[caption id="attachment_11408" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Robert Whitfield, ISBA President John O'Brien, Joseph Fiorentino, ISBA member Richard Caifano"][/caption]
Cook County Deputy Sheriff Joseph Fiorentino received the 2010 Law Enforcement Award from the Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA) at a ceremony held May 11 at the ISBA Chicago Regional office.
ISBA President John G. O’Brien presented him with the award, which was created to recognize sworn law enforcement officers for conduct that promotes justice and to distinguish those individuals whose service to the public brings honor and respect to the entire criminal justice system.
Chicago Area
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May 11, 2010 |
ISBA News
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May 11, 2010 |
People
Marla H. Kanemitsu, Special Counsel in the Chicago office of Kelley Drye & Warren LLP, was selected as a recipient of the 2010 Burton Awards for Legal Achievement recipients. The award honors excellence in legal scholarship and writing. Their article, “Insurance Coverage for Climate Change Suits: The Battle Has Begun,” was published in the Environmental Claims Journal. It analyzed two climate change-related lawsuits: Steadfast Insurance Co. v. The AES Corporation and Native Village of Kivalina, et al. v. ExxonMobil Corp., et al. Ms. Kanemitsu’s practice focuses on insurance recovery, international trade and customs and consumer financial services. Each year, only 30 articles are chosen from entries submitted by the nation’s largest and most prestigious law firms. The Eleventh Anniversary Burton Awards event will be held in the Library of Congress on June 14, 2010. The program is a non-profit academic effort. Guest speakers this year include Supreme Court Justice Ruth Ginsberg; author Bryan Garner; and Jeffrey Toobin a senior analyst for CNN Worldwide and author of The Nine: Inside the Secret World of the Supreme Court. Journalist and political commentator Bill Press will be the master of ceremonies.
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May 11, 2010
State
- Battle continues over Blagojevich trial delay, Springfield State Journal-Register
Central Illinois
- Greenville rep. pleads guilty to drunk driving, Springfield State Journal-Register
- Opening statements scheduled today in trial of man accused of killing 3-year-old, Bloomington Pantagraph
Chicago area
- Lawyer: Doctor accused of faking attack is good family man, Chicago Tribune
- Murder trial begins for Waukegan man accused of killing wife, Chicago Tribune
Nation
This post is updated with breaking news throughout the day. -
May 11, 2010 |
People
[caption id="attachment_11369" align="alignright" width="150" caption="Lawrence A. Wojcik"][/caption] DLA Piper announced today that Lawrence A. Wojcik has received the 7th Circuit Bar Association’s Pro Bono and Public Service Award for his pro bono work in the US District Courts in the State of Illinois. Wojcik was honored at the Association’s Annual Dinner on May 3 at the InterContinental Hotel in Chicago, where Solicitor General of the US, Hon. Elena Kagan and Justice John Paul Stevens were speakers. Last year, Wojcik devoted over 770 hours to pro bono work, leading a team in a major piece of litigation involving prisoners at Tamms Correctional Center, Illinois' "Supermax" prison facility, and several juvenile justice initiatives related to his position on the American Bar Association's Juvenile Justice Committee. “Throughout his 30 year legal career, Larry has made pro bono work an integral part of his legal practice, and has represented pro bono clients on a wide variety of issues, including child support, landlord-tenant, legislative policy reform, juvenile justice and the Illinois correctional system,” said William Rudnick, managing partner of DLA Piper’s Chicago office. “In doing so, he has acted as a mentor and role model to other lawyers at the firm and in the community, and we congratulate him on this well-deserved honor.”
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May 10, 2010
SCOTUS
- Obama picks Kagan for high court, Chicago Tribune
Chicago area
- Abner Mikva talks about his ex-clerk Elena Kagan, Crain's Chicago Business
- CVS probes shoplifting suspect's death, puts employee on leave, Chicago Tribune
- Tribune Co. bankruptcy judge approves examiner to review '07 buyout, Crain's Chicago Business
Northern Illinois
- Bacino to ask for release from prison, 36 years after killing deputy, Rockford Register Star
Nation
- Pair wants ruling reversed on age discrimination rules, Quad-City Times
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May 10, 2010 |
People
Lauren S. Shapiro has joined the Chicago Office of Robbins Schwartz Nicholas Lifton & Taylor, Ltd., where she will concentrate on labor and employment law. She counsels employers in all aspects of labor and employment law including hiring, terminations, reductions in force, employee discipline issues, labor relations, policies and practices, employment agreements, settlement agreements, severance matters and federal and state employment discrimination matters. Prior to joining Robbins Schwartz, Lauren served as an Associate General Counsel for the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 150. Since its founding in 1970, Robbins, Schwartz, Nicholas, Lifton & Taylor Ltd. has provided a full range of legal services to educational institutions, public entities and private sector clients. With offices in Chicago, Joliet, Decatur and Collinsville, Robbins, Schwartz is uniquely positioned to serve schools, colleges and municipal bodies, as well as clients in the corporate sector throughout Illinois. For a complete description of the legal services provided by Robbins Schwartz visit the Firm’s website at www.rsnlt.com
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May 10, 2010 |
Events
Several public service projects of the Illinois Judges Foundation will be supported by proceeds from the organization’s 2nd annual Spring Reception from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, May 20, in the Renaissance Hotel, State Street and Wacker Drive, Chicago. Chief judges of circuit courts throughout the state will be honored, along with the family of Harold W. Sullivan, a retired Cook County judge and founder of the Illinois Judges Association, who died earlier this year. Violin music will be provided by a Chicago Consort from the Western Springs School of Talent Education. The annual Judge Harold Sullivan Law School Scholarship is among beneficiaries of the reception. Others include the ABA Judicial Intern Opportunity Program, the Second Chances Program, Chicago Access to Justice, and the “7 Reasons to Leave the Party” high school education presentations. Tickets to the reception, at $125 per person, include hors d’oeuvres and refreshments. A portion of the contribution is tax-deductible. Reservations may be made by contacting the Illinois Judges Foundation office at (312) 554-2008 or ijf@chicagobar.org, or by accessing the web site, www.ijafoundation.org.
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May 6, 2010 |
People
Foley & Lardner LLP announced today that seven former Lovells LLP attorneys have joined the firm’s Insurance & Reinsurance Litigation Practice. The group, led by Gail Goering, Eric Haab and Neal Moglin will reside in Foley’s Chicago office. Goering, Haab and Moglin join Foley as partners. Also joining the firm from Lovells are Kay Wilde as of counsel, Peter Steffen as senior counsel, and Edward Diffin and Katherine Markowski as associates. All of the group’s partners have been recognized as leading practitioners in the field of insurance and reinsurance law by Chambers USA, Legal 500, Euromoney and Super Lawyers, and are listed in Who’s Who Legal Illinois and The International Who’s Who of Insurance & Reinsurance Lawyers. “The arrival of Gail, Eric, Neal and their colleagues marks a major accomplishment for Foley's Insurance and Reinsurance practice,” said Gordon Davenport III, chair of Foley’s Insurance & Reinsurance Litigation Practice Group. “The vast experience they bring in advising clients on a broad array of complex insurance and reinsurance issues will further enhance the service our firm has been providing to clients in the insurance industry for more than 100 years.” Foley & Lardner LLP continually evolves to meet the changing legal needs of our clients. With nearly 1,000 attorneys in 21 offices and more than 60 practices, Foley strives to provide high-caliber business and legal insight. Our team-based approach, proprietary client service technology, and practice depth enhance client relationships while seeing clients through their most complex legal challenges.
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May 6, 2010
Central Illinois
- Shirley Skinner found guilty of murder, Springfield State Journal-Register
Chicago area
- Jury weighing case of fatal nail polishing vehicle crash, Daily Herald
- Niece gives aunt, 100, eviction notice, Chicago Tribune
- Ex-cop Burge goes on trial for perjury, Chicago Tribune
- Stevens explains death penalty stance, bow ties, ABA Journal
Nation
- Plea agreement in grain fraud case; "Madoff of the Midwest" bilked farmers out of millions, Belleville News-Democrat
- Appeals court puts halt to release of militia, Chicago Sun-Times
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May 6, 2010 |
People
With the arrival of several new partners and associates in recent months, Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP now has 100 attorneys practicing among its three offices. Attorneys John D. Malarkey and Richard P. Tauras have joined Swanson, Martin & Bell as partners. Mr. Malarkey, formerly at Freeborn & Peters, now serves as Chair of the firm’s Real Estate Litigation and Services Practice Group. Mr. Tauras, formerly at Bollinger, Ruberry & Garvey, focuses his practice on the defense of toxic tort, product liability and professional negligence. The firm has also welcomed associates Eric M. Anderson, Jeffrey S. Becker, Dane A. Bolinger, Andrew H. Calcutt, Jason M. Clarke, Megan E. Schneider, Ryan J. Sullivan, Christopher D. Wehrman and Shera D. Wiegler. These partners and associates are preceded by numerous other additions in past months. In fact, since February 2009, Swanson, Martin & Bell has added 18 new attorneys. “We are thrilled with our ability to grow despite a challenging economy,” said Managing Partner Timothy D. Nickels. “These additional attorneys allow us to offer a broader range of experience to our clients.” Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP is a nationally recognized litigation firm with offices in Chicago, Libertyville and Lisle. Since its inception in 1992, the firm has grown to approximately 100 attorneys in nineteen practice areas. Website: www.smbtrials.com.