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  • June 6, 2017 | People
    Supreme Court Justices to Attend Unveiling of Historical Marker

    A State Historical Marker will be unveiled in Alton on Monday, June 19th to honor Scott Bibb, an African American who successfully fought in the Illinois Supreme Court for the desegregation of schools in what became known as the Alton School Cases in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Supreme Court Justices Anne M. Burke and Rita B. Garman will be attending the dedication ceremony. Also attending are John Lupton, Executive Director, Illinois Supreme Court Historic Preservation Commission, and members of the Historic Preservation Commission Advisory Committee; Justice Joy V. Cunningham, Hon. Neil Cohen, and Scott Szala, J.D.

    With the assistance of Lewis and Clark Community College, the Illinois State Historical Society sponsored and erected the historical marker. The Society maintains markers statewide regarding subjects of historical significance to Illinois.

    “In recent years, the Illinois Supreme Court through its Historic Preservation Commission has undertaken an effort to bring Illinois’ history to life," Illinois Supreme Court Justice Rita B. Garman said. "We have explored the life of Mary Todd Lincoln and the Mormon experience in Illinois. The program on the Alton School Cases has made people throughout the state aware of the courage and dedication of Alton’s Scott Bibb. I am honored to have been invited to the dedication ceremony and to have the opportunity to speak to the Alton community about one of its great heroes.”

  • June 5, 2017 | People
    Jacqueline S. Pesenko and Stephanie L. Tang Join Kogut & Wilson, LLC

    ISBA members Jacqueline S. Pesenko and Stephanie L. Tang recently joined Kogut & Wilson, LLC.

    Jacqueline Pesenko focuses her practice in the areas of matrimonial and family law. She prosecutes cases on behalf of victims of violence, abuse, neglect, and felony crimes. She brings an extensive background in social work, psychology, and counseling services. Jacqueline received her bachelor's degree from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and her J.D. from DePaul University College of Law, where she earned a certificate in child and family law, the President’s Award for Service, and  the Benjamin Hooks Distinguished Public Service Award.

  • May 30, 2017 | People
    Floyd Crowder 1933 - 2017

    Floyd Edward Crowder, 84 years of Columbia, Illinois, passed away Thursday, May 18, 2017 at St. Anthony's Hospital, St. Louis, Mo. 

    He was born January 30, 1933, in Warnock, Illinois, son of the late William C. and Lula I., nee Smith, Crowder. He was married to Judith, nee Easton, Crowder, who survives him. They were married June 20, 1969, at the Graham Chapel, Washington University, St. Louis, Mo.

    Floyd E. Crowder, JD '58, was founder of the law firm of Crowder & Scoggins. He was also the CEO of the Monroe County Title Co.

    Mr. Crowder received his AB degree from Washington University in 1955, and his law degree from the Washington University School of Law in 1957. After graduation, he served three years in the U.S. Air Force as a judge advocate. In 1960, Mr. Crowder entered private practice in East St. Louis, Illinois. Three years later he established his own general practice of law in Columbia. Today, the firm of Crowder & Scoggins, Ltd., is comprised of six attorneys.

    During his professional career, Mr. Crowder was state's attorney of Monroe County from 1964 to 1968, and also in 1976. In addition, he served as special assistant attorney general for the State of Illinois from 1969 until 1983.

  • May 24, 2017 | People
    Director Michael J. Tardy Announces Retirement From Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts

    Michael J. Tardy, director of the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts, announced his retirement effective August 1, 2017, following a sterling 40-plus year career with the Judicial Branch. Tardy was named acting director in September 2011 and was officially appointed as director in January 2012.

    "Throughout his long career, Mike has been an invaluable asset to the Supreme Court. An innovative administrator, a gifted leader, and a skillful diplomat, Mike has helped steer the Third Branch of Illinois government through some of its most difficult challenges. During a period of budgetary uncertainty, social change and rapid technological innovation, Mike has been instrumental in insuring that the judicial system remains available to all who need its protections," said Chief Justice Lloyd A. Karmeier. "He has overseen the implementation of statewide electronic filing and the introduction of new measures to improve pretrial release practices. He has helped place Illinois at the forefront of initiatives to improve access to justice, and his contributions have been critical to our implementation of new measures to insure that Illinois judges receive the best possible training and education."

    Director Tardy served in both clinical and administrative positions within the Illinois judicial branch for the past 41 years. He initially worked for the Circuit Court of Cook County Social Service Department, a court agency charged with providing community-based supervision for adult misdemeanor and DUI offenders in Cook County. In his 13 years with the Cook County department, he started as a case worker and worked his way to district supervisor, managing three offices and a staff of 40.

  • May 24, 2017 | People
    President-Elect Hartigan Visits High School Pre-Law Students

    ISBA President-Elect Hon. Russell Hartigan and Evan Schanerberger visited St. Ignatius College Prep to speak with students who are interested in the law. These students are involved in and compete in mock trial competitions around the state. As an alumnus to St .Ignatius, Judge Hartigan wants schools like St. Igantius to be aware of opportunities with the ISBA as early as possible. St Ignatius is looking to the ISBA for direction on starting a new course in law. 

  • May 23, 2017 | People
    Jeffrey D. Shelley Joins Sugar Felsenthal Grais & Hammer LLP's Chicago Office

    Sugar Felsenthal Grais & Hammer LLP (“SFGH”) announced Monday that Jeffrey D. Shelley has joined the firm as counsel in its Chicago office.

    Jeff focuses his practice on estate planning, estate and trust administration, charitable planning, tax matters, business transactions, and intellectual property. His scientific, tax, and business background gives him unique insights when providing individuals, entrepreneurs, business owners, and family offices with personal and business solutions.

    Before joining SFGH, Jeff was the principal estate planning attorney at another law firm, where he also worked on business and intellectual property matters. Prior to entering private legal practice, Jeff worked as a Big Four professional services firm consultant, where he advocated for clients in complex business tax credit matters. He has also prepared patent applications before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Before practicing law, Jeff gained extensive business experience as a research scientist for a Fortune 500 company that manufactures and markets consumer and health care products worldwide. During his career there, he developed and launched next-generation products and manufacturing processes and was granted several product and process patents. Jeff has been named as an inventor in multiple utility patents.

  • May 19, 2017 | People
    Thomas J. Knitter 1930-2017

    Thomas J. Knitter, 86, of Northbrook, IL passed away on April 19, 2017. Served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. During his career, Tom was a former special agent for the U.S. Treasury, a prosecutor for the Illinois and United States Attorney General's Office and an attorney at law for the Cook County Public Defender's Office. 

  • May 19, 2017 | People
    John J. O'Malley 1960-2017

    John J. O'Malley passed away suddenly and is survived by his loving wife of 34 years, Cynthia (nee Salazar). Loving father to Jonathan, Mark, Jennifer Daly, & Joseph Daly; loving Papa to his "Honey Bunnies," Abigail Farias and Madelyn Daly; preceded in death by his devoted parents, Austin and Rosetta (nee Rich); beloved brother of Mark, Patrick (Donna), and the late Michael (Mary); fond brother-in-law to Victoria (David ) Mackowiak, late Robert, Michael and Manuel Salazar; cherished nephew, uncle, cousin, and friend to many.

    John was a long time criminal defense attorney in Cook County and was generous with his time and expertise to help those in need of counsel. He will be missed by all.  Visitation Wednesday, May 3rd at Nativity of Our Lord Church, 653 W. 37th Street, Chicago, from 9:30 am until 12:30 pm Mass of Christian burial. INT. St. Mary Cemetery. (773)927-6424. www.pomierskifuneralhome.com

  • May 19, 2017 | People
    Stephen J. Schlegel Awarded National Boys & Girls Club Honor

    ISBA member and Union League Boys & Girls Clubs (ULBGC) Trustee Stephen J. Schlegel just received the prestigious Boys & Girls Club of America’s National Gold Medallion. The national award is one of the highest honors the Boys & Girls Clubs of America provides to local leadership for outstanding outcome-based services to boys and girls in their community.

    Schlegel, a lifelong Chicago resident became a Trustee of the Union League Boys & Girls Clubs in 1978 fulfilling a promise made to his Union League Club mentor to commit to ULBGC service. Schlegel, an attorney in private practice, was shortly elected to be general counsel and continues to offer countless hours of pro bono legal services to the Club. Additionally, Schlegel held a position as a committee member for resource development and also is Chairman of both the Legal and Safety Committees. Most recently, Schlegel was instrumental in helping to reintroduce a Boys & Girls Club to the at-risk neighborhood of Englewood.

    “I am proud to support the Union League Boys & Girls Clubs as they offer bright futures to kids who need it the most. We are excited to bring a Boys & Girls Club back to Englewood after the decade without a Boys & Girls Club in the area. We want to bring more hope and more opportunity to more underserved kids as we push forward with our Great Englewood Futures Start Here campaign to open more after school locations across the Englewood community enabling more kids to have a safe place to spend quality time focused on building a great future,” adds Schlegel.

  • May 17, 2017 | People
    Chief Justice Karmeier Portrait Unveiled at Supreme Court Building

    An oil portrait of Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice Lloyd A. Karmeier was unveiled on Tuesday, May 16, at the historic Illinois Supreme Court building in Springfield. The painting hangs in the second floor hallway with the portraits of nine other chief justices, with additional portraits hanging in Chicago's Bilandic Building. The painting was done by artist Greg McNair of St. Louis. Chief Justices in Illinois are selected by their colleagues on the Supreme Court bench in a rotational pattern and serve for three years as the administrative head of the judicial branch. Chief Justice Karmeier's granddaughter, Emily Schnitker, performed the unveiling. She was on a Springfield visit with her 7th and 8th grade class from Trinity Lutheran School in Hoyleton. The class also heard the day's third oral argument, People v. Byron Boykins

    Among those attending from Washington County were Circuit Judge Daniel Emge, Circuit Clerk Cynthia Barczewski and Court Reporter Brenda Engele along with Chief Justice Karmeier's wife, Mary, daughter, Karianne Schnitker and office staff.