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Chicago Area

  • May 3, 2017 | People
    Willis "Bill" Tribler's Memorial to Be Held May 17

    A memorial celebrating the life of Willis R. (“Bill”) Tribler, a founding member and senior partner of the law firm of Tribler Orpett & Meyer, P.C., will be held on May 17, 2017, between 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Preston Bradley Hall of the Chicago Cultural Center, 78 East Washington Street, Chicago, IL 60602. The event is open to the public and all are invited to attend.

    The memorial is being sponsored by Tribler Orpett & Meyer and the Illinois State Bar Association, the Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education, and the Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel. Representatives of those organizations, as well as other prominent judges, lawyers and committee members who worked with Bill throughout his career, will be speaking and sharing their personal thoughts and stories about him. Among those scheduled to appear are Hon. Justice Bill Taylor (Ret.), Hon. Russell W. Hartigan, ISBA President Elect, Charles Bingaman, former and current Executive Directors of IICLE, Michael L. Resis, IDC President-Elect and Rudy G. Schade and Robert V. Dewey, past presidents of IDC, and Wendy J. Muchman, Chief of Litigation and Professional Education of the ARDC.

  • May 1, 2017 | People
    ISBA Lawyer Awarded as "10 Best" Family Law Attorney for Second Year

    Kane County divorce attorney and founding partner of Goostree Law Group, P.C., Tricia D. Goostree, has been recognized as a two-time recipient of the "10 Best" Client Satisfaction Award by the American Institute of Family Law Attorneys (AIOFLA) for 2016 and 2017. As a Two Years AIOFLA Member, Goostree is among a prestigious list of attorneys who have achieved significant success in the field of family law.

    St. Charles divorce lawyer Tricia D. Goostree has been practicing exclusively in family law and domestic relations since 2002. For over 15 years, she has assisted Northern Illinois clients with complex financial cases, spousal maintenance, child custody (or the allocation of parental responsibilities), child support, visitation (or parenting time), and much more.

    Goostree is the recipient of many other prestigious awards, including Illinois Super Lawyers, Leading Lawyers, and Lawyers of Distinction. She is active in her local legal community maintaining memberships with the Illinois Bar Association, Kane County Bar Association ,and DuPage County Bar Association.

    As a two-year "10 Best" AIOFLA award winner, Tricia D. Goostree exemplifies what it is to be a top, client-oriented legal professional.

  • April 28, 2017 | CLE
    CLE: Civil Practice and Procedure - Trial Practice 2017

    Perfect your trial practice skills with this full-day seminar that not only walks you through each step of the trial process, but also shows you how technology can help you flawlessly deliver your case to the courtroom. Trial attorneys with intermediate practice experience who attend this seminar in Chicago or via live webcast on May 12, 2017 will learn: how to get rid of biased jurors during voir dire; the importance of a well-told opening statement; how to prepare your next witness for direct examination; how to question lay and expert witnesses during cross examination; which high-tech tools can help you present your next big case; the value of demonstrative exhibits and technology to engage your jury; how to prepare a powerful and persuasive closing argument; what attorneys have done right (and wrong) in trial as experienced by one retired judge; and the common incidents that lead to malpractice.

    The program is presented by the ISBA Civil Practice and Procedure Section and qualifies for 7.0 hours MCLE credit, including 7.0 hours Professional Responsibility MCLE credit (subject to approval).

    Click here for more information and to register.

  • April 27, 2017 | People
    Five Wheaton Attorneys Receive Leading Lawyers and Emerging Lawyers Awards for 2017

    The Wheaton, Illinois, law firm of Mirabella, Kincaid, Frederick & Mirabella, LLC (MKFM Law) is proud to announce that attorneys and ISBA members Lynn M. Mirabella and George S. Frederick have each been awarded as 2017 Leading Lawyers. In addition, attorneys Christa M. Winthers, Lindsay C. Stella, and Joshua D. Bedwell have been recognized as 2017 Emerging Lawyers.

    The Leading Lawyer award process consists of a four-phase research process. Administered by the Law Bulletin Publishing Company, each stage involves the recommendation of a trusted peer, discussions with nominees, pre-selection for membership, and advisory board review. Lawyers cannot nominate themselves or anyone at their law firm, and upon filtering through all four steps, a winner is chosen and awarded.

    The Emerging Lawyer award is open to candidates under the age of 40 years old who have demonstrated professionalism, integrity, and knowledge in the early part of their careers. The Law Bulletin Publishing Company mails annual surveys to all Leading Lawyers in each state. The survey recipient can nominate a partner within or outside of his or her firm. Upon anonymous recommendation from another Leading Lawyer, a winner is selected and notified.

  • April 27, 2017 | People
    Momkus McCluskey Roberts LLC Welcomes New Associate

    The law firm of Momkus McCluskey Roberts LLC is pleased to announce the hiring of attorney Nicole L. Simmons. Prior to joining Momkus McCluskey Roberts LLC, Simmons practiced at a full-service Chicago law firm. As an experienced litigator, she will handle business transactions and commercial litigation matters.

    Attorney Nicole L. Simmons is admitted to practice law in Illinois, Missouri, and Massachusetts. She graduated with her J.D. from Boston College Law School, where she participated on the school’s National Moot Court Team. Simmons has experience in all phases of litigation, appeals, and alternative dispute resolution. She has represented clients in federal and state courts across the country. She handles cases related to commercial disputes, products liability, employment, proprietary information, and trade secret.

    Simmons also effectively represents business clients in litigation, contracts, risk management, and compliance matters. Additionally, she handles contract matters, including negotiations, drafting, and a variety of agreements including RFPs, subcontracts, licensing, vendor, and professional consulting agreements. 

  • April 26, 2017 | People
    Aurora Attorney Paul Krentz Recognized in Leading Lawyers Magazine

    The Aurora, Illinois, law firm of Kinnally Flaherty Krentz Loran Hodge & Masur P.C. is pleased to announce that Partner Paul G. Krentz was recognized in Leading Lawyers Magazine. The 2017 Real Estate Edition features Krentz in a three-page spread, entitled “Champion of Property Rights, the Injured and Abused,” covering his career and legal legacy.

    For an attorney to be honored as a Leading Lawyer, he or she must be recommended by their legal peers and approved by the organization’s official state Advisory Board. Each nominee is judged on their quality, experience, and reputation in their specific areas of practice.

    The lawyers who receive the most nominations are pre-selected for membership, but final approval is dependent on Advisory Board review, which evaluates the quality of each candidate and ensures only the most prestigious and ethical legal professionals are chosen. Only the top 5 percent of all lawyers who practice in Illinois are recognized by the Leading Lawyers organization.

  • April 26, 2017 | People
    DuPage County Divorce Attorneys Recognized as 2017 Super Lawyers

    The Wheaton-based family law firm Andrew Cores Family Law Group, a division of Esp Kreuzer Cores LLP, is pleased to announce that ISBA members and partners Andrew P. Cores and Wendy M. Musielak have been recognized by Super Lawyers for their outstanding work within the family law arena. Cores has been named a 2017 Super Lawyer, and Musielak has earned the title of a 2017 Rising Star.

    On an annual basis, only the top five percent of attorneys in each state are named Super Lawyers. The Rising Stars distinction is only reserved for the top 2.5 percent of attorneys in the state who are 40 years old or younger or have been practicing for less than 10 years. The patented selection process is multi-phased and includes independent research, peer nominations, and peer evaluations. Cores has been named an Illinois Super Lawyer since 2012, and Musielak has been named a Rising Star since 2014.

    Wheaton divorce lawyer Andrew P. Cores graduated from Northwestern University School of Law with his J.D. He concentrates his practice in family law, divorce, spousal maintenance, child support and custody, and prenuptial agreements. He also handles family law matters through mediation, collaborative law, and complex litigation.

  • April 25, 2017 | People
    Robert K. McQueen 1920-2017

    Robert K. McQueen of Victory Lakes, Lindenhurst, but a longtime resident of Gurnee, died April 3, 2017 at age 96. A retired circuit judge, he was born on April 12, 1920 at Farragut, Iowa, where he was raised on a farm by his mother who was widowed when he was three. He held undergraduate and juris doctor degrees from the George Washington University, Washington, D.C. and was a special agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation for 25 years. On retirement as senior resident agent at Waukegan, Illinois, he became an assistant state's attorney for Lake County and was an adjunct professor of legal courses at the now Gateway Institute, Kenosha, Wisconsin. Appointed an associate judge in the Illinois 19th Judicial District in 1972, he later served as circuit and chief judge of the circuit.

    Judge McQueen was a member of the Illinois State Bar Association and Lake County Bar Association (past-president of the latter), The Society of Former Agents of the FBI, the Gurnee Community Church, and the Honest Johns Club in Waukegan.

    Past memberships include Troop 77, BSA, Gurnee; The Halfway House Advisory Board; The Law Enforcement Advisory Committee of Lake County College; The Gurnee Lions and Exchange Clubs; and the Palmento Pine Country Club of Cape Coral, Florida, where he had wintered. A commissioned naval officer in World War II, he was honored by the Village of Gurnee in 1982 for service to the community and by the Illinois State Bar  Association in 2000 as a senior counselor after 50 years of membership.

  • April 25, 2017 | People
    Three ISBA Members Promoted at Attorneys' Title Guaranty Fund, Inc.

    Attorneys’ Title Guaranty Fund, Inc. (ATG®) recently promoted three ISBA members with a combined 50 years of experience at the company: Christine Sparks to senior vice president – chief operating officer; Arden K. Miner to vice president – underwriting, support, and development; and Tania M. S. Stori to vice president – claims and litigation.

    “One of ATG's biggest strengths is the loyalty and longevity of its staff and member agents,” said Peter J. Birnbaum, ATG president and CEO. “Christine, Arden, and Tania are all talented lawyers who have come up through the ranks at ATG. They possess in-depth experience in many aspects of our business and are uniquely qualified to lead us to future success and business growth.”

    An employee since 2003, Sparks brings a deep understanding of ATG operations, agent operations, risk assessment, and compliance to her new position as a result of her experience in the training and procedures, support and development, claims, and underwriting departments. She is well-versed in title insurance and lending industry practices and the regulatory environment. In her most recent role as vice president and managing attorney, Sparks assessed the insurability of real estate transactions as they relate to claims analysis and investigated and resolved title insurance claims. She also provided direction and support to training and procedures department personnel in resolving member compliance issues.

  • April 25, 2017 | ISBA News
    Allerton Conference 2017 Focuses on Technology, Ethics, and Economics

    ISBA's Allerton Conference 2017, sponsored by the Civil Practice and Procedure Committee, took place last week, on April 19-21, 2017, at Starved Rock Lodge in Oglesby, Illinois. The conference provided an opportunity for invited lawyers, judges, and law professors from around the state to discuss important issues affecting civil procedure and litigation. The ultimate goal of the event is for attendees to offer suggestions for new Supreme Court rules and legislation sponsored by the ISBA, and propose programs to the ISBA Board of Governors.