Election law expert Michael E. Lavelle Sr. passed away last month after years of battling lupus and liver disease.
Mr. Lavelle was a native of County Galway, Ireland, and servied in the Marines from 1957-1960. He received a bachelor's degree from Loyola University and a law degree from John Marshall Law School.
"People called him the election czar," his son said. "He took a lot of heat as head of the Chicago election board, but I never heard him speak badly of anybody. He could be trading heated comments with somebody, and later on they would be friends."
Click here to read the obituary in the Chicago Sun-Times
Click here to read the obituary in the Chicago Tribune
People
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January 18, 2010 |
People
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January 14, 2010 |
People
[caption id="attachment_7426" align="alignright" width="100" caption="Barbara Downs"][/caption] Barbara A. Downs, Wife and Partner of Robert K. Downs of Downs Law Offices, P.C., recently passed away. Barb and Bob met on July 4, became engaged Aug. 1 and were married Nov. 30, 1963. They have 2 children, Christopher and Kelli (Steve) Seales and 2 grandchildren, Zach and Amanda. Barb worked as a child welfare worker to help put Bob through law school. She received a P.H.T. (Putting Hubby Through) Degree from Stetson University College of Law in 1965. Barb received her JD from DePaul University in 1984. She also had an LLM in taxation. She received her B.A. from Ohio Wesleyan University in 1961. Member, Family Law Section Council, Sub-Committee on Supreme Court Rules; Association of Family and Conciliation Courts; West Suburban and DuPage County Bar Associations; Past member of the Estate and Probate Section Council. In or about December 2008, Barb wrote an article for the ISBA Family Law Section Council's newsletter regarding an unfair transfer tax on the division of property in divorce cases that caught the attention of many, including Ald. Ed Burke. Action is pending in the Chicago City Council. She was a partner in life and the law to Bob and a loving mother to Chris and Kelli.
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January 14, 2010 |
People
Querrey & Harrow, a 70-year-old multi-service Chicago law firm, and Hunziker Law Group LLC, a 17-year-old downstate commercial law firm headquartered in Peoria, have formed a strategic alliance. The alliance's purpose is to enhance client satisfaction and facilitate client representations by offering services throughout an extended geographical area. The alliance will allow both firms to offer extended services in a cost-effective manner without sacrificing their traditional focus on providing each client with individualized attention.
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January 13, 2010 |
People
Several current and past members of the ISBA Trusts & Estates Section Council were recently recognized by the Leading Lawyers Network Magazine and by Super Lawyers Magazine:
- James Lestikow - is featured in Dec 2009 Leading Lawyers Network Magazine
- Lyman Welch is recognized as #2 in the Top 10 Trusts, Estates and Wills Lawyers in Dec. 2009 Leading Lawyers Network Magazine
- Bill Peithman - is #10 in Consumer Lawyers Downstate in Dec. 2009 Leading Lawyers Network Magazine.
- Ray Koenig - is the only 2010 Rising Star in Trust & Estate Litigation in Super Lawyers Magazine
- Katarinna McBride and Donna Moore are 2010 Rising Stars in Trusts, Estate and Probate in Super Lawyers Magazine
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January 12, 2010 |
People
[caption id="attachment_7280" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Luis A. Berrones, Israel A. Desierto and Diana J. Larsen and Michael B. Hyman will appear on "Rules of Evidence.""][/caption] Rules of Evidence will be the topic of "Judicial Perspective," a half-hour cable program presented by the Illinois Judges Association (IJA), airing on Chicago Access Network Television, Channel 21 in Chicago, on Tuesday, Jan. 19 at 10:30 p.m. The judges explain to non-lawyers the purpose and the use of evidence rules. Appearing on the show will be Luis A. Berrones, a judge in the 19th Judicial Circuit of Lake County; Israel A. Desierto and Diane J. Larsen, both judges on the Circuit Court of Cook County; and program moderator Michael B. Hyman, also a judge on the Circuit Court of Cook County. The Illinois Judges Association, formed in 1971, provides continuing legal support to members of the judiciary and education to the public on matters regarding the court system.
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January 11, 2010 |
People
[caption id="attachment_7249" align="alignright" width="242" caption="Ed and Debra Downs"][/caption] Longtime criminal defense attorney Ed Downs has received the Northwest Suburban Bar Association's Lifetime Achievement Award. The presentation was made in December. Dave Corbett of NWSBA cited Downs as being among "the top shelf of practitioners, a giant among us. Downs is a familiar sight at 26th and California," Corbett said, referring to the criminal courts building for the First Municipal District of the Circuit Court of Cook County. Corbett called the courthouse "sacred ground," adding that it provides a challenging environment for defense attorneys. "His self-effacing manner belies his greatness," Corbett said. "He is a role model to many. Among brilliant trial lawyers, Ed Downs is top shelf. He's a giant among us." He has fought for the rights of all, Corbett said of Downs, adding, "I can't think of a more fitting recipient for this honor." In accepting the award, Downs exhibited the self-effacing manner to which Corbett had referred. Mentioning he had found law school hard, he told attendees, "I'm not that smart." It was a statement with which many would disagree. He earned degrees from Wright Junior College, Loyola University School of Business and Loyola University Graduate School of Industrial Relations, balancing classwork during many of those years with a job as a letter carrier.
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January 7, 2010 |
People
Rep. Louis I. Lang, Deputy Majority House Leader, has joined Querrey & Harrow and its municipal liability practice group as Of Counsel. Rep. Lang also handles commercial litigation and planning and development issues for public entities. Rep. Lang has served the 16th House District of Illinois (including Skokie, Lincolnwood, Morton Grove, a part of the 49th and most of the 50th Wards in Chicago) and the Illinois Legislature for more than 20 years. Rep. Lang obtained his B.A. in Political Science at the University of Illinois and his law degree from DePaul University. "We are honored to have Rep. Lang aboard," says Michael Stillman, Managing Shareholder of the firm. "His perspective provides added value for municipal clients as well as our business clients with regard to regulatory issues in Illinois." Querrey & Harrow is a 70-attorney multi-service law firm with offices throughout greater metropolitan Chicago, and in Merrillville, Ind.
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January 5, 2010 |
People
James C. Chiakulas, 69, of Chicago, passed away last month on the North Side. Mt. Chiakulas was born and raised in Chicago and graduated from John Marshall Law School. A lawyer and union leader, Mr. Chiakulas fought to improve the working conditions of teachers across the Chicago area. He headed a group that advocated for Greeks living under Turkish rule on the Mediterranean Island of Cyprus. He was an accomplished jazz musician, said his son-in-law, Paul Chronis. Read the full obituary in the Chicago Tribune
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January 5, 2010 |
People
Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice Thomas Fitzgerald swore in Matthew Beaudet as President of the Illinois Native American Bar Association during the ISBA/IJA Joint Meeting last month in Chicago. INABA is a bar association for Native Americans and those interested in legal issues affecting Native Americans. Photo: Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice Thomas Fitzgerald swears in Matthew Beaudet as President of the Illinois Native American Bar Association as other INABA officers and board members look on.
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January 5, 2010 |
People
Elizabeth Kutyla-Miner passed away after a six and a half year battle with ovarian cancer on Dec. 21. Liz graduated from the University of Chicago in 1984 and from the University of Chicago School of Law in 1987. She held positions for two major law firms before finding her calling in 1994 as Associate General Counsel, then General Counsel of Barton Brands. During her 14-year tenure at Barton, Liz guided the company through many successful acquistions. Read the full obituary at Legacy.com.
