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  • April 27, 2017 | People
    Five Wheaton Attorneys Receive Leading Lawyers and Emerging Lawyers Awards for 2017

    The Wheaton, Illinois, law firm of Mirabella, Kincaid, Frederick & Mirabella, LLC (MKFM Law) is proud to announce that attorneys and ISBA members Lynn M. Mirabella and George S. Frederick have each been awarded as 2017 Leading Lawyers. In addition, attorneys Christa M. Winthers, Lindsay C. Stella, and Joshua D. Bedwell have been recognized as 2017 Emerging Lawyers.

    The Leading Lawyer award process consists of a four-phase research process. Administered by the Law Bulletin Publishing Company, each stage involves the recommendation of a trusted peer, discussions with nominees, pre-selection for membership, and advisory board review. Lawyers cannot nominate themselves or anyone at their law firm, and upon filtering through all four steps, a winner is chosen and awarded.

    The Emerging Lawyer award is open to candidates under the age of 40 years old who have demonstrated professionalism, integrity, and knowledge in the early part of their careers. The Law Bulletin Publishing Company mails annual surveys to all Leading Lawyers in each state. The survey recipient can nominate a partner within or outside of his or her firm. Upon anonymous recommendation from another Leading Lawyer, a winner is selected and notified.

  • April 27, 2017 | People
    Momkus McCluskey Roberts LLC Welcomes New Associate

    The law firm of Momkus McCluskey Roberts LLC is pleased to announce the hiring of attorney Nicole L. Simmons. Prior to joining Momkus McCluskey Roberts LLC, Simmons practiced at a full-service Chicago law firm. As an experienced litigator, she will handle business transactions and commercial litigation matters.

    Attorney Nicole L. Simmons is admitted to practice law in Illinois, Missouri, and Massachusetts. She graduated with her J.D. from Boston College Law School, where she participated on the school’s National Moot Court Team. Simmons has experience in all phases of litigation, appeals, and alternative dispute resolution. She has represented clients in federal and state courts across the country. She handles cases related to commercial disputes, products liability, employment, proprietary information, and trade secret.

    Simmons also effectively represents business clients in litigation, contracts, risk management, and compliance matters. Additionally, she handles contract matters, including negotiations, drafting, and a variety of agreements including RFPs, subcontracts, licensing, vendor, and professional consulting agreements. 

  • April 27, 2017 | People
    Louis E. Olivero 1932-2017

    Attorney Louis E. Olivero passed away April 20, 2017, at his home in Peru. He was 84. 

    A private Mass of Christian burial was held at St. Joseph’s Church, Peru. Burial was with full military honors at Peru City Cemetery on April 25, 2017. Arrangements were by Mueller Funeral Home, Peru.

    He was born June 5, 1932, in Spring Valley the youngest child of Charles and Jean (Mini) Olivero. He attended school in Dalzell and later graduated as the senior class president from Hall High School.

    Louis attended the University of Illinois, graduating with a B.S. in accounting. Following graduation, he was commissioned 2nd lieutenant in the United States Air Force and entered pilot training where he earned his pilot wings and also a commercial pilot license. He served as a fighter pilot during the Korean Conflict and later joined the U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations. Louis entered the U.S. Air Force Reserves after his tour of active duty ended and completed 26 years of honorable military service, retiring at the rank of lieutenant colonel.

    Following service to his country, Louis studied law at the University of Illinois, where he was elected senior class president and earned his J.D. While in college, he met and married Mary Louise Martin, who passed away on Oct. 8, 2003, after 50 years of marriage. They were the parents of four children, Douglas, David, Philip and Marcia.

  • April 26, 2017 | People
    Aurora Attorney Paul Krentz Recognized in Leading Lawyers Magazine

    The Aurora, Illinois, law firm of Kinnally Flaherty Krentz Loran Hodge & Masur P.C. is pleased to announce that Partner Paul G. Krentz was recognized in Leading Lawyers Magazine. The 2017 Real Estate Edition features Krentz in a three-page spread, entitled “Champion of Property Rights, the Injured and Abused,” covering his career and legal legacy.

    For an attorney to be honored as a Leading Lawyer, he or she must be recommended by their legal peers and approved by the organization’s official state Advisory Board. Each nominee is judged on their quality, experience, and reputation in their specific areas of practice.

    The lawyers who receive the most nominations are pre-selected for membership, but final approval is dependent on Advisory Board review, which evaluates the quality of each candidate and ensures only the most prestigious and ethical legal professionals are chosen. Only the top 5 percent of all lawyers who practice in Illinois are recognized by the Leading Lawyers organization.

  • April 26, 2017 | People
    DuPage County Divorce Attorneys Recognized as 2017 Super Lawyers

    The Wheaton-based family law firm Andrew Cores Family Law Group, a division of Esp Kreuzer Cores LLP, is pleased to announce that ISBA members and partners Andrew P. Cores and Wendy M. Musielak have been recognized by Super Lawyers for their outstanding work within the family law arena. Cores has been named a 2017 Super Lawyer, and Musielak has earned the title of a 2017 Rising Star.

    On an annual basis, only the top five percent of attorneys in each state are named Super Lawyers. The Rising Stars distinction is only reserved for the top 2.5 percent of attorneys in the state who are 40 years old or younger or have been practicing for less than 10 years. The patented selection process is multi-phased and includes independent research, peer nominations, and peer evaluations. Cores has been named an Illinois Super Lawyer since 2012, and Musielak has been named a Rising Star since 2014.

    Wheaton divorce lawyer Andrew P. Cores graduated from Northwestern University School of Law with his J.D. He concentrates his practice in family law, divorce, spousal maintenance, child support and custody, and prenuptial agreements. He also handles family law matters through mediation, collaborative law, and complex litigation.

  • April 25, 2017 | People
    Robert K. McQueen 1920-2017

    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.

  • April 25, 2017 | People
    David Hauptmann 1947-2017

    David "Hauppy" Hauptmann passed away in April 2017. David was a resident of Harrisburg, Illinois at the time of passing.

    David graduated from Harrisburg Township High School in 1965 and he remained active with his HTHS classmates in cheering on the Bulldogs and participating in their activities. David went on to attend Southeastern Illinois College, graduating in 1967. After Southeastern, the next stop in Hauppy’s professional education was Southern Illinois University. He graduated from SIU in 1969. David then moved on to Champaign and the University of Illinois where he received his law degree in 1972. 

    David Hauptmann returned to Southern Illinois where he first practiced law in Pope County. He relocated back to Harrisburg, where he was elected Saline County State’s Attorney in 1980 and re-elected in 1984. He also served some time as assistant state’s attorney in Saline County. Until his retirement in 2016 David ran a successful practice aiding clients all around southeastern Illinois.

    David was member of Harrisburg Elks BPOE 1058 and Sons of the American Legion George Hart Post 167. He donated his time and resources to a variety of worthy causes throughout Saline County. When at home in Rudement he enjoyed his flowers and plants, gardening, feeding the birds, and listening to music. He was an accomplished bridge dancer, road trip singer, and popular music musicologist with none to compare. Above all, he was loved by many.

  • April 25, 2017 | People
    Three ISBA Members Promoted at Attorneys' Title Guaranty Fund, Inc.

    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.

  • April 20, 2017 | People
    Attorneys’ Title Guaranty Fund, Inc. Re-appoints Board Members, ATG Appoints Chair and Director

    James M. Grant, Murphy C. Hart, and John (Jay) M. Huetsch were re-appointed to the board of directors of Attorneys’ Title Guaranty Fund, Inc. (ATG®) for a three-year term beginning January 2017. In addition, ATG Trust Company (ATG Trust), an ATG subsidiary, has appointed Steven K. Norgaard chair of the board of directors and Patrick D. Owens a board director.

    As the owner of James Grant Law in Charleston and Casey, Ill., Grant brings experience in real estate, title insurance, probate, and income tax law. He serves on the ATG board’s audit and claims committees, and on the board of directors of ATG subsidiary, ATG LegalServe.

    Hart has practiced with Hart Cantrell (formerly Hart & Hart) in Benton, Ill., since 1983, with a concentration on real estate, creditor collections, title insurance, and traffic violation. His firm has been a top-issuing member agent of ATG for many years. He is a member of the Illinois and Franklin County Bar Associations and serves on the board of directors of ISBA Mutual Insurance Company.

    Huetsch is a real estate attorney and owner of Mon-Clair Title Company of Waterloo, Ill. He serves on the ATG board’s audit and claims committees, and on the board of directors of ATG subsidiary, The Judicial Sales Company.

  • April 18, 2017 | People
    Tony Valukas Steps Down as Chairman of Jenner & Block

    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.”