Central Illinois

Starting in November, Champaign attorney Mark C. Palmer will join the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism as its full-time Professionalism Counsel. While he will maintain an office at the Commission’s Chicago office, he primarily will be based in Champaign and serve the entire State.

Palmer will lead the development and delivery of programs state-wide on promoting integrity, professionalism and civility among Illinois lawyers and judges on behalf of the Illinois Supreme Court. His role will include collaborating with law schools, bar associations, courts, civic and lay organizations in addressing matters of professionalism, ethics, and public understanding of the legal profession.

Prior to joining the Commission, Palmer was in private practice at the Champaign law firm Evans, Froehlich, Beth & Chamley where his law practice focused on areas including commercial litigation, municipal law, banking law, and creditor’s rights, among others. He represented private and appointed clients in both civil and criminal cases in state and federal courts.

Palmer will continue his work as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Illinois College of Law in its trial advocacy program and as a Trial Teams’ Coach since 2009. Additionally, he will stay on as an Instructor for the University of Illinois Police Training Institute where he has trained hundreds of law enforcement officers in Illinois on topics such as use of force and police liability.

James Allen Cummings, age 84, of Peoria passed away at 10:22 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18, 2015, at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center, surrounded by his family.

Born April 22, 1931, in LaSalle-Peru, Ill., he was the son of Florence Herberger-Lindner. On Sept. 6, 1952, James married the love of his life, Gail Mary Michael, at St. Mark's Catholic Church in Peoria.

He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing and Management, as well as his Juris Doctorate, from the University of Illinois.

James served on the Peoria Park District board for more than 40 years was an active member and past president of the Peoria Republican Party and was head of the Peoria Diocese Council of Catholic Men. James also was a member of the Knights of Columbus St. Jude Council 4333, past president of the Junior Chamber of Commerce and past president of the Downtown Kiwanis Club. He was head of the U of I Newman Club, head of the U of I Ethics Committee and founder of the Lincoln Statue Committee and the Lincoln Award Committee.

James was a brilliant attorney and an avid and excellent bridge player who enjoyed golfing, fishing, antiquing and auctions. He will be remembered for his love of dogs, enjoying long Sunday drives and being an Abraham Lincoln expert.

Competent representation not only requires legal knowledge, skill, and preparation, but also requires you to keep abreast of changes in the law and its practice, including the benefits and risks associated with technology. Don’t miss this program in Springfield on October 9, 2015 that’s designed to give you the individualized, personal, hands-on computer training you need that’s directly applicable to the practice of law! Attorneys lacking basic computer skills who attend this seminar will better understand: how to use computer hardware, including the keyboard and mouse; how to create documents in Microsoft Word; how to create an email account and what to do with it once it’s created; the dangers of opening attachments and spam; using the Internet for your online legal research; the importance of converting documents to PDF; how to safeguard yourself and your practice against the dangers of advanced technology; and much more!

The program is presented by the ISBA Senior Lawyers Division and co-sponsored Young Lawyers Division. It qualifies for 3.50 hours MCLE credit, including 3.50 hours Professional Responsibility MCLE credit (subject to approval).

Click here for more information and to register.

Gary L. Cline, 59, of Franklin, passed away on Saturday, September 5, 2015, at Memorial Medical Hospital in Springfield.

He was born on May 23, 1956, to George and Mary Louise Kaiser Cline. In 1978, Gary married his high school sweetheart, Linda Bergschneider, and she survives. Together they raised their three children, John Cline of Austin, Texas, Nicholas (Mallory) Cline of Evanston, and Elizabeth Cline at home. He is also survived by three sisters, Cathy (Dave) Rhea of Waverly, Connie Fairless of Jacksonville, and Carol (Robert) Seymour of Franklin. He loved his family, aunts, uncles, cousins, and many nieces and nephews.

Gary earned a bachelor’s and juris doctorate degrees from the University of Illinois. He was admitted to the Illinois State Bar in 1981 and the U.S. Supreme Court Bar in 1985. He was a past president of the Sangamon County Bar Association Young Lawyers Division and a member of the ISBA Assembly, Lincoln-Douglas Inns of Court, and Trial Lawyers Association. Gary joined Rammelkamp Bradney as a partner in 2002. Gary also taught a business law class at Illinois College.

Gary’s service to the community laid a foundation for pieces of his children’s lives. He spent many years serving on the Franklin CUSD #1 school board, as a scout leader, and a cross-country coach. In the past several years he, donated countless hours volunteering for Habitat for Humanity of Sangamon County both locally and internationally.

Gary was generous with his time and skills. He always saw the best in the world around him and worked to see it realized.