advertising and other compliance matters pertaining to the Illinois Medical Practice Act, and defense of health insurance audits.

    Hersh is a member of the Illinois State Bar Association (Health Care Section), the Illinois Association of Healthcare Attorneys, the National Association of Chiropractic Attorneys, and the American Society of Association Executives.

  • October 30, 2015 | People
    Hon. Saul Anthony Perdomo 1936-2015

    Honorable Saul Anthony Perdomo, 79, died October 19. 

    Judge Perdomo was born in Havana, Cuba and came to the United States at the age of 13. He graduated from the University of Miami, Miami, FL and Cumberland School of Law, Birmingham, AL.

    His entire professional career was in Chicago as an Assistant States Attorney, Criminal Defense Attorney and finally Cook County Circuit Court Judge for 18 years. He was the first Cuban Judge in Cook County.

    He is survived by his wife Barbara Hudetz; daughter Laura (Young) Stevenson; son Carlo (Ivonne) Perdomo and eight grandchildren.

    The Judge loved life and had a great sense of humor. He enjoyed making people laugh. If you knew him, please take a moment to remember something funny he said and send him a parting smile.

    Services have been held. Visit www.donnellanfuneral.com for more information.

    1 comment (Most recent February 4, 2016)
  • October 30, 2015 | People
    Robert Frank Vespa 1924-2015

    Robert Frank Vespa, 91, died on Tuesday, October 13, 2015, in Chicago.

    Robert was born on February 10, 1924, in Springfield, the son of Nicola and Teresa Frasco Vespa. He married Irma Pillischafske on April 2, 1965, in Springfield.

    Robert received his law degree from St. Louis University and worked as an attorney in Springfield. He proudly served his country in the United States Navy. Robert was a member of the Illinois State Bar Association, the Elk's Lodge and a past president of the Eagles Club. He was an avid Cubs fan and enjoyed playing cards with friends, and spending time with his grandchildren.

    He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Marie and Viola; and three brothers, John, Roger and Joseph.

    He is survived by his wife, Irma Vespa of Springfield; one son, Craig (wife, Melanie); two grandchildren, Mason and Mackenzie, all of Chicago; two sisters, Edith McCarty and Angela Elder, both of Springfield; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

    Cremation care was accorded prior to ceremonies.

  • October 30, 2015 | People
    Duncan Tyree Smith 1962-2015

    Duncan Tyree Smith was born the seventh of eight children born to the union of Woodrow Smith, and Mildred Pauline Harris in Chicago, Illinois. 

    Duncan loved his family, his Fraternity and his music. He also was a brilliant scholar while attending Meridian High School; completing his under grad degree at Southeast Missouri State University and his Juris Doctorate from Southern Illinois University School of Law. After spending time working at his practice, Duncan also worked with CASA helping disturbed youth. 

    He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Craig Pierre and one sister, Loretta Diane. 

    Duncan leaves to cherish his memory his wife Myra Smith, daughter, Admire Miracle both of Tamms, Illinois, two sons; William Cole of Tamms, Illinois and Javon Davis of Antioch, Tennessee. Three brothers, two sisters; Woodrow, Jr.(Betsy) of Fayetteville, North Carolina, Clareon (Larry) Crider of Aurora, Illinois, Cheri (Willie) Johnson of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, Desmond (Terry) Smith of Chicago, Illinois and Dwight (Sandra) of Flossmore, Illinois and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, in‐laws, other relatives and friends. 

    Services have been held.

  • October 28, 2015 | People
    Kohen joins Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. as associate

    The Law Offices of Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. announced today the promotion of Rob L. Kohen to Associate. Mr. Kohen first joined Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. as an attorney in 2014. He concentrates his legal practice on personal injury and medical malpractice cases.

    Mr. Kohen received his law degree from the Chicago-Kent College of Law. At Chicago-Kent, Mr. Kohen was a member of the nationally ranked Trial Advocacy Team and competed in the American Association for Justice Student Trial Advocacy Competition. He also received a CALI award for the highest grade in an individual class. Since graduating, Mr. Kohen has been asked to speak numerous times to current law school students and serves on the Chicago-Kent Young Alumni Counsel.

    Prior to joining Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C., Mr. Kohen was a law clerk at a personal injury firm in Chicago for two and half years.

    "Rob has earned this promotion through his hard work and dedication to supporting our lawyers and assisting clients," said Patrick A. Salvi, managing equity partner at Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard. "His trial support work has been invaluable and we are glad to add him to our team."

    Outside of his legal practice, Mr. Kohen is an avid and ranked triathlete. He is currently ranked in the top 5% overall as an All WORLD Ironman Age Group Athlete. Since 2011, Mr. Kohen is a three-time USA Age Group National Championship finisher, two-time Ironman finisher, six-time Ironman 70.3 finisher, and two-time marathon finisher.

  • October 27, 2015 | ISBA News | People
    ISBA leaders attend Peoria County Diversity Luncheon

    ISBA leaders attended the 12th Annual Peoria County Bar Association Diversity Luncheon on Oct. 21 at the Peoria Marriott Pere Marquette. Bradley University Athletic Director Chris Reynolds (left) served as the keynote speaker. ISBA leaders in attendance included (from left after Reynolds) ISBA President Umberto S. Davi, ISBA Board member Sonni Choi Williams, ISBA President-elect Vincent F. Cornelius and ISBA 3rd Vice President James F. McCluskey.

  • October 26, 2015 | People
    Gartner Law Offices announces new associate and partners

    Christopher Hughes was recently named a partner, concentrating his practice in Estate Planning, Commercial and Residential Real Estate, and Civil Litigation. Prior to joining Gartner Law Offices in January 2013, Christopher spent 10 years working for a large civil litigation firm in Chicago.

    Matt DeMartini joined Gartner Law Offices as a partner concentrating in the areas of Criminal Law and Family Law. Prior to joining Gartner Law Offices, Matt spent 11 years with the Lake County State’s Attorney’s office.

    Monica Banasiuk joined Gartner Law Offices as an associate in its’ Chicago location, focusing her practice on Real Estate transactions, Civil Litigation matters, and Estate Planning. Prior to joining Gartner Law Offices, Monica was an associate with Beermann Pritikin Mirabelli Swerdlove, LLP, concentrating in Family Law.

    About Gartner Law Offices:

    Since 2009, Gartner Law Offices, Inc. has been primarily practicing general civil litigation, commercial and residential real estate transactions, estate planning, criminal law and family law. We represent individuals and businesses from the greater Chicago area and Southeastern Wisconsin with offices conveniently located in downtown Chicago and Lake County, Illinois.

  • October 26, 2015 | People
    Sandra Wall rejoins DLA Piper from McDonald’s

    DLA Piper is pleased to announce that Sandy Wall has rejoined the firm's Franchise & Distribution practice after spending more than ten years at McDonald’s Corporation.  Sandy practiced franchise and distribution law with DLA Piper for almost nineteen years before she began her tenure at McDonald’s.

    Most recently, Sandy served as Managing Counsel of the Franchise practice at McDonald’s, where she led the team of lawyers responsible for franchise law compliance matters.  Sandy was responsible for the preparation of the company’s disclosure document and the issuance of all franchise agreements.  She also oversaw the transfers of all McDonald’s restaurants, including sales between franchisees and the purchase and sale of company-owned restaurants. Gloria Santona, McDonald’s General Counsel characterized Sandy as “an excellent attorney and a true client advocate, with exceptionally deep expertise in franchising law.  She has a nuanced understanding of how to effectively navigate complex relationships with owner/operators and in preparing and handling franchise disclosures.”

    Sandy’s extensive in-house experience also includes over three years at Sears, Roebuck and Co., where she was an associate general counsel.  In that role, Sandy oversaw commercial contacts, including vendor agreements, dealer agreements, license agreements with third-party independent contractors, consulting agreements and strategic sourcing initiatives.  She was also integrally involved in putting together several start-up franchise programs while at Sears.

  • October 23, 2015 | People | ISBA News
    Judge Chmiel attends Fall 2015 Conference of the Illinois Council for the Social Studies

    On October 16, 2015, at Harper College in Palatine, Illinois, Judge Mike Chmiel met with Mary Todd Lincoln (a/k/a Laura F. Keyes), President Abraham Lincoln (a/k/a Kevin J. Wood), and Dean Cantú at the Fall 2015 Conference of the Illinois Council for the Social Studies.  Cantú serves as Executive Director for the Council.  Chmiel serves as Chair of the Civics Education Subcommittee of the Standing Committee for the Law Related Education of the Public of the ISBA, and attended the conference to share opportunities provided by volunteers of the ISBA and the Illinois Judges Association to teach students about civics.