Myra Bradwell had a dream of becoming a lawyer, but was repeatedly rejected based on gender. Her determination, courage, and perseverance – both her attempt at gaining entrance to the Illinois bar and her dedication to women’s rights – has made her one of the most influential figures of the American legal profession. Join us in DeKalb on Friday, March 21st as Jenner & Block attorney, Rachel Morse, offers a dramatic rendition of Myra Bradwell’s struggle to gain admittance to the bar. Using excerpts of actual court records and other historical documents, Ms. Morse brings Bradwell’s trailblazing story to life. The presentation closes with a distinguished panel of speakers discussing the obstacles women have faced pursuing careers in the law, how those obstacles were overcome, and what the future holds for diversity in the law. You are invited to attend a reception celebrating ourselves and honoring those who went before us immediately following the panel discussion. Attendees will receive a complimentary copy of Myra Bradwell: In the Light of Experience (prepared by John Lupton, Illinois Supreme Court Historic Preservation Commission Historian), which contains copies of contemporaneous documents and an account of Myra Bradwell’s life.
Northern Illinois
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March 10, 2014 |
CLE
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January 17, 2014 |
Events
What is Myra Bradwell’s legacy to us as attorneys and future attorneys and what is our commitment to carrying forward that legacy? Find out at From Myra Bradwell to Us: Rise Up and Reach Back on Friday, March 21, 2014 at the NIU College of Law. The program will run from 3-5 p.m. with a reception from 5-7 p.m. This event is presented by the ISBA’s Standing Committees on Women and the Law and Racial and Ethnic Minorities and the Law.
In order to fund this epic event, the ISBA is relying on public contributions & sponsorships. All contributors will be listed in a program and on a board prominently displayed at the reception. Please contact Rachel McDermott at rmcdermott@isba.org or 20 S. Clark, Ste. 900, Chicago, IL 60603 to participate.
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January 13, 2014 |
People
Gerald F. Tuite, Sr., 85, died Tuesday, December 31, 2013 in Naples, Fla. He was a former long time Rockford resident.
Gerald was a combat infantry leader as well as a chief photographer for the US Army Signal Corp in Japan during the Korean War. After the Army, he attended Rockford College and Georgetown University. He then attended Chicago-Kent College of Law, graduating with Honors and a Juris Doctor degree in 1958. During law school, he worked as a claims adjuster for Travelers Insurance Company.
In 1958, he opened his law office in Rockford, Illinois. His law firm of Gerald Tuite & Associates specialized in Labor Law, Workers' Compensation Law and Personal Injury Law. He was the Senior Partner of the firm, where he handled and litigated cases for injured workers. His son, Gregory Tuite, began practicing in his father's law firm and has taken over the firm, which is now known as Greg Tuite & Associates.
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January 9, 2014 |
People
William P. Laird, 64, of Moline, died peacefully Saturday, Dec. 21, 2013, at Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House, Bettendorf, with his family surrounding him.
William was born July 14, 1949, in Moline, son of Lester Neal and Margaret Elizabeth VanderBeke Laird. He graduated from United Township High School in 1967 where he was elected senior class president. He received his bachelor's and juris doctorate degrees from Drake University, where he was elected president of his beloved fraternity, Pi Kappa Alpha. He married Susan Kelly at St. Anne's Catholic Church on Aug. 13, 1971.
William was an attorney for 38 years, working the last three years at Katz, Huntoon and Fieweger. He was an active member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, where he served on the Parish Council. He also was a member of the Iowa and Illinois State Bar Associations, the Scott County and Rock Island County Bar Associations, the Rock Island County Public Building Commission, the Rock Island County Jail Commission and the Iowa Inns of Court. Bill also appeared regularly on WQAD's Good Morning Quad-Cities for many years as a weekly legal guest speaker. He was also one of the original organizers of the Moline DARE Program.
William enjoyed golf, fishing, traveling, cheering on the Cubs, attending Iowa Hawkeye football games, but most of all, spending time with his family, friends and grandson, Liam.
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December 12, 2013 |
People
Stephen G. Terrando, 66, a local resident and family law attorney, died Nov. 17, 2013, following a medical emergency while driving his car in Utica.
Steve was born Oct. 4, 1947, in La Salle to Joseph and Florence (Loomis) Terrando, and was the eldest of six children. He married Joke’ Verwey on July 18, 1980, in Magnolia, Texas.
Steve attended St. Bede Academy, La Salle-Peru-Oglesby Junior College and Illinois State University in Normal. He received his bachelor of arts degree in Latin education from Illinois State University in 1969 and was a student teacher in the language at La Salle-Peru Township High School. Steve moved to Houston, Texas in 1971 and attended South Texas College of Law where he earned his Juris Doctorate in 1974. He practiced in Houston, Texas until 1987 when he moved his family back to the Illinois Valley where he maintained his practice in La Salle for the last 26 years.
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November 19, 2013 |
People
The law firm of Klein, Stoddard, Buck & Lewis, LLC announces the retirement of their founding partner, Ronald G. Klein. Mr. Klein will remain with the firm in his “Of Counsel” status, but at the conclusion of 2013 he will retire from fulltime practice.
On November 14, 2013, Mr. Klein was recognized as a Distinguished Counselor by the Illinois State Bar Association for Fifty Years of service in the practice of law. He has enjoyed a long and distinguished career in DeKalb County, serving local farmers, families, businesses, banks, and organizations in a wide variety of areas. His professional accomplishments include first president of the DeKalb County Community Foundation, founding member of the DeKalb County Estate Planning Council, first president of the NIU Friends of the Library, and leadership in a many more charitable and professional organizations. He retires with a long-standing “AV” rating by Martindale-Hubbel, the highest rating available for an attorney.
There will be an Open House to honor Mr. Klein on December 6, 2013, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the DeKalb County Community Foundation’s Freight Room in Sycamore. All are welcome to stop by and share a memory with Ron.
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October 8, 2013 |
People
Hugh James "Jim" Bagley, 72, of Rockford died peacefully in his home on Sept. 27, 2013, after a short battle with cancer. He will be remembered as a loving husband, father, and "Danda." His wise counsel and strong character will leave a long-lasting legacy.
Jim was born in Manchester, GA, on January 14, 1941, son of Hugh and Elizabeth (Hill) Bagley. Jim attended both undergrad and law school at the University of Georgia. He proudly served 21 years in the US Air Force. In September 1967, Jim took a life-changing flight on TWA, where he met a stewardess named Milena Chomko. They married in 1969 and recently celebrated their 44th wedding anniversary.
He was a savvy and intrepid traveler, and he always wanted to visit new and faraway places. He was a tireless advocate for his clients during forty years of legal practice. However, his greatest joy was investing time and energy in his family, especially his five grandsons. He truly set the standard for being a grandfather.
Jim is survived by his wife, Milena; his children, Noelle (Chris) LaLiberty and Jason (Summer) Bagley; grandsons Kevin, Colin, Ryan, Jacob, and Connor. He is predeceased by his parents and his sister, Barbara Staples.
Memorials may be directed in Jim's name to Heartland Hospice, 363 Financial Court, #300, Rockford, IL, 61107. Cremation Society of Illinois assisted the family. To extend condolences go to caringbridge.org/visit/jimbagley.
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October 3, 2013 |
CLE
Available at No Cost to Attorneys Who Agree to Take a Pro Bono Case in The Next Year**
Thousands of low-income litigants in Illinois cannot afford an attorney and free legal services organizations alone cannot meet this need. You can be the difference! We are proud to offer you this opportunity to develop your expertise and put your knowledge to work for people in need. Join us in Rockford on October 25th for this free program that’s designed to train practitioners in the basics of handling family law and consumer/debt collection cases. Topics include: assisting clients who need to establish or challenge parentage of a minor; establishing the initial child custody or visitation order; modifying, enforcing or establishing a child support order in Illinois; assisting clients with debt collection problems; the citation process for discovery of assets in Illinois; and ethical issues that can arise during the negotiation process on behalf of individuals. In exchange for the commitment to handle just one pro bono case, attendees receive free training and MCLE credit!
The seminar is presented by the ISBA Standing Committee on the Delivery of Legal Services and qualifies for 6.5 hours MCLE credit, including 1.0 hour Professional Responsibility MCLE credit (subject to approval).
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September 23, 2013 |
People
Richard K. Smith Sr., 83, of Savanna, died Thursday, Aug. 29, 2013, at The Alverno in Clinton, Iowa.
Richard was born Oct. 27, 1929, in Rockford, the son of Harold Anderson and Alyce L. (Johnston) Anderson. Harold passed away and Alyce later married Lawrence Smith Sr. who adopted Richard.
Richard attended and graduated from Savanna High School and completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana in 1956. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with his law degree.
Richard began practicing law with his father, Lawrence Sr., and his brother, Lawrence Jr., in Savanna in the mid 1960s. He later co-founded Smith Law Office in Savanna in 1975 and practiced law in northwest Illinois until his retirement in 2011. During his career he was the village and town attorney for many years for several towns in the area including Elizabeth, Savanna and Shannon.
Richard belonged to and enjoyed participating with the Savanna Rotary.
He also loved spending his time watching trains, studying history and war and spending time on his farm. Most of all, Richard cherished the time he spent with his family and his friends.
Richard will be dearly missed by four children, Richard K. Smith Jr., David A. (Wendy) Smith, William H. Smith and Alyce A. Smith; a grandson, Garrett K. Smith; and his brother, Lawrence (Donna) Smith.
Richard was preceded in death by his parents.
Memorials may be given to the Savanna Rotary in Richard’s memory.
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September 23, 2013 |
People
Judge C. Howard Wampler, 79, of Wyanet passed away Sept. 4, 2013, in Perry Memorial Hospital, Princeton.
He was born Dec. 13, 1933, in Bloomington to Calvin and Dorothy (Williams) Wampler. Howard married Diane Pierson on Dec. 30, 1966, in Joliet.
He moved with his family to Wyanet when he was in the second grade. Howard graduated from Wyanet High School in 1951 and went on to college at Illinois Wesleyan University, graduating in 1955.
He then received his law degree from the University of Illinois.
He served in the U.S. Army from 1959 to 1961. Following his service he practiced law in Bureau County becoming state’s attorney from 1964 to 1968 and acting as a public defender in 1970. In 1971, he became a magistrate and an associate circuit judge.
Then in 1974 he was appointed circuit judge until his retirement on Dec. 31, 1993.
His various memberships include chairman of Region 8 of the Illinois Law Enforcement Commission, Illinois Judges Association, representing the Wyanet Fire Protection District, a life member of the Elks Club, dual member of Masonic Lodge No. 722 A.F. and A.M. in Walnut and No. 249 in Sebring, Fla., and he was involved with the Shriners organization.
Howard was of the Christian faith and associated with First Lutheran Church in Princeton.1 comment (Most recent October 10, 2013)