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  • January 14, 2013 | Practice News
    Cook County cell phone ban postponed until April 15

    Statement from Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans Circuit Court of Cook County

    “A new court order enforcing the ban of electronic communication and Internet devices inside the Circuit Court of Cook County goes into effect Monday, January 14, 2013. The attached General Administrative Order No. 2013-01 prohibits electronic communication and Internet devices inside courthouse facilities except for a new specified list of persons outlined in the order. The order is being enacted to provide safety within the courts, prevent pictures being taken with electronic devices and help to protect innocent individuals and those testifying in court.

    “According to the Clerk of the Circuit Court, more than 8,000 cases are on call for next week. That is an example of the magnitude of our court system and how important it is to enact stringent safety measures.

    “The order will be introduced during a three-month grace period ending on Monday, April 15, 2013. During the grace period, the Circuit Court of Cook County will work with the Cook County Sheriff’s Department to remind people entering a courthouse, communication devices are prohibited. It will be strongly suggested devices remain in the car.

    “In an effort to aid those taking public transportation to various courthouses, the Circuit Court of Cook County is assigning a person to work with Cook County’s real estate and facilities department heads to quickly find a solution for storage of said devices – a claim check system or providing locker facilities as examples.

    1 comment (Most recent January 17, 2013)
  • January 11, 2013 | People
    Julia Jensen Smolka promoted to Partner at DiMonte & Lizak, LLC

    DiMonte & Lizak, LLC announced today that Julia Jensen Smolka has been elected to partner. As a Commercial and Bankruptcy Litigation Attorney, she defends preference actions, prepares consumer bankruptcy petitions, under Chapters 7 and 13, and business petitions under Chapters 11 and 7. Julia advocates Creditors Rights in Bankruptcies, as well as, prosecuting and defending breach of contract suits. She has extensive litigation and collection experience and considerable experience in perfecting, prosecuting and defending mechanic liens and construction litigation claims.

    "Julia is an accomplished lawyer, capable of vigorously representing her clients without losing sight of their overall business objectives. We are delighted to welcome her to the partnership and look forward to her future," said David T. Arena, Member at DiMonte & Lizak, LLC.

    Julia received her J.D. from Loyola University Chicago School of Law, and her B.A. from The University of Illinois at Chicago. Julia is also an active member of the Illinois State Bar Association. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Harwood-Heights Norridge Chamber of Commerce, the Senior Assistance Center and is active in the Park Ridge Chamber of Commerce.

  • January 10, 2013 | People
    Foley adds experienced Real Estate Attorney Joel Solomon

    Foley & Lardner LLP announced today that Joel C. Solomon has joined the firm’s Real Estate Practice as of counsel in the Chicago office. Prior to joining Foley, Solomon was general counsel with ST Residential, LLC.

    Solomon has extensive experience in a wide range of real estate matters, including project development and management, work outs and restructuring, foreclosure, litigation and bankruptcy, and loan originations. In his previous position as chief legal officer of ST Residential, Solomon directed all legal issues stemming from the $4.5 billion public-private partnership between the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and a consortium of private equity investors, including Starwood Capital, TPG, Richard LeFrak and Richard Perry Capital. He managed more than 40 large commercial foreclosures and deed in lieu transactions, all legal matters for approximately 45 for sale condominium projects and all aspects of portfolio litigation, while also directing the company through multiple complex bankruptcies.

    “Joel’s sophisticated knowledge of both the real estate and banking fields, gleaned from his many years serving as general counsel for companies, will provide our clients with unique and valuable perspective into a myriad of complex legal issues,” said Fred Ridley, national chair of the firm’s Real Estate Practice. “The depth and breadth of his experience complements our already talented team and will be instrumental in helping our clients navigate an industry with numerous challenges and opportunities.”

  • January 9, 2013 | People
    Much Shelist promotes O'Hara, Shaw to equity principal

    Chicago-based law firm Much Shelist recently announced the elevation of Martin J. O'Hara and Michael B. Shaw from principal to equity principal.

    Martin J. O'Hara serves as vice chair of the firm's Litigation & Dispute Resolution practice group. He has over two decades of experience in commercial litigation and defense of professionals in malpractice actions. O'Hara received a J.D. from John Marshall Law School and a B.A. from Illinois State University.

    Michael B. Shaw, co-chair of the firm's Business & Finance practice group and head of the Private Equity group, counsels clients ranging from large proprietorships and companies to start-ups and other smaller privately held companies. He received a J.D. (cum laude) from Northwestern University School of Law, an M.B.A. in Finance, Accounting and Entrepreneurship from the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business and a B.A. with honors in Economics from Northwestern University.

  • January 9, 2013 | People
    Marvin S. Helfand 1936-2012

    Marvin S. Helfand, 76, attorney, world traveler and avid golfer passed away Dec. 21. He married Myrna, nee Resnik, in 1959.

    For 53 years, they loved each other and traveled the world - from Russia to China to Romania to Mexico. A trusted adviser and counselor to many, he retired after a long career as partner at Defrees & Fiske.

    He is survived by Myrna; daughters Lauren "Lori" Helfand (Frank Alkyer) and Cindy Helfand; granddaughter Sarah Alkyer; brother Joel (Anna) Helfand; sister-in-laws Sherry Azaria and Elayne (Phil) Dauber.

    In lieu of flowers, contributions in Marvin's name can be made to LUNGevity or American Cancer Society . Info Mitzvah Memorial Funerals 630-MITZVAH (648-9824), or WWW.MITZVAHFUNERALS.COM

  • January 9, 2013 | People
    Charles E. Hussey II 1933-2012

    Former Wilmette resident Charles Hussey II died peacefully on Dec. 13 in Dover, NH. Mr. Hussey was born March 6, 1933, in Presque Isle, ME to Frank Washburn and Serena Wood Hussey.

    He graduated from the University of Maine, and the University of Chicago Law School and married Barbara Olson of Winnetka. Chuck practiced international tax law for over 40 years with McDermott, Will & Emery in Chicago, became Capital Partner and greatly expanded the role of the tax law practice as he developed new opportunities and started up offices for the firm in the US and throughout the world.

    Chuck was a devoted husband, father and outdoor enthusiast with a love for people and had infectious energy and personality. He is survived by his brother, Gorham of Calgary, Canada; sons, Tom of San Diego, CA, Jeff of Longmeadow, MA, and daughters, Melissa Snow of Rye, NH, and Jennifer of Hillsborough, NH.

    A family service was at the Winnetka Congregational Church on January 5 where he and Barbara were married in 1957. Chuck has donated to the Harvard Brain Bank for Parkinsons-Alzheimers research.

  • January 9, 2013 | People
    Hon. Rosaland M. Crandell 1923-2012

    Rosaland M. Crandell, nee Guy, age 89, of Wilmette and most recently Lynwood, Illinois passed away peacefully on December 21, 2012.

    Rosaland was born on February 1, 1923 and, as a child, first lived with her mother in Hillsboro, Illinois, and then with relatives in Chester, England until 1939. Following her return to Illinois, she enlisted in the Navy WAVES, serving as an aviation machinist’s mate and torpedo inspector.

    After the war, Rosaland received a degree in chemistry from Northwestern University and a law degree from Chicago-Kent College of Law in 1958. She was in private legal practice in Evanston for 23 years until her appointment as an Associate Judge of Cook County in 1982. Rosaland served on the bench until her retirement at age 75 in 1998.

    She also was the President of the Evanston Zonta Club and was active in the International’s activities and affairs. In her later years, she was a devoted grandmother, spending family vacations in Door County, and making Christmas a wonderful time of the year. Rosaland will be fondly remembered for her commitment to education, her generosity, her patriotism and her love for animals, especially her cats and dogs.

    She was the loving mother of Margaret Anne (Carl) Toren, Christopher William Crandell, and Catherine Elizabeth Crandell; dear grandmother of Daniel Chester Toren, Erica Rosaland Toren, Craig Benjamin Toren, Caroline Kate Toren, and Victoria Marie Crandell.

  • January 8, 2013 | People
    Nabilah Irshad joins Johns Marino LLP

    Johns Marino LLP has announced that Nabilah F. Irshad joined the firm as an associate.

    Irshad will work with Partners Frank A. Johns and Layne C. Marino in handling litigation and transactional matters for business clients.

    She is a graduate of the University of Iowa College of Law. After law school, she worked as a judicial clerk in Iowa and at the city of Chicago Law Department.

    She is licensed to practice in Illinois and Iowa.
     

  • January 4, 2013 | Practice News
    Flood, Tracy appointed associate judges in 16th Circuit

    Michael J. Tardy, Director of the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts, announced today that the Sixteenth Judicial Circuit judges voted to select Elizabeth K. Flood and Alice C. Tracy as associate judges of the Sixteenth Judicial Circuit.

    Ms. Flood received her undergraduate degree in 1992 from the University of Illinois, Urbana, and her Juris Doctor in 1995 from the University of Illinois. Ms. Flood is currently affiliated with the Kane County State's Attorney's Office in St. Charles.

    Ms. Tracy received her undergraduate degree in 1982 from Boston College, and her Juris Doctor in 1986 from John Marshall Law. Ms. Tracy is currently affiliated with the Kane County State's Attorney's Office in St. Charles.

  • January 3, 2013 | People
    Harold A. Katz 1921-2012

    ISBA Laureate Harold A. Katz was born November 2, 1921 in Shelbyville, Tennessee to Maurice W. and Gertrude Evelyn Cohen Katz, and died Dec. 6 with his children and caretaker, Dorothy Archer, by his bedside. Over his 91 years, he was a devoted husband and father, labor attorney, and Illinois state legislator for 18 years, where he was known for his independence and integrity. 

    From a modest background, he commuted to Vanderbilt University (B.A., economics 1943) in Nashville where he wrote for the school newspaper, supported civil rights efforts and was a collegiate chess champion. During a formative summer college program at Campobello Island, Canada, he met and was inspired by the first-lady, Eleanor Roosevelt. 

    During World War II, Harold worked for the War Labor Board in Chicago where he met and married Ethel Mae Lewison. He attended the University of Chicago (J.D., 1948; M.A. economics, 1958), where he began a friendship and collaboration with Professor Charles Gregory; together they wrote Labor Law: Cases, Materials, Comments (1948) and a follow-up volume Labor and the Law (3rd edition, 1979). In 1956, an article he authored in the Harvard Law Review introduced the concept that automobile manufacturers should be legally liable for injuries resulting from dangerous car design; this article is said to have influenced policy makers in this area, including consumer advocate Ralph Nader.