The Bar News

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Chicago Area

  • March 7, 2016 | People
    Catherine Garvey accepts in-house role at University of Chicago Medicine

    Brennan Garvey is delighted to announce that partner Catherine Garvey has accepted the role of Associate General Counsel at University of Chicago Medicine (UCM) where she will be the Executive Director of the Professional Liability Program, the University’s self-insurance program. As a result, she will be leaving the firm later this year.

    “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for me,” said Garvey, who began her career as a pediatric nurse at the University of Chicago in 1984 and has represented the hospital in medical malpractice cases for the last 26 years. 

  • March 7, 2016 | People
    Bill Roberts appointed Commissioner on the Illinois Supreme Court Historic Preservation Commission

    Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP Managing Partner Bill Roberts has been appointed a commissioner on the Illinois Supreme Court Historic Preservation Commission. His term began February 22, 2016.

    Mr. Roberts concentrates his practice in complex civil and criminal litigation, government relations and gaming law. Before joining Hinshaw he held several high-level federal and state government positions. These include: U.S. Attorney for the Central District of Illinois; Chief Legal Counsel to Illinois Governor Jim Edgar; and State’s Attorney of Sangamon County. He also served as counsel to the Minority Caucus of the Illinois House of Representatives Special Investigative Committee, which returned an Article of Impeachment against then Governor, Rod Blagojevich, in January 2009.

  • March 4, 2016 | ISBA News | Events
    ISBA leaders meet with law school deans

    ISBA leaders met with law school deans Thursday at the Chicago Office to address the important issues raised in the Report and Recommendation of the Special Committee on the Impact of Current Law School Curriculum on the Future of the Practice of Law in Illinois.

    Through this collaborative effort, the ISBA hopes to refine and expand the Report’s recommendations. The ultimate goal is to identify realistic ways that legal educators and the practicing bar can work together to ensure that future generations of Illinois lawyers are fully prepared to represent the interests of clients.

    ISBA President Umberto Davi said, “The adoption of this Report is an important step as we strive to begin a discussion with Illinois’ law schools about improving the skills of those entering the practice of law.”

  • March 2, 2016 | People
    Bhavani Raveendran joins Romanucci & Blandin, LLC as associate

    Romanucci & Blandin, LLC, a leading personal injury and civil trial practice law firm in Chicago, proudly announces the hiring of Bhavani Raveendran as associate attorney.  Ms. Raveendran‘s legal experience includes civil litigation, and civil rights, as well as years of experience working with human rights organizations.

    “We welcome the addition of Bhavani on our team and look forward to her making an immediate contribution,” said Antonio Romanucci, Principal and Partner at Romanucci & Blandin. “We look forward to Bhavani’s uncompromising dedication and her unwavering belief in helping those who have endured injustices.”

    Since obtaining her law degree, Raveendran completed a fellowship in human rights litigation at DC-based International Rights Advocates and most recently practiced as a municipal prosecutor and general civil attorney with McHenry, Illinois firm Diamond & LeSueur, P.C.  She also served as a student attorney for International Human Rights Clinic; legal intern at Torture Abolition and Survivor Coalition International; and civil rights law clerk at the Council on American-Islamic Relations Chicago.

  • March 2, 2016 | People
    Kathryn C. Rolewick joins Wheaton firm Rolewick & Gutzke, P.C.

    The law firm of Rolewick & Gutzke, P.C. is pleased to announce that Kathryn C. Rolewick has joined the firm as an associate attorney.

    Rolewick was admitted to practice law by the Illinois Supreme Court in 2013. She has been working as a Trust Administrative Officer for U.S. Trust, Bank of America, N.A. since graduating from Loyola University Chicago School of Law in 2013. She is now happy to be joining the firm founded by her father, David Rolewick, in 1978, and they will be working together in the areas of estate planning, wealth management, probate estates, contracts, and general corporate and business structures.

    A graduate of Wheaton Warrenville South High School in Wheaton, Illinois, Rolewick attended Boston College where she graduated cum laude from the Honors Program in 2004. She is a member of the DuPage County Bar Association, the Chicago Bar Association, the Illinois State Bar Association, and the American Bar Association. She has been a member of the ISBA Trusts & Estates Section Council since 2014. Rolewick lives in the western suburbs with her husband and young son.

    About Rolewick & Gutzke, P.C.

  • March 1, 2016 | ISBA News | Events
    Book your hotel room for Annual Meeting 2016

    JUNE 16-18, 2016  |  ROSEMONT, IL  |  WESTIN O'HARE

    Where the rose is red and the train line blue; the nexus of learning and fun await you.

    We've redesigned the Annual, something new is a-brew. It's a different kind of conference, and this one's for you.

    Starting a practice or needing tech insight? We've got just the program to assist your plight. (It's so close to O'Hare, you can even take a flight.)

    Colleagues, a DJ, and the Chicago Katz band; Our Friday night party's never been so grand.

    Restaurants, a casino, skydiving and shopping; With so much to do, Rosemont will be hopping.

    So join us and network with friends new and old. The 2016 Annual will leave stories to be told.

  • March 1, 2016 | Practice News
    CARPLS Volunteer Attorney training set for March 23

    CARPLS Legal Hotline, Chicago

    Volunteer hotline attorneys wanted to give advice to low-income clients in the areas of landlord/tenant, consumer debt, and family law. Day and night shifts are available. Malpractice insurance is provided.

    Daily shifts: Mondays - Fridays 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. or 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. A minimum commitment of 1 shift per week over a 10-week session is requested. 

    Evening shifts: Mondays or Wednesdays  5:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. A minimum commitment of 36 hours over a one-year period is requested (about 1.5 shifts per month). 

    Our next training cycle begins Wednesday, March 23, 2016 from 4 p.m. - 8 p.m. CLE credit and dinner are provided. For more information, contact Leslie Wallin at (312) 421-4427 or lwallin@carpls.org or go to http://www.carpls.org/getinvolved/pro-bono-opportunities/.

  • February 26, 2016 | Practice News
    Justice Theis announces 2 judicial vacancies in Cook County

    Illinois Supreme Court Justice Mary Jane Theis has announced two judicial vacancies in the Cook County Circuit Court.

    At-Large Vacancy

    The At-Large vacancy is created by the retirement of Circuit Judge Michelle D. Jordan, who was elected a judge in November 2004. Judge Jordan's retirement took effect January 1, 2016.

    Under the Illinois Constitution, judicial vacancies are filled on an interim basis by Supreme Court appointment. Justice Theis will make a recommendation to the Supreme Court after applicants for the position undergo a screening and evaluation process.

    That process will include an evaluation by the Alliance of Bar Associations, which is made up of 11 bar groups in the Cook County area, and the Chicago Bar Association. Further review will be conducted by a special judicial screening committee that Justice Theis established in 2013 and is co-chaired by retired U.S. District Court Judge Wayne R. Andersen and retired Illinois Appellate Court Judge Michael J. Gallagher.

    To be eligible for consideration for appointment, the applicant must be a lawyer in good standing licensed to practice law in Illinois and a resident of Cook County.

    The deadline for submission of applications is 4 p.m. on Thursday, March 31, 2016.

    Notice of the vacancy and details of the application process are posted on the Illinois Supreme Court's website at www.illinoiscourts.gov. From there, follow the instructions on the "Latest News" scroller announcing the At-Large vacancy.

  • February 26, 2016 | CLE
    CLE: Trial Practice Series: Trial of a Sexual Orientation and Harassment Case

    Get the tips and advice you need to successfully conduct your next labor and employment trial with this full day seminar in Chicago or via live webcast on March 18, 2016! Attorneys with intermediate practice experience working in the areas of labor/employment, racial and ethnic minorities, disability law, women’s rights, civil practice, corporate law, administrative law, local government, and sexual orientation and gender identity who attend this seminar will leave with a better understanding of: how fine-tuning your voir dire skills can help you make an impression on jurors during your next trial; why you should strike or keep a juror during the voir dire process; why the opening statement is one of the most important steps throughout a trial; how to present your evidence during your direct examination – even when the subject matter is sensitive in nature; how to handle objections during cross-examination; what the judge is thinking and why they rule accordingly during arguments on objections; how to use the cross-examination process to your advantage during a trial; how to make an impression on the jury during your closing argument; why performance, showmanship, and the art of persuasion is so important during a trial; and much more! Each segment of the seminar is presented as a mock-trial demonstration followed by an explanation showing what was done right or wrong, as well as tips for how to enhance your trial skills.

  • February 24, 2016 | People
    Theodore Van Winkle 1925-2016

    Theodore Van Winkle, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2016, at home.

    He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Betty Gail (Summers) Van Winkle; his daughter, Cynthia G. Thomas and husband, Steve, of Mount Vernon; his son, James L. Van Winkle and his wife, Lois, of Dahlgren; his daughter, Theodora Ann Barenholtz and her husband, Jan, of Fairfield, Connecticut; six grandchildren, Adrienne E. Van Winkle and her fiancé, Seth T. Bridge of Washington D.C., Jonathan L. Van Winkle of Dahlgren, Michael J. Bassi, of Covington, Kentucky, Daniel Barenholtz of Fairfield, Connecticut, Lt. David Barenholtz and his wife, Claire, of Honolulu, Hawaii, and Jonathan Thomas of Mount Vernon; and one great-granddaughter, Kori Thomas. He is also survived by his younger brother, Phil J. Van Winkle and his wife, Nancy, of Orlando, Florida; and their children, Philip R. Van Winkle, James Michael Van Winkle and Sherry Allen.