The Bar News

Bar News Sections

Chicago Area

  • October 10, 2013 | People
    Sanford M. Stein joins KFTR as Environmental Group Chair and Director of Government Relations

    Kubasiak, Fylstra, Thorpe & Rotunno, P.C., (KFTR) a full-service, independent Chicago-based law firm, is pleased to announce that Sanford M. “Sandy” Stein has joined the firm as chair of its Environmental, Energy and Land Use Group and as Director of Government Relations.

    “KFTR is delighted that Sandy chose to join us in a leadership role,” says Gerald E. Kubasiak, president of KFTR. “Sandy’s varied talents allow him to serve clients across a range of related disciplines in a seamless fashion.”

    Stein’s practice includes land use, zoning and environmental matters in a transactional context and litigation matters at the administrative, trial and appellate levels. Stein also has extensive experience in infrastructure development, clean and renewable energy, and public finance and public-private development projects. Stein is also a registered lobbyist and represents clients in matters involving local, state and federal government entities.

    “I was looking for a well-established firm that would offer clients sophisticated expertise at reasonable rates. KFTR, which recently celebrated its 20th anniversary, was the perfect fit,” Stein says.

     “Sandy is at the peak of a distinguished career,” notes Raymond A. Fylstra, a founding member of KFTR. “With Sandy as a key member of our team, we look forward to the continued expansion of our firm.”

    About KFTR

  • October 8, 2013 | ISBA News | Events
    Young Lawyers Professional Development Series - Advice From the Bench

    The second luncheon in a three-part luncheon series aimed at teaching law students and young attorneys practical steps in developing their legal career. Each luncheon will feature esteemed panelists discussing a variety of topics while also taking questions from the audience. This luncheon program will feature sitting judges offering tips to young lawyers on how to make a good impression in the courtroom.

    Speakers:

    • The Honorable James F. Holderman, United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois
    • The Honorable Thomas R. Mulroy, Circuit Court of Cook County, Law Division

    • The Honorable Laura C. Liu, Circuit Court of Cook County, Chancery Division

  • October 8, 2013 | Practice News
    Esrig appointed to Cook County Circuit Court

    The Illinois Supreme Court announced Friday the appointment of Evanston attorney Jerry A. Esrig as Cook County Circuit Judge in the Ninth Judicial Subcircuit.

    Mr. Esrig, a resident of the Ninth Subcircuit, was appointed by the Court to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Allen S. Goldberg. The appointment is effective October 30, 2013 and will terminate December 1, 2014, when the position is filled by the 2014 General Election.

    Justice Mary Jane Theis recommended the appointment to the Supreme Court after she announced an open application process and after the candidates were reviewed by bar associations and Justice Theis' bipartisan screening committee.

  • October 8, 2013 | CLE
    CLE: Real Estate Law Update – 2013

    It is important that attorneys working in the real estate arena keep abreast of the ongoing changes and developments taking place in this important field of practice. Join us in Lombard on Oct. 31 for an update on the recently-enacted real estate-related legislation and current case law that will impact your practice! Real estate lawyers, transactional attorneys, and commercial banking/bankruptcy practitioners – with basic to intermediate practice experience – attending this program will better understand: the real estate issues that can arise during the dissolution of a marriage; the economic development incentives being offered by municipalities throughout Illinois; how the landmark Cypress Creek case has affected lien disputes; important tax issues that can affect real estate transactions; the ethical and malpractice issues to consider when representing a client during a real estate case; and much more!

    The seminar is presented by the ISBA Real Estate Law Section and qualifies for 6.0 hours MCLE credit, including 1.0 hour Professional Responsibility MCLE credit (subject to approval).

    Click here for more information and to register.

  • October 3, 2013 | People
    Hon. William R. Quinlan 1939-2013

    Hon. William Robert Quinlan, age 73, passed away on Oct. 1 in Wilmette. 

    Quinlan was a native of Chicago's South Side and graduated from Loyola University's School of Law in 1963. He served as corporation counsel for the city of Chicago under Mayors Richard J. Daley, Michael A. Bilandic and Jane M. Byrne. He was elected as a Cook County Circuit Court judge in 1980. In that position, he presided over trials involving the Rosemont Horizon roof collapse, cases stemming from a salmonella outbreak and the first asbestos trial here. Quinlan was appointed to the 1st District Appellate Court in 1985 and elected the next year.

    In January 2003, Bill was recognized as a Laureate of the Illinois State Bar Association Academy of Illinois Lawyers. In October 2005, he received the Illinois Bar Foundation's Distinguished Award for Excellence. Bill was a member of the Society of Trial Lawyers, the American Academy of Appellate Lawyers and the American Bar Association Council of the Section of Litigation. He was also a Fellow of the American and Illinois Bar Foundations.

    Bill served as Judicial Liaison of the Illinois State Bar Association since 1995 and as Chairman of the Judicial Advisory Council of Cook County since 1991. Bill also served as Special Counsel to the President and Parliamentarian of the Board of Commissioners of Cook County, and was Corporation Counsel for the City of Chicago under Mayors Richard J. Daley, Michael Bilandic and Jane Byrne.

  • October 1, 2013 | Events
    ISBA to co-sponsor "Closing the Gap: Achieving Gender Pay Equity in Law Firm Compensation"

    This ISBA Standing Committee on Women and the Law will co-sponsor "Closing the Gap: Achieving Gender Pay Equity in Law Firm Compensation" on Thursday, Oct. 24 at Seyfarth Shaw LLP, 131 S. Dearborn, Chicago. The program runs from 3-5:45 p.m. with a reception following.

    There is no cost to attend, but registration is required. Register online at www.tinyurl.com/payissues

    SCHEDULE

    3:00 p.m. - 3:05 p.m.
    Introduction
    Speaker:  Roberta Liebenberg, Chair, Commission on Women in the Profession and Senior Partner, Fine, Kaplan and Black, R.P.C.

    3:05 p.m. - 3:55 p.m.
    Panel Discussion:  Do We Understand the Pay Gap and How to Fix It?
    Moderator:  Laurel G. Bellows, Chair, ABA Task Force on Gender Equity and Principal, Bellows Law Group PC

    4:00 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.
    Breakout Sessions:  Realistic Approaches to Close the Pay Gap

    4:45 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
    Recommendations from Breakout Groups

    5:30 p.m. - 5:45 p.m.
    Summary of Next Steps:  How Will These Recommendations Be Used?

    5:45 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
    Cocktail Reception
  • September 24, 2013 | Events
    Time running out to register for Young Lawyers Professional Development Luncheon

    This is the first luncheon in a three-part luncheon series aimed at teaching law students and young attorneys practical steps in developing their legal careers. Each luncheon will feature esteemed panelists discussing a variety of topics, while also taking questions from the audience. The first luncheon program will feature two panelists with financial planning backgrounds discussing investing in your future while also paying off your student loans. The registration deadline is Wednesday, Sept. 25.

  • September 23, 2013 | People
    Hon. Gene Nottolini 1944-2013

    The Honorable Judge Gene Nottolini, 69, of Elgin passed away on Sept. 5, 2013. He was born on July 9, 1944, in Elgin, the son of Dino and Margaret (Lamz) Nottolini.

    Gene attended St. Joseph Grade School and St. Edward High School. He attended St. Louis University for undergrad and law school. He worked as an attorney from 1968 to 1984. In 1984, he was selected as an associate judge serving in traffic, felony, family and juvenile courts. Judge Nottolini was appointed circuit judge in 1989, elected in 1990 and retained by voters until his retirement in 2005. Judge Nottolini served as chief judge of the 16th Judicial Circuit from 1993 to 1996.

    In 1983, Judge Nottolini was admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the United States. In 2004, he was able to reserve a place for 50 attorneys from the Kane County Bar Association to be sworn in to practice law before the Supreme Court of the United States.

    Judge Nottolini served as ethics advisor for the Kane County Board from 2008 to 2012, and was currently serving on the Ethics Boards for Sherman Hospital and Elgin Community College.

    Survivors include the love of his life, Kay (McKeown) Nottolini, whom he married on Sept. 3, 1966; two sons, Gene Nottolini Jr. and Joseph Nottolini; five grandchildren, Augie, Izzy, Natalie, Sal and Vinny; a brother, Jules (Marylyn) Nottolini; his "favorite" sister-in-law, Colleen McKeown, along with many nieces, nephews, family and friends.

    He was preceded in death by his parents, and his brother, Rick Nottolini. 

  • September 23, 2013 | ISBA News
    IBF issues double donation challenge

    Make a charitable donation to Chicago Law and Education Foundation (CLEF) and your gift may be doubled.

    CLEF operates legal clinics in several Chicago Public High Schools and has gained national attention for its endeavors. CLEF has been funded by the Illinois Bar Foundation for several years and it can benefit from the generous support of the legal community.

    Any new or increased donation to CLEF made on or before Sept. 30 will earn a dollar-for-dollar match from the Illinois Bar Foundation – up to the first $5,000 donated. Help grow and stabilize the funding for one of Chicago’s most unique legal services organizations.

    Please consider making a donation today and earn a match from the Illinois Bar Foundation. Donate now at www.lawclef.org.

  • September 18, 2013 | People
    Brodzinski joins Leech Tishman as partner

    Leech Tishman recently welcomed William R. Brodzinski to its Chicago office. Bill has joined the firm as a Partner practicing in the Real Estate, Bankruptcy & Creditors’ Rights and Litigation Practice Groups. The addition of Bill to Leech Tishman’s Chicago lawyer team further expands the local service offerings in Leech Tishman’s growing Chicago office.

    Bill is an experienced business and real estate lawyer, representing individuals and commercial entities in contested litigation and business transactions involving real estate, business contracts, commercial law, probate and commercial debt collection.

    Bill works with clients in a variety of real estate transactional matters, including all aspects of commercial and residential real estate acquisitions and sales, along with the due diligence associated with those transactions, title matters, the negotiation and drafting of commercial real estate leases, and ongoing property management related matters. He also has experience addressing zoning, tax and municipal matters for his real estate clients.

    Practicing regularly in both the state and federal courts, Bill represents clients in a variety of real estate disputes including mechanic’s liens and mortgage foreclosures, commercial landlord/tenant related litigation and evictions, suits arising out of real estate contracts, and suits to quiet title.