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  • January 13, 2015 | People
    James C. Craven 1925-2015

    James C. Craven, 89, of Bellingham, Washington, died early Monday morning, January 12, 2015, in Seattle, Washington, following complications from surgery.

    Jim was born August 7, 1925, in Greenfield Tennessee, the son of Arlie and Addie Craven.  The family moved to Chicago in the 1930’s, and Jim graduated from Lakeview High School. He graduated from the University of Illinois, and the University of Illinois Law School, after serving in the Army during and after WWII.

    Jim married Gloria Pheney in November 1951, and they started a family in Springfield, Illinois.  Jim and Gloria moved to Ashland, Oregon in 1999, and then to Bellingham, Washington in 2010. He is survived by his wife Gloria at home in Bellingham, along with their four children, William (Terri Tork) of Sacramento CA; Nancy (Jim Claypool) of Portland OR; Don (Denise) of Springfield IL; and Rebecca (Scott Linneman) of Bellingham WA, as well as grandchildren Joseph and David Craven, Anna and Meg Claypool and Charles and Dorothy Linneman.

  • January 12, 2015 | People
    Baron named partner at Bailey & Glasser

    Bailey & Glasser LLP is pleased to announce that Springfield attorney Jeffrey Baron has been elected partners in the firm, effective January 1, 2015.

    Baron is a partner in the firm’s Springfield, Illinois office.Jeff focuses his practice in commercial litigation involving energy-related matters and business disputes. Jeff has represented individuals and corporations through all stages of the litigation process and has successfully handled trials, administrative proceedings, arbitrations, and appeals in a variety of areas, including energy and natural resources, construction, real estate, and business litigation. Jeff also advises clients on transactional and regulatory matters affecting their businesses, and has represented individuals and corporations in class action litigation. Before joining the firm in 2009, Jeff was an attorney with Husch Blackwell LLP, in St. Louis, where he concentrated his practice in commercial litigation involving securities, construction, and real estate litigation. Jeff received his B.A. from University of Missouri, St. Louis, magna cum laude, and his J.D. from University of Illinois College of Law, cum laude.

  • January 9, 2015 | People
    Schimpf to join Stumpf & Gutknecht

    The law firm of Stumpf & Gutknecht, P.C., announced today that Paul Schimpf will join the firm as an attorney of counsel.

    After growing up in Waterloo, Schimpf left Monroe County in 1989 to attend the United States Naval Academy. While on active duty for 24 years in the United States Navy and Marine Corps, he maintained Waterloo as his home of record. He is a 2000 graduate of the Southern Illinois University School of Law, where he was a member of the Law Review. Schimpf served as both an infantry officer and an attorney for the United States Marine Corps, retiring in 2013 as a Lieutenant Colonel. His highest profile legal assignment was as the lead American attorney-advisor in the trial of Saddam Hussein. Schimpf also served as the Staff Judge Advocate for Marine Corps Installations Command and the head prosecutor for the Marine Corps’ Western Recruiting Region.

    Schimpf resides in Monroe County with his wife, Lori, and their sons, Ethan and Garrett. He is licensed to practice law in Illinois courts, the Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces, and the United States Supreme Court.

    Stumpf & Gutknecht assists clients with legal matters. They provide counsel for families and their businesses in all aspects of general law practice, including real estate, financial and business transactions, estate planning, elder law, probate matters, trust-estate litigation, criminal law, traffic law, general civil litigation, commercial litigation, real estate litigation, family law, municipal, and appellate representation.

  • January 7, 2015 | People
    William F. "Bill" Haley 1947-2014

    William F. "Bill" Haley, age 67, a resident of Wheaton, for 25 years, formerly of Oak Park died December 5, 2014 at Edward Hospital in Naperville. He was born August 11, 1947 in Elmhurst.

    Bill grew up in Oak Park, attended Ascension Grade School and was a graduate of St. Ignatius High School. He received a BA in history from Loyola University in Chicago and later received his law degree from the University of Illinois College of Law in Champaign. Bill worked as an attorney for many years and enjoyed tutoring and coaching youth baseball, football and softball.

    Beloved husband of Margaret Haley, loving father of Katie (Jeff) Philippe of Chicago, Tom (Cathy Hwang) Haley of Palo Alto, CA, Claire Haley of Chicago and Rose Haley of Chicago, proud grandfather of Levon Philippe, devoted son of the late Frank and Mary Haley, dear brother of Mary Haley of Oak Park, Sr. Jeanne Haley, O.Carm. of Naperville, John (Julia) Haley of Oak Park, Dan (Mary) Haley of Oak Park and Jeanne Haley of Park Forest, IL, fond uncle and great-uncle of many.

    Services have been held. In lieu of flowers, memorials to: St. Patrick's Residence, 1400 Brookdale Road, Naperville, IL 60563, (630) 416-0783, www.stpatricksresidence.org

  • January 7, 2015 | People
    First female lawyer in LaSalle Co. welcomes granddaughter into practice

    A recent law school graduate kicked off the New Year with her grandmother, the first female attorney in LaSalle County, expanding an Ottawa-based law firm.

    Kathryn Baker, who graduated from Northern Illinois College of Law and passed the Illinois State Bar in October, said she’s excited to launch Barton & Baker with her “fiery” grandmother Marilyn Barton, the first woman to practice law in Ottawa more than 40 years ago.

    “Kate’s the only one of six grandkids I could talk into law,” Barton said with a laugh. “I’m proud she’ll carry on the tradition, and I’m thrilled to start 2015 practicing law alongside my granddaughter.”

    Barton started practicing law back in 1970, after serving as a Chicago Public School teacher for more than a decade. She said she likes the idea of adding her granddaughter into her long-standing practice because, with similar strong personalities, the two make a good team.

    Baker, who interned at Prairie State Legal Services in 2013 helping low-income clients, had initially sworn off becoming a lawyer in lieu of becoming a counselor. After being the youngest to graduate in her class at Bradley University with B.S. degrees in both Psychology and Sociology, Baker spent three years as a caseworker at the Illinois Institute for Addiction Recovery at Proctor Hospital in Peoria.

  • January 7, 2015 | People
    Lateral associate, new grads join Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP

    Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP has welcomed a lateral associate to its Libertyville office and two recent law school graduates to its Chicago office.

  • January 7, 2015 | People
    John Kenneth Surman 1944-2014

    John Kenneth Surman, 70, passed away Sunday, Dec. 7, 2014, at St. John’s Hospice.

    He was born in Carlinville, IL on March 25, 1944, to William Kenneth and Virginia (Burr) Surman. He married Donna Jean Grant on Sept. 2, 1967 at Carlinville Methodist Church.

    John was an Eagle Scout and a 1962 graduate of Carlinville High School. He attended Blackburn College and received his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Illinois, Champaign. He received his Juris Doctor from the University of Illinois Law School. John worked for Horsley Law Firm for 5 years and was part-time counsel for the State of IL Department of Agriculture for two years. He later opened Lott and Surman, P.C. and practiced for 40 years. He was the attorney for Curran Township and a member of the American Bar Association and Illinois State Bar Association. John was a member of the Island Bay Yacht Club for 40 years. He was a member of First United Methodist Church where he was a teacher and member of the TLC class for 33 years. Throughout his life he served on numerous boards and committees. In all areas of his life, he reflected the love of his Lord, Jesus Christ and brought glory to Him.

    John is survived by his wife, Donna; daughters, Elizabeth Anne (significant other, Doug Bagg) of Springfield and Catherine Jane (Dan) McCoy of Chicago; 2 grandsons, Ralph Jonathan and Andrew William McCoy; sister, Linda Bailey of Port Charlotte, FL; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins, including Judith (Richard) Lott of Springfield.

  • January 7, 2015 | People
    Olejniczak joins Burke & Handley, P.C

    Burke & Handley, P.C. is pleased to announce that Jordan C. Olejniczak has joined the firm as an Associate. Mr. Olejniczak graduated Magna Cum Laude from the Northern Illinois University College of Law. During his last year of school, he worked at a law firm in Naperville, Illinois. Mr. Olejniczak will be working in the firm’s commercial banking, real estate, and bankruptcy practice. 

  • January 7, 2015 | People
    Edward Matuga Sr. 1921-2014

    Edward A. Matuga Sr. Esq, 93, a longtime resident and attorney in Westchester, passed away on Dec. 4, 2014.

    He was a former prosecutor for Westchester, Broadview & Bellwood, founder of Aspire, past president at the Mental Health Commission for Proviso Twp. & West Suburban Bar Assn, member of the Illinois State Bar Association, past-president of the Advocate Society of Chicago and VFW of Lagrange.

    Edward was the eloved husband of the late Pearl; Loving father of Edward A. M.D. (Joan) Matuga, Janice (Thomas) O’Hara; Rita (Thomas) Ahearn & the late Michael; dear grandfather of Edward, Carolyn, Todd, Tracy, Timothy, Michael & Christopher; great-grandfather; Tanner, Keenan & Presley with more on the way. And step great grandfather of Leigha; fond brother of Theodore M.D. (Barbara) & the late Mitchell, Helen & Joseph Matuga.

    Services have been held. In lieu of flowers. Memorials to Divine Infant Church. Info 800-562-0082 or www.hursen.com

  • December 30, 2014 | People
    Watkins elevated to partner at Schiff Hardin

    Schiff Hardin has announced that ISBA member Lynn J. Watkins has been elevated to partner status effective Jan. 1, 2015.

    Mr. Watkins concentrates his practice in corporate and securities, as well as finance. Mr. Watkins has experience representing private and public company clients in their acquisitions and divestitures, institutional clients in connection with their investments in alternative investment vehicles and private equity funds in their formation and compliance with securities laws. Mr. Watkins also represents financial institutions and borrowers in a variety of financing matters, including secured and unsecured term note placements and mezzanine financings.

    Mr. Watkins earned his J.D. (2005) from the University of Illinois College of Law, his M.P.P (2002) from the University of Michigan — Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy, and his A.B. (1999) from Oberlin College.