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  • November 14, 2014 | People
    Savant Capital Management names Michael Cyrs as Lead for New Estate and Wealth Transfer Service

    Savant Capital Management, a nationally recognized fee-only wealth management firm headquartered in Rockford, announced today that Michael Cyrs has been hired as Estate and Wealth Transfer Advisor. Cyrs will head up the firm’s newly formed Family Wealth Transfer service.

    In this new role Cyrs will work with clients on complex estate and wealth transfer matters. With more than 20 years’ experience as an attorney concentrating on estate and business succession planning and administration, Cyrs’ expertise will be extremely beneficial to Savant clients in need of specific services that includes estate planning, wealth transfer, charitable planning, asset protection, and business succession planning. Cyrs will also work with attorneys as a technical resource to help coordinate legal projects related to their clients’ sophisticated estate and wealth transfer needs.

    “I am very pleased to bring Mike on board at Savant,” said Brent Brodeski, CEO of Savant.  “His specialized expertise will further enhance our goal to help our clients build their ideal futures by providing world-class integrated wealth management solutions.”

  • November 13, 2014 | People
    Alexis Ferracuti joins Law Offices of Peter F. Ferracuti, P.C.

    Alexis Ferracuti is following in her father's footsteps.

    Born and raised in Ottawa, Alexis joined the Law Offices of Peter F. Ferracuti, P.C., her father's firm, in September. The 25-year old recent graduate concentrates in civil litigation and workers' compensation matters.

    Alexis Ferracuti received a master's degree from New England Law and a bachelor's degree in political science and philosophy from Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington.

    During her third year of law school, Ferracuti served as a lieutenant governor for the First Circuit Law Student Division of the American Bar Association. She also was the academic co-chairwoman of Phi Alpha Delta, a member of the Business Law Society and a member of the Students Veterans Advocacy Group.

    She became an advocate for American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and lobbied in Washington, D.C., for both public mental health rights and veterans’ mental health treatment.

    Prior to joining the firm, Ferracuti interned with the Massachusetts Human Resources Division doing both workers’ compensation and employment law, as well as with the Normal Cornbelters minor league baseball team in sports law. Additionally, she interned with her father's firm, doing both workers’ compensation and personal injury law for several summers during college and law school.

    Ferracuti has been admitted to the Illinois State Bar and also is a member of the American Bar Association, the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, the Womens’ Bar Association and the Illinois State Bar Association.

  • November 11, 2014 | People
    Robert Lee Douglas 1936-2014

    The Crawford County legal community is mourning the death of long-time Robinson attorney Robert Douglas.

    Douglas died early Tuesday at Crawford Memorial Hospital. The Oblong native was 77.

    Retired Circuit Judge David Correll, who started his legal career with Douglas' firm in 1974, remembered Douglas as tough and fearless.

    "You would never feel Bob was intimidated by any individual or any situation," Correll said. "He wasn't afraid of public feedback and didn't shy away from what might be categorized as negative public opinion."

    "Nobody fought harder for a client than Bob Douglas," Mattoon attorney Fred Johnson said.

    "He was well-respected through out the legal community and remembered for his zealous advocacy for his clients in and out of the courtroom," Crawford County Associate Judge Mark Shaner said.

    "Even though he tried some extremely controversial cases, he believed in fighting for the law," Marie Douglas, his wife of 54 years, added. "He truly, truly loved the law."

    "Bob and I spent decades sharing the same mistress - the law," Robinson attorney Mark Weber said.

    "He was my toughest and most ethical opponent for more than 50 years," Weber added, saying he and all members of the bar were in mourning. "My condolences to his spouse and my friend, Marie, and to Clint, his son."

    "I've known Bob for over 25 years and have always had the deepest respect for him," Crawford County Circuit Clerk Angela Reinoehl said. "My condolences to his family."

  • November 11, 2014 | People
    Stephanie Hammer joins Greensfelder as associate

    Greensfelder welcomes Stephanie Hammer to the St. Louis office and our Labor & Employment Practice Group.

    Hammer advises clients in all aspects of labor & employment including employment discrimination, wrongful termination, arbitrations, and proceedings before the EEOC and the Illinois Department of Human Rights.

  • November 11, 2014 | People
    Chan, Hernandez join Faegre Baker Daniels as associates

    Faegre Baker Daniels has announced that Tiffany Chan and Joaquin Hernandez have joined the firm's Chicago office as associates.

    Tiffany Chan is a corporate lawyer. She received her law degree magna cum laude from the University of Illinois College of Law in 2014. Chan earned a bachelor’s degree in accountancy and finance from the University of Illinois in 2011. She is a registered CPA.

    Joaquin Hernandez practices patent law as part of FaegreBD’s intellectual property group. He received a law degree with an intellectual property certificate cum laude from the Chicago-Kent College of Law in 2014, and a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering summa cum laude from Boston University in 1996. Hernandez is a registered patent agent. Before his legal career, he was a firmware engineer with Raytheon Company and DaVinci Systems, among other companies.

  • November 9, 2014 | People
    Edward Hugh Rawles 1945-2014

    Edward Hugh Rawles of White Heath passed away suddenly from an aortic aneurysm on Friday, Nov. 7, 2014, surrounded by loved ones. He was 69.

    An accomplished attorney, he successfully advocated for his clients across a wide range of legal issues. Raised in Champaign, he attended St. Mary's and Holy Cross schools and was in the Class of '63 at Champaign Senior High. Ed was an alum of the University of Illinois, where he was a member of Phi Delta Theta, and received his law degree from Chicago Kent, where he was valedictorian.

    He is survived by his daughters, Lee Rawles and Jacklyn Dixon; and son-in-law Justin Dixon, who will always cherish the devotion he showed to them.

    He was a man who threw himself into many interests and hobbies, including scuba diving, photography, golf, hunting, fishing, gymnastics, model building, tennis, cycling and racing cars. Ed was a founding member of the Falling Illini skydiving club. He had a deep love of nature and the outdoors, and particularly enjoyed his work as a master gardener with the UI Extension.

    He was very involved in many professional organizations, including the Champaign County Bar Association, the Illinois State Bar Association, and the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association. He was a member of Champaign Rotary West for many years.

  • November 7, 2014 | People
    Schiller DuCanto & Fleck welcomes new associate Amy Schiller

    Carrying on a family name known throughout the legal community, the next generation joins the distinguished family law firm

    The law firm of Schiller DuCanto & Fleck LLP announces the addition of Amy Schiller as a new associate in the Chicago office. Joining the firm as a law clerk in 2012, Schiller practices family law with a strong focus on property issues and the complex financial and custody matters facing professional athletes and entertainers.

    “Schiller DuCanto & Fleck has an established reputation as the leader in the practice of family law,” said Schiller. “My competitive spirit drove me to want to be part of the best firm practicing in this area. I am honored to join the firm and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with a group of such well-respected attorneys.”

    The firm of Schiller DuCanto & Fleck LLP is the largest family law firm of its kind in the country. It is internationally recognized as a model for firms practicing in family law and primarily focusing on solving affluent clients’ problems to achieve the best possible results. Its mission of ensuring quality, knowledge and experience to clients is evident through numerous awards, including being named as one of the best law firms in 2011-2014 by U.S. News & World Report. It is also recognized as having outstanding lawyers in peer ratings and publications such as Best Lawyers in America and Law Dragon Top 500.

  • November 5, 2014 | People
    ATG issues 3 millionth title insurance policy to Oglesby family

    In the midst of celebrating its 50th year, title insurance underwriter Attorneys’ Title Guaranty Fund, Inc. (ATG®) has issued its three millionth policy. The insureds are William and Jill Thompson of Oglesby, Illinois, and the ATG attorney-member who issued the policy is ISBA member Richard Fiocchi of Bernabei, Balestri & Fiocchi, Spring Valley, Illinois.

    Founded in 1964 by a small group of downstate Illinois lawyers, ATG had issued one million policies by 1994 and two million by 2004. “This latest milestone is a tribute to our nearly 4,000 attorney-members and our dedicated staff who provide sellers, purchasers, and lenders with impeccable service each and every day,” said Peter Birnbaum, ATG President and CEO.

    Mr. Fiocchi’s firm has been associated with ATG since 1965 through its founding partner Bruno Bernabei (1921-1995); the remaining name partners have been active with ATG for 30+ years. “ATG is the backbone of our law practice, has been for decades. We're so grateful to be a part of this milestone, to help mark the company’s 50th anniversary—and we’re thrilled for the Thompsons, a nice young couple."

  • November 5, 2014 | People
    William Ketcham 1930-2014

    William R. Ketcham, age 84, of Oak Park, formerly of Dundee, IL; passed away on Oct. 17, 2014. He was born in Oak Park on April 29, 1930.

    Mr. Ketcham practiced law in Kane County for many years before his retirement in 2010. He also served as States Attorney for Kane County from 1964 to 1972.

    He was the beloved husband of Barbara nee Troutman; loving father of Susan (James) Gilchrist, Linda Ketcham (Kim Fisher), Carolyn Ketcham (Peter Warshaw) and the late William Jeffery Ketcham; loving grandfather of Colleen (Nathan) Hintz and Holly (fiancé Nate Mohr) Gilchrist, Minna Ketcham and Ariel and Gabriel Warshaw; great-grandfather of Emeline Hintz.

    In lieu of flowers, donations to Shriners Hospital for Children (shrinershospitalsforchildren.org) are appreciated.

  • November 5, 2014 | People
    John C. Potter 1938-2014

    John C. Potter, 76, of Farmington passed away following a head injury on Oct. 11, 2014, at the OSF Richard L. Owens Hospice Home in Peoria.

    He had battled with cancer for more than two years prior to his accident.

    He was born Aug. 27, 1938, in Oxford, Neb., to Russell and Lillian (Negley) Potter.

    He is survived by his wife, Connie; his brother, Glenn Potter of Avon; two daughters, Kate Potter of Farmington and Kris Percy of Fullerton, Calif.; two stepdaughters, Angie Renner of Farmington and Alicia Mathison of Peoria; one stepson, Aaron Pensinger of Farmington; three grandchildren; and 10 stepgrandchildren.

    He was preceded in death by his wife, Jo Katherine Schendel; and one brother, James M. Potter.

    John was a practicing attorney in Farmington for 42 years in the law firm of Baudino, Potter & Maas, and later with Froeling, Weber and Schell, where he was of counsel. He was an active member of the Peoria and Fulton County bar associations and served one term as president of the latter.