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  • May 22, 2013 | People
    Peggy Crane joins Environmental Practice of Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP in Peoria

    The national law firm of Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP is pleased to announce that Peggy L. Crane has joined the firm’s Environmental Practice as partner. She will practice in Hinshaw’s Peoria, Illinois office. Ms. Crane comes to Hinshaw from Perkins Coie LLP, where she was senior counsel in that firm’s Portland office.

    Ms. Crane represents companies across many industries on issues related to environmental law, including permitting, compliance, cleanup and corporate and real estate transactions. She handles a wide variety of transactional matters, focusing primarily on real estate transactions involving contaminated properties and environmental due diligence. Ms. Crane works alongside clients to craft strategies to clean up contaminated properties and provides support to secure site closure, working with technical consultants and state agencies to resolve issues and formulate mutually agreeable solutions.

  • May 22, 2013 | People
    Darline L. Petersen 1943-2013

    Darline L. Petersen, 69, Elmhurst, Ill., died March 21, 2013, after an extended hospitalization. She was born in Elgin, Ill., to the late Russell and Leona Petersen of Burlington, and spent the majority of her school years on a dairy farm near Burlington. There she was valedictorian of the high school class of 1961.

    She held degrees from the University of Wisconsin and The John Marshall Law School and entered the Illinois Bar in 1970. After practicing law in Wheaton, Ill., for nearly 20 years, she made a career change to follow her favorite pastime, cooking. After graduating from College of DuPage and until her retirement in 2008, she worked as a chef and food service manager, as well as a teacher of Restaurant and Hotel Law.

    She and her husband Gene were avid sailors on Lake Michigan, and enjoyed traveling, hiking in the Grand Canyon and taking cooking lessons in Europe. She was an active and longtime member of the Unitarian Church of Hinsdale. As she approached retirement, she began exploring her artistic side, honing her skills in quilting, drawing, and painting. During the past decade, she also spent much time working with her brother to renovate and revitalize their parent’s farm where they grew up.

    Survivors include her husband of 40 years, Eugene E. Parvin; brother, Ralph (Helen Horn) Petersen, Madison; niece and nephew, Katrina (Martin Perez) Petersen, San Diego, and Ryan (Becky) Petersen, Cottage Grove. She was further preceded in death by sister-in-law, Elizabeth Petersen.

     There will be a private interment. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Unitarian Church of Hinsdale Endowment Fund are suggested. Ahlgrim Funeral Home, Elmhurst, is serving the family. Well-wishers can visit  www.ahlgrim.com.

  • May 22, 2013 | People
    Robert R. Nelson 1930-2013

    Robert R. Nelson, 82, of Elmhurst, passed away on April 19, 2013.

    Raised in Chicago (Andersonville), attended Amundsen H.S. Graduated from the University of Illinois in Urbana (B.S. '53, J.D. '58).

    Captain USAF Reserve (Ret). Life Member DuPage County Bar Association, former member ISBA and ABA. Life Member Elmhurst Lodge #941 AF&A, Medinah Temple, Scottish Rite, DuPage Shrine Club. Former Alderman (7th Ward), City of Elmhurst, Precinct Committeeman, Member and Chairman DuPage County Sheriff's Merit Commission and President, Illinois Board of Sheriffs Merit Commissions. Member Elmhurst Presbyterian Church, former member St. Peter's U.C.C.

    A loving father active in all manner of sports (Boy's Football, Little League) and youth activities (Indian Guides, Boy Scouts). A life long Illini fan and member of the U of I Foundation President's Council. Avid Packer Backer (and shareholder), fisherman, and bridge player. In summation before the Highest Court, a long life well led. May he rest his case in eternal peace.

    Beloved husband for 59 years of Doreen (nee Soukup), proud father of Ronald (Elizabeth) and Kenneth (Julia), grandfather of Heidi, Alicia, and Trevor.

  • May 22, 2013 | People
    Christopher M. Kanis 1971-2013

    Chris Kanis, 41, of Savoy, IL died on March 21, 2013 of a heart attack while on a cruise with his wife of 9 years, Laura Steigmann Kanis.

    Chris was an assistant states attorney for Champaign County since 2005. Prior to that he worked for the law firms Thomas Mamer & Haughey of Champaign and Wildman, Harold, Allen & Dixon in Chicago. He also clerked for IL Supreme Court Justice Judge James Heiple. Chris was a graduate of Palatine High School '90, Notre Dame University '94 and DePaul University Law School '97.

    Chris is survived by his parents Michael (Ellie) Kanis of Palatine, Michelle (Bill) Hudson of Elgin, his sister Kathleen (Luke) Williams and their children King, Patrick, Matthew and Isabel of Madison, WI. Step-brothers: COL William (Mae) Hibner of Belleville, IL, Michael (Maryanne) Hibner of San Clemente, CA, Daniel Hibner of Phoenix, AZ and Mark (Kori) Hibner of Lake Zurich, Great-aunts Patricia Gasparo and Dorothy Kanis, many cousins, friends, colleagues and his in-laws Judge Robert and Sherry Steigmann of Urbana.

    Memorial services were held on March 29th at Mt. Hope Cemetery Mausoleum Chapel in Champaign, IL. A Celebration of Life Mass will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 27th at St. Thomas of Villanova Church, 1201 East Anderson Dr., Palatine, IL 60074, 847-358-6999. Please omit flowers.

  • May 20, 2013 | People
    George F. Dvorak 1924-2013

    George F. Dvorak of Indian Head Park, born February 21, 1924, passed away May 15, 2013. Beloved wife of Billye, nee Williams. Loving father of Randall Dvorak and Carol (Bill) Dvorak-Mola. Cherished grandfather of Brandon and Lauren.

    Mr. Dvorak was born in Chicago and raised in Cicero. Graduate of Morton High School, Electrical Engineer Program at Northwestern University, and The John Marshall Law School. Served in the US Navy Pacific Theater WWII and was commissioned from the US Naval Academy, Annapolis. He was a Patent Attorney for 53 years, 47 year member of the Union League Club, member of the Illinois State Bar Association and Bohemian Lawyers Association, and a Village of Westchester Police and Fire Commissioner for 18 years.

    Memorial services will be held at a later date. Entombment was in the Woodlawn Mausoleum, Forest Park. Arrangemnts by Woodlawn Funeral Home, Forest Park. Info. 708 442-8500 or www.woodlawnchicago.com.

  • May 16, 2013 | People
    Donald Ridge 1919-2013

    Donald Ridge, 94, of Sarasota, FL, died on Apr. 7, 2013.

    Donald was born and grew up in Chicago, where he attended elementary, middle, and high school. He then went on to graduate from University of Chicago and Chicago School of Law. After serving as a Lieutenant in the US Infantry and being wounded, he was assigned to be a commandant of the Prisoner of War Camp in England.

    He is survived by his wife Imogene; children Scott (Nancy) and Ann (Greg) of Chicago; step-daughter Brooke Smith and step-granddaughter Blair Ault of Houston, TX.

  • May 10, 2013 | People
    Bruno Law Offices receive Pro Bono Award

    The Outstanding Pro Bono Attorney of the Year for 2012, selected by Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance and the Champaign County Bar Association, is Bruno Law Offices of Urbana.  Ramona Sullivan, the Pro Bono Coordinator of Land of Lincoln and a member of the CCBA Board of Governors, presented the award at the CCBA Law Day Banquet on May 1, 2013.

    Thomas Bruno and his sons, Anthony Bruno and Evan Bruno, were recognized for their outstanding delivery of pro bono legal services in 2012.                

  • May 9, 2013 | People
    Mari-Jo Jacquette 1965-2013

    Mari-Jo Jacquette, 47, of Waukegan passed away unexpectedly on April 16, 2013. She was born on June 17, 1965. She was married on August 12, 1988 to Thomas (TJ) Jacquette at the Old St. Patrick's Church in Wadsworth.

    Mari-Jo Jacquette attended Marquette University Law School and graduated in 1995, Cum Laude. She was admitted to the Bar in 1995 and practiced family law in Waukegan. She was a member of the Lake County, Illinois and Wisconsin State Bar Associations. She was a member of the Family Law Section of the Lake County Bar Association, a member of the Judicial Selection and Retention Committee of the Lake County Bar Association and past treasurer and president of the Association of Women Attorneys of Lake County.

    She worked passionately representing children and protecting their rights. Mari-Jo also belonged to the Lithuanian Historical Cultural Society located in Chicago, Illinois and was proud of her heritage. She enjoyed spending time hunting mushrooms, picking berries, and fishing at her Wisconsin home with her family and friends.

    She is survived by her husband, Thomas; her sons, Frank Matthew, and Walter Joseph, and her canine companion, Tessie. She is also survived by her extended family.

    She is preceded in death by her father, Walter J. Bukantis; her mother, Betty Mae Bukantis (nee Fischer), and her great-niece, Rebecca Boice.

    In lieu of flowers, donations or memorials to St. Raphael the Arc Angel Church in Millburn, IL, Prairie State Legal Services or a Safe Place.

  • May 9, 2013 | People
    Julius Lytton 1913-2013

    Julius M. Lytton, 99, of East Moline, passed away Wednesday April 24, 2013, at Hope Creek Care Center, East Moline.

    Services are 11 a.m. Friday at Temple Emanuel, Davenport. Burial will be at Tri-City Jewish Cemetery, Davenport. There will be no visitation. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Temple Emanuel, Davenport. Arrangements are entrusted to Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home, Rock Island.

    Julius was born Aug. 10, 1913, in Chicago, a son of Morris and Minnie Friedman Litvin. He graduated from DePaul University Law School in 1935.

    He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II.

    Julius married Beverly J. Stewart on Feb. 4, 1940, in Chicago. She preceded him in death Oct. 26, 2003.

    Julius practiced law in Chicago before moving to the Quad-Cities in 1947. He practiced law locally until 2005, when he retired at the age of 92.

    Julius was a member of Temple Emanuel, Davenport, American Bar Association, Illinois State Bar Association, Rock Island County Bar Association and East Moline Rotary Club.

    Surviving are his son, Tom Lytton and his wife Mary Lind, of Moline; and one granddaughter, Emilie Lytton, and her husband Brian Dout, University City, Mo. Julius was preceded in death by his parents, wife and two brothers, Daniel Litvin and Albert Litvin.

  • May 1, 2013 | People
    Polsinelli expands national commercial litigation practice with Chicago Attorney Dmitry Shifrin

    Polsinelli welcomes highly experienced commercial litigation attorney Dmitry Shifrin as a shareholder and member of its strong national team of skilled litigators. Shifrin has represented corporate and individual clients as counsel in a wide range of complex commercial disputes before state and federal trial and appellate courts, as well as multidistrict litigation panels.

    “Dmitry’s depth of experience in all types of commercial litigation will be a great asset to our clients in Chicago as well as a complement to our national litigation capabilities,” said Polsinelli Chicago Managing Director Anthony J. Nasharr. “We are extremely pleased to have an attorney of Dmitry’s caliber join our growing team.”

    Shifrin’s legal experience is quite diverse and spans a number of industries, and he will focus his practice on commercial litigation, product liability and mass torts, health care, and insurance recovery matters. His courtroom experience has spanned all facets of the practice, including dispositive motion hearings, pursuing and defending requests for injunctive relief, and trial work. In addition to his courtroom experience, Shifrin believes the bedrock to any client relationship is to act as a trusted advisor instead of simply a litigator. He is well-versed in risk management and developing strategy not only in litigation but also various forms of alternative dispute resolution.