Chicago Area

Thomas Francis Novotny Sr., attorney and former CPD; 66, of Beverly; passed away peacefully March 20, 2015, after valiantly battling congestive heart failure due to complications from lifelong diabetes.

Devoted father of Thomas Jr. and Annie (Rob Jeffries), proud grandfather of Cecilia Louise; dear brother of Marilyn, Joanne (John) Patterson, and Nancy; beloved uncle and friend.

Alum of St. Rita H.S. '66, Lewis College '70, and Kent College of Law '80. Tom had many talents and his careers included teaching English and coaching hockey at St. Rita H.S., serving on the Chicago Police Department (9th district and Dept. of Research and Dev't.), and eventually practicing law on Chicago's South Side and Oak Lawn.

Member of The Beverly Area Planning Association and DuPage Amateur Radio Club, Tom was an avid ham radio enthusiast (handle W9LCL). Although Tom wore many hats, he cherished his family above all else. Tom will be remembered for his wit and humor, his intelligence and kindness. He will be missed by all.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Diabetes Association (www.diabetes.org)

Daley Mohan Groble is pleased to announce that Heather Adams, Sean Gingrich and Kathryn Doi have joined the firm.

Heather Adams specializes in employment and civil litigation, representing clients from diverse industries.  She also works with employers to develop strategies and training for their Compliance and Personnel Divisions as well as leads internal investigations into complaints of workplace harassment, retaliation and discrimination. She was formerly with a Chicago-based law firm specializing in management-side labor and employment litigation and tort defense. Heather graduated from DePaul University College of Law, and holds a B.S. from West Virginia State University.

Sean Gingrich represents large corporate clients defending personal injury cases under FELA and worker’s compensation, with significant experience in understanding complex medical issues and deep knowledge of disability law. He was previously with a disability law firm where he tried cased in front of Administrative Law Judges. Sean earned his J. D. at Seattle University School of Law, and holds a B.A. from Marquette University.

Elinor Swiger nee Porter, 87, of Glenview, passed away peacefully at home March 7, 2015.

Mrs. Swiger received her Bachelor and Law Degrees from The Ohio State University. At Ohio State she was involved with the YWCA, Student Court and Mortar Board. After graduating from law school she was a tax attorney in the Chief Council’s Office of the IRS where she met her future husband, Quentin. During her parenting years she was a member of a writer’s workshop which led to her writing and publishing six books. She wrote two books on travel to Mexico and Europe that were family based, three law books for high school and law students and a biography on famous women lawyers including Ruth Bader Ginsburg, an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. After raising her three boys, she was a lawyer for 25 years with the Chicago law firm, Robbins, Schwartz, Nicholas, Lifton & Taylor Ltd. where she practiced until she retired. Elinor was also very active in her community, serving two terms on the Glenbrook District 225 School Board, two terms on the Glenview Police/Fire Commission and 10 years as the chairman of the Glenview Zoning Board. She was passionately involved with the Bar Association, Character Counts, the Northfield Chapter of the Lyric Opera and the Glenview Community Church. She greatly enjoyed the game of golf, gardening and travel.

Beloved wife for 59 years of the late Quentin G. Swiger; loving mother of Andrew (Sherry), Calvin (Kathy), and Charles (Patty) Swiger; cherished grandmother of Matthew Swiger; dear sister of Marilyn (Ed) Eschliman; fond aunt of many nieces and nephews.

Interment will be private. Memorials may be made to The New Foundation Center, 444 W. Frontage Road, Northfield, IL 60093.

The State of Illinois Supreme Court recently appointed personal injury attorney, Stephan D. Blandin, to a one year-commitment on the Attorney Registration & Disciplinary Commission (ARDC) hearing board , effective March 1, 2015. Founding partner and principal at Romanucci & Blandin, LLC, Blandin has served on the ARDC’s hearing board for four years. He is one of more than 75 hearing board members who will make recommendations in disciplinary matters of lawyers in Illinois. The mission of the ARDC is to promote and protect the integrity of the legal profession, at the direction of the Illinois Supreme Court, through attorney registration, education, investigation, prosecution and remedial action.  
 
“I look forward to hearing grievances of my fellow attorneys and assisting in disciplinary matters,” said Mr. Blandin. “It’s an honor to provide ethical guidance to lawyers, balancing their rights with those of the public to ultimately preserve the integrity of the profession and ensure that the Illinois public can trust in the legal system.”
 
Mr. Blandin’s hearing board activities guarantees confidentiality during all grievance investigations, while disciplinary actions are adjudicated publicly. All ARDC board members are comprised of volunteer lawyers and non-lawyers who work under the direct supervision of the Chair of the Commission, Joan M. Eagle. The ARDC operates under the authority of the Supreme Court, which regulates the admission and discipline of lawyers in Illinois.