Chicago Area

Malecki, Tasch & Burns LLC of Oak Brook is pleased to announce that Dianne Zimmerman has joined the firm as a senior associate. Ms. Zimmerman's practice will focus on Employment Law and Human Resource counseling. Ms. Zimmerman  brings to the position a wealth of experience with issues pertaining to employment and labor issues, including performance management, discipline, terminations, discrimination charges, harassment  complaints, wage and unemployment compensation claims, staff downsizing, restructuring and compensation issues. Her experience includes conducting grievance hearings and mediations, negotiating union contracts, and preparing for arbitrations and union organizing campaigns.

Ms. Zimmerman began her career as a Labor and Employment Associate with Katten, Muchin, Rosenman LLP of Chicago. Most recently she worked in her own private practice advising clients on employment issues and Employment Law Compliance. She also served as Executive Director of Human Resources and Legal Counsel for Dominican University  in River Forest, Illinois. She was also Director of Human Services at Rush University Medical Center where she served as

Co-Director  of the Human Resources Management Course in the Masters  Degree program of the College of Health Systems Management. Ms. Zimmerman graduated from the Hastings College of Law of the University of California in San Francisco. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science, magna cum laude from Santa Clara University in Santa Clara, California. She is a member of Phi Beta Kappa.

CARPLS Legal Hotline in Chicago is looking for volunteer attorneys to give advice to low-income clients in the areas of landlord/tenant, consumer debt, and family law.  Hotline shifts are M-F 9-1 or 1-5.  We seek a minimum commitment of 1 shift per week over a 10-week session. Training (with CLE credit) and malpractice insurance provided.

Our next two training cycles begin Thursday, January 24, 2013 from 4-8 and Thursday, April 4 from 4-8.  For more information contact Leslie Wallin at 312/421-4427 or lwallin@carpls.org or go to http://www.carpls.org/getinvolved/hotlinevolunteer/.

Statement from Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans Circuit Court of Cook County

“A new court order enforcing the ban of electronic communication and Internet devices inside the Circuit Court of Cook County goes into effect Monday, January 14, 2013. The attached General Administrative Order No. 2013-01 prohibits electronic communication and Internet devices inside courthouse facilities except for a new specified list of persons outlined in the order. The order is being enacted to provide safety within the courts, prevent pictures being taken with electronic devices and help to protect innocent individuals and those testifying in court.

“According to the Clerk of the Circuit Court, more than 8,000 cases are on call for next week. That is an example of the magnitude of our court system and how important it is to enact stringent safety measures.

“The order will be introduced during a three-month grace period ending on Monday, April 15, 2013. During the grace period, the Circuit Court of Cook County will work with the Cook County Sheriff’s Department to remind people entering a courthouse, communication devices are prohibited. It will be strongly suggested devices remain in the car.

“In an effort to aid those taking public transportation to various courthouses, the Circuit Court of Cook County is assigning a person to work with Cook County’s real estate and facilities department heads to quickly find a solution for storage of said devices – a claim check system or providing locker facilities as examples.

Foley & Lardner LLP announced today that Joel C. Solomon has joined the firm’s Real Estate Practice as of counsel in the Chicago office. Prior to joining Foley, Solomon was general counsel with ST Residential, LLC.

Solomon has extensive experience in a wide range of real estate matters, including project development and management, work outs and restructuring, foreclosure, litigation and bankruptcy, and loan originations. In his previous position as chief legal officer of ST Residential, Solomon directed all legal issues stemming from the $4.5 billion public-private partnership between the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and a consortium of private equity investors, including Starwood Capital, TPG, Richard LeFrak and Richard Perry Capital. He managed more than 40 large commercial foreclosures and deed in lieu transactions, all legal matters for approximately 45 for sale condominium projects and all aspects of portfolio litigation, while also directing the company through multiple complex bankruptcies.

“Joel’s sophisticated knowledge of both the real estate and banking fields, gleaned from his many years serving as general counsel for companies, will provide our clients with unique and valuable perspective into a myriad of complex legal issues,” said Fred Ridley, national chair of the firm’s Real Estate Practice. “The depth and breadth of his experience complements our already talented team and will be instrumental in helping our clients navigate an industry with numerous challenges and opportunities.”