Chicago Area

[caption id="attachment_14694" align="alignright" width="150" caption="Russell Hartigan"][/caption] Illinois State Bar Association Board member Russell W. Hartigan has been appointed Circuit Judge of Cook County, at Large, to the vacancy created by the retirement of the Hon. John J. Moran. This appointment is effective on Oct. 14, 2010, and terminates on Dec. 3, 2012. Mr. Hartigan is a partner with the firm of Hartigan and O'Connor P.C. He graduated from DePaul University and received his J.D. from the John Marshall Law School.

Daniel Chobot, 58, of Arlington Heights, passed away in his home on Saturday, Sept. 11. Mr. Chobot was an active member and past president of the Bohemian Lawyers Association of Chicago and practiced law in Cook County for 31 years. He was also a Harley rider, a founding member of the Chicago Horsemen, a contender in the World Series of Poker, a traveler, and a golfer. Dan was smart, funny, charming, and loved life. He was born in Chicago to Al and Elaine Chobot on January 2nd, 1952. He was the beloved husband of Brigitte, proud father of Vanessa, proud father to Heidi (Inman) and son-in-law Kevin (Inman), grandfather of Mason and Aidan (Inman), brother of Barb (Butzen), and brother to Guy (Herbert). Services have been held.

Kelley Drye & Warren LLP is pleased to announce that William P. Hunt III has joined the firm’s Chicago office as special counsel.  As a member of the Telecommunications Practice Group, which is among the largest telecommunications practices in the United States, Mr. Hunt represents clients in regulatory and compliance proceedings, in private litigation, and in corporate transactions, including inter-carrier negotiations. Mr. Hunt was formerly vice president of Level 3 Communications, Inc., an Internet and telecommunications company, where he was responsible for public policy initiatives.  He assessed the impact of telecommunications and Internet policies on the company, and designed corporate policies and strategies across business units.  Mr. Hunt ensured compliance with state and federal regulations, managed litigation and advised on mergers and acquisitions.  He also managed company relations with the U.S. Congress, the Administration, the Federal Communications Commission, state lawmakers, state public utility commissioners, foreign regulators and industry organizations. Highlights of Mr. Hunt’s recent legal accomplishments include leading industry efforts to revise FCC regulatory fees on private submarine cable operators from revenue to flat-fee assessment; and spearheading an industry group’s negotiated plan to reform intercarrier compensation and universal service. Prior to law school, Mr. Hunt held editorial positions at two large daily newspapers in New England.

The 2010 Unity Award Dinner and 8th Annual Swearing-In of Bar Presidents Ceremony will be held on Thursday, Oct. 7 from 5-9 p.m. at the Palmer House Hilton, 17 E. Monroe. Winston & Strawn Chairman Dan K. Webb will receive the Unity Award while Hon. Ruben Castillo, Judge, U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois, and Sandra S. Yamate, CEO, Institute for Inclusion in the Legal Profession, with receive Advocate for Diversity Awards. Bar presidents will be sworn in by Illinois Supreme Court Justice Charles E. Freeman, and veteran journalist and national media personality Bill Kurtis will serve as the master of ceremonies for the second year in a row. Proceeds of the event benefit the Diversity Scholarship Foundation, a not-for-profit organization established by judges and lawyers dedicated to the diversity of law school student bodies and the legal community, whose mission it is to provide scholarships, grants, and/or loans so that underprivileged and under-represented minorities be able to attend law school. “This unique event unites leaders of the legal profession who are unwavering in their commitment to making the Chicago legal community the most diverse in the country,” said Jessica A. O’Brien, co-chair of the event’s planning committee and special assistant attorney general at the Illinois Department of Revenue. Co-chairs include Jerold S. Solovy, chairman emeritus of Jenner & Block LLP, board member of the Diversity Scholarship Foundation, and last year’s Unity Award Honoree; Angela F. Williams, senior vice president and general counsel of the YMCA; and Robert A.