By Michael T. O'Connor
Robert Muir of Peoria was the 2014 recipient of the John C. McAndrews Award. He exemplifies what this award stands for, and at 80 years of age, Attorney Muir will celebrate 50 years of practice this coming November.
People
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October 7, 2014 |
People | ISBA News
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October 7, 2014 |
People
Judge Henry Simmons (retired), Managing Partner at Clifford Law Offices, has been appointed to the Northern Illinois University College of Law Board of Visitors.
The purpose of the Board is to increase awareness of the law school’s mission and programs within the Illinois legal community as well as serve in an advisory capacity to the administration and faculty in the evaluation of the law school’s educational programs.
Among the current members of the Board of Visitors are U.S. District Court Judge James F. Holderman, Illinois Supreme Court Justice Thomas Kilbride, Cook County Circuit Court Judge William Haddad (retired) and Dr. Kenneth C. Chessick, a graduate of the school and Of Counsel at Clifford Law Offices.
Judge Simmons graduated from Purdue University with a degree in economics and from DePaul University College of Law.
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October 2, 2014 |
People
The law firm of Strauss & Malk LLP is pleased to announce the addition of Mary D. Cascino as Counsel.
Mary concentrates her practice in the areas of estate planning, asset protection planning, business succession planning, tax planning, estate and trust administration, decedent’s and guardianship probate estate administration, and charitable gifting.
Mary is a Fellow of the American College of Trusts & Estate Counsel (ACTEC), former Chair of the Illinois State Bar Association Trusts & Estate Section Council and a member of the Chicago Bar Association Trust Law Committee, Asset Protection Committee and Probate Committee, Chicago Estate Planning Council and the Greater North Shore Estate and Financial Planning Council. She is also Adjunct Professor at John Marshall Law School in the Estate Planning Division.
Mary is a graduate of Loyola University (B.A.), University of Chicago (M.A.) and Loyola University Chicago School of Law (J.D.). She is admitted to practice in Illinois and Minnesota.
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September 25, 2014 |
People
Judge Henry Simmons (retired), Managing Partner at Clifford Law Offices, will be receiving the John Powers Crowley Justice Award from the Lawyers’ Assistance Program (LAP) Nov. 14. The award is named for Justice Crowley who served as a federal judge of the Northern District of Illinois in the late 1970s.
The annual award, given to someone who has demonstrated a commitment to helping lawyers in need, is being awarded to Judge Simmons for his long and hard work with LAP over the years. Illinois Supreme Court Justice Hon. Anne M. Burke will be the keynote speaker at the event to be held at the Union League Club, 65 E. Jackson Blvd., Chicago.
LAP is a not-for profit organization that helps Illinois lawyers, judges, law students and their families with alcohol abuse, drug dependency or mental health problems. Its services include education, information and referral, peer assistance and intervention.
To learn more or to obtain tickets for the reception and dinner, please go to www.illinoislap.org or call l-800-LAP-1233.
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September 24, 2014 |
People
Retired DuPage County Judge Duane Gerald Walter, 88, of Bloomingdale passed away on Sept. 7, 2014. He was known for his love of conducting weddings.
Duane was born on January 8, 1926, in Des Moines, Iowa; moved to Chicago and graduated from Lake View High School in 1943. He served in the U.S. Air Force during World War II and then obtained a law degree from Chicago - Kent College of Law in 1954. He had a distinguished career as an attorney before being appointed Associate Judge of the DuPage County 18th Judicial Circuit Court.
After retiring, Duane owned The Old Town Wedding Chapel in Bloomingdale, Illinois, for 16 years. Duane was an active member of the DuPage County Bar Association, the Illinois State Bar Association and the DuPage County Republican Committee.
He will be missed dearly by his wife, Beverly (nee Wise), children Gary (Katie) Walter, Linda (Jim) Rinella, Dawn (Paul) VanLaanen, Donna (Dave) Jansen, Bruce Walter, Lori Vanagunas, Lisa (Kirk) Schmitt, Dr. Kevin (Katie) Walter, Bob (Amy) Miller, sixteen grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
Duane is preceded in death by parents Gerald and May (nee Peppmeier) Walter, former wife Lois Belle Gibbs, and sister and brother in law, Glenys and Joe Dombrowski.
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September 24, 2014 |
People
Edward Carl Moehle, 88, of Pekin, passed away on September 13, 2014 at his home.
He was born December 7, 1925 in Okawville to Walter August and Minna Elizabeth (Miché) Moehle.Ed was a World War II Army veteran, serving in the Pacific Theater as Chief Clerk at the headquarters of General Douglas MacArthur and worked for the International Military Tribunal of the Far East in Tokyo, Japan. He attained the rank of Staff Sergeant.
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September 23, 2014 |
People
Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP, one of Chicago’s leading trial firms, has merged with longtime St. Louis and Madison County litigation defense firm Kernell Law Firm, P.C.
The lawyers of the highly regarded Kernell Law Firm have successfully represented insurance companies and private businesses in Asbestos Litigation, Product Liability, Toxic Tort Litigation and Insurance Defense for over 25 years.
“We believe our new St. Louis and Madison County offices will provide the same excellent service that clients have come to expect from Tom Kernell and his team, while expanding the services we offer our present clients,” said Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP Managing Partner Timothy G. Nickels. “We
are very excited about this opportunity.”Praise for the professionalism of the recently passed Tom Kernell and his team comes not only from the defense bar. Perry Browder, chairman of the asbestos practice group at Simmons Hanly Conroy LLC, observed, “Tom Kernell was one of the most respected lawyers in the Madison County asbestos arena. He was trusted by judges, defense counsel and plaintiffs’ counsel alike, serving as defense liaison counsel for many years. The attorneys at Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP are great litigators with whom we’ve worked for many years. I am happy that Tom’s lawyers and staff are joining Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP to carry on Tom's legacy.”
Kernell Law Firm attorneys joining Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP are:
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September 23, 2014 |
People
Awards Reflect Overall Growth of 31 Percent in Three Years
The Public Interest Law Initiative (PILI) has announced that it will make $220,000 in grants to 26 public interest law organizations across Illinois. These grants will provide stipends for 51 PILI Law Student Interns over the 2014-15 academic year and the summer of 2015 through PILI’s Law Student Internship Program. Law students apply from law schools across the country to compete for these funded public interest internship opportunities, and recipients work 400 hours during the summer or 200 hours during the school year serving low-income and underrepresented individuals and families with legal needs.
This number of Internship allocations reflects an overall growth in PILI’s Internship Program by 31 percent in the last three years. PILI had pledged to grow its Internship Program by 25 percent as a result of a comprehensive survey of public interest law organizations in Illinois that PILI conducted in 2011, which revealed a need for significantly more Interns than PILI was then able to fund. Says PILI Executive Director Michael Bergmann, “PILI’s Law Student Internship Program plays a critical role in helping public interest law organizations meet the legal needs of their clients, and in developing and supporting future leaders in public interest law.”
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September 23, 2014 |
People
Judge Garry William Bryan, 6th Judicial Circuit, 60, of Clinton, passed away peacefully on August 21, 2014, at Evanston Hospital surrounded by his family. His heroic fight to overcome a long illness is a testament to his love for his family, friends, and his work.
Garry was born on October 8, 1953, in Harvey, Illinois, the son of George W. and Helen Bryan. He is survived by his beloved wife: Joyce; son: Jason Bryan and partner Michele Carroll; son: Jeremy Bryan and wife Amber; precious granddaughters: Mackenzie and Marley Bryan; brother: Corey Bryan and wife Lorraine Gallagher; and numerous much-loved family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
He began his childhood in Harvey, IL and moved to Naperville, IL where he met Joyce, the love of his life, in high school. They married in 1975.
Judge Bryan received his bachelor’s degree in English from Lewis University and his law degree from John Marshall Law School. His career included working for the Public Defender’s Office, the State’s Attorney’s Appellate Service Commission, and serving as a clerk for Judge A. G. Webber. He spent the majority of his career in law practice with Ray and David Moss. Ultimately, he became the DeWitt County Circuit Judge.
Garry was an avid fisherman, epicurean, connoisseur of fine wine, and gardener. He loved growing orchids, faceting gemstones, and prided himself in preparing gourmet meals for his friends and family.
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September 18, 2014 |
People
Karen S. Williams, 42, Rockford, died Wednesday, August 27, 2014, in OSF St. Anthony Medical Center as the result of injuries received in an automobile accident.
Born March 2, 1972, in Taiwan Taichung, daughter of Bennie L. and Ching-Pi Wu Williams. Karen graduated from Jefferson High School in 1990, received her bachelor's degree from the University of Illinois, her master's degree from Villanova and her juris doctor degree from the University of Baltimore.
Karen was a practicing attorney in the Chicago area for nine years before moving back home to Rockford. While in Chicago, she worked as a contract attorney in the litigation department at Shefsky & Froelich, Ltd. She was currently a certified arbitrator at the 17th Judicial Circuit Court of the State of Illinois. Karen was an activist and a high energy cheerleader in every aspect of her life. She served as president and member of the Metropolitan Board of the Chicago Urban League, an organization that identifies young professionals and develops them into future community leaders.