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The ABA welcomed new members at an orientation lunch at the Midyear Meeting in Atlanta last week. They included ISBA 3rd Vice President Paula H. Holderman (left), who is scheduled to assume the presidency of the ISBA in 2013. Chair of the Illinois State Delegation, Robert Clifford (right) of Clifford Law Offices, also attended the luncheon. A skit was put on to explain how new members can speak on resolutions that come before the House of Delegates.

[caption id="attachment_17873" align="alignright" width="150" caption="William P. Hoffman"][/caption] The law firm of Greensfelder, Hemker & Gale, P.C. is pleased to announce William P. Hoffman has joined the Firm’s Health Care Practice Group as an Associate. Hoffman’s practice focuses on representation of hospitals, health care systems, physician groups, and other health care providers in a variety of transactional matters, providing regulatory advice, and assisting with compliance matters. Hoffman received his Juris Doctorate and Health Law Certificate from Saint Louis University School of Law in 2010 where he graduated cum laude, Order of the Woolsack.  He received his bachelor’s degree from University of Illinois in 2006. He is licensed to practice law in Missouri. Greensfelder offers comprehensive legal solutions in 16 practice groups for clients locally, nationally and internationally including, communications and media; construction; corporate; creditor’s rights and bankruptcy; educational; religious and tax-exempt organizations; employee benefits; environmental; franchising & distribution; health care; immigration; intellectual property and technology; labor and employment; litigation; real estate; tax; and trusts and estates.  Find out more at www.greensfelder.com.

[caption id="attachment_17625" align="alignright" width="160" caption="Stephanie Dobecki "][/caption] Stephanie Herrold Dobecki has joined Baker & Daniels LLP as an associate in the law firm's Chicago office. She will focus her practice in insurance and financial services. Before joining Baker & Daniels, Dobecki practiced at Sidley Austin LLP in Chicago. She graduated magna cum laude from the University of Notre Dame Law School in 2008 and summa cum laude from Indiana University with a bachelor's degree in 2005. Dobecki was a summer associate at Baker & Daniels in 2006 while attending law school. As a law student, she was Executive Issue Editor of the Notre Dame Law Review. As an undergraduate student, Dobecki was a research analyst intern with the U.S.

ISBA Laureate James J. Ahern, Sr., 80, has passed away. From Ahern's 2001 induction into the Academy of Illinois Lawyers: To anyone who practices traffic law in Illinois, it is well known that the "dean" of the traffic bar is James J. Ahern, senior. His law firm – Ahern, Maloney, and Moran with primary offices in Skokie –concentrates in the defense of DUI and representation in other traffic matters. His reputation in the law has several dimensions. He is, first and foremost, an outstanding lawyer. He has appeared frequently in the Appellate and Supreme courts. He represents his clients' interests fully, professionally, and with compassion. He also is known far and wide as an unselfish teacher. For over twenty years, he has been a member of the Executive Committee of the Illinois Traffic Court Conference. His development of scenarios faced by traffic law attorneys and the panel discussion of these fact situations is a highlight of the annual conference. That part of the seminar is now referred to as "The Ahern Panel." Services have been held. In lieu of flowers, contributions to Rainbow Hospice would be appreciated.