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Southern Illinois

  • August 3, 2017 | CLE
    CLE - Solo & Small Firm Practice Institute Series: Momentum - Protecting Your Law Firm from the Inside Out

    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).

    Click here for more information and to register.

  • July 6, 2017 | People
    Harry Culbertson Armstrong 1932-2017

    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.

  • June 27, 2017 | People
    Gerald Walters 1947-2017

    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.

  • June 9, 2017 | People
    Cindy Buys Bridges the Gap Between Real World and Classroom

    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. 

  • June 7, 2017 | People
    Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Welcomes ISBA Members

    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
    Supreme Court Justices to Attend Unveiling of Historical Marker

    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.”

  • May 30, 2017 | People
    Floyd Crowder 1933 - 2017

    Floyd Edward Crowder, 84 years of Columbia, Illinois, passed away Thursday, May 18, 2017 at St. Anthony's Hospital, St. Louis, Mo. 

    He was born January 30, 1933, in Warnock, Illinois, son of the late William C. and Lula I., nee Smith, Crowder. He was married to Judith, nee Easton, Crowder, who survives him. They were married June 20, 1969, at the Graham Chapel, Washington University, St. Louis, Mo.

    Floyd E. Crowder, JD '58, was founder of the law firm of Crowder & Scoggins. He was also the CEO of the Monroe County Title Co.

    Mr. Crowder received his AB degree from Washington University in 1955, and his law degree from the Washington University School of Law in 1957. After graduation, he served three years in the U.S. Air Force as a judge advocate. In 1960, Mr. Crowder entered private practice in East St. Louis, Illinois. Three years later he established his own general practice of law in Columbia. Today, the firm of Crowder & Scoggins, Ltd., is comprised of six attorneys.

    During his professional career, Mr. Crowder was state's attorney of Monroe County from 1964 to 1968, and also in 1976. In addition, he served as special assistant attorney general for the State of Illinois from 1969 until 1983.

  • May 11, 2017 | People
    Illinois Supreme Court Hosts "Law School for Legislators"

    The Illinois Supreme Court hosted 'Law School for Legislators' on May 9, 2017, with all seven Supreme Court Justices and leadership and new members of the Illinois House of Representatives and Senate in attendance.

    The event, held at the Illinois Supreme Court Building in Springfield, was intended to familiarize the legislative branch with court operations and to foster dialogue of communication, cooperation and coordination between the legislative and judicial branches.

    Chief Justice Lloyd A. Karmeier, Justice Rita B. Garman, AOIC Director Michael J. Tardy addressed the attendees and spoke on topics including the role of the Supreme Court and its relation to the legislative branch and how cases are initiated and proceed through the Illinois Courts. The Justices took comments and questions at a reception following the program.

    The legislators who attended were Senate President John Cullerton, Senator Tom Rooney, Representative Melissa Conyears-Ervin, Rep. Randy Frese, Rep. LaToya Greenwood, Rep Brad Halbrook, Rep. Michael Halpin, Rep. Theresa Mah, Rep. David Olsen,  Rep. Lindsay Parkhurst, Rep. Dave Severin and Rep. Daniel Swanson.

  • April 25, 2017 | People
    David Hauptmann 1947-2017

    David "Hauppy" Hauptmann passed away in April 2017. David was a resident of Harrisburg, Illinois at the time of passing.

    David graduated from Harrisburg Township High School in 1965 and he remained active with his HTHS classmates in cheering on the Bulldogs and participating in their activities. David went on to attend Southeastern Illinois College, graduating in 1967. After Southeastern, the next stop in Hauppy’s professional education was Southern Illinois University. He graduated from SIU in 1969. David then moved on to Champaign and the University of Illinois where he received his law degree in 1972. 

    David Hauptmann returned to Southern Illinois where he first practiced law in Pope County. He relocated back to Harrisburg, where he was elected Saline County State’s Attorney in 1980 and re-elected in 1984. He also served some time as assistant state’s attorney in Saline County. Until his retirement in 2016 David ran a successful practice aiding clients all around southeastern Illinois.

    David was member of Harrisburg Elks BPOE 1058 and Sons of the American Legion George Hart Post 167. He donated his time and resources to a variety of worthy causes throughout Saline County. When at home in Rudement he enjoyed his flowers and plants, gardening, feeding the birds, and listening to music. He was an accomplished bridge dancer, road trip singer, and popular music musicologist with none to compare. Above all, he was loved by many.

  • April 7, 2017 | People
    Michael J. Henshaw 1944-2017

    Michael J. Henshaw, 72, passed away Wednesday evening, March 22, 2017, at his residence. He was born Nov. 21, 1944, in Harrisburg, the son of the late A.J. Henshaw and Morean Elms Henshaw. He married the former Lavon Tanner on Nov. 25, 1995, and she survives.

    Michael was a graduate of Carrier Mills High School in 1963 and attended Southeastern Illinois College where he graduated in 1965. He then attended Southern Illinois University Carbondale where he received his B.A. from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences in 1967. Then he attended IIT Chicago Kent College of Law where he obtained his juris doctor degree in 1971 and was admitted to the Illinois bar the same year.

    He ran for Saline County states atorney in 1972 and was elected and served through 1976. After serving this term he went into private practice for two years before becoming circuit judge of Saline County in 1978. He then was the presiding Circuit Judge from 1978 through 1998 and he became the chief judge of the First Judicial Circuit until his retirement in November 2006. In 2008 he again ran for Saline County states attorney being elected and currently held this position at the time of his death.

    Michael attended First United Methodist Church in Harrisburg.