The Bar News

Bar News Sections

Chicago Area

  • September 18, 2013 | People
    Michael Patrick Mullen, Sr. 1942-2013

    Michael Patrick Mullen, Sr. has passed away on September 17, 2013. On June 7, 1942 he was born, raised and lived in the Chicago area.

    Michael started out his career as a CPA in 1965. He then graduated from DePaul University with a Juris Doctor. He was a determined litigator with a "never give up" attitude. He honed these skills as a U.S. Assistant Attorney in the Northern District of Illinois under U.S. Atty Gov. Jim Thompson in his famous "kiddie corps". The kiddie corps were a group of young Attorneys who helped clean up corruption in the City of Chicago in the early 70's. They prosecuted over 2000 public officials some of which was documented in the book Beneath the Badge. He won a highly publicized trial in the defense of the MacArthur Foundation in Florida in the 70's. 

    He paved the way in the implementation and prosecution of the Indian Arts and Craft Act which was a great benefit to Native Americans. He was always available to give advice to those in need. He practiced law for over 40 years as a litigator. 

    He was a diehard Cubs, Bears and Blackhawks fan. His fondness for the water was shown in his owning of powerboats over the years. He picked up running, from his former wife Mary, and completed 2 marathons which he experienced the feeling of "hitting the wall". He enjoyed racquetball as well. His love of skiing was demonstrated on the family ski trips to Colorado with his 5 sons, Michael, Daniel, Timothy, Matthew and Edward. His passion for music was confirmed through his love of dancing and hitting the town in one of his multiple colorful Zoot suits with his wife Danuta and his sister Kathleen and her late husband Bob. 

  • September 12, 2013 | People
    Winston J.M. Block 1942-2013

    Winston J.M. Block, 71, passed away on August 26, 2013 at Presence Saint Joseph Medical Center. He was born April 24, 1942 in Hyde Park, IL, the son of Theresa (Mayer) Block and Max Block.

    Winston, a U.S. Army Veteran and recipient of the Bronze Star, practiced law in the Joliet area for over 50 years. He received a Juris Doctorate Degree from John Marshall Law School and was also a medical school graduate from Spartan Health Sciences in St. Lucia. He was a law Professor at both John Marshall and Joliet Junior College.

    Mr. Block, also a world traveler, enjoyed many endeavors during his life, including being an innkeeper, a pilot and an ostrich rancher.

    He was the beloved husband of Cathy Wintersteen Block of Joliet; loving father of Tyler (Penelope) Block of Dana Point, CA and Tiffany (Scott) Vaughan of Nashville, TN; proud grandfather of Amory and Arabella Block and Anna Vaughan; dear brother of Michael (Judith) Block of Shorewood, and beloved uncle of sixteen. Also survived by his mother-in-law, Phyllis Wintersteen. Preceded in death by his daughter, Tanja Block; his parents; father-in-law, Carroll Wintersteen and sister-in-law, Colleen Powers.

    As it was Mr. Block's wish, Cremation Rites will be accorded. In lieu of flowers, memorials in his name to the Salvation Army, the Spanish Community Center or the Forest Park Community Center would be appreciated.

     

  • September 11, 2013 | People
    Hon. Debra Walker appointed to Board of National Conference of Bar Foundations

    Cook County Judge Debra B. Walker, president of the Illinois Bar Foundation (IBF), has been elected to the board of trustees of the National Conference of Bar Foundations (NCBF).

    The NCBF is the professional organization for bar foundation staff and volunteers who serve the more than 200 local, state and specialty bar foundations throughout the nation. Its mission is to improve the administration of justice and the court system by supporting philanthropic organizations for the legal profession and the judiciary.

    The mission of the Illinois Bar Foundation is to ensure meaningful access to the justice system, especially for those with limited means, and to assist lawyers who can no longer support themselves due to incapacity. The Illinois Bar Foundation is located at 20 S. Clark St., Suite 910, Chicago, IL  60603, and the phone number is (312) 726-6072.

  • September 11, 2013 | CLE
    CLE: Insurance and Surety Bond Issues for Construction Projects – Fall 2013

    Are you an attorney, architect, engineer, contractor, or professional working in the construction field? Then don’t miss this informative, full-day seminar in Chicago on October 11th that’s designed to help you better represent your client’s increasingly complex construction projects! Attendees with basic practice experience who join us for this seminar will better understand: the different types of risks associated with construction projects; the insurance policy coverages and exclusions that apply to construction defect cases; the common commercial general liability insuring issues for personal injury claims; Builders Risk policies; using wrap-up insurance products for construction projects; the insurance requirements and issues for design professionals, including architects and engineers; the concept and enforcement of performance and payment bonds on private and public construction projects; and recognizing the ethical issues and concerns that may arise throughout your construction law practice.

    The program qualifies for 6.5 hours MCLE credit, including 1.0 hour Professional Responsibility MCLE credit (subject to approval) and is presented by the ISBA Commercial Banking, Collections & Bankruptcy Section, the ISBA Construction Law Section, and the ISBA Insurance Law Section.

  • September 10, 2013 | Practice News
    Tim Evans elected chief judge for 5th term

    Circuit Court of Cook County Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans was elected to a fifth term as chief judge Tuesday by an overwhelming majority of circuit judges voting. His new three year term will begin December 2, 2013.

    The results were announced by Judge Raymond L. Jagielski , chair of the Judicial Election Committee, who said Chief Judge Evans ran for re-election unopposed. Other committee members included: Judge Mary Ellen Coghlan, Judge Lynn M. Egan, Judge Marya Nega, Judge Leida J. Gonzalez Santiago, Judge Jane Louise Stuart, Judge Shelley Sutker-Dermer, and Judge E. Kenneth Wright, Jr.

    According to Jagielski, the election was held today, September 10, 2013, in the Richard J. Daley Center’s Jury Assembly Room. Jagielski said 239 votes were cast; of those, seven were spoiled and the remaining 232 were cast for Chief Judge Evans.

  • September 9, 2013 | Practice News
    Cook County Circuit Court adds over-the-phone translation service

    Other initiatives for non-English speaking persons include website now available in 71 foreign languages; bi-lingual signage

    In an effort to bridge the gap between language barriers, the Circuit Court of Cook County is installing an over-the-phone interpretation service for persons who speak little or no English as part of its new Court Access Initiative (CAI). The service will help people navigate through the Circuit Court in a variety of ways: helping people without lawyers find courtrooms or linking them with a court-based legal self-help desk are just two examples. In conjunction with the Access to Justice Commission of the Illinois Supreme Court, the Circuit Court’s goal of the CAI is to improve the overall experience for non-English speaking people attending court.

    Circuit Court of Cook County Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans announced starting today, the CAI will begin at the Richard J. Daley Center information desks and then will ultimately be installed in all courthouses in the coming months. Illinois JusticeCorps volunteers already are stationed at the Daely Center information desks and over-the-phone interpretation services will be provided by LanguageLine Solutions which was selected through a Request for Proposal (RFP) process.

    1 comment (Most recent September 10, 2013)
  • September 7, 2013 | Events
    YLD Professional Development Luncheon: Financial Planning for Young Attorneys

    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.

    When/Where:

    • Monday, September 30, 2013, Noon-1
    • ISBA Chicago Office, 20 S. Clark, Suite 900

    Speakers:

    • Kevin C. Koney, CFP®, CRPC®, CMFC®, Certified Financial Planner™ Patricia A. Koney & Associates, Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc.
    • Kurt Winiecki, CPA, J.D., President, CEO & Founder, Winiecki Wealth Management

    Moderator:

    • George Schoenbeck, Co-Chair of YLD’s Professional Development Committee, Associate, Sosin & Arnold LTD

    Register at www.isba.org/sections/yld/pdl/09-30-2013

    Cost: $10 includes lunch

    No MCLE credit is available for this program.

  • September 5, 2013 | People
    Philip A. Creed 1937-2013

    Philip A. Creed, 76, of Glenview, passed away on Sept. 2, 2013. Mr. Creed practiced law in Chicago for over 40 years.

    He was the beloved husband of Patricia nee Loftus. Loving father of Kathleen Creed, Maureen (Edward) Coursey, and Timothy Creed. Proud grandfather of John Philip Coursey. Dear brother of Elizabeth (Joseph) Danzer and the late John and William Creed. Brother-in-law of Anne Creed, Catherine Creed, Arlene Loftus, Raymond (Armida) Loftus, Dr. Gerald (Mary Clare) Loftus, and the late John (Margaret) Loftus, Thomas Loftus, and Rev. Robert J. Loftus. Fond uncle of many nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews.

    Visitation Friday, September 6, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the N.H. Scott & Hanekamp Funeral Home, 1240 Waukegan Rd., Glenview. Family and friends will meet for funeral mass, Saturday, September 7 at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, 1775 Grove St., Glenview. Interment All Saints Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Sr. -Paulanne’s Needy Family Fund, C/O OLPH, 1775 Grove St. Glenview, IL 60025. Funeral information 847-998-1020.

  • September 4, 2013 | Events | ISBA News
    Solo & Small Firm early bird discount ends Sept. 6

    The 2013 ISBA Solo & Small Firm Conference will be held on Oct. 3-5 at the Westin Northwest Chicago in Itasca. Earn up to 16.5 hours of MCLE credit, including all 6 hours of required PMCLE credit.

    Register by Sept. 6 at www.isba.org/soloconference to receive the Early Bird discount.

  • September 3, 2013 | Events
    IBF to honor Manny Sanchez at Gala 2013

    The Illinois Bar Foundation will honor Manny Sanchez of Sanchez Daniels & Hoffman, LLP with the Distinguished Award for Excellence at Gala 2013 on Oct. 18. The Gala will take place at 6:30 p.m. at the Four Seasons Hotel in Chicago. This year’s leadership includes Robert A. Clifford of Clifford Law Offices and William A. Von Hoene Jr. of Exelon Corporation as Gala Chairs, as well as the Hon. Russell W. Hartigan, Circuit Court of Cook County and Shawn S. Kasserman, of Tomasik Kotin Kasserman as Board Gala Chairs.

    The night includes cocktails, live and silent auctions, a raffle, dinner and dancing. To become a sponsor or purchase tickets, please call the IBF at 312.726.6072.

    For more information, visit the IBF website at www.illinoisbarfoundation.org.