The Re-Connecting the Pathways Conference Steering Committee has honored ISBA Past President Mark D. Hassakis and ISBA Legislative Director James R. Covington III with an award for their advocacy work, particularly as it impacted the time needed to resolve juvenile appellate cases. They were honored in the Adolescent Development and Trauma-Informed Practice category.
The awards were presented in Springfield on Tuesday, June 3.
People
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June 18, 2014 |
People
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June 16, 2014 |
Events | People
William F. Kelley was installed as the 58th President of the Northwest Suburban Bar Association on June 12, 2014 during the Association’s annual dinner meeting at Maggiano’s in Schaumburg. His brother and former partner, the Hon. Judge Thomas J. Kelley, administered the oath of office to William Kelley, the officers and Board of Governors.
Kelley said that he was “humbled and honored to take over the helm as President and that the core focus of the Association will continue to be fostering an atmosphere of collegiality, civility and respect among members of the bar and bench, while honing their professional skills.” He noted that “Staying on top of the law makes us more effective advocates and advisors.”
William Kelley is the manager partner of the law firm Kelley, Kelley & Kelley. The law firm of Kelley, Kelley & Kelley is located in Schaumburg and has been serving clients in the northwest suburbs for over 50 years, having been founded by John P. Kelley who passed away in 2009.
John P. Kelley was honored with the NWSBA Distinguished Service Award during the annual dinner. William Kelley noted that his father’s “focus and attention to detail, insisting upon impeccable work product, tenaciously protecting his clients, and his modeling of integrity and professionalism to this date remain an incredible inspiration to me, my brothers, his associates and colleagues.” The Honorable Martin C. Kelley, another brother and former partner of William F. Kelley, accepted the award on behalf of their father.
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June 12, 2014 |
People
Thomas O. Meyer, 63, of Rockford died Saturday, May 24, 2014 at home with his wife, Lydia, by his side holding his hand. Tom fought a six year battle with cancer, which he tackled with unbelievable strength and courage. He was born March 5, 1951 in Rockford, IL to Eugene and Ellen (Roland) Meyer. He married the love of his life, Lydia Salucka Lindstrom, on February 6, 1993 in Rockford, Illinois. He was a member of Rockford Country Club and Winnebago County Bar Association.
Tom graduated from Auburn High School, Illinois State University and John Marshal Law School. He practiced law for 38 years with several partners—all of whom remained friends long after their law partnerships dissolved---including Tom Nash, Gordy Ring, Barney Natale and Tim Horning. He assisted thousands of friends, family and clients in his practice of law; and had the honor and pleasure of practicing law with his son, Nick, for five years.
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June 12, 2014 |
People
Leonard F. Sacks, 73, of Bourbonnais, passed away Tuesday (May 20, 2014) at his home. He was born April 7, 1941, in Chicago, the son of Israel and Edith (Lichtenstein) Sacks. Leonard married Judith Madill on Aug. 15, 1965, in Cocoa Beach, Fla. He was a longtime area attorney for more than 46 years.
Surviving are his wife, of Bourbonnais; two sons, Eric (Denise) Sacks, of Oak Park, and David (Jennifer) Sacks, of Bourbonnais. He is also survived by one daughter, Rebecca McKinney, of Oak Park, along with grandchildren, Leah, Abigale, Finnegan, Julie Anne, Nathan, Allison, Harper and Lillian.
Leonard was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Joyce Edelstein.
To leave a condolence, share a memory, upload a special photo or read more about Leonard, please go to schrefflerfuneralhomes.com.
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June 11, 2014 |
People
Leading DuPage County law firm Momkus McCluskey, LLC announced today that Daniel J. Biederman, Sr. has joined the firm in Lisle as a partner in its Environmental Law practice.
Daniel J. Biederman, Sr. joined Momkus McCluskey, LLC to lead the firm’s Environmental Law Practice. He will be working closely with James S. Harkness and Jennifer L. Friedland, who are attorneys in the firm’s commercial and environmental litigation practice. Mr. Biederman concentrates his practice in complex and sophisticated environmental law, covering industry sectors across the nation. He regularly serves clients in all key areas of environmental law, which include due diligence, litigation, compliance, permitting, strategic planning, audit and civil and criminal enforcement proceedings.
“We are delighted to have Dan join us,” said James F. McCluskey. “He will add to our strong environmental and commercial litigation team.” “Dan’s experience is not only in litigation but in providing transactional guidance.” added Ed Momkus. “He’s a great addition to the firm’s expertise and will also work closely with the Transactional Group’s Environmental team.”
Mr. Biederman resides in Downers Grove, and is the father of four children. He spends much of his time in support of the Les Turner Foundation to fight Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), often referred to as “Lou Gehrig’s Disease.”
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June 10, 2014 |
ISBA News | People
Professor Mark E. Wojcik of The John Marshall Law School will receive the 2014 Community Leadership Award from the Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA) at the organization’s 138th Annual Meeting on Friday, June 20, at the Grand Geneva Resort in Lake Geneva, Wis.
The award recognizes individuals for their efforts to foster understanding of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people and their issues of concern.
A former member of the ISBA Board of Governors, Wojcik has been a longtime force in the fight to achieve understanding of and equity for those in the LGBT community through his participation in local, state and national organizations. He founded the first gay rights organization at The John Marshall Law School and the first gay rights committee of the Chicago Bar Association. He served on the ISBA Standing Committee on Sexual Orientation Law, he was a Commissioner of the American Bar Association’s Commission on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity, he chaired the Association of American Law Schools Section on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Issues, and he is a Past President of the Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago. He was also inducted into the City of Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame.1 comment (Most recent June 11, 2014) -
June 6, 2014 |
People
Albert K. Semmler, Esq., 72, of Bloomington, died on May 25, 2014, at Heritage Health, Normal, after battling prostate cancer.
His funeral will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Bloomington, where visitation will be two hours prior to service at the church. The Rev. Carl LoPresti will officiate, and the Rev. Ric Schneider will celebrate. Burial will be at Holy Cross Cemetery, Normal. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Fellowship of Christian Athletes, St. Jude Midwest Affiliate or a charity of the donor’s choice.
He was born March 2, 1942, in Cincinnati, Ohio, son of Albert and Hedwig Werle Semmler. He married Carole M. Levo on June 13, 1964, in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Surviving are his wife, Carole, Bloomington; three daughters, Heidi (Herb) Todd, Towanda; Tracy (John) Schuler, Chenoa; and Jacquie (David) Crutchley, Bloomington; one son, Alexander (Neysa) Semmler, Panama City Beach, Fla.; eight grandchildren; one sister, Hedwig (Tom) Goetz, Columbus, Ohio; and three brothers, Erich Semmler, Cincinnati, Ohio; Karl Semmler, Virginia Beach, Va.; and Edward (Deb) Semmler, South Bend, Ind.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
In 2006, Al retired after 36 years from Country Companies, where he worked as the director of financial planning.
He was an avid tennis player. Al also enjoyed running marathons, and was very proud to have completed the 100th running of the Boston Marathon.
To express condolences online, please visit www.carmodyflynn.com.
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June 6, 2014 |
ISBA News | People
108 PILI Interns & Fellows Serve at Legal Aid Organizations Across Illinois This Summer
The Public Interest Law Initiative (PILI) has announced its Law Student Internship & Graduate Fellowship Class of 2014. PILI is funding 43 Law Student Interns representing 34 law schools from across the country to work at 23 legal aid organizations across Illinois. These PILI Interns have been selected out of over 350 law student applicants from over 70 law schools. Each PILI Intern will serve 400 hours over the summer, together contributing 17,200 hours of legal services on behalf of thousands of low-income individuals and families. PILI provides supplemental educational, networking and mentoring opportunities. See a full list of our 2014 Law Student Interns on our website at www.pili.org/internships/current-pili-interns.
Of these Interns, 13 hold Named or Honorary Internship positions, created by special funding commitments from individuals and groups dedicated to promoting public interest law. Many Named Internships support a specific cause. For example, the ISBA Young Lawyers Division has for years sponsored one PILI Intern through its Children’s Assistance Fund to address the legal welfare of children. Other PILI Interns are named in honor or memory of champions for service and philanthropy to our legal aid community, including Kimball & Karen Anderson of Winston & Strawn LLP and Jerome Gilson of Brinks Gilson & Lione.
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June 5, 2014 |
People
Simmons Browder Gianaris Angelides & Barnerd LLC and Hanly Conroy Bierstein Sheridan Fisher & Hayes LLP, national leaders in mass tort and complex litigation, announced today the two law firms will merge effective July 1 of this year. The firm will be called Simmons Hanly Conroy and have offices in New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, St. Louis and Alton, Ill. The new firm will continue to represent victims of corporate wrongdoing.
“The merger gives us a New York office, expands our attorney depth and creates a streamlined practice with centuries of litigation experience,” said Chairman John Simmons. “Together, we are positioned as a dominant national leader in asbestos, mass tort and complex litigation matters, and we are especially pleased that Jayne Conroy will continue her leadership role as a named shareholder in the merged firm.”
Simmons and Hanly Conroy have been co-counsel partners for over a decade, successfully resolving products liability litigations including Oxycontin, Chantix, Yaz and Toyota unintended acceleration cases. The merger is a natural progression of the firms’ existing relationship, said Simmons.
The Simmons Firm employs more than 60 attorneys and 150 professional support staff spread among five offices in St. Louis, Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Alton, Ill. Founded in 1999 by Simmons, the firm quickly developed a national reputation in asbestos litigation by securing a $250 million verdict against U.S. Steel on behalf of a factory worker diagnosed with mesothelioma.
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June 4, 2014 |
People
By Dion Davi
It is with great sadness that I announce the passing of Ashley M. Haws, a beautiful and brilliant rising star in the legal community. Ashley brought a warm smile and very positive outlook to every situation. She was loved by all that met her. The law profession and the world have lost someone that was destined to do great things. Ashley was a driving force in the initial and continued growth of our law firm. She will be greatly missed by me, our staff, and everyone that she came in contact with. Our sincerest heartfelt thoughts go out to her mother Sharon, father Gary, brother Matt, family and friends.