[caption id="attachment_13415" align="alignright" width="300" caption="The Executive Board of the NWSBA. From left are: Ronald Wittmeyer; secretary; William Kelley, treasurer; Donald Cosley, executive vice president; Judge Joseph Urso, presiding judge in the Third Municipal District of Cook County; Lee DeWald, president; Neil Good, first vice president; and Michael Meschino, second vice president."][/caption]
It was both a look back to humble beginnings and a look ahead to a vibrant future as the Northwest Suburban Bar Association installed its officers and Board of Governors on June 17, and also celebrated the association’s 50th anniversary.
The Honorable Joseph J. Urso, presiding judge in the Third Municipal District of Cook County, performed the installation and swearing in of new officers: Lee F. DeWald, president; Donald J. Cosley, executive vice president; Neil H. Good, first vice president; Michael A. Meschino, second vice president; William F. Kelley, treasurer; and Ronald F. Wittmeyer, secretary.
Judge Urso also installed new members of the Board of Governors: Allen S. Gabe and Colin H. Gilbert, plus Ilonka Ulrich, association attorney; and Jackie LeFevre, parliamentarian, both of whom accepted new terms.
On hand to help mark the half-century mark were Judge James Geocaris (retired), longtime presiding judge of the Third District; 26 past NWSBA presidents; and Don Norman, one of the founding members of Northwest Suburban Bar Association. For his pivotal role, new President DeWald presented Norman with the NWSBA Founder Award.
DeWald urged members to get involved with the association, to be part of the volunteer spirit that has led to successful CLEs, free legal help for residents and other NWSBA contributions and events.
Had he stayed on the sidelines, he never would have met Past President Rich Miller, ISBA President John O’Brien, innumerable judges, or any number of others in the profession, because their paths simply would not have crossed, DeWald pointed out.
Chicago Area
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June 29, 2010 |
Events
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June 28, 2010
Chicago
- Supreme Court extends gun rights in Chicago case, Chicago Tribune
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June 28, 2010 |
ISBA News
[caption id="attachment_12519" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Appearing on the show will be (from left) Martin A. Dolan, Hon. Stuart Shiffman (ret.), Nancy S. Marder and program moderator Latham Williams."][/caption] Anatomy of a Trial, two half-hour programs presented by the Illinois State Bar Association, will air on Chicago Access Network Television, Channel 21 in Chicago, during the month of July. Part I will air on Tuesdays, July 6 and 20 at 10 p.m., and Part II will air on Tuesdays, July 13 and 27 at 10 p.m. Appearing on the show to discuss the process of a personal injury trial are Martin A. Dolan, of Dolan Law Offices, PC, in Chicago; Hon. Stuart Shiffman (ret.), of Springfield; Nancy S. Marder, a professor at Chicago-Kent College of Law; and program moderator Latham Williams, of Hudson Highland Group, Inc., in Chicago. “Illinois Law” is a cable production of the ISBA.
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June 22, 2010 |
People
[caption id="attachment_12493" align="alignright" width="150" caption="Kelly L. Gawne"][/caption] Lebow, Malecki & Tasch LLC of Chicago is pleased to announce that Kelly L. Gawne has joined the firm as an associate. She will continue her focus on corporate transactions and health care law. Ms. Gawne brings to the position previous experience assisting public and private companies with commercial transactions, entity formation and governance matters, compliance with federal and state law, and negotiation and drafting of vendor, supply and consulting agreements. Her healthcare experience includes counseling clients on medical staff issues, Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement, fraud and abuse, Stark law and regulatory compliance. Previously Ms. Gawne was an associate with the Chicago office of Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP. In this position, she served clients in mergers and acquisitions, commercial contracts, information technology, privacy laws and regulatory compliance. Ms. Gawne graduated with high honors from the Chicago-Kent College of Law in 2007, where she also served as Managing Editor of the Chicago-Kent Law Review. During law school, Ms. Gawne was an extern for The Honorable Richard D. Cudahy of the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit Court and for The Honorable Mark Filip of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. Ms. Gawne received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English Literature from Loyola University in Chicago in 2000.
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June 22, 2010
Central Illinois
- Springfield man confirmed as U.S. Attorney for central Illinois, Springfield State Journal-Register
- Testimony: Alleged sexual assault victim feared "dungeon", Bloomington Pantagraph
Chicago area
- Burge defense rests, Chicago Tribune
- Consumer group threatens lawsuit over McDonald's Happy Meal toys, Chicago Business
Nation
- In law schools, grades go up, just like that, New York Times
- Judge blocks offshore drilling moratorium, Chicago Tribune
- Law firms express "growing enthusiasm" for contract lawyers, ABA Journal
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June 21, 2010 |
ISBA News
[caption id="attachment_12408" align="alignright" width="300" caption="ISBA President John O'Brien, honoree Ralph DeBartolo and ISBA Board of Governors member Jim Morici"][/caption] ISBA President John G. O’Brien presented the Law Enforcement Award to Ralph DeBartolo on May 27 at the 3rd District Courthouse in Rolling Meadows. DeBartolo is chief of the Cook County Sheriff's Department's Office of Court Services. This award 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. The award is given sparingly to recognize those who truly excel in the field of law enforcement. Chief DeBartolo is receiving the award for his tireless efforts to improve security measures and emergency procedures in the Rolling Meadows courthouse, as well as his volunteer efforts to help increase awareness and respect for the local Italian-American community. Since joining the Sheriff’s Office in 1989, he has distinguished himself in providing safety and security for local judges, court personnel, inmates and the public. He streamlined operations and significantly increased the collaboration between the Sheriff’s Office and the legal community. DeBartolo was one of the founding officers of the Italian-American Police Officers Association and has served as its chairman and president.
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June 21, 2010
Chicago area
- Judge orders sex offender to wear GPS device, Chicago Tribune
- Defense, judge could butt heads again in Blago trial, Chicago Tribune
- Court approves Smurfit Stone's reorganization plan; expects to exit bankruptcy by end of June, Chicago Business
- Burge asked why he named his boat "Vigilante", Chicago Tribune
SCOTUS
- High Court upholds anti-terror law, Law.com
- 9th Circuit has a bad day in the Supreme Court, ABA Journal
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June 21, 2010 |
People
[caption id="attachment_12456" align="alignright" width="133" caption="Douglas F. Spesia"][/caption] Douglas Frank Spesia died peacefully at his home on Friday after a 10-year battle with prostate cancer. He was born October 11, 1940 in Joliet. Mr. Spesia graduated from the University of Illinois and the University of Notre Dame Law School. He was a proud member of Joliet's first all-star team which played in the 1953 Little League World Series in Williamsport, PA. On June 12, 1965, he married Loretta Wiesbrook and joined the oldest law firm in Joliet, which is now Spesia & Ayers. He had a distinguished and rewarding 45-year career as an attorney, and spent his adult life involved in the Cathedral of St. Raymond parish. An active volunteer, he served on the boards of many organizations including: President of the Joliet Montessori School Board, past President of the Will County Bar Association, President of the Joliet Rotary Club and host of exchange students, founding member of the Will County Community Foundation, and a committed supporter of Catholic Charities' Daybreak Shelter. An avid reader whose wide range of interests led to a life of incredible travel -- from family camping across the United States and Canada to world-wide trips with dear friends that covered six continents.
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June 18, 2010 |
People
[caption id="attachment_12418" align="alignright" width="150" caption="Gina Arquilla DeBoni"][/caption] Gina Arquilla DeBoni has joined the law firm of Romanucci & Blandin, LLC, as a managing attorney. Romanucci & Blandin provides clients with experienced and skilled representation in catastrophic personal injury, wrongful death and workers’ compensation claims. DeBoni, who is an elected member of the Illinois State Bar Association’s Board of Governors, has chaired several fundraisers for the ISBA’s Young Lawyers Division, raising thousands of dollars for the Children’s Assistance Fund. She was the YLD chair in 2008-09. She recently completed a three-year term on the ABA’s House of Delegates, and is the ABA Young Lawyers Division District 15 representative, where she coordinates legal services in the event of a disaster. She is also active in the Justinian Society of Lawyers and a board member of the Italian American Political Coalition. DeBoni has been named twice as a “Rising Star” in the field of law by Chicago magazine. She received her J.D. from Chicago-Kent College of Law in 2002 and her undergraduate degree from the University of Iowa in 1997. Romanucci & Blandin, LLC, is located at 33 N. LaSalle St., Suite 2000, Chicago, IL 60602, contact www.rblaw.net or call (312) 458-1000.
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June 18, 2010 |
Events
Race Judicata Sprint for Justice will be held in Grant Park on July 22. Registration begins at 4:30 p.m. and the runners race begins at 6:30 p.m. All proceeds go to the general operating costs of Chicago Volunteer Legal Services. Click here to register.
