Chicago Area

Foley & Lardner LLP has announced that Myles D. Berman has been named managing partner of its Chicago office, effective August 1. Berman succeeds Foley partner Mark L. Prager, who has served the firm in this role since 2004 and will now focus on his bankruptcy and business reorganizations practice.

As Chicago office managing partner, Berman will be responsible for the professional development and management of 300 attorneys and staff. In this role, he will help formulate and implement strategy and recruiting efforts while continuing to expand Foley’s presence in the market. Under Berman’s leadership, the Chicago office will continue to build its strong core practices in corporate transactional and securities work, private equity, bankruptcy and business reorganizations, energy, intellectual property and real estate, while growing in other areas as well.

“I’m excited to take on this new leadership role and build on the solid foundation that Mark, my partners and associates have laid to strengthen Foley’s national platform in Chicago,” said Berman.

In addition to serving as Foley’s Chicago office managing partner, Berman will co-chair the firm’s national Government Relations Practice, and will continue to be a member of the Government & Public Policy and Environmental Practice Groups and the Energy Industry Team. He also serves as a director of the firm’s federal Political Action Committee and is a member of Foley’s national Pro Bono Committee. Berman maintains an active practice representing clients in a broad range of matters including corporate, real estate and financial transactions.

Reverend Ruth E. Van Demark died on June 9, 2012 at Northwestern Memorial Medical Center in Chicago Illinois. She died from metastatic breast cancer.

Ruth was born on May 16, 1944 in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Her parents were Dr. Robert and Bertie Van Demark. She grew up in Sioux Falls and graduated from Washington Senior High School in 1962. Ruth graduated from Vassar College in 1966 and from Harvard Divinity School in 1969. She graduated from University of Connecticut Law School in 1976.

Ruth married Leland Wilkinson on June 23, 1967. They had two daughters, Amie and Caroline.

She joined the Chicago law firm of Wildman, Harrold, Allen & Dixon—now Edwards Wildman Palmer LLP—as one of the firm's first female associates in 1976. She subsequently became an equity partner and headed the firm's appellate group. She served as president of the Appellate Lawyers Association of Illinois and sat on the Illinois Supreme Court Rules Committee from 1996 to 2002. She argued numerous appeals to the Illinois Supreme Court.

Ruth left her accomplished legal career to become a Lutheran minister. After studying at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago and interning at Augustana Lutheran Church of Hyde Park, Ruth became the pastor of Wicker Park Lutheran Church in Chicago in 2001. Under her leadership, the church launched successful efforts to build the congregation, raise funds for the church's physical rehabilitation, and connect the church to the community.

The Illinois State Bar Association, Illinois Judges Association and Women’s Bar Association of Illinois are teaming up for three times the fun at Chicago Volunteer Legal Services (CVLS) 19th annual Race Judicata Sprint for Justice 5K Run/Walk. This fundraising event takes place on Sept. 13 at Upper Hutchinson Field in Chicago’s Grant Park.

T-shirts will be provided for team members. All proceeds from Race Judicata go to the general operating costs of CVLS, which works to provide legal services to the poor and working poor of Chicago. The three associations will host a tent that will serve as the main gathering point for ISBA, IJA and WBAI members. Food and water will be available at the tent. The entry fee is $33 through Sept. 7. Register under the team name IJA.WBAI.ISBA at www.cvls.org/judicata

The Illinois Judges Foundation & the Auxiliary Committee are hosting a comedy night on Tuesday, July 24. This event starts with a reception at 6 and show at 7:15. It will be held at The Second City e.t.c. Stage, 230 W. North.

Register online at IJF Second City Event

Questions? Contact Kathy Hosty at 312-554-2008 or Christine Athanasoulis at (708) 705-4355.