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  • August 24, 2011 | People
    Stacey Smiricky joins Baker & Daniels' Labor & Employment Team at partner

    Stacey Smiricky has joined Baker & Daniels' labor and employment group where she will practice as a partner in the firm's Chicago office.

    With an extensive background in litigation and risk management relating to employment matters, Smiricky's experience is an asset to the labor team at Baker & Daniels. Before joining the firm, Smiricky practiced as a partner on the employment and labor team of Wildman Harrold, Allen & Dixon, where she represented employers before government agencies and in federal and state court in all aspects of employment law, including discrimination, sexual harassment, wage and hour claims, wrongful discharge, family leave, workers' compensation, breach of employment contract, breach of fiduciary duty and employee dishonesty. She also handled temporary and preliminary injunction actions against employees, advised clients on employment procedures and contracts, and managed investigations of employees.

    Smiricky is committed to expanding access to justice for underserved communities and serves on the board of the Coordinated Advice and Referral Program for Legal Services, which provides legal advice and referrals to low income Cook County residents. As a volunteer for the Chicago Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, Smiricky assists low income employment discrimination plaintiffs in settlement conferences.

  • August 23, 2011 | People
    Tatooles joins Levin Ginsburg as partner

    Levin Ginsburg is pleased to announce that Dean J. Tatooles has joined the firm as a Partner in its Commercial Litigation and Banking Practice Groups.  Mr. Tatooles is a graduate of The John Marshall Law School (J.D., 1998) and Michigan State University (B.A., 1995).  He was previously a partner with Tressler LLP.

  • August 23, 2011 | People
    Park Ridge attorney Robert O. Kuehn appointed General Counsel of Shriner's organizations

    During the recent annual meeting of Shriners International and Shriners Hospitals for
    Children®, Robert O. Kuehn of Park Ridge was appointed General Counsel for both organizations by Shriners International’s Imperial Potentate (President and CEO) Mike Severe.

    As General Counsel, he will attend all Director and Trustee meetings, be responsible for legal matters and render legal advice to the Board of Directors and Board of Trustees of Shriners Hospitals for Children and the Board of Directors for Shriners International.

    A member of the Illinois State Bar Association, Kuehn is a partner at the Barrington law firm of Williston, McGibbon, and Kuehn, and concentrates his practice in estate planning, real estate, corporations, business planning, trusts, guardianship and taxation.

    He earned a bachelor’s degree from North Park College (now North Park University) and a Juris Doctorate from Loyola University Law School. Robert and his wife, Natalie June (nee Benziger) have resided in Park Ridge for 35 years where they raised three children, William, Natalie and Elizabeth.

    Kuehn served as the Medinah Shriners’ attorney from 1986 to 1995, Potentate in 2000, as well as Chairman of the Board of Governors for Shriners Hospitals for Children — Chicago from 2006 to 2009. He has also served on several national-level committees for the organizations.

    Although Kuehn’s work with the Masonic and Shriners organizations has occupied his time recently, in past years he served on the Board of Directors of St. Paul’s House, a Lutheran home and rehab center in Chicago, as well as the Boards of Directors of two local YMCA’s and the Children's Dyslexia Center of Metropolitan Chicago.

  • August 17, 2011 | People
    Principal Eileen Sethna joins banking practice at Chuhak & Tecson

    Chuhak & Tecson, P.C., is pleased to announce that Eileen Sethna, an attorney who brings a deep knowledge of bankruptcies and commercial litigation, has joined the banking group as a principal.

    Sethna most recently had been with Querrey & Harrow, Ltd., for seven years. She is a graduate of The John Marshall Law School in Chicago.

    With a rich understanding of creditors’ rights, business reorganizations and individual insolvencies, Sethna is a trusted adviser to bank officers and a respected trial attorney as well. She has extensive courtroom experience representing debtors, trustees and creditors, both in state and federal courts and at the trial and appellate levels.

    Sethna also counsels clients through transactional workouts, reorganizations and other commercial remedies.

    “Eileen brings an increased depth in handling bankruptcy cases,” said Josh Hyman, principal and banking group head. “She’s very knowledgeable, and from my perspective as head of our group, it’s nice to have another principal who can help mentor attorneys who haven’t yet attained her level of experience.”

    Sethna never set out to become a bankruptcy lawyer. After earning her bachelor’s degree, she worked as a human resources manager for a hospitality company and found herself immersed in union issues interpreting a collective bargaining agreement.

    “There was a lot of discovery and investigation. I likened it to trial readiness, and I thought it was pretty interesting,” Sethna said. She started in night law school, later remaking her schedule to study full-time.

  • August 5, 2011 | People
    Reyes joins McCready, Garcia and Leet

    The Law Offices of McCready, Garcia and Leet are very pleased to announce the addition of Edwin Reyes to head their Workers’ Compensation department.

    Mr. Reyes received his B.A. from Loyola University of Chicago and JD from Northeastern Law School, Boston, Mass.

    He is a founding member, past president and current treasurer of the Puerto Rican Bar Association.  

    Mr. Reyes has practiced law for over twenty years and handles workers’ compensation cases. Prior to joining McCready, Garcia and Leet, Mr. Reyes was with Briskman, Briskman and Greenburg.

  • August 2, 2011 | People
    Sandberg Phoenix welcomes Joshua Davis and Melanie Riley as new associates

    Sandberg Phoenix & von Gontard P.C. welcomes Joshua Davis and Melanie Riley to the firm as new associates.

    Josh is a member of the firm’s Products Liability Practice Group. Prior to joining Sandberg Phoenix, Josh practiced for several years with an insurance litigation firm in St. Louis where he was responsible for all aspects of insurance law, focusing on fire and explosion litigation. Josh is a member of the Missouri Organization of Defense Lawyers and the National Association of Subrogation Professionals. He also serves on the firm’s Associate and Charitable Efforts Committees.

    Melanie is a member of the firm’s Health Law and Products Liability Practice Groups. Prior to joining Sandberg Phoenix, Melanie practiced for several years with a defense firm in Edwardsville, Illinois. She is a member of the American Bar Association, Illinois State Bar Association, Madison County Bar Association, the Missouri Bar, and the Lawyers Association of St. Louis, Missouri. She also serves on the firm’s Associate, Charitable Efforts, and Wellness Committees.

    About Sandberg Phoenix

    At Sandberg Phoenix, our culture sets us apart from other firms. Guided by strength, character and personality, we believe that collaboration and mutual respect are essential to the success of our firm and our clients.  This commitment has positioned our firm as one of the premier full-service law firms in Missouri and Illinois, with 75 attorneys and nearly 100 staff.  As we continue to grow, so will our commitment to delivering superior client service.

  • July 27, 2011 | People
    3 ISBA members make partner at Hinshaw & Culbertson

    The national law firm of Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP is proud to announce the election of the following ISBA members to partnership:

    Nabil G. Foster, of Chicago, defends attorneys in professional liability and disciplinary matters. He also represents clients in commercial litigation and has handled matters involving subjects such as internet gambling, breach of contract, civil rights, consumer fraud, ERISA, eminent domain, employment discrimination, insurance coverage, products liability and professional liability. Mr. Foster is an Adjunct Professor at Northwestern University School of Law. He is a member of the Illinois State Bar Association and the American Bar Association. Mr. Foster earned his J.D. in 2000 from Northwestern University School of Law, and his A.B. from Harvard College in 1994.

  • July 20, 2011 | People
    Segal McCambridge adds 5 new attorneys in Chicago office

    Five associates have joined the Chicago office of the law firm of Segal McCambridge Singer & Mahoney, Ltd. They are: Shawn P. Babiuch (Washington University School of Law, J.D., 2010), Matthew W. Bedan (Indiana University School of Law, J.D., 2007), Stephen Roundfield (The John Marshall Law School, J.D., 2010), Mark C. Sampson (University of Notre Dame Law School, J.D., 2008), and Christopher Gardino (Chicago-Kent College of Law, J.D., 2008). All five will serve clients in the firm’s Toxic Tort/Hazardous Substances Practice Group. Segal McCambridge Singer & Mahoney, Ltd., is a law firm engaged in representing corporations, entrepreneurs and individuals in a variety of disputes, with a concentration in products liability defense and toxic torts. From its origins as a four-lawyer shop in 1986, it has grown to a firm of approximately 150 attorneys with offices in Austin, Baltimore, Chicago, Detroit, Jersey City, New York, and Philadelphia.

  • June 23, 2011 | People
    Bruozas joins Childress Duffy as partner
    [caption id="attachment_20594" align="alignright" width="150" caption="Anthony J. Bruozas"][/caption] Childress Duffy, a law firm with extensive experience in helping insurance policyholders with their claims, is pleased to announce that Anthony J. Bruozas has joined the firm as a partner in the Chicago office. Mr. Bruozas focuses his practice in the areas of insurance coverage, construction and design defect, commercial litigation, and general tort and product liability law.  He counsels both manufacturers and sales representatives in cases involving disputes over the payment of commissions for manufacturers’ representatives.  He represents national and international clients in a wide array of industries, including steel and aluminum manufacturing, printing press, electronic and machine tool manufacturers and distributors, automotive part suppliers, and tobacco and food distributors. Mr. Bruozas received a J.D. in 1990 from Loyola University Chicago School of Law and a B.S. in political science in 1987 from the University of Illinois-Urbana.  He is a member of the bar in various State, Federal District, and Appellate Courts across the country. Active in his community, Mr. Bruozas is a Board Member and Past-President of the Lions Club of Mokena.  He is also a former Board Member and Vice President for Mokena School District 159.
  • June 23, 2011 | People
    Kirschner named partner at Corboy & Demetrio
    [caption id="attachment_20582" align="alignright" width="150" caption="Daniel S. Kirschner"][/caption] Daniel S. Kirschner has become a partner of the personal injury law firm of Corboy & Demetrio, the firm announced Wednesday.   Kirschner, 39, was an associate at the Chicago law firm since 1998, devoting his legal career to representing plaintiffs in serious personal injury and wrongful death cases. “Dan’s skills as a trial lawyer and advocate for our clients exemplify the firm’s mission to provide the highest skilled legal services to the most in need,” said Thomas A. Demetrio, founding partner of Corboy & Demetrio. “Regarded by clients, judges and opposing counsel for his consummate professionalism, Dan practices with the utmost respect for the legal process and the pursuit of full justice,” Demetrio added. Kirschner has been recognized by the Illinois Supreme Court with a recurrent appointment to the Illinois Supreme Court Rules Committee, as well as a past appointment as a Commissioner on the Character and Fitness Committee of the Illinois board of Admissions to the Bar.  Dan has also been honored by Governor Pat Quinn with an appointment to the Illinois Carnival-Amusement Safety Board, a position he currently holds. Kirschner has obtained more than $60 million in verdicts and settlements for his clients. He can be reached at 312-346-3191 or DSK@corboydemetrio.com.