The Bar News

Bar News Sections

People

  • February 12, 2013 | People
    Joseph DuCanto 1927-2013

    ISBA Laureate Joseph DuCanto, 85, a founding partner of Schiller DuCanto & Fleck, passed away after a brief illness on Friday, Feb. 8.

    “Joe” DuCanto, became a founding partner of the Chicago law firm Schiller DuCanto & Fleck in 1981. He devoted himself professionally to elevating the status of the practice of matrimonial law, and of its practitioners.  With his dedicated guidance and support, shared equally by his partners, Schiller DuCanto & Fleck has become one of the most distinguished matrimonial law firms in the country. Best Lawyers in America has named it the number one ranked Family-Law divorce law firm in the United States.

    Mr. DuCanto was known throughout the country for preparation and distribution of divorce-tax related materials, including his annual Federal Income Tax Charts, dating back to 1977, which are used today by lawyers, judges, accountants, bankers and financial planners.

    Joe was also a prolific writer, who was frequently published in law Journals, including the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. From 2000-2008 Mr. DuCanto wrote “All in the Family”, a monthly column for the Chicago Lawyer,  where he critically examined many newly issued cases, movements, trends and ideas in the practice of family law. Ultimately, a collection of those articles was published in book form.

  • February 11, 2013 | People
    Christopher Zdarsky Joins Quarles & Brady's Chicago Office

    The national law firm of Quarles & Brady LLP announced that Christopher J. Zdarsky has joined the firm's Chicago office as an associate in the Commercial Litigation Practice Group.

    Prior to joining the firm, Zdarsky served as an assistant public defender for the Lake County Public Defender’s Office, Misdemeanor Division. While in law school, he worked for the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, Felony Trial Division as a 711 legal intern. He earned his law degree, cum laude, from Chicago-Kent College of Law and his undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin.

    About Quarles & Brady LLP

    Quarles & Brady LLP is a full-service law firm with more than 400 attorneys practicing from offices in Phoenix and Tucson, Ariz.; Naples and Tampa, Fla.; Chicago, Ill; Madison and Milwaukee, Wis.; Washington, D.C.; and Shanghai, China. The firm provides an array of legal services to corporate and individual clients, which range from small entrepreneurial businesses to Fortune 100 companies. Additional information about the firm may be found at www.quarles.com, and on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook.

  • February 8, 2013 | People
    Katarinna McBride joins Harrison & Held as partner

    Katarinna McBride has joined the Chicago firm of Harrison & Held as partner. She was formerly a partner with Handler Thayer, LLP.

    Katarinna counsels individuals, entrepreneurs, family businesses, family offices and charitable organizations on advanced transfer-tax strategies. She renders holistic and sophisticated advice and implements tax and asset protection strategies to safeguard family assets and businesses. She represents clients in all stages of their relationships, whether it is a sale of their business, an executive agreement, or a new marriage, and expertly crafts and negotiates premarital and post-marital agreements.

    Katarinna is a fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC) and is the Chair of the Illinois State Bar Association Trusts & Estates Section Council. Katarinna serves on the advisory board to establish the Illinois Masters in Estate Planning (LL.M Program). She authors the Estate Planning column for the Illinois Bar Journal and publishes for Trusts & Estates Magazine and numerous other publications. She received the Service Award for her role as Editor for the Illinois State Bar Association Trusts & Estates publication.

  • February 7, 2013 | People
    Kane County Judge Patricia Golden retires

    Longtime Kane County Associate Judge Patricia Piper Golden, who in 1976 was the first female to win a contested election for a state's attorney post in the state's history, retired this week.

    "I was very fortunate to be in a judicial system that really is the envy of people all over the world," said Golden, 62, of Dundee Township.

    In 1976, Golden was elected Carroll County state's attorney, marking the first time in the state a woman won a contested election for state's attorney.

    "She was definitely a glass ceiling breaker in terms of prosecutors outside of Cook County," 16th Judicial Circuit Chief Judge Judith Brawka said.

    Brawka noted Golden's penchant for being patient and fair, and for giving people a chance to have a voice through the Child Advocacy Center and drug court.

    "She has always shown, throughout her life, a lot of care and concern for the underdog," Brawka said. "Patricia Golden is irreplaceable. We'll miss her."

    Judge Golden currently serves as co-chair for the ISBA's Special Committee on Fair and Impartial Courts. Her husband, Loren Golden, is an ISBA Past President.

    Read more in the Daily Herald at www.dailyherald.com/article/20130131/news/701319710/

    1 comment (Most recent February 8, 2013)
  • February 7, 2013 | People
    Howard & Howard names Donna Goelz shareholder in Peoria office

    Howard & Howard Attorneys PLLC is pleased to announce that Donna M. Goelz has become a shareholder with the firm.  Ms. Goelz practices out of the firm’s Peoria office.

    Ms. Goelz concentrates her practice in corporate, regulatory and compliance matters for financial institutions­­­­­­­­­. She received her B.S., with honors, from Washington University in 1981 and her J.D., cum laude, from St. Louis University School of Law in 1985 where she was the Articles Editor for the Law Journal. 

    Prior to joining Howard & Howard, Ms. Goelz had extensive experience working with one of St. Louis’ largest law firms representing major banks, thrifts and related holding companies in corporate, regulatory and securities law matters. She provided legal direction during the formation of entities, acquisitions, securities offerings and other regulatory matters related to banking and financial organizations.

    Ms. Goelz is admitted to both the Illinois State Bar and the Missouri Bar.

  • February 6, 2013 | People
    Schiller DuCanto & Fleck LLP welcomes Natalie Momoh as new associate

    The law firm of Schiller DuCanto & Fleck LLP is proud to announce the hiring of Natalie A. Momoh as a new associate. Prior to joining the firm, Momoh practiced as a litigator at Kirkland & Ellis LLP defending Fortune 500 companies in high-stakes, complex commercial disputes. Momoh’s experience as a commercial litigator assists her in advocating for her clients' interests with integrity and zeal.

    "Although divorce can be painful, it can also be an opportunity for a new beginning. I am transitioning to family law because I am passionate about working with individual clients and helping them reshape their lives,” said Momoh. “Schiller DuCanto & Fleck has an established reputation based on their legal excellence, professionalism and outstanding client-focused service.  The firm is known as an innovator in the practice of family law and I am honored to join such a well-respected group of lawyers.”

    The firm of Schiller DuCanto & Fleck LLP is the largest family law firm of its kind in the country. It is internationally recognized as a model for firms practicing family law and has a primary focus on helping affluent clients solve problems to achieve the best possible results. The firm’s mission of ensuring quality, knowledge and experience to their clients is evident through their numerous awards, including being named as one of the best law firms in 2012-2013 by U.S. News & World Report.It has also been recognized for having outstanding lawyers in peer ratings and publications such as Best Lawyers in America and Law Dragon Top 500.

  • February 4, 2013 | People
    Schiller, Jochner to receive awards from DePaul College of Law

    ISBA Past President Donald C. Schiller will be honored with DePaul University College of Law's highest award, the 2013 Distinguished Alumni Award. Schiller, a 1966 alumni of the school, is a founding partner with Schiller, DuCanto & Fleck.

    Michele Jochner, a fellow partner with Schiller, DuCanto & Fleck will also be honored with the Outstanding Service to the Profession Award.

    The awards will be presented at the Law Alumni Awards Dinner on March 7 at the Sofitel Chicago Water Tower.

  • January 31, 2013 | People
    Anthony G. Scariano 1946-2012

    Nationally recognized attorney Anthony G. Scariano of Flossmoor, Illinois passed away peacefully on December 26, 2012 at his most beloved place, Redstone, Colorado.

    Anyone who had the pleasure of making Tony's acquaintance can attest to the larger than life impression left by this irreplaceable man. He was a passionate fan of gardening, literature, sports, art, cooking, photography, music, and so much more. Seeming to have a never-ending cache of knowledge, Tony could have a conversation with you about any topic in this world.

    Tony was also a loving grandfather who treasured his most precious possession in the world, his granddaughter, Julianna Marie Scariano. Mr. Scariano was a trailblazer in the field of school law. He first practiced law with his father, the late Anthony Scariano who was an Illinois Appellate Court judge, state legislator, and founder of the law Firm of Scariano, Himes and Petrarca. Tony eventually transformed his father's general practice law firm into one of the first and few law firms in the nation that has a unique expertise in the representation of educational institutions.

  • January 31, 2013 | People
    Carl J. Frank 1946-2012

    Carl J. "Bud" Frank, of Riverside, died Dec. 30, 2012.

    Mr. Frank was an attorney who was actively engaged in the practice of law for more than 40 years. Admitted to practice in Illinois by the Illinois Supreme Court and the three federal district courts in Illinois, he was also a member of the bar of the Court of Appeals for the Armed Services.

    He was a retired (December 2008) captain in the Judge Advocate General's Corps of the U.S. Navy. He was an honors graduate of the University of Notre Dame and the Notre Dame Law School.

    Following graduation from law school, Capt. Frank reported for active duty and served surface warfare tours as damage control assistant and engineering officer on the USS Power and USS Charles F. Adams.

    In 1982, he accepted a direct commission in the Judge Advocate General's Corps of the U.S. Naval Reserve. He served as defense counsel/administrative officer, VTU LAW 1314; law of armed conflict attorney, status of forces agreement attorney and international agreements attorney, Commander In Chief, U.S. Naval Forces, Europe; defense counsel and trial counsel/training officer, NR LSO Great Lakes; executive officer, VTU LAW 1314; staff judge advocate, Personnel Mobilization Team; commanding officer, VTU LAW (awarded the RADM Gerald E. Gilbert Cup as the most outstanding Naval Reserve Law Program Unit in 1997); deputy judge advocate, Naval Reserve Readiness Command, Midwest; commanding officer, NR LSO North Central 113; and, staff judge advocate, NR Naval Network and Space Operations Command.

  • January 31, 2013 | People
    Hon. Albert Green 1924-2013

    Judge Albert Green, age 88, of Chicago. Retired Judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, former Presiding Judge of the Chancery Division, and World War II Veteran, passed away on Jan. 8, 2013.

    Beloved husband for the last seven years of Celia "Ceci" (nee Jones), Fitzsimmons Green and, for 52 years prior, the late Virginia Bucko, with whom he was a devoted father of Valerie, Michael, Gregory (Valerie), Jonathan (Monica) and the late Vanessa; loving grandfather of Timothy (Jacklyn); adoring great-grandfather of David and Audri; loving step-father of the Fitzsimmons children, Kathy (Carl), Cindy (Steven), Charlotte (Mark) and Kelly (Ruth); cherished by the numerous Fitzsimmons grandchildren and great-grandchildren; dear son of the late Isadore and Sylvia; brother of the late Robert (Anastasia) and nephew to the late Philip (Joan); fond uncle of Daniel and Mary Breaux, Dr. Nicholas and Christine Schlageter; also survived by numerous nieces and nephews who miss him dearly.

    Donations in Judge Green's memory may be made to Little City Foundation, home to his daughter Valerie and son Michael, 1760 West Algonquin Road, Palatine, IL, 60067, would be greatly appreciated www.weinsteinfuneralhomes.com.