The Bar News

Bar News Sections

People

  • May 10, 2017 | People
    Richard Record 1937-2017

    Richard F. Record, Jr., a lifelong resident of Mattoon, Illinois, died on February 20, 2017, at age 79.

    A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 11, 2017 at Trinity Episcopal Church, 2200 Western Avenue, Mattoon, IL. Burial will follow at Dodge Grove Cemetery. A visitation for family and friends will take place from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. on Friday, March 10, 2017 at Schilling Funeral Home.

    Richard is survived by Jacqueline (Cooper), his wife of 55 years; his daughters, Alexandra Claire Record of Munster, IN, and Jacqueline Rush Record of Flagstaff, AZ; his sister, Ann Record Wharton, of Fort Myers, FL; two granddaughters, Gabriella Evans and Theodora Evans; and many beloved friends.

    Richard, who was born and raised in Mattoon, graduated from Mattoon High School in 1955. He went on to earn a bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University and a J.D. from George Washington University. In 1963, he was admitted to the bar in Illinois and the District of Columbia, and joined the law firm of Craig and Craig that same year, where he practiced until his retirement in 2008.

    Richard was active in professional and civic associations, serving in many roles including president of the Illinois Appellate Lawyers Association (1979-80) and fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers. In addition, he served as legal counsel for the Mattoon Police and Fire Commission from 2010 to 2015. He also was an active member of Trinity Episcopal Church, serving on its vestry and as Chancellor for the Episcopal Diocese of Springfield from 1989-1995.

    1 comment (Most recent June 19, 2017)
  • May 10, 2017 | People
    Norman Berger Joins Gensburg Calandriello & Kanter, P.C. as Senior Counsel

    Gensburg Calandriello & Kanter, P.C. announces the addition of Norman Berger as senior counsel, a transition that will strengthen the firm’s Commercial Litigation Practice Group and add a specialty in environmental law. Berger brings more than 30 years of experience to GCK’s boutique law practice.   

    A member of the firm’s commercial litigation practice, Berger has served as lead trial counsel in dozens of jury and bench trials across multiple jurisdictions and industries including real estate, retail, heavy manufacturing, chemicals, and recycling. He represents clients in state and federal courts nationwide and before state and federal agencies, as well as in arbitration and mediations. He has served as an arbitrator for the American Arbitration Association.

    Berger will also advise clients on matters involving real estate, manufacturing, employment, environmental, class action, corporate, securities, closely held business, ERISA, and insurance issues. He has in-depth experience with complicated technical and regulatory issues and with matters involving scientific and other technical experts. He will counsel clients on insurance coverage, permitting, enforcement and administrative matters.

    Berger serves as a member and past chairman of the Dean’s Advisory Council at DePaul University College of Law, as a faculty member of the National Institute of Trial Advocacy, and a founding participant in the Pro Bono Committee for Representation of Indigent Defendants. In 2013, Berger won the Outstanding Service to DePaul University Award.

  • May 10, 2017 | People
    Illinois Supreme Court Appoints Navarro as Circuit Judge in the Fourth Subcircuit of Cook County

    Justice Mary Jane Theis and the Illinois Supreme Court have announced the appointment of David Navarro as a Cook County Circuit Judge in the 4th Subcircuit.

    Mr. Navarro was appointed to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Thomas Davy.

    The appointment takes effect May 25, 2017, and will conclude on Dec. 3, 2018, when the position will be filled by the 2018 General Election.

    "I am grateful to Justice Theis and the Supreme Court for this appointment," Navarro said. "I am honored to have this opportunity and look forward to serving the people of Cook County."

    Mr. Navarro has served as the Chief of the Public Integrity Bureau for the Office of the Illinois Attorney General since 2009, and previously served in the Cook County State's Attorney's Office as an Assistant State's Attorney and Supervisor of the Professional Standards Unit.

    Justice Theis recommended Mr. Navarro's appointment after candidates were reviewed by bar associations and a special judicial screening committee. Mr. Navarro received qualified or recommended ratings from a dozen bar groups. The special judicial screening committee was established by Justice Theis in 2013 and is co-chaired by retired U.S. District Court Judge Wayne R. Andersen and retired Illinois Appellate Court Judge Michael J. Gallagher.

    Mr. Navarro earned his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Chicago and his juris doctor from the University of Iowa College of Law.

  • May 10, 2017 | People
    Illinois Supreme Court Appoints Seaton as Circuit Judge in the Second Subcircuit of Cook County

    Justice Mary Jane Theis and the Illinois Supreme Court have announced the appointment of Debra A. Seaton as a Cook County Circuit Judge in the 2nd Subcircuit.

    Ms. Seaton was appointed to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Camille Willis.

    The appointment takes effect May 18, 2017 and will conclude on Dec. 3, 2018, when the position will be filled by the 2018 General Election.

    "After practicing law for many years, I am humbled and honored to be appointed to one of the most esteemed positions in the legal profession: the office of Judge," Seaton said. "I thank Justice Theis and the other members of the Illinois Supreme Court for providing this wonderful opportunity to serve."

    Ms. Seaton has been an Attorney Supervisor for the Law Office of the Cook County Public Defender since 2010. She worked as a solo practitioner for 10 years and previously served as an Assistant Public Defender for Kane and Cook counties for 13 years.

    Justice Theis recommended Ms. Seaton's appointment after candidates were reviewed by bar associations and a special judicial screening committee.

    Ms. Seaton received qualified or recommended ratings from a dozen bar groups. The special judicial screening committee was established by Justice Theis in 2013 and is co-chaired by retired U.S. District Court Judge Wayne R. Andersen and retired Illinois Appellate Court Judge Michael J. Gallagher.

    Ms. Seaton earned her Bachelor of Science in Political Science from the University of Iowa and her juris doctor from the University of Iowa College of Law.

  • May 8, 2017 | People
    ISBA Member Thomas Canepa Joins Gensburg Calandriello & Kanter, P.C.

    Gensburg Calandriello & Kanter, P.C. announces the addition of Thomas V. Canepa as senior counsel in a move that strengthens the firm’s tax exempt and nonprofit, real estate, sports and entertainment, intellectual property, and venture & emerging companies practices. Canepa brings more than 25 years of experience to GCK’s boutique law practice.   

    The addition of Canepa’s career-long achievements and breadth of experience in the areas of corporate, business, M&A, technology and new business start-ups, joint ventures, real estate, and tax law continues GKC’s recent growth to better serve client needs. 

    As a trusted outside general counsel, problem-solver and client advocate, Tom guides and advises business owners, entrepreneurs, management and corporate officers, directors and shareholder/members. The scope of his counsel includes the areas of business, corporate, transaction and finance matters incorporating strategy, entity management, commercial and venture funding, tax planning, intellectual property and trade secret protection, and real estate matters. Canepa also brings a unique international perspective and experience to his work on behalf of churches, foundations, not-for-profit entities, and other strategic initiatives for his clients in Asia, Europe, and Central Asia.

  • May 3, 2017 | People
    Willis "Bill" Tribler's Memorial to Be Held May 17

    A memorial celebrating the life of Willis R. (“Bill”) Tribler, a founding member and senior partner of the law firm of Tribler Orpett & Meyer, P.C., will be held on May 17, 2017, between 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Preston Bradley Hall of the Chicago Cultural Center, 78 East Washington Street, Chicago, IL 60602. The event is open to the public and all are invited to attend.

    The memorial is being sponsored by Tribler Orpett & Meyer and the Illinois State Bar Association, the Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education, and the Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel. Representatives of those organizations, as well as other prominent judges, lawyers and committee members who worked with Bill throughout his career, will be speaking and sharing their personal thoughts and stories about him. Among those scheduled to appear are Hon. Justice Bill Taylor (Ret.), Hon. Russell W. Hartigan, ISBA President Elect, Charles Bingaman, former and current Executive Directors of IICLE, Michael L. Resis, IDC President-Elect and Rudy G. Schade and Robert V. Dewey, past presidents of IDC, and Wendy J. Muchman, Chief of Litigation and Professional Education of the ARDC.

  • May 1, 2017 | People
    ISBA Lawyer Awarded as "10 Best" Family Law Attorney for Second Year

    Kane County divorce attorney and founding partner of Goostree Law Group, P.C., Tricia D. Goostree, has been recognized as a two-time recipient of the "10 Best" Client Satisfaction Award by the American Institute of Family Law Attorneys (AIOFLA) for 2016 and 2017. As a Two Years AIOFLA Member, Goostree is among a prestigious list of attorneys who have achieved significant success in the field of family law.

    St. Charles divorce lawyer Tricia D. Goostree has been practicing exclusively in family law and domestic relations since 2002. For over 15 years, she has assisted Northern Illinois clients with complex financial cases, spousal maintenance, child custody (or the allocation of parental responsibilities), child support, visitation (or parenting time), and much more.

    Goostree is the recipient of many other prestigious awards, including Illinois Super Lawyers, Leading Lawyers, and Lawyers of Distinction. She is active in her local legal community maintaining memberships with the Illinois Bar Association, Kane County Bar Association ,and DuPage County Bar Association.

    As a two-year "10 Best" AIOFLA award winner, Tricia D. Goostree exemplifies what it is to be a top, client-oriented legal professional.

  • April 28, 2017 | People
    McGivney, Kluger & Cook, P.C. Expands to St. Louis

    McGivney, Kluger & Cook, P.C. is proud to celebrate its expanding national reach. The firm announced the opening of new offices in St. Louis, Missouri, and Los Angeles, California,beginning in May of 2017. The firm is at the forefront of developing new, innovative experts and will continue to zealously defend its clients whenever and where the need arises. With the elevation of one of its partners to the masthead and opening of new offices, the firm is poised to continue its growth as a leader in the defense of product liability throughout the country. 

  • April 27, 2017 | People
    Five Wheaton Attorneys Receive Leading Lawyers and Emerging Lawyers Awards for 2017

    The Wheaton, Illinois, law firm of Mirabella, Kincaid, Frederick & Mirabella, LLC (MKFM Law) is proud to announce that attorneys and ISBA members Lynn M. Mirabella and George S. Frederick have each been awarded as 2017 Leading Lawyers. In addition, attorneys Christa M. Winthers, Lindsay C. Stella, and Joshua D. Bedwell have been recognized as 2017 Emerging Lawyers.

    The Leading Lawyer award process consists of a four-phase research process. Administered by the Law Bulletin Publishing Company, each stage involves the recommendation of a trusted peer, discussions with nominees, pre-selection for membership, and advisory board review. Lawyers cannot nominate themselves or anyone at their law firm, and upon filtering through all four steps, a winner is chosen and awarded.

    The Emerging Lawyer award is open to candidates under the age of 40 years old who have demonstrated professionalism, integrity, and knowledge in the early part of their careers. The Law Bulletin Publishing Company mails annual surveys to all Leading Lawyers in each state. The survey recipient can nominate a partner within or outside of his or her firm. Upon anonymous recommendation from another Leading Lawyer, a winner is selected and notified.

  • April 27, 2017 | People
    Momkus McCluskey Roberts LLC Welcomes New Associate

    The law firm of Momkus McCluskey Roberts LLC is pleased to announce the hiring of attorney Nicole L. Simmons. Prior to joining Momkus McCluskey Roberts LLC, Simmons practiced at a full-service Chicago law firm. As an experienced litigator, she will handle business transactions and commercial litigation matters.

    Attorney Nicole L. Simmons is admitted to practice law in Illinois, Missouri, and Massachusetts. She graduated with her J.D. from Boston College Law School, where she participated on the school’s National Moot Court Team. Simmons has experience in all phases of litigation, appeals, and alternative dispute resolution. She has represented clients in federal and state courts across the country. She handles cases related to commercial disputes, products liability, employment, proprietary information, and trade secret.

    Simmons also effectively represents business clients in litigation, contracts, risk management, and compliance matters. Additionally, she handles contract matters, including negotiations, drafting, and a variety of agreements including RFPs, subcontracts, licensing, vendor, and professional consulting agreements.