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  • April 3, 2013 | People
    Judge Bellows receives IJA's Distinguished Service Award

    Illinois Judges Association President Hon. Rita M. Novak presented the organization’s Distinguished Service Award to Judge Carole Kamin Bellows on March 28 at the Richard J. Daley Center in Chicago.

    The Distinguished Service Award is intended to recognize judges who have demonstrated exemplary service to citizens, bench, and bar as shown by devotion to the law, efforts to improve the legal and judicial communities, reputation for honor, integrity, legal knowledge and diligent service, and otherwise distinguishing him or herself as an Illinois judicial officer.

    Judge Bellows was first appointed to serve as a judge of the Circuit Court, Domestic Relations Division, by the Illinois Supreme Court in 1986. By being successfully retained by the voters, she continued to serve on the bench for 26 years. Prior to becoming a judge, she was an attorney for 26 years.

  • April 2, 2013 | People
    Robert W. Dodd 1938-2013

    Robert W. Dodd, 75, of Champaign passed peacefully at home on March 28.

    Funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. April 2 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Urbana. Father Joe Hogan and Father Ronald Dodd will officiate. Burial will be in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery, Champaign.

    Mr. Dodd was the president and managing attorney for Dodd & Maatuka in Champaign. He was mayor of Champaign from 1983-1987.

    Survivors include his wife of 43 years, Joyce; his six children, Cathy Dixon of Aurora, Steve (Jill) Klein of Paxton, Joan Harry of Indianapolis, Ind., Jean Wynn of Champaign, Brenda Nelson of Champaign and Jim (Marnie) Klein of Indianapolis, Ind.

    Mr. Dodd was the grandfather of 13 children and the great-grandfather of 10 children. He is also survived by his siblings, Carol Maroon of Florida, Fran (Tom) Frederick of Florida, Rita of Chatham, Father Ronald Dodd of O'Dell and Brother John Dodd of Las Vegas, Nev.

    Mr. Dodd was preceded in death by his parents, Warren and Florence Dodd; his brother, Gene Dodd; and a grandson, Jeremy Nelson.

    Memorials may be made to St. Patrick Church Building Fund.

  • April 2, 2013 | People
    Norman N. Berkson 1928-2013

    Norman N. Berkson, age 84, cherished father of Rabbi Jill Berkson (Ely) Zimmerman, David Berkson and Keith (Lori) Berkson. Proud and loving grandfather of Josh, Ben, Justin and Zachary. Dearest brother of the late Jerry, Alvie and Arnie Berkson and Rose Warren. Special companion of Carol Nerius.

    Friend and former husband (29 years) of Marlene Marks Kornick. Norm was an attorney, accountant and professor. He was an avid tennis player and model train enthusiast.

    In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Northshore Hospice 4901 Searle Parkway, Suite 160, Skokie, IL 60077. For information (847) 255-3520 or www.shalom2.com to leave tributes and condolences.

  • April 2, 2013 | People
    Miles William Hughes 1968-2013

    Miles William Hughes, 44, known for his singular wit, passion for life and love of his family, passed away suddenly in the arms of his lifelong love, Leigh Ann Hayward Hughes, in Oak Park on March 17.

    Miles met Leigh Ann while in Raa Middle School in Tallahassee, Florida, forming a strong friendship that blossomed into love, marriage and two adored children, Ragan 16, and Reece 10.

    He was born on June 20, 1968 in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, to William and Jane Hughes, joining his sisters, Cindy and Sallie. They moved to Tallahassee in 1977, where Miles grew up in the extended family First Presbyterian Church. Miles graduated from Lincoln High School in 1986 before attending the University of Florida, where he received a Bachelor's degree in political science with a minor in history.

    Miles married Leigh Ann on May 16, 1992, in Tallahassee. He attended Florida State University College of Law, where he served on the law review and earned a JD in 1997. He was honored to clerk for Justice Ben Overton of the Florida Supreme Court. At the time of his passing, he was an Income Partner for the McDermott, Will & Emery law firm in Chicago. 

  • March 28, 2013 | People
    Warren E. Burgard 1927-2013

    Warren E. Burgard, 85, of Urbana died at 5:30 p.m. Friday, March 15, 2013 at home.

    Mr. Burgard was born on September 15, 1927 in Fayetteville, the son of Emil and Rose Frantz Burgard. He married Jo (Ann) Seales on November 14, 1954 in Waverly, she survives.

    Survivors include two sons; Curtis A. Burgard of Urbana, Galen E. Burgard of Deltona, Florida and three grandchildren.

    He was preceded in death by one sister and two brothers.

    Mr. Burgard graduated from Mascoutah High School, Belleville Junior College and St. Louis University school of Law. He was a Lawyer and Trust Officer until his retirement.

    Mr. Burgard was a U.S. Navy Veteran. He was a member of Pennsylvania Ave. Baptist Church, Urbana, The Illinois State Bar Association and Kiwanis. Mr. Burgard was a St. Louis Cardinals Baseball and Illini Basketball fan.

    Memorial contributions may be made to the Pennsylvania Ave. Baptist Church Building fund.

    Condolences may be offered at www.rennerwikoffchapel.com.

  • March 28, 2013 | People
    Paul M. Scoma 1952-2013

    Paul M. Scoma, 60, of Princeton passed away Monday, March 11, 2013, at his home.

    Paul was born Nov. 14, 1952, in LaSalle to Charles and Anne (Kump) Scoma. He married Nancy Forgus May 5, 1979, in the Kent State University Newman Center Chapel in Kent, Ohio. She survives.

    Paul graduated from LaSalle-Peru High School in 1970 and continued his education at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, graduating in 1974. He was subsequently hired by Union Oil Co. of California in marketing and worked there for five years until 1979 when he enrolled in law school. Paul received his Juris Doctorate from Loyola University School of Law in Chicago in May 1982. He elected to begin his law career near his hometown with the Princeton law firm now known as Russell, English, Scoma and Beneke, PC, where he became a partner and practiced for 28 years until his retirement at the end of 2010.

    He was an active member of St. Louis Catholic Church where he served as a Trustee and lector. He was a Trustee and Board President for the Adeline E. Prouty Charitable Trust (Greenfield Retirement Home). Paul also served as Director and Board Chairman for the Perry Memorial Hospital. He was a member of the Illinois State and Bureau County Bar Associations as well as the Knights of Columbus.

  • March 28, 2013 | People
    Wojcik, Schmetterer receive Pillars of Justice Awards

    Lawrence Wojcik and Ken Schmetterer, partners in DLA Piper’s Chicago office, received the Pillars of Justice Awards from Appleseed for their pro bono work. They were honored at Appleseed and Chicago Appleseed’s annual Pillars of Justice Awards reception on Wednesday, March 20 at the House of Blues in Chicago.

    Lawrence Wojcik received the Pro Bono Champion Award for his more than 30 years of litigation.  He has represented children in juvenile courts and researched obstacles that children face leaving juvenile detention and returning to school.  He has also advocated for the fair sentencing of children and against juvenile life in prison without the possibility of parole. For more than 30 years, hehas focused his law practice on the defense of auditors, accountants, lawyers and other business entities and professionals. He has handled litigation involving business, securities, tax and intellectual property disputes, including representations before federal, state, and municipal regulators. He has represented clients throughout the country and has tried cases in federal and state courts in several jurisdictions.

  • March 25, 2013 | People
    Neal & Leroy celebrates 75th anniversary

    Neal & Leroy, LLC (“Neal & Leroy”) celebrates its 75th anniversary this year.  The firm traces its origin back to 1938 when Earl J. Neal began his law office in Chicago, IL.  Earl J. Neal practiced law until 1962 when he became a Cook County magistrate and later an Associate Cook County Circuit Court Judge.  In 1955, his son Earl L. Neal joined the firm working side-by-side with father handling trial work.  Earl L. Neal accepted responsibility as principal after his father was appointed judge. In 1968, he formed, Earl L. Neal and Associates, and continued to handle trial work for the City of Chicago and other public agencies.

    In 2005, the firm’s name changed to Neal & Leroy.  It is believed to be the longest operating African-American owned law firm in Illinois.  Langdon D. Neal, son of Earl L. Neal, began practicing with the firm in 1981 and is currently the firm’s principal and owner.Over the past seven decades, Neal & Leroy has consistently maintained a strong governmental and institutional practice performing legal services in all areas of real estate law including eminent domain, zoning and land use, tax increment financing, and real estate transactions, among others; and governmental and municipal affairs services. 

  • March 21, 2013 | People
    Charles William Fechtig 1932-2013

    Charles William Fechtig, 81, of Evansville, Ind. and formerly of Carmi, died Monday, Feb. 18, at Hamilton Memorial Hospital in McLeansboro. He was born February 3, 1932, in Carmi, to William (Willie) and Nell Fechtig. He married Frances Ruth (Winter) Fechtig on Dec. 28, 1952, in Carmi, who preceded him in death on February 19, 2012.

    Bill was educated in White county rural schools and graduated from Carmi High School in 1948 and the University of Illinois in 1952. He served as an officer in the United State Marine Corps from 1953-1957 and later returned to the University of Illinois graduating from its School of Law in 1960 earning membership in The Order of the Coif and serving as Editor-in-Chief of its law review.

    Following his admission to practice, Bill was a general practitioner in Carmi for 27 years with an emphasis in real estate and mineral law, contracts and appellate law. In 1987, he became In-House Counsel for Marathon Oil Company in Robinson. After retirement from Marathon in 2000, he and Frances relocated to Evansville, Ind. where he returned to private law practice.

    Bill also was a Licensed Pastor of the United Methodist Church and served as Pastor of three White County churches - Big Prairie, Concord and Maunie – from 1987 until 2012.

    He is survived by: brothers, Norman (Margie) Fechtig of Carmi and Allen (Mary Ruth) Fechtig of Albany, Ore.; three daughters, Amy (David) Wood, of Allen, Tx., Mary (Elizabeth Estes) of Chicago and Martha (Jeff) Ahlers of Evansville, Ind.; a grandson, Nick Ahlers; and several nieces and nephews.

  • March 20, 2013 | People
    KFTR celebrates 20 years of providing creative solutions with superior results

    Kubasiak, Fylstra, Thorpe & Rotunno, P.C., a full-service and independent Chicago-based law firm, will commemorate its 20th anniversary on March 16.

    “This important milestone is a reflection of the tireless work of KFTR’s dedicated team of attorneys and staff, as well as a validation of the strong client partnerships we’ve forged over two decades,” said Gerald E. Kubasiak, KFTR director/shareholder. “We look forward to building on this tremendous accomplishment in the future.”

    Since 1993, KFTR has offered complex litigation services and sophisticated transactional representation, turning problems into solutions. With extensive resources to address virtually any type of business or liability matter, the firm is able to integrate its legal team’s skills, knowledge and experience to achieve creative solutions with superior results.

    KFTR’s experienced attorneys have earned a reputation for representing client interests ethically and economically. To accomplish this, KFTR maintains close working relationships with its clients and pairs the firm’s areas of experience with client needs.

    Founding members Gerald E. Kubasiak and Raymond A. Fylstra, both director/shareholders, remain an active part of the firm’s leadership. Steven J. Rotunno, who joined the firm soon after it started, also is a KFTR director/shareholder. The firm, which started with seven lawyers two decades ago, now includes 16 lawyers.