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  • January 4, 2016 | People
    Merker named new partner at Ice Miller

    Ice Miller LLP is pleased to announce that Nick Merker has been named a new partner of the Firm effective Jan. 1, 2016. Merker is located in the Firm’s Chicago office.

    Merker leads Ice Miller’s data security and privacy practice. He advises clients on complex privacy and data security issues arising from emerging technologies, including, most notably, Internet-based applications. Clients seek Nick’s counsel in all areas where privacy and data security are issues, including PCI-DSS, the HIPAA Security Rule, online privacy statements, general contract issues, the EU Data Protection Directive and U.S. Safe Harbor, anti-SPAM issues, regulatory enforcement, privacy audits (i.e. GAPP), and data security standards and audits (i.e. NERC, SSAE 16, etc.).

    To learn about the new partners located in the Firm’s Indianapolis office, click here.

    About Ice Miller LLP

  • January 4, 2016 | People
    Lawyers take to ice for Chicago Legal Clinic

    Lawyers defeat Blackhawks All-Stars in charity classic

    With the assistance of former NHL and Chicago Blackhawks’ players, local celebrities, and members of the Bar and Bench, the legal community came together on Sunday, December 20, 2015 at the United Center before the regularly scheduled game between the Blackhawks and the San Jose Sharks, to raise funds for the Chicago Legal Clinic.

    The Chicago Legal Clinic has a 34-year history of providing legal services to the poor and elderly in the Chicago area.  Founded as the South Chicago Legal Clinic by DePaul College of Law classmates the Most Rev. Thomas J. Paprocki, Bishop of Springfield, and Edward Grossman, longtime Executive Director, the Clinic serves a host of legal needs focusing primarily on vulnerable populations, such as immigrants, the disabled, victims of domestic violence, those facing foreclosure, children in the midst of divorce, consumers with serious debt issues, and those confronting urban environmental problems.

  • December 23, 2015 | People
    Matrimonial Attorney Selwyn M. Skevin Joins Law Offices of Jeffery M. Leving

    The Law Offices of Jeffery M. Leving, the leading national family law firm based in Chicago, has named matrimonial attorney Selwyn M. Skevin as their newest attorney. Skevin is experienced in all aspects of family law including emergency orders of protection, child support, and custody battles.

    Skevin understands what it’s like to grow up without a father because as a young child, he lost his own father. He knows the challenges that children with fractured families may face throughout adolescence and the lasting impacts they have on them, which helps him in his practice as a divorce attorney.

  • December 23, 2015 | People
    Local Bar Association raises money for Murphysboro Food Pantry

    The Jackson County Bar Association, an Illinois State Bar Association-affiliated bar association located in Carbondale, recently held its Ninth Annual Holiday Food Drive to benefit the Murphysboro Food Pantry, a volunteer-operated food pantry that serves all of Jackson County. Donations were collected from individual members throughout the month of December. Members, Michael Fiello, Alice Noble-Allgire and Craig Reeves challenged members to match their combined donation of $1,500, and the members rose to the challenge, collecting a total of $3,620 for the Food Pantry. This money will help the Food Pantry purchase food at discounted rates to distribute to local families and support the Pantry’s other programs.  

  • December 23, 2015 | People | Events
    Judge Ronald Spears honored for 22 years of service

    Fourth Circuit Judge Ronald Spears (left) was honored at a retirement party Dec. 18 in Taylorville. Judge Spears retired after 22 years of service in Christian County. ISBA Past President J. Timothy Eaton (right), Judge Spears' law school roommate, spoke in his honor.

  • December 21, 2015 | People
    Sugar Felsenthal Grais & Hammer LLP grows restructuring practice with addition of Michael H. Traison

    Sugar Felsenthal Grais & Hammer LLP (“SFGH”), announced on Wednesday that Michael H. Traison has joined its corporate restructuring and creditor’s rights practice as a partner.

    Michael has been a pillar in the global restructuring community for the past 35 years—during which time he has represented debtors, creditors, creditors’ committees and asset purchasers in deals throughout the United States and around the world. His client-centric and leveled approach to solving complex financial problems has made him a considerable asset to his clients and peers alike. Michael’s desire to help people extends well beyond the office doors and into the global community. For decades, Michael has served as a tireless civic leader and advocate for human rights, with a special focus on Poland, the Jewish people and Israel. He was awarded The Knight's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland for his civic leadership by its President in 2012.

  • December 21, 2015 | People
    John Kujawski Appointed to the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism

    On December 11, 2015, the Illinois Supreme Court issued an Order appointing John Kujawski of O’Fallon, Illinois to the Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism. The Mission of the Commission is “to promote a culture of civility and inclusion, in which Illinois lawyers and judges embody the ideals of the legal profession in service to the administration of justice in our democratic society.” The Commission is charged by Supreme Court Rule 799 to promote among both lawyers and judges in Illinois greater integrity, professionalism and civility; to foster commitment to the elimination of bias and divisiveness within the legal and judicial systems; and to ensure those systems provide equitable, efficient and effective service to the citizens of Illinois.

    John Kujawski is the founding member of Kujawski Marcus, LLC, based in O’Fallon, Illinois. Mr. Kujawski is a resident of the Central West End, and has been practicing law since 1973 in the areas of Federal Employers’ Liability Act (FELA) and personal injury. Mr. Kujawski has earned Martindale-Hubbell's AV Preeminent peer review rating. Mr. Kujawski is a former Commissioner for the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission and is a member of the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 520. Recently in 2011, Mr.
    Kujawski and his partner Bob Marcus prevailed in the United States Supreme Court in the case of CSXT v. McBride, which solidified the application of the FELA in fully protecting injured railroad workers and their families. Kujawski Marcus, LLC’s practice extends regionally to over 20 states.

  • December 17, 2015 | People
    Stephanie King to Join King Law Firm, LLC

    King Law Firm, LLC is proud to announce that Stephanie A. King will be joining the firm as an Attorney in January 2016.

    Stephanie – a licensed Attorney in Illinois and Missouri – brings valuable and instrumental courtroom skills, legal ability, management experience, and strong professional relationships with courthouse staff and a variety of government offices. She is a member of the Alton-Wood River Bar Association, Madison County Bar Association, Illinois State Bar Association, The Missouri Bar, and American Bar Association. Stephanie earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Bridgewater State University and Juris Doctor from Thomas M. Cooley Law School. From 2010-2015, Stephanie served as an appointed Assistant State’s Attorney in Madison County, Illinois.

  • December 17, 2015 | People
    Lateral Associate, Law School Grads Join Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP

    Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP welcomes a lateral associate and two recent law school graduates to the firm’s Chicago office.

    Jack A. Gould joins the firm from Matushek, Nilles & Sinars, L.L.C., where he was also an associate. He focuses his practice on Asbestos Litigation, Product Liability and General Trial Practice. Mr. Gould received his J.D. from Chicago-Kent College of Law in 2011 and his B.A. cum laude from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2008.

    Associate Ryan J. Devall focuses his practice on Commercial Litigation and Business Disputes, Environmental Law, and Creditors’ Rights and Bankruptcy. Mr. Devall received his J.D. from Chicago-Kent College of Law in 2015 and his B.A. from the University of California at San Diego in 2011.

    Associate Lena M. Shapiro focuses her practice on Medical Negligence and Healthcare, Commercial Litigation and Business Disputes, Product Liability, and Intellectual Property Litigation and Transactional Services. Ms. Shapiro received her J.D. from the University of Illinois in 2015 and her B.A. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2012.

  • December 16, 2015 | People
    Daniel McCleery Joins Schmiedeskamp Robertson Neu and Mitchell LLP

    When Supreme Court Chief Justice Rita B. Garman asked William McCleery to speak at the 2015 Admission Ceremony for the Fourth Judicial District in Springfield on November 6, he humbly accepted. Among the fifty-two lawyers to be sworn in from the fourth district, was his son, Daniel McCleery. William said “I was honored to address this talented group of young men and women and take great pride knowing Daniel was one of them.”