People

Judge Debra Walker, former President of the Illinois Bar Foundation, is the recipient of the 2017 National Conference of Bar Foundations (NCBF) Excellence Award.  The award, to be presented at the NCBF midyear meeting in Miami in February, recognizes an outstanding contribution to law-related philanthropy by an individual. Prior to her election to the Cook County Circuit Court in 2008, she was a partner at the law firm of Clausen Miller, P.C. where she concentrated on professional liability matters. 

Judge Walker has a long record of leadership in the legal profession. As a past president of the Illinois Bar Foundation, she served longer than any other board member in its 65-year history, holding the offices of Secretary and Vice President, as well as Chair of the Fellows program. A regular attendee at NCBF meetings, she served one term on the NCBF Board of Trustees, which included her service as chair of the Awards Committee and as a member of the Program Committee.  She also participated as a presenter at NCBF midyear and annual meetings. She was recently elected to the Illinois Judges Foundation board of directors.

Sugar Felsenthal Grais & Hammer LLP (“SFGH”) announced Monday that Michael A. Brandess has been elevated to partner.

Michael joined the firm’s business transactions and corporate restructuring and creditors’ rights practice groups in 2011. He has a wealth of experience representing companies in a wide array of healthy and distressed situations. He has led complex restructurings and liquidations across the country, in industries ranging from energy, real estate, construction, agriculture, retail, financial services, telecommunications and restaurant franchises. Michael also consistently represents asset purchasers and sellers in complex transactions, creditors’ committees in difficult reorganizations and trustees during the wind-down of multi-million dollar bankruptcy estates.

Governor Bruce Rauner announced the 2017 recipients of the Order of Lincoln, which is the state’s highest honor for professional achievement and public service. The list includes a Central Illinois man, who was born in Sullivan. This year's recipients include Hon. James Holderman.

The Honorable James Holderman received his J.D. from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Was appointed to serve on the United States District Court. Served as Chief Judge from 2006 to 2013. Initiated innovations to improve the jury trial system. Expanded the Settlement Assistance Program and renovated the Dirksen Federal Courthouse. Earned the U.S. Department of Justice Aware for Distinguished Service and the American Inns Court Award for Professionalism and Ethics.

Brennan Burtker is pleased to announce that Jonathan E. Cavins and Rachel S. Stern have been named partners at the firm.

Jonathan E. Cavins concentrates his practice in civil litigation, with an emphasis on medical liability defense and commercial litigation. He has extensive experience representing hospitals, medical groups, and physicians in all phases of litigation, including pre-suit investigation, all aspects of discovery, dispositive motion practice, and multiple jury trials to verdict.  He has won summary judgment or dismissal for his clients on numerous occasions. He also has extensive experience representing large and small businesses as both plaintiffs and defendants in commercial litigation and employment disputes dealing with issues of breach of contracts, tortious interference with business relationships, failure to pay wages, breach of restrictive covenants including non-disclosure, non-compete and non-solicitation agreements, and misappropriation of trade secrets. Additionally, Mr. Cavins counsels his commercial clients regarding the drafting and implementation of business and employment agreements.