Willis "Bill" Tribler's Memorial to Be Held May 17

A memorial celebrating the life of Willis R. (“Bill”) Tribler, a founding member and senior partner of the law firm of Tribler Orpett & Meyer, P.C., will be held on May 17, 2017, between 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Preston Bradley Hall of the Chicago Cultural Center, 78 East Washington Street, Chicago, IL 60602. The event is open to the public and all are invited to attend.

The memorial is being sponsored by Tribler Orpett & Meyer and the Illinois State Bar Association, the Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education, and the Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel. Representatives of those organizations, as well as other prominent judges, lawyers and committee members who worked with Bill throughout his career, will be speaking and sharing their personal thoughts and stories about him. Among those scheduled to appear are Hon. Justice Bill Taylor (Ret.), Hon. Russell W. Hartigan, ISBA President Elect, Charles Bingaman, former and current Executive Directors of IICLE, Michael L. Resis, IDC President-Elect and Rudy G. Schade and Robert V. Dewey, past presidents of IDC, and Wendy J. Muchman, Chief of Litigation and Professional Education of the ARDC.

An unquestionably brilliant lawyer and strategic thinker, Bill was admired as a mentor and friend to hundreds in the legal community, not only in Chicago but throughout Illinois. In addition to practicing law and assuming a leadership role within the law firm, Bill firmly believed in "giving back" to the legal profession. Bill served in the General Assembly of the ISBA, was the editor of the Illinois Bar Journal and also received the ISBA's highest awards (the Medal of Merit and Laureate designation) for his many contributions. He was active in a number of legal organizations and was a prolific writer, teacher and speaker for IICLE, publishing over 20 handbook chapters and serving as Board Chair (1992-1993). Bill also initiated a scholarly publication (The Quarterly) for the Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel (IDC), serving as its first editor and writing a regular column for many years thereafter. In 1984-1985, he served as IDC President, and subsequently received its highest honors, the John E. Guy and Distinguished Member Awards, for his exemplary service and was honored by the IDC in 1999 for his exceptional efforts in compiling the 35-year history of the organization. A proud graduate of the University of Illinois College of Law, Bill was later recognized as a Distinguished Graduate of the law school in 1996. He received his bachelors’ degree from Bradley University in 1955, and in 2001, was honored with the Most Distinguished Alumni and Centurion Awards for his service to Bradley.

Bill was very proud of being a lawyer and adhered to and championed the highest ethical standards. In keeping with those ethical standards, Bill served on the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission (ARDC) Oversight Committee from 2004-2014, and on the ARDC Inquiry Board from 2004-2013.

Please contact Mitchell A. Orpett or Panos T. Topalis at (312) 201-6400 if you would like additional information.

Posted on May 3, 2017 by Sara Anderson
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