Retired Cook County Circuit Judge Ronald W. Olson, a delegate to the 1st General Assembly of the ISBA, passed away Sunday at his home on the North Side of Chicago.
Olson attended the Chicago and Urbana campuses of the University of Illinois. He received his law degree from Northwestern in 1955 and his LLM degree from Georgetown in 1958.
He served in the Navy, assigned to the secretary of the Navy's office from 1955 to 1959. A member of the Naval Reserve for 30 years, he rose to captain the Judge Advocate General Corps.
Olson was an associate dean at John Marshall Law School in 1982 when he was appointed to the bench.
Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Thursday at Drake & Son Funeral Home, 5303 N. Western. Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday at the Fourth Presbyterian Church, Michigan and Delaware, Chicago.
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January 21, 2010 |
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January 20, 2010 |
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Chicago law firm Grady Pilgrim Christakis Bell LLP announced today that attorneys Karen Kawashima and Jennifer Sarhaddi have joined the firm as associates. Kawashima began her career at Foley & Lardner LLP and was most recently with Levenfeld Pearlstein, LLC. Sarhaddi comes from Arnstein & Lehr LLP. "Karen and Jennifer are both experienced and energetic, and their additions support the strategic expansion of our commercial litigation capabilities," said Jeff Pilgrim, a founding partner of Grady Pilgrim. "They both bring with them considerable experience, and will be able to use that experience here as they work on sophisticated commercial matters in a new, refreshing and dynamic environment. We are delighted to welcome them to the firm." Kawashima and Sarhaddi will work on a broad range of complex litigation matters, representing businesses across a variety of industries and ranging from small start-ups to some of the largest companies in the country. Karen Kawashima focuses her work on complex civil litigation covering a variety of practice areas and substantive issues, including the defense of individual and class action consumer financial services cases, contractual disputes, employment matters, business torts, real estate litigation, and other matters. Prior to joining the firm, Kawashima was a litigation associate at Foley & Lardner LLP and then at Levenfeld Pearlstein, LLC. Kawashima received a J.D.
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January 20, 2010 |
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Ungaretti & Harris LLP welcomes four first-year associates to various practice areas within the firm. Kelly M. Keefe and Michael J. Neville have joined as associates in the Litigation Department. Ms. Keefe earned her J.D. from Loyola University Chicago School of Law in 2009 and her B.S. from Pennsylvania State University in 2006. Mr. Neville earned his J.D. from DePaul University College of Law in 2009 and his B.A. from Miami University in 2005. David E. Burciaga has joined as an associate in the Real Estate Department. Mr. Burciaga earned his J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law in 2009 and his B.A. from the University of Michigan in 2004. Gina C. Virgo has joined as an associate in the Corporate, Securities and Finance Department. Ms. Virgo earned her J.D. from John Marshall Law School in 2009 and her B.A. from DePaul University in 2006. Ungaretti & Harris is a Chicago-based law firm with national business, healthcare, litigation, and government practices. The firm represents domestic and international clients including Fortune 500, mid-market, and small businesses; private equity funds; healthcare providers; energy companies; real estate companies; financial institutions; professional organizations; and government agencies.
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January 20, 2010 |
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[caption id="attachment_7576" align="alignright" width="125" caption="Susan Schwartz"][/caption] Susan Schwartz, a partner and medical malpractice attorney at the law firm of Corboy & Demetrio, was recently appointed to the Board of Directors of the Women's Bar Foundation, a not-for-profit corporation that provides scholarships, awards and financial aid to women attending law school in Illinois. Susan will serve a three-year term as a Director. Susan joined Corboy & Demetrio in 1980 following graduation from Loyola University Chicago School of Law and became a partner in 1994. An experienced and successful trial lawyer with numerous multimillion dollar verdicts and settlements, Susan represents patients and their families in complex medical negligence personal injury and wrongful death actions. She is an active member of many bar associations, is a contributing author for several legal publications and lectures locally and nationally at seminars and continuing legal education programs on topics ranging from trial practice techniques to alternative methods of dispute resolution. Named one of the top 100 Leading Women Lawyers in Illinois, Susan is also ranked in the top 5% of all Illinois attorneys. She has been designated an "Illinois Super Lawyer," and has achieved the highest possible rating in the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory.
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January 19, 2010 |
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The Hon. Thomas R. Flood, 83, of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, passed away Monday at Sinai Medical Center in Miami Beach, Fla. Thomas, the son of the late James and Florence Flood, was born in Red Oak, Iowa, on Jan. 27, 1926. He moved to Maywood in 1936, and graduated from Proviso High School in 1944. Judge Flood attended the University of Notre Dame as a member of the V12 program and received his law degree from Loyola University School of Law in 1949. He received his license to practice law in the State of Illinois in 1949. As a member of the United States Navy, Judge Flood served his country during World War II in the Pacific Theater and in Japan. Recalled to the Navy in 1951, he served as a lieutenant aboard the USS Mt. McKinley in the Korean Conflict and was later assigned to the Judge Advocate General staff until his discharge in 1953. Judge Flood began his law career as corporate counsel for the Aurora and Elgin Railway Company in Elmhurst. In 1955, he moved to Streator and became associated with the law office of Daniel McMullen. In 1957, he opened his own practice in Streator as well as serving as a special prosecutor for the LaSalle County State's Attorney and as City Attorney for the City of Streator. Judge Flood was appointed to the bench as a circuit judge for the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit in LaSalle County in March of 1973 where he served until his retirement in 1990. Upon retirement, Judge Flood relocated to Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., building a home at the PGA National Golf Club. He was an avid golfer. He also enjoyed competitive bridge, square dancing and the Chicago Bears. Judge Flood married Theresa (Gore) Flood on February 11, 1950, in Elmhurst. He is survived by his beloved wife, his son J.D.
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January 19, 2010 |
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Longtime ISBA member Arthur Gorov passed away last week at his home in Montana. The Chicago native worked at the personal-injury law firm of Berkson, Gorov and Levin before heading up the legal research department for Cook County Circuit Court. He and his wife moved to Montana seven years ago. "He always declared eagles carried his heart with them," said Billie Lee, his wife, friend and companion of 31 years. "They were the reflection of his soul." Read the full obituary in the Chicago Sun-Times.
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January 19, 2010 |
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Levin Schreder & Carey Ltd. welcomes Scott Bieber as a partner of the firm. Bieber has been practicing law for 27 years and focuses his practice on family wealth preservation, federal transfer taxation and family business planning. A published author and frequent speaker for attorneys, accountants and other professionals on business planning and wealth preservation topics, Bieber is a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel and is an Editorial Board member of Estate Planning magazine. Bieber has been recognized as a Leading Lawyer in Trust, Will and Estate Planning Law by the Illinois Leading Lawyers Network, has been named an Illinois Super Lawyer in Estate Planning and Probate, and is also named in Best Lawyers in America in the area of Trusts and Estates. Before joining Levin Schreder & Carey Ltd. in January 2010, Bieber practiced law at Schiff Hardin LLP. Bieber received his law degree from the University of Chicago Law School and his undergraduate degree, cum laude, from the University of Pennsylvania. Levin Schreder & Carey Ltd. is a law firm focused on federal income tax, estate tax and gift tax planning and controversy resolution for individuals and closely-held businesses. The firm is one of the largest law firms devoted exclusively to income tax and estate planning and related litigation in the Chicago area. For more information, visit the firm's website at: www.levinschreder.com.
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January 18, 2010 |
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Election law expert Michael E. Lavelle Sr. passed away last month after years of battling lupus and liver disease. Mr. Lavelle was a native of County Galway, Ireland, and servied in the Marines from 1957-1960. He received a bachelor's degree from Loyola University and a law degree from John Marshall Law School. "People called him the election czar," his son said. "He took a lot of heat as head of the Chicago election board, but I never heard him speak badly of anybody. He could be trading heated comments with somebody, and later on they would be friends." Click here to read the obituary in the Chicago Sun-Times Click here to read the obituary in the Chicago Tribune
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January 14, 2010 |
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[caption id="attachment_7426" align="alignright" width="100" caption="Barbara Downs"][/caption] Barbara A. Downs, Wife and Partner of Robert K. Downs of Downs Law Offices, P.C., recently passed away. Barb and Bob met on July 4, became engaged Aug. 1 and were married Nov. 30, 1963. They have 2 children, Christopher and Kelli (Steve) Seales and 2 grandchildren, Zach and Amanda. Barb worked as a child welfare worker to help put Bob through law school. She received a P.H.T. (Putting Hubby Through) Degree from Stetson University College of Law in 1965. Barb received her JD from DePaul University in 1984. She also had an LLM in taxation. She received her B.A. from Ohio Wesleyan University in 1961. Member, Family Law Section Council, Sub-Committee on Supreme Court Rules; Association of Family and Conciliation Courts; West Suburban and DuPage County Bar Associations; Past member of the Estate and Probate Section Council. In or about December 2008, Barb wrote an article for the ISBA Family Law Section Council's newsletter regarding an unfair transfer tax on the division of property in divorce cases that caught the attention of many, including Ald. Ed Burke. Action is pending in the Chicago City Council. She was a partner in life and the law to Bob and a loving mother to Chris and Kelli.
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January 14, 2010 |
People
Querrey & Harrow, a 70-year-old multi-service Chicago law firm, and Hunziker Law Group LLC, a 17-year-old downstate commercial law firm headquartered in Peoria, have formed a strategic alliance. The alliance's purpose is to enhance client satisfaction and facilitate client representations by offering services throughout an extended geographical area. The alliance will allow both firms to offer extended services in a cost-effective manner without sacrificing their traditional focus on providing each client with individualized attention.