Honorable Robert P. LeChien, 65, of Belleville, born August 29, 1952, in Belleville, Ill., passed away on Thursday, August 31, 2017.
A lifelong resident of St. Clair County, Bob graduated from Althoff Catholic High School in 1970, and three years later obtained his B.S. in administration of justice administration from SIU-C. He proudly entered Southern Illinois University School of Law and graduated with its first class of distinguished alumni in 1976. He then embarked on an esteemed legal career. From 1976 to 1980, he served as an assistant state's attorney in St. Clair County and then joined his brother in private practice at LeChien & Associates. In 1985, he founded the Consumer Law Center where he undertook precedent setting cases which continue to provide protection for homeowners today.
In 1987, Bob began 30 years of dedicated service to the bench when he was appointed as associate circuit judge of the 20th Judicial Circuit. Judge LeChien was elected as resident circuit judge of St. Clair County in 1998, and most recently was re-elected to that position in 2016. He will be remembered not only for his respect for and dedication to the law, but for the empathy he showed to those who appeared in his courtroom.
Southern Illinois
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September 20, 2017 |
People
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September 19, 2017 |
People
Bart Mann, 60, died Thursday evening Aug. 24, 2017, at Herrin Hospital in Herrin. He was born April 2, 1957, in Du Quoin, to Kenneth B. and Mary Ruth (Sharp) Mann.
Bart was a well-known practicing attorney since July 1986 and a member of the Illinois State Bar Association.
He was a past master of Herrin’s Prairie Masonic Lodge 693; he revived and organized the Herrin Mayors Thanksgiving Day Dinner in 2001 and continued to serve the people of Herrin at the Thanksgiving Day dinner; He was also a member of Mensa Society; served on the Board of Directors for Habitat for Humanity and also worked with Habitat for Humanity in both Herrin and Marion.
He was actively involved with the Dream Factory, a volunteer-driven not-for-profit organization that grants the dreams of children with critical or chronic illnesses.Surviving are a brother, Michael Mann of Blairsville; sister, Nancy McDonald of Herrin; nephew, Ryan B. McDonald of Herrin and a host of friends and clients thoughout the Southern Illinois region.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
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August 30, 2017 |
People
Goldenberg Heller & Antognoli, P.C., one of the most experienced business and commercial litigation firms in the St. Louis-Southern Illinois region, has announced a merger with Brigham Firm LLC, based in St. Louis. The merger will be effective on August 14, when attorney Chad Brigham joins Goldenberg Heller’s office in Edwardsville.
“Chad’s experience in providing legal counsel in the areas of business acquisitions and divestitures, corporate governance and management, commercial contracts, real estate transactions, private investment ventures, and intellectual property law is a great addition to our firm,” said Mark Goldenberg, founder and managing partner of Goldenberg Heller & Antognoli, P.C. “His expertise complements our rapidly growing business and commercial law group, which includes the full-range of business transactions and litigation, business law, class action litigation, employment law, real estate law, banking law and taxation.”
With a team of nearly 20 attorneys, as well as paralegals and support staff, Goldenberg Heller also has the additional resources and support for Brigham’s clients, which span a range of markets and industries in Illinois and Missouri.
“The business and commercial law group at Goldenberg Heller & Antognoli is committed to helping clients make transactions happen, avoid liability and resolve disputes that inevitably arise, and this was a key factor in my decision to join the firm,” said Brigham.
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August 28, 2017 |
ISBA News | People
Detective Carl Walker of the O’Fallon Police Department was awarded the ISBA Law Enforcement Award on August 21 during an O’Fallon City Council meeting at City Hall. Third Vice President Dennis Orsey presented the award.
The ISBA Law Enforcement Award was created to recognize sworn law enforcement officers for conduct that promotes justice and to distinguish those individuals whose service to the public brings honor and respect to the entire criminal justice system. It recognizes those who excel in law enforcement.
Detective Walker, who was nominated for the award by Captain Kirk Brueggeman of the O’Fallon Police Department, will be acknowledged for his efforts to automate the information sharing process for the St. Clair County Investigative Professional Group using information technology.
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August 3, 2017 |
CLE
Gain the momentum you need to run an efficient, competitive law practice in today’s technology-driven environment with this informative full-day seminar in Fairview Heights on September 15, 2017! Learn how to hire and fire employees, manage your data, use technology to your advantage, protect your firm, and handle any HR issues that may arise. In addition, attendees will gain a better understanding of: which iPad tools can help you make the most out of your iPad preparation and presentations; how to make the most of your online research; why hiring the right employees to manage your office is so important (and what to do when a good employee goes bad); how to avoid employee embezzlement through best practice office procedures; the new e-filing requirements; maximizing the efficiency of Illinois Bar Docs in your practice; and much more!
The program is presented by the Illinois State Bar Association and sponsored by the ISBA Mutual Insurance Company and Attorney’s Title Guaranty Fund, Inc. It qualifies for 6.50 hours MCLE credit, including 6.50 hours Professional Responsibility MCLE credit (subject to approval).
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July 6, 2017 |
People
Harry Culbertson Armstrong, 85, passed away peacefully on Thursday, June 29, 2017, at Meridian Village Retirement Community in Glen Carbon, Illinois. He was born on January 19, 1932, in Delavan, Illinois, the son of the late Benjamin Pearl and Marie Armstrong (Meeker).
Harry attended Delavan High School, graduating in 1949. He obtained his B.S. in commerce and law at the University of Illinois in 1953, and thereafter obtained his J.D. from the University of Illinois School of Law in 1955. Harry was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1955. He served his country as a J.A.G. officer in the Air Force in Korea in the late 50's. He then moved to Edwardsville, where he entered into the practice of law with James L. Reed, and became a partner of Reed, Armstrong and Gorman for the rest of his 55-year career. He retired in 2011. He was a member of the American Bar Association, Illinois State Bar Association, a former president of the Madison County Bar Association, and a fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers. He likely set the record for the most jury trials tried to verdict in Illinois.
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June 27, 2017 |
People
Gerald "Jerry" R. Walters, 70, passed away on Sunday, May 21, 2017 at the Siteman Cancer Center in St. Louis, Missouri.
He was born on May 16, 1947, in Granite City, Illinois, the son of the late Gerald G. and Joyce O. (Johnson) Walters.
Jerry worked as an attorney for over 40 years in the St. Louis Metropolitan Area. He served as a member of the board for the Illinois Lawyers' Assistance Program for 30 years, including president. In 2017, he received the Joseph R. Bartylak Achievement Award for his lifetime contributions to the organization.
After graduating from Granite City High School, he attended the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana where he earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1969. Jerry then completed his first year at the University of Illinois College of Law. Then, from 1970 to 1972, Jerry served in the U.S. Army in South Korea, where he was awarded the Good Conduct Medal and Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal. Upon his return from Korea, he finished his Juris Doctorate Degree in 1974.
Jerry enjoyed being active and was passionate about many activities such as racquetball, water-skiing and weightlifting. He won a gold medal in the 2008 St. Louis Senior Olympics and holds a record in the bench press. He was also a member of the Alton Masonic Lodge since 2003.
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June 9, 2017 |
People
ISBA member and professor at Southern Illinois University Law School Cindy Buys recently took nine students from her asylum and refugee law class to visit the International Institute in St. Louis to help them get a better understanding of how the refugee resettlement process works in the United States.
The institute, which was founded in 1919 and provides services ranging from health services and English-language classes to job preparation assistance and employment information, helps both immigrants and refugees settle into their new lives in the U.S. In the past year, over 8,000 individuals have received assistance from the institute.
Professor Buys, who also manages pro bono asylum cases, recognized that there is a gap between what students learn about these subjects in the classroom and what’s happening in nearby communities. “My point in taking the students to the refugee resettlement center was really to give them a sense of what’s happening on the ground, right now,” she recently told The Southern Illinoisan. “We can look at statistics online about where they come from, but I think it’s different when you see it in person."
To learn more about the institute and the experiences of Buys' students, read the full article.
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June 7, 2017 |
People
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP welcomes several lateral attorneys to add more strength and expertise to the firm’s toxic tort litigation, asbestos litigation, and product liability practices.
Partner Drew M. Schilling joins Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP from Heyl, Royster, Voelker & Allen,
where we was also a partner. He received his J.D. in 1996 from Southern Methodist University Dedman
School of Law and his B.S. in 1993 from Northern Illinois University.Partner Gary C. Pinter joins the firm’s Madison County (Edwardsville) office from Heyl, Royster, Voelker
& Allen, where we was also a partner. He received his J.D. magna cum laude in 2007 from Northern Illinois
University College of Law and his B.A. in 1999 from Southern Illinois University Carbondale.Associate Meg F. Hogan, who practices in the Chicago office, was formerly an associate at Heyl, Royster,
Voelker & Allen in Chicago. She received her J.D. with honors in 2013 from Northern Illinois University
College of Law and her B.A. in 2010 from Illinois State University. -
June 6, 2017 |
People
A State Historical Marker will be unveiled in Alton on Monday, June 19th to honor Scott Bibb, an African American who successfully fought in the Illinois Supreme Court for the desegregation of schools in what became known as the Alton School Cases in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Supreme Court Justices Anne M. Burke and Rita B. Garman will be attending the dedication ceremony. Also attending are John Lupton, Executive Director, Illinois Supreme Court Historic Preservation Commission, and members of the Historic Preservation Commission Advisory Committee; Justice Joy V. Cunningham, Hon. Neil Cohen, and Scott Szala, J.D.
With the assistance of Lewis and Clark Community College, the Illinois State Historical Society sponsored and erected the historical marker. The Society maintains markers statewide regarding subjects of historical significance to Illinois.
“In recent years, the Illinois Supreme Court through its Historic Preservation Commission has undertaken an effort to bring Illinois’ history to life," Illinois Supreme Court Justice Rita B. Garman said. "We have explored the life of Mary Todd Lincoln and the Mormon experience in Illinois. The program on the Alton School Cases has made people throughout the state aware of the courage and dedication of Alton’s Scott Bibb. I am honored to have been invited to the dedication ceremony and to have the opportunity to speak to the Alton community about one of its great heroes.”