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  • January 27, 2015 | People
    Carmen D. Caruso Law Firm welcomes new team

    Chicago based Carmen D. Caruso Law Firm welcomes the addition of three new members to its trial and appellate legal team: attorney Shane D. Valenzi, Of Counsel attorney Seamus M. Ryan, and senior litigation paralegal Craig A. Nelson.

    The boutique firm concentrates in franchise and general and sharply contested business disputes.

    Lead attorney Carmen D. Caruso has been in practice since 1983 and is known for his aggressive and creative representation of clients, including large companies as well as individual plaintiffs.

    “We pursue high-stakes litigation and look for cases that are likely to go to trial,” said Caruso. “Our skilled and dynamic new team brings depth and allows us to efficiently represent our clients as we prepare and go to trial,” added Caruso.

    Shane D. Valenzi brings invaluable experience recently gained as a federal court law clerk. Valenzi graduated magna cum laude with a B.A. in Theatre Arts from the University of Pennsylvania. He received his J.D. from Vanderbilt University Law School, where he served as the editor-in-chief of the Vanderbilt Journal of Entertainment and Technology Law, one of the top intellectual property law journals in the country. While attending Vanderbilt Valenzi served as a legal writing teaching assistant, and was an octofinalist in the annual Mock Trial Competition.

  • January 27, 2015 | People
    Joseph A. Tecson 1928-2015

    Joseph A. Tecson passed away peacefully at home in Riverside on Sunday, January 11. Joe and Caroline recently celebrated 60 years of marriage, and his good humor, wisdom and support were a blessing to his children, grandchildren and great grandchild. He shared his zest for life and values with his family, many governmental and charitable institutions, and Chuhak & Tecson, P.C. where he headed the Governmental and Healthcare Practices of the firm.

  • January 27, 2015 | People
    Lawrence E. Morrissey 1936-2015

    Lawrence E. Morrissey, age 78, passed away at home on the morning of January 8, 2015, after a brief, but courageous, battle with an aggressive cancer discovered last fall. He was a loving husband to his wife of 48 years, Kathleen (nee Landreman).

    Born July 19, 1936, in Joliet, Illinois, he was raised by his mother after the sudden loss of his father just days before Christmas in 1944. A graduate of St. Raymond Elementary School, Joliet Catholic High School, the University of Illinois and The John Marshall Law School, he worked jobs to pay his tuition the entire way. He served in the Marine Corps. He began his legal career in 1964 as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Northern District of Illinois and, in 1967, was appointed Chief of the Organized Crime and Racketeering section for the Northern District of Illinois.

    In 1969, he received a meritorious service award from United States Attorney General, Ramsey Clark, who credited him with helping disband the Chicago crime syndicate. In 1974, he opened his own practice in downtown Chicago while at the same time working at O`Brien, Garrison, Berard & Kusta, a Joliet law firm that he credited for the development of his civil litigation skills. Although he represented defendants in numerous high profile government probes and scandals, his real passion was providing representation to the less fortunate, often on a pro bono basis. He took great pleasure in helping people from all walks of life.

  • January 27, 2015 | People
    Tracy Gibbons joins Clifford Law as associate

    The newest addition to the legal team at Clifford Law Offices, Tracy Gibbons, is no stranger to tort law having worked as a clerk at the firm for years and jumping in immediately into courtroom work and complex tort cases. In fact, her intelligence and legal acumen has led her to already have worked on some of the biggest lawsuits filed at the firm, led by partners directing the cases. When you first meet Tracy, one observes she is reserved and poised, a young attorney who understands the importance of listening and working hard.

  • January 23, 2015 | People
    Guerino Turano 1929-2015

    Guerino J. Turano, aka: Jake Turano or Willie Turano, passed away on Wednesday, January 21st at the golden age of 85.

    Guerino was a retired Vice President and General Counsel of Chicago Title Insurance Co. He was a 1954 graduate of DePaul University College of Law. He was an avid author and lecturer on technical issues of the practice, he wrote for Illinois State Bar Association and Chicago Bar Association publications, the law reviews and journals of The John Marshall Law School, and Chicago Title's newsletter, Titles Issues.

    Turano served on the ISBA State and Local Taxation Section Council from 1980 to 1984 and was its chair in 1982 to 1983. He also chaired the CBA State and Municipal Taxation Committee. He was a member of the Real Estate Law Section Council from 1990 to 2001, Turano was an editor of its newsletter for most of the years he served. He received a 10-year Newsletter Editor Service Award in 2000.

    Loving Son of the late Carmen and the late Giosina, nee Fabis, Turano. Dear Brother of the late Raphaella (the late Joseph) D'Onofrio. Dear Uncle of the Alex (Vickie) D'Onofrio, Joseph, Jr. (Mary Ann) D'Onofrio, Mary Jo Adal-Aziz and Michael (Linda) D'Onofrio. Dear Great and Great-Great Uncle to many.

  • January 22, 2015 | People
    Waldman joins Bozeman, Neighbour, Patton & Noe, LLP as associate

    The law firm of Bozeman, Neighbour, Patton & Noe, LLP is pleased to announce that Eric A. Waldman has joined the firm as an Associate.

    Waldman graduated from St. Louis University School of Law in May of 2014. Originally from Springfield, Illinois, Waldman graduated Cum Laude from Iowa State University in 2011 with a double major in International Business and Management. During law school he interned for an insurance defense firm in Springfield and an immigration firm in San Antonio, Texas.

    Waldman is licensed to practice in Illinois having passed the Illinois bar exam in July 2014.  He will be practicing in the areas of business planning, commercial law, corporate law, real estate, trusts, probate, medical liability, civil litigation and immigration.

    Bozeman, Neighbour, Patton &  Noe, LLP was founded by Virgil Bozeman in 1954 and has been located in the Fifth Avenue Building in downtown Moline since that time. The firm also has offices in Davenport and Cambridge.

    The firm’s 16 attorneys provide consistent, professional and quality representation for its many clients in Western Illinois and Eastern Iowa.

  • January 15, 2015 | People
    Rados joins Chicago Office of Lewis Brisbois

    Lewis Brisbois is pleased to welcome Christopher Rados to our Chicago, Illinois office as an associate in our nationwide General Liability Practice. Prior to joining Lewis Brisbois, Mr. Rados was an associate at a Chicago litigation boutique and focused his practice in the area of professional liability.

    Mr. Rados has successfully defended medical malpractice claims brought against physicians in numerous specialties, including cardiology and orthopedic surgery. In addition, Mr. Rados has obtained favorable results defending attorneys in legal malpractice actions arising from contested estates and commercial disputes. Mr. Rados' prior experience also includes the defense of civil rights/section 1983 and product liability claims.

    Mr. Rados is a graduate of Valparaiso University School of Law.

    About Lewis Brisbois:
    Established in 1979, Lewis Brisbois is a national, full-service law firm with more than 900 attorneys and 32 offices, in 18 states and the District of Columbia. Our national practice is sophisticated, multi-faceted and well versed in current legal trends, while our individual state practices provide vast resources and knowledge of procedural and legal nuances.

  • January 14, 2015 | People
    Joseph R. Lowery 1924-2014

    Joseph R. Lowery, 90, born Wednesday, May 28, 1924, in Belleville, Ill., died Friday, Dec. 19, 2014, at Cedarhurst in Shiloh, Ill.

    Joseph was a graduate of Belleville Township High School Class of 1942. He attended Milliken University and was later called to duty in February 1943, assigned to the Army Air Corp, and later to the 362nd Fighter Group. He served in several battles in Europe including Normandy and received silver and bronze battle stars, a Good Conduct Medal, Distinguished Unit Badge, and Silver Oak Leaf Cluster.

    Joseph graduated from the University of Illinois College of Commerce with a degree in accountancy and a minor in economics in 1947 and from the University of Illinois Law School in 1950.

    He practiced law for 60 years at three law firms during his career: Pope and Driemeyer, Thompson Coburn, and Greensfelder Hemker & Gale.

    In addition to his law career, he served as the director for the following for-profit corporations: Illinois State Trust Company, Magna Group, Marsh Company, JMJ Industries, Inc., Illinois Electric Works, Inc., Missouri Electric Sales & Services, Inc., Rapid Sales & Service, Inc., Wise Communications, Inc., Eckert Companies, Peerless Enamel Products Company, East St. Louis Castings Co., and First National Bank of Belleville.

  • January 14, 2015 | People
    Charles Couri 1956-2014

    Charles Couri, 58, of Peoria passed away at 1:38 p.m. on Friday, December 19, 2014, at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria.

    Charles was born on January 30, 1956, in Peoria to Anthony and Maureen (Williams) Couri. He married Jeni Abraham on July 15, 1984, in Peoria. She survives.

    Also surviving is his mother of Brimfield; one son, Christopher of Peoria; one daughter, Allison, of Peoria; five brothers, Thomas (Angie) Couri of Washington, Dr. Gene (Gretta) Couri of Peoria, Anthony Jr. (Mary Beth) Couri of Decatur, Kenneth (Ilda) Couri of Maple Grove, Minn., and Michael (Theresa) Couri of Hamel, Minn.; two sisters, Mary (Gary) Burton of Pekin and Margaret (John) Zdanowski of Morton.

    He was preceded in death by his father.

    Charles graduated from Spalding Institute in 1974, received his B.S. in accounting from Illinois State University and received his Juris Doctorate from Southern Illinois University School of Law. Chuck was a partner in the law firm of Westervelt, Johnson, Nicoll & Keller, in Peoria. Chuck loved golf, cars and woodworking.

    He was a member of St. Sharbel Maronite Catholic Church in Peoria.

    A funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, December 22,2014, at his church, with Chorbishop Faouzi Elia and Father Bechara Awada officiating. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. on Sunday, December 21, 2014, at St. Sharbel Church, with Rosary scripture services at 8:00 p.m. An additional visitation will be one hour prior to the Mass at the church. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery in West Peoria following Mass.

  • January 14, 2015 | People
    William A. Sunderman 1946-2014

    William A. Sunderman, age 68 of Charleston, passed away at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center on Thursday, December 25, 2014.

    Tony was born January 24, 1946 in Charleston, a son of the late William J. and Norma J. (King) Sunderman. On April 12, 1975, he married Judith Williams, the love of his life. In addition to his wife Judy, Tony is survived by two children, William R. Sunderman of Chicago and Emily Sunderman of Portland, Oregon; a brother, James M. Sunderman of Centralia, Illinois; two sisters, Amanda J. Bell and husband Steve of Champaign, Illinois and Monica J. Sunderman of West Hartford, Connecticut; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a son, Robbie Sunderman.

    Tony was a Charleston High School graduate and furthered his education at Eastern Illinois University, receiving his B.S. in 1968 with highest honors; his J.D. in 1972 from the University of Illinois; and was a graduate of the National Institute of Trial Advocacy. He was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1972; the U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit; U.S. District Court, Central District of Illinois; and the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Illinois. He was currently a legal partner at the Brainard Law Office and has spent the past 42 years practicing law in Charleston.