On Friday, Dec. 12, 2025, ISBA members attended the All Bar Holiday Reception honoring the Supreme Court of Illinois at the conclusion of the 2025 Joint Midyear Meeting, which was held at the JW Marriott in Chicago.
Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice P. Scott Neville, Jr. served as the speaker. The festive evening included heavy hors d’oeuvres, dessert stations, refreshments, and entertainment.
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Governor J.B. Pritzker recently announced that Louis George Apostol will continue to serve another term as Public Administrator of Cook County.
Mr. Apostol has a distinguished 45-year career as a practicing attorney in Illinois. He has been reappointed to this position multiple times since 1991. He formerly served as Executive Director & General Counsel to the Illinois Property Tax Appeal Board and was appointed Commissioner/Trial Judge on the Illinois Court of Claims.
On December 12, the Hon. April G. Troemper received the Presidential Commendation from ISBA Immediate Past President Sonni Choi Williams in recognition of her outstanding service on the Standing Committee of Judicial Advisory Polls. Judge Troemper was honored for her leadership of the Committee, including guiding the drafting of revised poll questions that were unanimously approved by the ISBA Board of Governors. She currently serves as the Committee’s Ex-Officio.
The IBF’s Champions Breakfast was held on December 12, 2025, at the JW Marriott Chicago, in conjunction with the ISBA Midyear Meeting, honoring Deane B. Brown, a Shareholder in Hughes Socol Piers Resnick & Dym, Ltd., and Thomas A. Zimmerman, Jr., of Zimmerman Law Offices.
Deane B. Brown received the 2025 Distinguished Service to Law & Society Award. Thomas A. Zimmerman, Jr. received the 2025 Honorary Champion Award.
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Past DuPage County Bar Association President Hon. William J. Bauer has passed away at age 99. He was previously DuPage County States Attorney, Circuit Judge of the 18th Circuit, US Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, Federal District Judge and Judge of the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals. In the words of Chief Judge Bonnie Wheaton, "His wit and wisdom will be sorely missed."
Details on formal arrangements, likely to be held in January, will be shared as they become available.
University of Illinois Chicago School of Law has shared that Dean Emeritus John E. Corkery passed away at age 82. His leadership, dedication to public service, and commitment to students and alumni left a lasting mark on our law school and the legal community.
Service details and an obituary will be shared when they become available.
CHICAGO, IL — [November 25, 2025] — Smith LaCien LLP, a leading Chicago-based personal injury and mass tort law firm, is proud to announce that Matthew S. Leonard has joined the firm as its newest litigation attorney. Leonard, a former three-year law clerk with the firm, focuses his practice on representing individuals and families affected by catastrophic personal injuries and wrongful death.
On November 5, 2025, new attorneys were sworn into the practice of law in Illinois during ceremonies held across all five judicial districts. The First Judicial District ceremony took place at the University of Illinois at Chicago Dorin Forum, located at 725 W Roosevelt Road in Chicago, where Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice P. Scott Neville administered the oath in two separate ceremonies to 1,341 new attorneys. Illinois State Bar Association President-Elect Perry Browder offered remarks during the ceremony.
(CHICAGO, IL)—Goldberg Segalla added Patrycia Piaskowski to the firm’s Product Liability practice group in Chicago.
The Illinois Bar Foundation hosted its 26th Annual Black Tie Gala on Friday, October 17, 2025, at The Four Seasons Hotel, 120 E. Delaware Place, Chicago. The evening honored Mark D. Hassakis, Past President of the Illinois State Bar Association (2010–11) and Past President of the Illinois Bar Foundation (2000–02).