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  • September 19, 2011 | People
    Max Wildman 1919-2011

    It is with great sorrow that Wildman Harrold announces the death of Max Wildman — one of Chicago’s most legendary trial lawyers, founder of Wildman, Harrold, Allen & Dixon LLP, mentor and role model to hundreds of young attorneys, and civic leader. Mr. Wildman passed away on September 16, 2011. He was 91.

    Although his lawyering skills were extolled on the front page of The Wall Street Journal and by Dirksen Federal Building court buffs whose newsletter ranked him “number one,” Wildman took his greatest pride in starting Wildman Harrold in 1967 and watching it grow from a small operation to a national law firm whose longstanding reputation in litigation is now complemented by its intellectual property and transactional practices. The firm represents private businesses and Fortune 500 companies.

    Such growth could only be dreamed of over forty years ago, when Wildman, already recognized as one of Chicago’s top trial lawyers for his representation of clients like IBM, left a secure position at the well-established Kirkland, Fleming, Green, Martin & Ellis (now Kirkland & Ellis LLP) to strike out on his own with three partners and two associates.

  • September 16, 2011 | People
    Law Firm of Ruben Firsel & Rosenfeld LLC opens its doors

    Philip E. Ruben, Michael D. Firsel and Ronald Rosenfeld are pleased to announce that they have formed a new firm, Ruben Firsel & Rosenfeld LLC. With offices in Bannockburn and Chicago, Illinois, the new firm will serve business and individual clients with expertise in corporate law, real estate, securities, estate planning and other fields.

    The new firm brings together over 75 years of combined experience between its partners, who  offer superior, creative legal skills with a highly personalized representation philosophy. According to managing partner Phil Ruben, “We are offering our clients the best of all worlds: exceptionally qualified and experienced legal advice in a firm that allows for individualized, innovative and proactive service and with a fee structure that can be tailored to each client’s individual needs.”

    For more information about Ruben Firsel & Rosenfeld LLC, contact the firm at 847 582-9900 or info@rfrlegal.com.

  • September 16, 2011 | People
    Nat P. Ozmon 1925-2011

    Nat P. Ozmon, a member of the Illinois State Bar Association's Academy of Illinois Lawyers's Laureate Class of 2003, died on Sept. 14, 2011, in Chicago at the age of 86 of natural causes. Ozmon was the senior member and founder of the Chicago law firm Anesi, Ozmon, Rodin, Novak & Kohen, Ltd

    He was born in Davenport, IA, attended college at New York University and received his law degree from Northwestern University, ranking first in his class. He was elected to the Board of Law Review Editors and installed in the Order of Coif, a legal scholastic honor society.

    Mr. Ozmon's 40 years as a trial and appellate lawyer was dedicated to preserving and enhancing the rights of injured victims. He was certified by the American Board of Trial Advocates, a diplomat of the American Board of Professional Liability Attorneys, a fellow and a founder of the Roscoe Pound Foundation, the Trial Lawyers for Public Justice and the Institute for Injury Reduction. He was a recognized leader of the bar and has served on the managing boards of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America, the Chicago Bar Association, and the Society of Trial Lawyers. He was also a past president of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association. He was an Adjunct Professor at Loyola University School of Law where he taught Trial Advocacy senior law students for ten years. The Harvard Law School Study listed him as one of "The Best Lawyers in America." He also received the Leonard Ring Lifetime Achievement Award for his commitment to victims rights and trial by jury.

  • September 15, 2011 | People
    Donald A. Gillies 1931-2011

    Donald A. Gillies, 79, of Wilmette, formerly of Winnetka, passed away on August 12, 2011. Mr. Gillies was the beloved husband of Judith; loving father of Beth; dear brother of Jean.

    A 1953 graduate of Denison University, Mr. Gillies was a member of Phi Beta Kappa; he earned the J.D. at Northwestern University in 1956. Specializing in taxation and estate law, Don was a partner with the law firm Altheimer & Gray, which he joined in 1961, and was Of Counsel with Holland & Knight from 2003 until his retirement. He was a former Illinois State Chairman of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, and had served as Chairman of the Federal Taxation Committee of the Chicago Bar Association and a longtime member of the Illinois State Bar Association. Don had been a regular contributor to professional law journals and a frequent public speaker for professional organizations.

    From 1977 to 1983, Don served on the Board of Trustees of the University of Chicago. He served for 27 years until his retirement in 2001 as Board President of The Baptist Theological Union, located in Chicago. He was also Vice President and a member of the Board of Directors of the Baptist Retirement Home in Maywood, Illinois. In addition, he was President from 1986-1988 of the Illinois Saint Andrew Society, the oldest philanthropic organization in Illinois. He was recognized each year for over twenty years in "The Best Lawyers in America" since its First Edition in 1983.

  • September 14, 2011 | People
    Samuel C. Patton 1923-2011

    Samuel C. Patton, 88, of Springfield, passed away on Tuesday, August 30, 2011 at Capitol Care Center in Springfield.

    He was born on March 20, 1923 in Springfield, the son of the late Stanley M. and Marie Patton. He married Betty G. DeFraties on Oct. 19, 1947 in Springfield and she survives.

    Mr. Patton was a self-employed attorney. He was a member of the Elks Club in Springfield. Prior to that he had been a member of the Springfield Jaycees. He also was a former member of Illini Country Club and was an avid golfer. He attended Lincoln College of Law in Springfield and was admitted to the Bar in 1952. He also served as corporation counsel for the city of Springfield for 2 terms.

    Besides his wife, Betty, he is survived by 2 sons, Todd C. (wife Kimora) Patton of Yonkers, NY, and Craig Dow Patton of Springfield. Several nieces and nephews also survive.

    Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by 3 sisters, Eleanor Powers, Betty Fahs, and Norma Daily.

    Arrangements are under the direction of Bisch and Son Funeral Home, 505 E. Allen, Springfield. Private burial will take place at Camp Butler National Cemetery, Springfield. Memorial services will be held on October 1, 2011 at 1 pm at Central Baptist Church in Springfield.

  • September 14, 2011 | People
    William L. Niemann 1920-2011

    William (Bill) Lovekamp Niemann, 91, passed away peacefully in Tucson, Arizona, on July 30, 2011. A resident of Evanston and Winnetka for many years, he will be greatly missed as a father, grandfather and friend.

    Mr. Niemann was born on July 20, 1920, in Jacksonville, Illinois. He grew up as the middle of three children in Arenzeville, Illinois. He earned a B.A. from Carthage College (1941) and a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law (1947, Cum Lauda, Order of the Coif). His law school education was interrupted by World War II, during which he proudly served in the medical and transportation corps of the U.S. Army, eventually achieving the rank of First Lieutenant. His military service included tours of duty in Europe, Africa and Italy.

    Mr. Niemann began his law career in 1947 as an attorney with Snyder, Chadwell & Fagerburg in Chicago, and later served as regional attorney for Montgomery Ward & Company in Oakland, California. There he met and married (1956) Doris Elizabeth Greenstreet (1926-2008), his devoted wife of 52 years. They relocated to the Chicago area where Bill began a 25-year association with Brunswick Corporation in Chicago and Skokie, eventually serving as Vice President-Law, Secretary and General Counsel.

    During this time he and Doris lived in Evanston and Winnetka, where they raised two sons and attended Trinity Lutheran Church in Evanston. Bill also served on the Board of Trustees of Carthage College, as a member of the Law Club of Chicago, as an officer of the American Society of Corporate Secretaries, and as Director of the Oakton Community College Foundation. Doris and Bill retired to Tucson in 1990.

  • September 9, 2011 | People
    Dennis A. Norden 1945-2011

    Dennis A. Norden, 66, of Kankakee, died Saturday (Sept. 3, 2011) at Lake Tahoe, while attending a meeting.

    Mr. Norden's 29-year law practice in Kankakee covered real estate and general corporate law as well as estate planning and settlement and specialized practice areas in the health care field. Mr. Norden is a past chairman of the Illinois State Bar Association's 3,500 member Real Estate Section Council and is a frequent lecturer and author of numerous publications in the trust and estate field.

    He served on the Board of Directors of Attorneys' Title Guaranty Fund, Inc., from 1986 until the formation of ATG Trust Company in 1998. His biography is listed with Who's Who in American Law. University of Illinois, J.D. and B.A.

    Visitation for Mr. Norden will be this Monday, Sept 12th from 4 to 8 p.m. with a memorial at 7 p.m. The visitation will take place at:

    • Clancy-Gernon Funeral Homes, Inc.
    • 295 Main St., NW
    • Bourbonnais, IL, US, 60914
    • (815) 932-1214

    Read more about Mr. Norden in the Kankakee Daily Journal obituary

  • September 8, 2011 | People
    Uvaldo Herrera 1955-2011

    Uvaldo Herrera, 56, Bloomington, died Sunday (Aug. 21, 2011) at OSF St. Joseph Medical Center, Bloomington.

    Uvaldo was born July 19, 1955, in Los Pinos, Durango, Mexico, son of David and Rosalina Lopez Herrera. He came to the United States with his family when he was 11 years old, speaking only Spanish. With no official assistance in place, he mastered the English language and went on to complete high school. He obtained his bachelor of science degree in economics from the University of Illinois in 1981, and obtained his juris doctor degree from DePaul University College of Law in 1988.

    He began working at State Farm Insurance Cos. in March 1981 in a number of positions, working in auto claims, corporate law, and most recently, the Multicultural Business Development Group.

  • September 1, 2011 | People
    Charles J. Perrin 1920-2011

    Retired Judge Charles James Perrin, 91, of Venice, Fla., died Saturday, Aug. 13, 2011, in Sarasota, Fla.

    He was born May 21, 1920, in Chicago, the son of Charles and Margaret Perrin. He married Marion Zapfe in 1945. She preceded him in death in December 2006.

    His daughter, Mary, and sons, Thomas and James, also preceded him in death.

    Judge Perrin is survived by his children, Chuck (Nona) Perrin and Patti (Greg) Keller, both of San Diego, Calif., Rita (Brian) Lyons of Heath, Texas, John Perrin of Mesquite, Texas, Teri (Tom) Brodbeck of Stillwater, Minn., Nancy (Mark) Bacher of Summerville, S.C., Chris (Amy) Perrin of Springfield, Ill., Ann (Steve) Strasser of Mishawaka, Ind., and Melanie (Brian) Ohlenbusch of New Braunfels, Texas; 19 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

    Judge Perrin was a pilot in the United States Air Force during World War II. He was twice awarded the Air Medal for combat service.

    Judge Perrin was a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and received his law degree from the University of Notre Dame law school in 1951. He was admitted to the Indiana Bar and the Illinois Bar in 1951. After admission to the bar, he began his career as legal counsel for the Chicago Motor Club and also engaged in the private practice of law. He was appointed as an Associate Circuit Judge for the Tenth Judicial Circuit in Illinois in 1977.  

    Judge Perrin served on the Board of Directors of the Illinois Judges Association. He served on the Public Affairs Committee of the American Bar Association and the Illinois Criminal Justice Commission. He also was a member of the Tazewell County, Peoria County and Illinois State Bar Associations.

  • August 26, 2011 | People
    Ervin F. Wilson, Jr. 1920-2011

    Ervin F. Wilson, Jr., 91, of Elmhurst, passed away peacefully at his home on July 16th, 2011.  Erv is survived by his Loving wife of nearly 56 years, Vida (“V. J.”), nee Butcher, Dear father of Pamela (John) Schnake, Thomas (Terri) Wilson, Jane (Brian) Sterrett and Robert (Erin) Wilson.  Cherished grandfather of Mark, David and Kate Schnake; Lauren (Keith) Lichtenberg and T. J. Wilson; Billy, Charlie and Courtney Sterrett; Teddy and Liz Wilson. 

    Erv received his undergraduate degree from Northwestern University and went on to graduate summa cum laude from The Northwestern University School of Law, where he served as editor–in-chief of the Northwestern Law Review; Erv was admitted to practice in the State of Illinois in 1946, served as a DuPage County Assistant State’s Attorney, was a Past President of the DuPage County Bar Association, and enjoyed his private practice in Elmhurst until retiring in 1989; Erv was also a Charter Member and Past President of the Elmhurst Rotary, and a former Director of York State Bank. 

    The most important part of Erv’s life was spending time with his wife and family, and he was an avid reader who enjoyed traveling with V. J., family and friends, looked forward to his annual fishing trips to Canada and his daily fitness routine. 

    In lieu of flowers, memorials, in Erv’s name, to First Congregational Church of Elmhurst, 235 S. Kenilworth, Elmhurst, IL 60126, are appreciated.  For information, contact 630-834-1133 or www.pedersenryberg.com.