Urbana attorney Richard L. Thies was presented the prestigious “Lincoln the Lawyer” Award by The Abraham Lincoln Association (ALA) during the organization's annual Lincoln's Birthday Banquet February 12 in Springfield. Thies is just the eleventh person to receive the award, which recognizes individuals who reflect the character and ideals of Abraham Lincoln in their legal careers.
“For more than half a century, Richard Thies has served the interests of his clients with skill and integrity, has worked enthusiastically in support of countless civic and charitable organizations, and has provided leadership to the legal profession,” said ALA Board Member Thomas Johnson, who nominated Thies for the award. “Richard is an unfailing, unflinching exemplar of civic virtue and personal honor who is, in Vachel Lindsay's words, 'Lincoln hearted' – Lincoln hearted in every good way.”
Central Illinois
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February 18, 2015 |
ISBA News | People
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February 10, 2015 |
CLE
The ethical issues government attorneys encounter differ from those faced by private practitioners. Join us in Springfield on March 6, 2015 for a lively program that’s comprised of skits, scenarios, and group discussions, allowing participants to gather invaluable information on identifying potential ethical dilemmas and applying the Rules of Professional Conduct in a fun and interesting way. Government attorneys with basic to intermediate practice experience will benefit from the ethical information presented throughout this seminar.
The seminar is presented by ISBA’s Standing Committee on Government Lawyers and qualifies for 4.0 hours MCLE credit, including 4.0 hours Professional Responsibility MCLE credit (subject to approval).
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February 9, 2015 |
People
ATG Makes Annual Scholarship Donation in His Name
Attorneys’ Title Guaranty Fund, Inc. announces the retirement of former leader, board member, and board chairman Ward F. McDonald of Mahomet, Illinois.
McDonald helped shape ATG from a concept to a viable business, went on to conduct a successful law practice, and served as an adjunct professor at the University of Illinois College of Law and College of Business. “ATG would not be the success it is today without Ward's efforts,” said Peter J. Birnbaum, president and CEO. “Ward worked tirelessly from the late 1960s—first as a law clerk, then in the company’s top position as Executive Vice President—through the early 1980s, then served on our board for decades, always offering thoughtful guidance and leadership.”
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February 4, 2015 |
People
The law firm of Hasselberg, Grebe, Snodgrass, Urban & Wentworth is pleased to announce that Boyd O. Roberts III has become a partner in the firm. Boyd has been with Hasselberg, Grebe, Snodgrass, Urban & Wentworth for over nine years and focuses his practice in the areas of worker’s compensation, personal injury, criminal defense, traffic defense and family law. Boyd is a native of Wheaton and received his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Illinois. Boyd then obtained his J.D. from the DePaul University College of Law.
Boyd currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Hult Center for Health Living along with the Peoria Soccer Club. He was a previous recipient of the Peoria area “40 Leaders Under 40” Award in 2009. Boyd resides in Dunlap, Illinois with his wife Alison and their five children. -
February 4, 2015 |
People
Clyde Meachum, 94, of Danville passed away on Jan. 26, 2015 at Colonial Manor in Danville. Clyde was born Feb. 3, 1920, in Hallsville, the son of Fred and Ruth Meachum. He married Virginia Harvin on Dec. 30, 1942, in Chicago. She precedes him in death, having passed on Feb. 23, 2010.
Clyde is survived by a son, Bruce (Sharon) Meachum of Danville; two daughters, Carol (Kim Walter) Meachum of Seattle and Connie (Elizabeth Most) Meachum of Harbor Springs, Mich.; two grandchildren, Lynette Baisch of Seattle and Grant Meachum of New York City; and two great-grandchildren, Ruben Baisch and Marco Baisch.
Clyde graduated from Illinois State University with a Bachelor of Education degree. Following service as an officer in the U.S. Navy during World War II, he received a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Illinois College of Law in 1948.
Clyde was an attorney for nearly 60 years, retiring in 2008. He began his legal career in Danville in 1948, as a law clerk for U.S. District Court Judge Walter Lindley. From 1949 to 1961, Clyde was the Referee in Bankruptcy for the U.S. District Court, covering 45 counties in eastern and southern Illinois. He entered the private practice of law in Danville in 1951, in partnership with Ray Foreman. At the time of his retirement in 2008, he had been a partner in the law firm of Meachum & Martin in Danville.
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January 28, 2015 |
People
Walter J. Simhauser died on January 16, 2015, in Springfield at age 96. He was retired from a long career as a lawyer in Springfield and central Illinois.
He is survived by his wife, Jean, his brother, John Simshauser, son, Val Simhauser (Patty Hagner), stepchildren Kathy (Richard) Crider, Karen (Carl) Schmidt, Brian Berg, and Melanie Berg, nephews Andy and Peter Simshauser, niece Kitty Lavin, other nieces and nephews, grandchildren Matt (Amanda) Simhauser and Mark Simhauser (fiancée, Caitlin Dungan), Ali Berg, Anna and Nate Schmidt, Kyle and Adam Crider, and great-granddaughter, Ava Simhauser.
Mr. Simhauser was Springfield’s City Attorney from 1955 to 1959 and from 1963 to1969. He was also the city attorney for Leland Grove, aiding in its founding in 1950 and serving until 1990, and for Jerome, Southern View, Grandview, Auburn, and Chatham.
He was born in May 1918 in Bloomington, Illinois, the oldest son of Val M. Simhauser and Daisy (Burke) Simhauser.He was predeceased by both parents, and by a brother, Judge Louis E. Simhauser. His father was a railroad machinist who moved on to self-employment after the 1922 strike at the Chicago & Alton yards in Bloomington, and who also served several terms as a Bloomington alderman. His mother was a teacher and a graduate of the State Normal School. Education, books, and reading were integral parts of life in the family’s Bloomington household. He and his two brothers became lawyers.
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January 28, 2015 |
People
Addy, Bush and Associates P.C. is pleased to announce that attorney Bob Neiner has become a partner in the firm. Bob has been with Addy, Bush and Associates P.C. for over eight years and focuses his practice on criminal defense and DUI’s as well as driver’s license reinstatement hearings.
Prior to joining Addy, Bush and Associates P.C., Bob was an Assistant State’s Attorney in Mclean and Tazewell County. He received his Bachelor of Science from Illinois State University, cum laude and received his J.D. from Southern Illinois University School of Law, cum laude.
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January 21, 2015 |
Practice News
Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice Rita B. Garman announced Wednesday the formation of a judicial screening committee for the Seventh Judicial Circuit.
Chief Justice Garman established the screening committee to assess the qualifications of those persons who have applied for appointment to the at-large Circuit Court vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Patrick J. Londrigan on December 8, 2014. Under the Illinois Constitution, the Supreme Court holds the authority to fill interim judicial vacancies until the next General Election.
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January 14, 2015 |
People
Charles Couri, 58, of Peoria passed away at 1:38 p.m. on Friday, December 19, 2014, at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria.
Charles was born on January 30, 1956, in Peoria to Anthony and Maureen (Williams) Couri. He married Jeni Abraham on July 15, 1984, in Peoria. She survives.
Also surviving is his mother of Brimfield; one son, Christopher of Peoria; one daughter, Allison, of Peoria; five brothers, Thomas (Angie) Couri of Washington, Dr. Gene (Gretta) Couri of Peoria, Anthony Jr. (Mary Beth) Couri of Decatur, Kenneth (Ilda) Couri of Maple Grove, Minn., and Michael (Theresa) Couri of Hamel, Minn.; two sisters, Mary (Gary) Burton of Pekin and Margaret (John) Zdanowski of Morton.
He was preceded in death by his father.
Charles graduated from Spalding Institute in 1974, received his B.S. in accounting from Illinois State University and received his Juris Doctorate from Southern Illinois University School of Law. Chuck was a partner in the law firm of Westervelt, Johnson, Nicoll & Keller, in Peoria. Chuck loved golf, cars and woodworking.
He was a member of St. Sharbel Maronite Catholic Church in Peoria.
A funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, December 22,2014, at his church, with Chorbishop Faouzi Elia and Father Bechara Awada officiating. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. on Sunday, December 21, 2014, at St. Sharbel Church, with Rosary scripture services at 8:00 p.m. An additional visitation will be one hour prior to the Mass at the church. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery in West Peoria following Mass.
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January 14, 2015 |
People
William A. Sunderman, age 68 of Charleston, passed away at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center on Thursday, December 25, 2014.
Tony was born January 24, 1946 in Charleston, a son of the late William J. and Norma J. (King) Sunderman. On April 12, 1975, he married Judith Williams, the love of his life. In addition to his wife Judy, Tony is survived by two children, William R. Sunderman of Chicago and Emily Sunderman of Portland, Oregon; a brother, James M. Sunderman of Centralia, Illinois; two sisters, Amanda J. Bell and husband Steve of Champaign, Illinois and Monica J. Sunderman of West Hartford, Connecticut; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a son, Robbie Sunderman.
Tony was a Charleston High School graduate and furthered his education at Eastern Illinois University, receiving his B.S. in 1968 with highest honors; his J.D. in 1972 from the University of Illinois; and was a graduate of the National Institute of Trial Advocacy. He was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1972; the U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit; U.S. District Court, Central District of Illinois; and the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Illinois. He was currently a legal partner at the Brainard Law Office and has spent the past 42 years practicing law in Charleston.