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  • July 9, 2015 | People
    Mrozek steps down as Chairman of Hinshaw after 26 years at helm

    Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP announced that Donald L. Mrozek, who has held the position of Chairman since 1989, has been succeeded by Kevin Joseph Burke, who was recently elected following Mr. Mrozek’s decision to step down.

    Over the past 26 years, Mr. Mrozek led the growth of Hinshaw from a regional insurance firm, serving the Midwest and Florida, to a 550-lawyer firm with far more expansive services in 11 states and London. Mr. Mrozek’s tenure was also marked by critical initiatives that later became industry trends, including market segment differentiation, streamlined law firm management, and he was at the forefront of making diversity central to the firm’s culture and strategic priorities.

  • July 8, 2015 | People
    George A. Mueller joins Botto Gilbert Lancaster, PC

    The Crystal Lake law firm of Botto Gilbert Lancaster, PC is pleased to welcome Attorney George A. Mueller to the team. Prior to joining Botto Gilbert Lancaster, PC, Mueller was the Founder and Principal Attorney at George A. Mueller & Associates, Ltd..

  • July 6, 2015 | Practice News | People
    University of Illinois names Vikram Amar dean of the College of Law

    The University of Illinois has named Vikram David Amar as the next dean of the College of Law, pending approval from the University’s Board of Trustees at their July 15 meeting. Amar will assume the deanship, and also become the Iwan Foundation Professor of Law, on August 16. For the last several years, Amar has been the senior associate dean for academic affairs and a professor of law at the University of California, Davis School of Law.

    “Professor Vik Amar stood out to all of us involved in this national search as the clear choice to lead the College of Law here at Illinois,” said Ilesanmi Adesida, the vice chancellor for academic affairs and provost of the Urbana campus. “His vision of a college recognized for its cutting-edge scholarship and for close connections to the profession and society in which its graduates will serve is one that aligns perfectly with the land-grant values of this university. He understands the challenges of providing world-class legal educational and professional experiences to our students while ensuring that those experiences remain affordable and accessible. I look forward to working with Dean Amar as he leads one of our oldest and proudest colleges to national and international pre-eminence.”

    Amar said he has been “deeply impressed by the College’s highly productive and influential faculty in law and related disciplines, its dedicated staff, its talented student body, its loyal and accomplished alumni base, and its place in a premier research university located two hours from downtown Chicago, a city where the College is developing exciting programs for upper-division law students.”

  • July 1, 2015 | People
    Patrick F. Healy 1931-2015

    Patrick F. Healy, age 84 Veteran of U.S. Army, Korean War.

    Former Cook County States Attorney, Assistant U.S. Federal Attorney, member of C.B.A., I.S.B.A. and A.B.A. Former Executive Director of the National District Attorney Association and Executive Director Chicago Crime Commission. Patrick was a Eucharistic Minister and he also did hospice work.

    Devoted husband of 57 years to the late Della M. (nee Burns). Loving father of the late Colette, Patrick Jr. (Maureen), Colleen (Gregory) Gambla, Daniel, Beth (George) Vlahos and the late Baby John Healy. Cherished grandfather of Timothy, Thomas, Elizabeth, Sophia, Spiros, Patrick, and Jack.

    Dear son of the late Francis and Katherine Healy. Fond brother of Frank (the late Betty) Healy, Rosemary (the late John) Adams, Dudley (Nancy) Healy, Margaret Healy and the late Gwen Bucholz.

    In lieu of flowers, contributions to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or The American Cancer Society, 17060 Oak Park Avenue, Tinley Park, IL 60477 would be appreciated.

  • July 1, 2015 | People
    William "Bill" Curtis 1947-2015

    William "Bill" Curtis, 67, passed away Friday, June 12, 2015, at St. John's Hospice.

    He was born Oct. 19, 1947, to William and Dora Curtis of Galva, IL. He married Carol Nieman Egbert in Elmhurst on April 20, 1980.

    He was preceded in death by his parents.

    He is survived by his wife, Carol; two daughters, Elizabeth Harlan (husband Rick) of Cincinnati, OH, and Megan Curtis of Elk Ridge MD; one stepson, Brent Egbert (wife, Jennifer) of Summerville, SC; three grandchildren: Josephine and Caroline Harlan, and James Egbert; two sisters, Gladys (Don) Hopper and Mary Libby; and several nieces and nephews.

    Bill graduated from Galva High School. He received a bachelor's degree from Augustana College and was a member of the Augustana Choir; a master's degree from Lutheran School of Theology, Chicago. He received a law degree from Chicago-Kent School of Law. Bill was a member of the Illinois State Bar Association and the Sangamon County Bar Association.

    Bill was a member and past president of the congregation of Trinity Lutheran Church. He worked for the State of Illinois and served as Chief Legal Counsel for the Department of Mental Health and for Children and Family Services. He also was in private practice.

    In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Trinity Lutheran Church, 220 S. 2nd St., Springfield, IL 62702 or St. John's Hospice, 800 E. Carpenter, Springfield, IL 62702.

  • July 1, 2015 | People
    Carl O. Hoffee 1934-2015

    Carl O. Hoffee, 80, of Springfield, beloved husband, father and grandfather, cherished friend, and long-time attorney, passed away on June 5, 2015.

    Carl, the son of Emmitt and Ethel Hoffee of Fairfield, Ill., was born July 7, 1934. Raised in Wayne County, Ill., Carl married Dian Johnson on Dec. 27, 1959, in Fairfield.

    Carl received his law degree in 1958 from the University of Illinois School of Law, where he was a member of the Order of the Coif and served on the law review. He was admitted to practice in Illinois in 1958.

    Carl served as law clerk to Illinois Supreme Court Justice Harry B. Hershey from 1961-1962. Carl also worked for Albert Harno, former Dean of the University of Illinois Law School, when he became Illinois' first Supreme Court Administrator. Carl began his private practice at Hoffman and Hoffman in Springfield, later joining Barber and Barber in 1968.

    At his death, Carl was the senior partner of Barber, Segatto, Hoffee, Wilke & Cate, having been with the firm for nearly 50 years. Carl was noted for his expertise in real estate matters. Carl was a member of the American, Illinois and Sangamon County Bar Associations, and a member of the Federalist Society.

  • July 1, 2015 | People
    Raymundo R. Luna 1933-2015

    Raymundo R. Luna, age 81, United States Army Vietnam War Veteran, went to be with the Lord June 2, 2015, at Morris Hospital.

    Raymundo is survived by his beloved wife of 53 years, Joan K. Luna; proud father of Raymundo Luna, Kirk (Holly) Luna, Timothy Luna and Jennifer (Phil) Harvey; loving grandfather of Thomas and Rangel Luna and Erika, Cameron and Ryan Harvey; dear brother of Jesus (the late Margarita) Luna, Severiano (Beatrice) Luna, Soledad (the late Ramon) Rodriguez, and Felipa (the late Aurelio) Garcia. Numerous nieces and nephews also survive.

    Preceded in death by his parents, Felix and Francisca Luna of San Antonio, TX; two brothers, Felix, Jr. and Cecilio Luna; and two sisters, Isidra Sanchez and Maria Rodriguez.

  • June 29, 2015 | People
    Elizabeth Osborne joins Chuhak & Tecson as associate

    Elizabeth J. Osborne has joined Chuhak & Tecson, P.C. as an associate. She will focus her practice on estate planning and asset protection and taxation.

    Osborne also has experience in general business and taxation matters for corporations, limited-liability companies and partnerships as well as corporate and residential real estate matters. She joins Chuhak & Tecson from Stahl Cowen.

    Osborne earned both her undergraduate degree and J.D. from Loyola University, Chicago. She is a member of the Orland Park Area Chamber of Commerce and its Legislative & Government Affairs Team, responsible for monitoring federal legislation, with a focus on impacts to small businesses and small-business owners.

  • June 26, 2015 | People
    Greg Abrams joins Faegre Baker Daniels

    Gregory P. Abrams, who has devoted his career to representing employers in all facets of labor and employment law, has joined Faegre Baker Daniels as counsel in the firm’s Chicago office. As a member of the employment litigation team, he will help support and grow FaegreBD’s national wage and hour and employment litigation practice.

    Abrams brings an experienced background in defending employers in individual and class-wide employment litigation, including claims under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), Title VII, Section 1981, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), and other state and federal anti-discrimination, wage and hour, and anti-retaliation laws. He has represented employers in jurisdictions throughout the U.S. as well as before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Illinois Department of Human Rights, U.S. Department of Labor, Illinois Department of Labor, and other state and local agencies.

    Abrams has litigated claims concerning alleged violations of noncompetes, breaches of fiduciary duties, and other unfair competition allegations. In commercial business litigation, he has litigated cases involving claims of fraud, breach of contract and defamation. Abrams has been involved in pro bono work as well and received Cabrini Green Legal Aid’s Charles V. Hogren Outstanding Service Award.

  • June 26, 2015 | People
    Hinch named McLean County Bar Association Young Lawyer of the Year


    The McLean County Bar Association at the June 16, 2015 annual meeting of its members announced that Nathan Hinch has been selected as the recipient of its annual “Young Lawyer of the Year” award. The Young Lawyer of the Year is awarded to the MCBA member attorney, age 40 or younger or with 10 or less years practicing law, who exhibits the highest achievements in the areas of 1) employment history, 2) individual achievements in the practice of law, 3) service to the MCBA, and 4) community service and pro bono work.  

    Hinch is a partner at the law firm Mueller, Reece & Hinch, LLC, where he assists clients in the general practice of law, particularly business counseling, estate planning and probate, and real estate law. Under Hinch’s guidance the firm was recently the first law firm in the State designated a “Green Business” by the Illinois Green Business Association. He is a 2007 graduate of Chicago-Kent College of Law and a 2000 graduate of Wheaton College. Hinch was named a “40 Under 40” honoree in 2014 by the McLean County Chamber of Commerce and the Pantagraph, and a 2010 “30 Under 30” honoree by the Wheaton Chamber of Commerce. He currently serves as chairperson of the Underwood Professionalism Committee of the MCBA, the continuing legal education chair of the ISBA’s construction law section, and as a member of the American Bar Association and the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys. He is an ISBA President’s Club member and a fellow of the Illinois Bar Foundation.