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  • June 11, 2015 | People
    Jay Paul Hoffmann 1952-2015

    Jay Paul Hoffmann was born to Al and Marcy Hoffmann in Milwaukee, WI on June 3, 1952. He attended 21st Street School, Edison Junior High and Custer High School. During and after high school, Jay traveled the U.S. playing soprano bugle for the Chordalier and Vanguard Drum and Bugle Corps before attending Marquette University. While pursuing his B.S. in Political Science, Jay played trumpet with the Marquette Warrior Pep Band and the Motown Band, Sheer Soul.

    After graduating from Marquette, Jay worked both in the foundry and as a security guard for Briggs & Stratton prior to enrolling in John Marshall Law School. In 1990, Jay graduated Cum Laude from that institution.

    He dedicated the next 25 years to keeping violent criminals in prison. His law career started with the Office of the State’s Attorneys Appellate Prosecutors in Ottawa, IL before becoming an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Illinois where he specialized in capital criminal appeals. In 2007, Jay was selected to serve as a National Association of Attorney Generals Supreme Court Fellow. His service in this position included writing the amicus petition for writ of certiorari filed by Illinois and 18 other states in “Allen v Siebert” to the U.S. Supreme Court.

  • June 11, 2015 | People
    Richard K. Decker 1913-2015

    Richard K. Decker, age 101, of Burr Ridge, peacefully passed away on May 6, 2015.

    Dick was born on September 15, 1913, in Lincoln, Nebraska. His parents were Georgia and Fred Decker. He received his B. A. in 1935 and his JD degree in 1938 from the University of Nebraska. After graduation, Dick's life immediately began to skyrocket, both personally and professionally.

    On June 12, 1938, Fern and Dick were married in Oakland, Nebraska. Dick then started in his lifetime legal specialty, joining the Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice where he remained until World War II.

    Dick served with U.S. Naval Reserve until 1945, retiring as a Lieutenant Commander. Upon discharge, Dick returned to the Antitrust Division. In 1952, Dick came to Chicago as a lawyer with Lord, Bissell & Brook, of which he was a partner from 1953 to 1984, when he retired. During his partnership, Dick served as Chairman of the Executive Committee for several terms. He became one of the country's leading antitrust lawyers, serving as Chairman of the Antitrust Section of the American Bar Association from 1971 to 1972, after first serving as Chairman of the Antitrust Law Committee of the Chicago Bar Association from 1956 to 1959 and Chairman of the Antitrust Section of Illinois State Bar Association from 1964 to 1966.

  • June 11, 2015 | Events
    Public Interest Law Initiative to host Annual Pro Bono Reception

    44 law firms and corporations named to PILI’s Pro Bono Recognition Roster

    The Public Interest Law Initiative (PILI) will host its Annual Pro Bono Reception next week on Wednesday, June 17th at The Ivy Room at Tree Studios. This event, sponsored by 38 Illinois law firms and corporations, is held each year to celebrate the pro bono triumphs of the Illinois legal community and to spotlight the critically-needed pro bono work being done in our state, including the work of PILI’s Pro Bono Initiative Program.

  • June 10, 2015 | Practice News
    Dow, Zelazo appointed associate judges in Will County

    Michael J. Tardy, Director of the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts, announced Wednesday that the Twelfth Judicial Circuit judges voted to select Elizabeth D. Hoskins Dow and Kenneth L. Zelazo as associate judges of the 12th Judicial Circuit.

    Ms. Hoskins Dow received her undergraduate degree in 1989 from the Yale University in New Haven, CT and her Juris Doctor in 1993 from Boston College Law School in Newton, MA. Ms. Hoskins Dow is currently affiliated with Bailey & Glasser LLP in Joliet.

    Mr. Zelazo received his undergraduate degree in 1979 from the Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI, and his Juris Doctor in 1983 from Loyola University in Chicago, IL. Mr. Zelazo is currently affiliated with The Law Office of Bob O'Dekirk, LLC in Joliet.

  • June 4, 2015 | CLE
    CLE: Anatomy of a Building Code Violation Administrative Hearing:From Inspection to Judgment

    Lawyers who practice before administrative law agencies are not necessarily well-versed with procedures and their clients’ rights in cases before agencies such as the City of Chicago Department of Administrative Hearings. Don’t miss this program in Chicago or via live webcaston June 24, 2015 that reinforces best practices that attorneys should employ during a building code violation administrative hearing. Attorneys attending this seminar will increase their level of competency in dealing with a variety of issues that may arise in an administrative hearing and better understand: the administrative hearing process; the inspection process, including expectations during the inspection and post-inspection periods; how building code violations are prosecuted; how to properly represent clients at building code violation administrative hearings; and how to preserve the record and other post-judgment issues.

    The program is presented by the ISBA Administrative Law Section and qualifies for 1.75 hours MCLE credit, including 0.50 hour Professional Responsibility MCLE credit (subject to approval).

    Click here for more information and to register.

  • June 3, 2015 | People
    Corboy & Demetrio promotes Lumb, Willer to partner

    Corboy & Demetrio has promoted Kenneth T. Lumb and Edward G. Willer to partner.

    Ken, who joined Corboy & Demetrio as an associate in 1995 after a tour of duty in the United States Army, has devoted his career to representing plaintiffs in medical malpractice and serious personal injury cases.  Ken’s skills as a trial lawyer and advocate for our clients exemplify the firm’s mission to provide the highest quality legal services to those most in need.

    Ken honed his skills serving as captain in the Army’s Judge Advocate General’s Corps (JAG Corps) where he served as the Medical Claims Judge Advocate at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C.  His duties included medical malpractice defense and hospital law.  He was subsequently promoted to major in the Army reserve.

    In 2003, he was mobilized in support of Operation “Iraqi Freedom” and spent six months on active duty at Walter Reed.  For his service on behalf of wounded soldiers and their families, Ken received a Meritorious Service medal.   

    At Corboy & Demetrio, Ken has obtained numerous multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts, including a $7 million settlement for a woman who was injured when she was struck by a malfunctioning automatic door as she entered a Target store and a $4.25 million verdict on behalf of the children of a woman who died after a cervical biopsy at a Veterans Administration hospital.

  • June 3, 2015 | People
    Nicole Bashor appointed to National LGBT Bar Association and Foundation Board of Directors

    The national law firm of Quarles & Brady LLP today announced that Nicole A. Bashor, an associate with the firm's Intellectual Property Practice Group, has been appointed as an affiliate representative of the National LGBT Bar Association and Foundation board of directors.

    "I am honored to serve on the board of the National LGBT Bar Association and Foundation," said Bashor. "I join an accomplished group of professionals dedicated to promoting justice in and through the legal profession for the LGBT community."

    In 2014, the National LGBT Bar Association named Bashor one of the 40 Best LGBT Lawyers Under 40. The award honors LGBT legal professionals who have distinguished themselves in their field and demonstrate a commitment to LGBT equality. Bashor also is active in the Lesbian and Gay Bar Association of Chicago, where she is first vice president on the board of directors, and serves as chair of the Community Outreach Committee.

    About Quarles & Brady LLP

  • June 2, 2015 | People
    Garfinkel announces relocation of Chicago law office

    The Cook County criminal defense law firm The Law Offices of Hal M. Garfinkel announces the relocation of its office to 225 West Washington Street, Suite 2200, Chicago, IL 60606.

    From its new location, the Chicago law firm continues to successfully defend clients with a wide-range of Illinois criminal charges including: federal crimes, retail theft, robbery, DUI’s, drug charges, sexual offenses, domestic violence, weapons charges and murder.

    Chicago criminal defense lawyer Hal M. Garfinkel is the Managing Partner at the Law Offices of Hal M. Garfinkel. He earned his J.D. from The John Marshall Law School in Chicago and earned his B.S. from the University of Kansas. As a former prosecutor, Garfinkel draws on his extensive courtroom experience to obtain the best possible outcome for his clients. For over 20 years, Garfinkel has successfully represented individuals in Cook County, including many high-profile Illinois criminal defense cases.

    1 comment (Most recent June 4, 2015)
  • June 1, 2015 | People
    Moretti opens 3 Illinois Law Offices

    The DuPage criminal defense law firm of Moretti Law, P.C. is pleased to announce the opening of three law offices in the Chicagoland area. The new office locations are in Downtown Chicago, at 155 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 752; in Oakbrook, at 1415 West 22nd Street, Tower Floor; and in Schaumburg, at 10 North Martingale Road.

    Moretti Law, P.C. represents clients faced with criminal charges such as retail theft, battery, traffic violations, domestic violence, probation violations, misdemeanor drug charges and expungements. The DuPage County criminal defense law firm offers a personalized approach to every client and is dedicated to providing an opportunity to obtain the most favorable results possible. In conjunction with the opening of its new law offices, Moretti Law, P.C. has launched a new website. The legal website can be found at http://www.morettilawpc.com.

  • June 1, 2015 | People
    Mark Bina elected to CVLS Board of Directors

    The national law firm of Quarles & Brady LLP today announced that Mark W. Bina, a partner in the firm's Litigation & Dispute Resolution and Health Law Practice Groups, has been elected to the board of directors of Chicago Volunteer Legal Services (CVLS).

    CVLS is the oldest civil pro bono organization in Chicago, comprised of more than 3,000 attorneys who donate free legal services to thousands of low-income residents. Bina's election to the board continues the firm's association with the more than 50-year-old organization. CVLS operates 22 legal clinics across the Chicago area, hosted evenings and weekends at community organizations and churches.

    Bina succeeds Quarles & Brady partner Christopher N. Skey on the board of directors. Firm associate Adam J. Falkof was recently elected to the CVLS Junior Board. All three practice out of the firm's Chicago office.

    "Mark is a distinguished pro bono attorney in his own right, and will be a great addition to the CVLS board of directors," said Skey. "Quarles & Brady is extremely proud of its longtime relationship with this organization."