Advocates to honor hand that has fed them for many years

Kazimiera "Kasia" Bober, who for several years has provided Polish deli dinners for Advocates Society meetings and judicial receptions, will receive its Award of Merit during the 77th annual dinner on Thursday, Feb. 28, in the Hotel Monaco, Chicago.

The society will install as president Esther E. Tryban Telser, senior counsel for aviation, environmental and regulatory litigation of the City of Chicago Law Department. She succeeds Herbert J. Sillins.

Other incoming officers are Vice Pres-idents Joanna M. Kielczewski Kellogg, Megan L. Kaszubinski Ferraro and Robert P. Groszek; Treasurer Daniel Josephs, Secretary Regina Rathnau, and Historian Alexander Fiedotjew.

A 5:30 p.m. reception will precede the 6:30 p.m. dinner and program. For reservations, call Telser at (312) 744-1846.

Arab-American Bar

The location of the Arab-American Bar Association banquet on Thursday, Feb. 21, has been changed to the Hotel Monaco, Chicago. Dinner and program will follow a 6 p.m. reception provided by Jenner & Block. For reservations, e-mail  bhaddad111@gmail.com.

Bohemian Lawyers

The Bohemian Lawyers Association of Chicago will have a dinner meeting and program at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 28, at the Bohemian Crystal Restaurant in Westmont.

Celtic Legal Society

The annual St. Patrick's Day luncheon of the Celtic Legal Society of DuPage County will take place at 11:45 a.m. Friday, March 14, at Klein Creek Golf Club in Winfield. State Sen. Daniel J. Cronin will be the featured speaker.

Entertainment will be provided by Irish tenor Gavin Coyle and the McNulty Irish Step Dancers. For reservations, call Shannon at (630) 221-9300 by March 10.

Central Illinois Paralegal

New officers of the Central Illinois Paralegal Association are President Gale L. Grant, Vice Presidents Crystal Thomas and Diana Holderby, Secretary Elizabeth Kamarer, and Treasurer Kathleen Weir. Debi D. Taylor is liaison with the National Association of Legal Assistants.

Chicago Council

The Chicago Council of Lawyers and Chicago Appleseed will present awards during the annual dinner at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 3, in the Hotel Inter-Continental, Chicago.

Honorees are Lowell Sachnoff of Reed, Smith, Sachnoff & Weaver; the law firm of Schiff Hardin, and Ron Grzywinski and Mary Houghton, founders of ShoreBank. Call Amanda Grant at (312) 988-6599.

DuPage County Bar

The DuPage County Bar Lawyers Lending a Hand will be at the DuPage Convalescent Center at 5 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 28, to serve pizza and visit with residents. Call Eddie Wollenberg at (630) 668-2415.

The bar association will hear a State of the Courthouse message from 18th Circuit Chief Judge Ann B. Jorgensen during a seminar Mega Meeting on Saturday, April 5, in the Hilton Hotel, Lisle. Call (630) 653-7779.

Justinian Society

The Justinian Society will meet for dinner and program at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 20, at Luxbar in Chicago. Call Nina at (708) 459-8628.

Lake County Bar

Members of the Lake County Bar Association and Lake County Medical Society will hold their annual joint dinner on Tuesday, March 4, at Lovell's of Lake Forest. A 6 p.m. reception will precede the 7 p.m. dinner and program. Call (847) 244-3143.

Keynote speaker Dino Rumoro of Rush University Medical Center will discuss "Bioterrorism: How Prepared Are We?" He is clinical chair of the Department of Emergency Medicine and an assistant professor.

Legal Marketing

Sydney Iglitzen, public relations manager for Brinks, Hofer, Gilson & Leone, Chicago, is the new president of the Chicago chapter of the Legal Marketing Association. She succeeds Joy Long.

Other officers are President-elect Megan Wilroy, Treasurer Megan McKeon, Treasurer-elect Dallas Ingold, and Secretary Jennifer Morrison.

North Suburban Bar

Misericordia Heart of Mercy will receive the North Suburban Bar Association's Gary S. Wild Memorial Award during a dinner Tuesday, March 11, in the Lakeview Room of Park Center, Glenview.

A 6 p.m. reception will precede the 7 p.m. dinner and presentation. For reservations, call Mary A. Long at (847) 724-4115.

Third Vice President Gerald S. Schur, editor of the NSBA newsletter, has retired from practice and may be contacted at (847) 913-3918 or geraldschur@gmail.com.

Vermilion County Bar

The Vermilion County Bar Association will meet for luncheon and program at 12 noon Tuesday, Feb. 26, in the Community Room of Old National Bank, Danville. Call President Thomas J. Mellen II at (217) 431-0685.

Will County Women

The Will County Women's Bar Associ-ation has re-elected Katherine L. Maloney of Rathbun, Cservenyak & Kozol, Plainfield, to a second term as president.

Kane County Bar members' photos are part of history

Members of the Kane County Bar Association have been sitting patiently for their official portraits to be snapped for the commemorative 150th anniversary photo composite and a membership directory.

The photo project is one of many sesquicentennial anniversary events that include publication of a commissioned history book about the practice of law in Kane County since 1858.

"We celebrate this anniversary not to recognize an organization, but to honor what it represents: the enormous contribution of members to the prosperity and decency of the communities in which they live," President Patrick M. Flaherty said in the January issue of Bar Briefs.

Foundation holds gala

Some of the annual events of the bar association will include commemoration of the 150th anniversary. Among them is the Kane County Bar Foundation's annual black-tie-optional Gala, "Spinning Through the Decades."

It will take place Friday, March 1, in the Rainbow Room of the historic Hotel Baker in St. Charles. A 6 p.m. reception and 7:30 p.m. dinner will precede the program, award presentations and dancing.

Proceeds will support charitable programs, such as scholarships. Call (630) 762-1915 for reservations at $150 per person.

Also on the schedule is a "Sesqui-Sensational Bar Show" on Friday, April 11, with musical arrangements by ISBA past president Loren S. Golden of Elgin.

High school mock trials on Friday, May 2, an annual Law Day project, will be augmented by re-enactment of an 1858 trial. Ask-A-Lawyer public phone-ins are being handled from 9 a.m. to 12 noon on the second Saturday of each month, all year.

Tentatively scheduled are a Judges Night on April 24, and the annual meeting and memorial service on May 22. The 150th anniversary dinner will take place June 12 at St. Charles Country Club.

Bar leader meetings slated

The annual Bar Leadership Institute of the American Bar Association Division for Bar Services will take place Thursday through Saturday, March 13-15, at the Marriott Hotel in Chicago.

Presidents-elect and other officials of Illinois bar associations will participate in learning skills and techniques for effectiveness in four core challenges: Leadership, Governance, Finance, and Communications.

The faculty consists of current and past bar presidents, veteran bar executives and professional consultants. Both plenary sessions and small group workshops are planned.

For complete program information and registration details, contact Beverley Ware at (312) 988-5353 or bware@staff.abanet.org. Updates may be found at http://www.abanet.org/barserv/bli.html.

Bisceglia, bar shows cause double-up events this month

Double-header events have been scheduled by four bar associations this month.

On Wednesday, Feb. 27, the Whiteside County Bar Association and Lee County Bar Association will participate in a joint dinner at which ISBA President Joseph G. Bisceglia will be guest speaker.

The event is scheduled at the Rock Falls Candlelight in Sterling. Call Whiteside County Bar Secretary Mathew M. Keegan or Teresa at (815) 625-8200 for information and reservations.

Two collar county associations have scheduled conflicting bar shows the weekend of Feb. 22-23.

The DuPage County Bar Association will stage its 33rd annual Judges' Nite performance of "Mutiny of the County" on Friday, Feb. 22, at The Abbington in Glen Ellyn. A 6:30 p.m. reception and 7:30 p.m. dinner will precede the 8:30 p.m. curtain.

Susan Alvarado is producer of the show, and Kevin Millon is director. Call (630) 653-7779 for ticket information.

The Lake County Bar Association will present its Musical Gridiron Show on both Friday and Saturday, Feb. 22 and 23, at The Arboretum Club in Buffalo Grove. Veronica M. O'Malley is the director.

A 5:30 p.m. reception and 6:30 p.m. dinner will be followed by each performance. Call (847) 244-3143 for reservations.

Shirley Vinson acclaimed for keeping bench, bar on track

The Sangamon County Bar Association has paid an overdue tribute to one of the dependable people who keep the bench and bar on track, day after day, without acclaim.

Shirley Vinson, a mainstay of the 7th Circuit Courthouse in Springfield, became an honorary lifetime member of the Sangamon County Bar during an evening smoker on Jan. 24.

A receptionist on the fifth floor and secretary to Associate Judge Charles J. Grammlich, Vinson also assists Associate Judges John A. Mehlick and Esteban F. Sanchez. Her marriage to Mike Vinson almost 30 years ago was conducted by Judge Mehlick.

Arriving at 8 a.m. each day to get a half-hour head start on a variety of tasks, she has helped the circuit clerk's office clear thousands of files to maintain manageable caseloads, and she backs up the process of assigning court reporters.

A Springfield native who was first employed in county government in 1990, Vinson also has worked for the aeronautics department at the Springfield Airport and for IntraCore.

"Shirley has been an invaluable asset to the Sangamon County Bar for many, many years," said Raylene DeWitte Grischow, who planned the recognition ceremony.

"She helps the association with almost every event we have and is always such a pleasure to work with."

St. Clair Bar, CARPLS, CBA schedule fund-raising events

The St. Clair County Bar Association, the Legal Auxiliary and Legal Professionals will hold an inaugural Trivia Night benefit at 7 p.m. Saturday, March 8, at the Quail Club in Belleville.

Proceeds from the competition and silent auction will support two need- and merit-based paralegal scholarships at Southwestern Illinois College. Individuals or teams of eight may sign up at $15 per person.

Payments and names of participants should be sent no later than Feb. 18 to Betty Blaes at the St. Clair County Bar, P.O. Box 300, Belleville 62222.

CARPLS board bowls

The Associate Board of the Coordinated Advice and Referral Program for Legal Services (CARPLS) will conduct its 11th annual Gutterball Derby benefit from 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 23, at the 10pin Bowling Lounge, 330 N. State, Chicago.

In addition to a night of collegiality and bowling (shoes included), the evening includes food, refreshments and raffle prizes. The donation is $60 before Feb. 21, and $75 at the door.

Contact Marissa Bogle at (312) 421-4014 or mbogle@carpls.orgto donate prizes, make financial contributions or sign up to participate in the event.

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CARPLS will hold its annual reception and presentation of Golden Gavel Awards at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, May 22. Sports attorney Lester Munson will again be master of ceremonies, but other details have not been announced.

Barristers Band blows

The Chicago Bar Association Barristers Big Band will perform and provide music for dance instruction by professionals during a benefit ball at 6 p.m. Saturday, March 8, at The Standard Club.

Proceeds will support Children's Memorial Hospital and the Judge Abraham Lincoln Marovitz Lend-A-Hand Program. For reservations at $150 per person, including food and entertainment, call Karina Ayala-Bermejo at (312) 554-2041.

Chocoholics indulge

Chicago-area culinary artists are creating works of chocolate that will be consumed this month during the annual benefit of Youth Outreach Services in support of programs for at-risk teenagers.

The Art of Chocolate will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 20, at Bin 36 in Chicago, pairing edible masterpieces with chocolate-friendly wines. Call (773) 777-7112, ext. 7226 for reservations.

Chicago attorney Donald T. Rubin, a member of the ISBA State and Local Taxation Section Council, chairs the YOS board. The organization is a previous recipient of an Illinois Bar Foundation grant.

Shysters abdicate

Members and staffs of Peoria County Bar law firms and 10th Circuit courthouses will try to enjoy Legal Aid 2008 this year without an enteraining performance from "The Shysters," formerly led by President-elect Michael Lied.

A new and different-sounding band will provide musical accompaniment at the annual benefit for Prairie State Legal Services on Friday, April 25. More details of time and place will be announced soon.

CDEL offices relocate

Offices of the Center for Disability and Elder Law moved on Jan. 29 to Suite 919, 79 W. Monroe St., Chicago 60603. The telephone number is (312) 376-1880, and the Web site is www.probonocdel.org.

After assisting more than 1,800 clients last year, CDEL has asked its volunteers to provide reports of client names and hours logged during 2007. Online reporting is expected to be introduced later this year.