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Chicago Area

  • March 29, 2011 | People
    George J. Cotsirilos 1920-2011
    [caption id="attachment_18547" align="alignright" width="150" caption="George J. Cotsirilos"][/caption] Longtime Chicago criminal defense attorney George J. Cotsirilos died on Sunday, March 27 at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago. Mr. Cotsirilos was a fledgling assistant state’s attorney in 1949, when 19-year-old Ruth Steinhagen — a “6-foot typist brunette” in that era’s hardboiled newspaper parlance — stalked Waitkus and shot the former Cub at the old Edgewater Beach Hotel. Waitkus survived despite being hit in the chest with a bullet from a .22-caliber rifle. Mr. Cotsirilos helped question Steinhagen, who reportedly told investigators: “I just wanted something exciting in my life. . . . I didn’t want to go back to typing.” Click here to read the full obituary in the Chicago Sun-Times
  • March 28, 2011 | People
    Funk joins Polsinelli Shughart
    [caption id="attachment_18507" align="alignright" width="147" caption="Asher D. Funk"][/caption] Polsinelli Shughart PC welcomes attorney Asher D. Funk as an associate in the national law firm’s Trial department where he will focus his practice on government investigations and criminal defense of fraud and abuse issues within the health care industry. Funk brings a wealth of experience previously representing “whistleblowers” under the False Claims Act. He will now represent health care clients facing government investigations, civil and criminal lawsuits. Previously, Funk worked closely with the attorneys from the Department of Justice and state attorney generals’ offices across the country during the investigation and prosecution of False Claims Acts cases. Funk joins a national team of government investigations/white-collar criminal defense attorneys stretching from Phoenix to Washington, D.C. The firm advises clients on corporate governance issues and assists in structuring compliance programs to help clients avoid problems before they arise.
  • March 23, 2011
    Breaking legal news for Wednesday, March 23

    Chicago area

    This post is updated with breaking news throughout the day. More Daily Legal News available at www.isba.org/dailylegalnews
  • March 23, 2011 | People
    James R. Carr joins O’Keefe & Carr, P.C.
    [caption id="attachment_18380" align="alignright" width="143" caption="James R. Carr"][/caption] The Law Offices of Paul F. O’Keefe, P.C. are pleased to announce that James R. Carr, formerly of Holland & Knight, LLP, has joined the firm as partner and the name of the firm has been changed to O’Keefe & Carr, P.C. Mr. Carr will join the Firm’s civil trial practice concentrating in the areas of Land Use, Zoning, Government Representation, Construction Law, and Commercial Real Estate Litigation. The firm will continue to practice law in the areas of Commercial Litigation, Probate and Estate Planning. He received his bachelors and juris doctor degrees from the University of Notre Dame. Mr. Carr can be reached at jcarr@okeefecarr.com
  • March 23, 2011 | People
    Erika Walsh named partner at Schiller Ducanto & Fleck
    [caption id="attachment_18371" align="alignright" width="125" caption="Erika N. Walsh"][/caption] Erika N. Walsh, a member of Schiller DuCanto & Fleck since 2006, has been made a partner in the family law firm. Ms. Walsh previously practiced commercial litigation for three years, including representation of major corporations in both federal and state courts. She received her J.D. degree from the University of Chicago Law School, where she participated in the Mandel Clinic representing indigent victims of police abuse and won the Mandel Award for her exceptional contributions to the clinical education program. Ms. Walsh practices in the Wheaton office and participates in local family law committees.
  • March 22, 2011 | People
    Giles Walsh joins Greensfelder
    [caption id="attachment_18352" align="alignright" width="150" caption="Giles M. Walsh"][/caption] The law firm of Greensfelder, Hemker & Gale, P.C. is pleased to announce Giles M. Walsh has joined the Firm’s Corporate Practice Group as an Associate. Walsh focuses on representing clients in a variety of transactions including mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, private equity investments and securities transactions. Walsh also counsels clients in general business matters including business formation, planning and operational issues. Walsh received his Juris Doctorate from Chicago-Kent College of Law in 2008 where he graduated with high honors, Order of the Coif.  He received his bachelor’s degree from University of Illinois in 2005. He is licensed to practice law in Illinois. Greensfelder offers comprehensive legal solutions in 16 practice groups for clients locally, nationally and internationally including, communications and media; construction; corporate; creditor’s rights and bankruptcy; educational; religious and tax-exempt organizations; employee benefits; environmental; franchising & distribution; health care; immigration; intellectual property and technology; labor and employment; litigation; real estate; tax; and trusts and estates. Find out more at www.greensfelder.com.
  • March 21, 2011 | Events
    ISBA to co-host all-bar reception for Chief Justice Kilbride
    [caption id="attachment_18130" align="alignright" width="150" caption="Chief Justice Thomas L. Kilbride"][/caption] The Illinois State Bar Association and Chicago Bar Association will co-host an all-bar reception to welcome Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice Thomas L. Kilbride on Wednesday, April 27 at the Standard Club, Grand Ballroom, 320 S. Plymouth. The reception will run from 5-7 p.m. and is complimentary. Justice Kilbride was born in LaSalle. He received a B.A. degree magna cum laude from St. Mary's College in Winona, Minn., in 1978 and his law degree from Antioch School of Law in Washington, D.C., in 1981. Justice Kilbride practiced law for 20 years in Rock Island, engaging in the general practice of law, including appeals, environmental law, labor law, employment matters, and other general civil and criminal matters. He was elected to the Illinois Supreme Court for the Third District in 2000 and became Chief Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court last October. For reservations, send an email to events@chicagobar.org.
  • March 17, 2011 | Events
    Get your tickets now for YLD Summer Soiree
    The Illinois State Bar Association's Young Lawyers Division will host its Third Annual Summer Soiree on Friday, May 6 from 7-10 p.m. at the Hard Rock Hotel in Chicago. The Summer Soiree benefits the Illinois Bar Foundation/Young Lawyers Division Children’s Assistance Fund.
    • What: Open Bar, Hors d’oeuvres, Dancing, and Raffle for great prizes
    • Cost: $75 per ticket.
    Sponsorship opportunities and purchasing an ad in the Ad Book are also available. Buy tickets, sign up for a sponsorship or purchase an ad at www.isba.org/sections/yld/summersoireereg Deadline: All tickets and Ad Book space must be purchased in advance by Monday, May 2, 2011 Space is limited so register early! Parking will be available at a discounted rate. Questions? Contact Kenya Jenkins-Wright, kenyaj@gmail.com View photos from the two previous Summer Soirees at www.illinoislawyernow.com/tag/summer-soiree The YLD Children's Assistance Fund is a special fund of the Illinois Bar Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable entity.
  • March 17, 2011 | Events
    IBF to honor John Kincaid at DuPage County Fellows Reception
    [caption id="attachment_18307" align="alignright" width="150" caption="John Kincaid"][/caption] Please join us as we honor John Kincaid with the IBF DuPage County Fellows Beacon of the Profession Award on Thursday, April 21, 2011, at Maggiano's in Naperville. To become a sponsor and/or reserve your tickets, please call the IBF at (312) 726-6072, or e-mail Karen Kossart, IBF Development Assistant, at KKossart@isba.org.
  • March 17, 2011 | People
    Vogts, Waidzunas Join Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP
    [caption id="attachment_18301" align="alignright" width="150" caption="Lauren Waidzunas"][/caption] Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP has recently added two attorneys to its Chicago office: Associate Lauren M. Waidzunas joins Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP from Pedersen & Houpt,where she was also an associate. She focuses her practice on medical negligence and healthcare, as well as commercial litigation and business disputes. Ms. Waidzunas received her J.D. magna cum laude from the University of Illinois College of Law in 2008 and her B.A. magna cum laude from Illinois Wesleyan University in 2005. James B. Vogts is of counsel at Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP. He focuses his practice on product liability, trademark infringement, commercial litigation and business disputes. Mr. Vogts joins Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP from Wildman Harrold, where he was a partner. He received his J.D. from DePaul University College of Law in 1984 and his B.A. from Miami University in 1980. Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP, a nationally recognized litigation firm in Chicago, is dedicated to resolving contested matters for our clients. Jury trial experience is the hallmark of the firm. Our attorneys have tried hundreds of cases to verdict in a variety of complex civil and commercial disputes. Many large corporations, prestigious institutions, business owners and individuals retain Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP in jurisdictions across the United States.