People

Robert K. McQueen of Victory Lakes, Lindenhurst, but a longtime resident of Gurnee, died April 3, 2017 at age 96. A retired circuit judge, he was born on April 12, 1920 at Farragut, Iowa, where he was raised on a farm by his mother who was widowed when he was three. He held undergraduate and juris doctor degrees from the George Washington University, Washington, D.C. and was a special agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation for 25 years. On retirement as senior resident agent at Waukegan, Illinois, he became an assistant state's attorney for Lake County and was an adjunct professor of legal courses at the now Gateway Institute, Kenosha, Wisconsin. Appointed an associate judge in the Illinois 19th Judicial District in 1972, he later served as circuit and chief judge of the circuit.

Judge McQueen was a member of the Illinois State Bar Association and Lake County Bar Association (past-president of the latter), The Society of Former Agents of the FBI, the Gurnee Community Church, and the Honest Johns Club in Waukegan.

Past memberships include Troop 77, BSA, Gurnee; The Halfway House Advisory Board; The Law Enforcement Advisory Committee of Lake County College; The Gurnee Lions and Exchange Clubs; and the Palmento Pine Country Club of Cape Coral, Florida, where he had wintered. A commissioned naval officer in World War II, he was honored by the Village of Gurnee in 1982 for service to the community and by the Illinois State Bar  Association in 2000 as a senior counselor after 50 years of membership.

Attorneys’ Title Guaranty Fund, Inc. (ATG®) recently promoted three ISBA members with a combined 50 years of experience at the company: Christine Sparks to senior vice president – chief operating officer; Arden K. Miner to vice president – underwriting, support, and development; and Tania M. S. Stori to vice president – claims and litigation.

“One of ATG's biggest strengths is the loyalty and longevity of its staff and member agents,” said Peter J. Birnbaum, ATG president and CEO. “Christine, Arden, and Tania are all talented lawyers who have come up through the ranks at ATG. They possess in-depth experience in many aspects of our business and are uniquely qualified to lead us to future success and business growth.”

An employee since 2003, Sparks brings a deep understanding of ATG operations, agent operations, risk assessment, and compliance to her new position as a result of her experience in the training and procedures, support and development, claims, and underwriting departments. She is well-versed in title insurance and lending industry practices and the regulatory environment. In her most recent role as vice president and managing attorney, Sparks assessed the insurability of real estate transactions as they relate to claims analysis and investigated and resolved title insurance claims. She also provided direction and support to training and procedures department personnel in resolving member compliance issues.

Anton R. “Tony” Valukas has decided to step down from the honorary role of chairman of Jenner & Block, and will continue as an active, senior partner of the firm. “In the coming years, I intend to remain an active practitioner, helping our firm to develop opportunities representing our clients and mentoring the next generation of lawyers, but I believe now is an appropriate time for me to continue a natural transition of my practice,” Mr. Valukas said. “I am very confident in the direction the firm is taking. We are firmly committed to our core values, have a clear strategy for the future, and a talented and committed leadership team.”

Various firm leaders commented on Mr. Valukas’ career. Craig C. Martin, chair of the firm’s Litigation Department said, “Tony has been and will continue to be a tremendous asset to our firm. He not only has practiced at the highest levels of our profession, but time and time again has embraced and embodied our commitment to pro bono work, community service and assisting those who do not have meaningful access to the legal system.”

Camille Ada Oliver Hoffmann, 90, of Stuart, FL, and a former long-time resident of Naperville, IL, passed away under the care of Hospice of the Treasure Coast with her two daughters by her side. 

She was born March 13, 1927, in Chicago, to the late James and Ada-Marie Oliver.  She was a graduate of Lake Forest College in 1949, and later received her law degree in 1952 from DePaul University, in Chicago. 

Camille was the second woman in the States Attorney’s Office in Illinois and the first woman lawyer in DuPage County’s States Attorney’s office. 

Camille founded Oliver Construction in the 50s and was later joined by her husband in forming the Oliver Hoffmann Development Corporation of Naperville that developed many residential land projects including, Rock Ridge, Stillwater, Paddocks Subdivision, Kinloch, River Run, Spring Brook Square, and Ash Wood Creek, all of Naperville and many developments in Aurora, Oswego, Sugar Grove, and Batavia. 

Camille funded many medical projects for Edward Hospital for equipment purchases as well as being a founding annual supporter of Ribfest. She headed the Open Door annual Winter Coat Drive, and formal wear drive for their annual dance for special needs adults. Camille personally tutored the handicapped in both oral and written communication.