Judge Loren P. Lewis of the 2nd Circuit in Benton has announced that he will not seek retention next year. A 1969 graduate of the University of Illinois College of Law who was appointed to the bench in 1978 and elected the same year, he was Franklin County state's attorney from 1972 to 1976.

• • •

Judge Donald D. Bernardi of the 11th Circuit, a member of the ISBA Criminal Justice Section Council, will not seek retention next year. He plans to retire Dec. 1, 2008, and will continue teaching at Illinois State University.

A graduate of the New England College School of Law, he joined the McLean County state's attorney's office in 1978 and was state's attorney from 1982 to 1991.

Thomas O. Finks, assistant Effingham County state's attorney and resident of Taylorville, was appointed Christian County state's attorney in August. He plans to run for the office in 2008.

Finks succeeds Bradley T. Paisley, who was named an associate judge of the 4th Circuit.

Manuel Barbosa, presiding judge of U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Rockford for the past 10 years, plans to take his first three-month “calendar adjustment,” beginning next month, for professional development.

Barbosa plans to lecture and mentor aspiring lawyers at a university in Mexico, and to conduct research and address major pending cases on his docket. He will return in February.

Retired Supreme Court justice John L. Nickels of Maple Park was appointed Sept. 11 as interim ethics adviser to the Kane County Board on the recommendation of 16th Circuit Chief Judge Donald C. Hudson.

Nickels replaces Gene L. Nottolini, a retired judge, who was recalled to the probate bench in August and is expected to return as ethics adviser next year.

Carol Heggemeier, Washington County circuit clerk for the past 11 years and an employee in the office for 12 prior years, has accepted a position with Illinois Supreme Court Justice Lloyd A. Karmeier.

The Washington County Bar Association and Karmeier presented a plaque to Heggemeier in August for her tireless commitment and devotion to assisting the legal profession.

A 3rd Circuit rule that requires mediation in medical malpractice cases in Madison and Bond Counties has been approved by the Illinois Supreme Court.

Mediation must take place within 90 days after depositions have been taken from parties. A circuit judge will serve as mediator unless the parties agree on an outside mediator.

Tours of the Richard J. Daley Center will take place Friday, Oct. 19, in recognition of Italian Heritage Month. The Cook County Circuit Court event is co-sponsored by the Justinian Society of Lawyers.

The courthouse tours will begin at 10 p.m. in the west lobby. Call Milissa Pacelli, (312) 603-1927, for details.

The Italian American Political Coalition will honor Italian-American judges during a dinner Wednesday, Nov. 7, at Victoria's Beaujolie Banquets in Schiller Park. For details, call Nina Vidmer at (708) 459-8060.

ISBA Assembly member Thomas M. Battista, vice chair of the State and Local Taxation Section Council, is president of the coalition.