The Bar News

Bar News Sections

Chicago Area

  • January 3, 2013 | Practice News
    Job opening: Executive Director of the Illinois Supreme Court Access to Justice Commission

    The Illinois Supreme Court Access to Justice Commission (“Commission”), created by the Illinois Supreme Court in June, 2012 to expand and improve access to justice in Illinois, is seeking an Executive Director.  The Executive Director is responsible for overseeing and coordinating all activities of the Commission. The Executive Director will report to the Commission Chair and be employed by The Chicago Bar Foundation (CBF). 

    The Executive Director will work in close collaboration with the Chair, other members of the Commission and Commission committees, the Illinois Supreme Court, the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts, volunteer staff from the CBF and other Commission partners, and any consultants retained by the Commission. The Executive Director will be based in Chicago, but periodic travel throughout the State of Illinois will be required.  The salary range is $80,000 to $90,000, based on experience, plus benefits.  Applicants should send their resumes and cover letters to Jeffrey D. Colman, Chair of the Commission, via e-mail to jcolman@jenner.com by January 11, 2013. No phone calls please.

    The full job description is available here

  • January 2, 2013 | CLE
    CLE: Succession Planning: Managing the Transition

    Join us in Chicago on January 25th and learn how to effectively manage the succession planning transaction – from preparing the business for sale and identifying potential buyers to winding down the business and tying up any loose ends. Business advice attorneys, general practitioners, and trusts and estate lawyers with basic practice experience who attend this full-day seminar will learn how to help clients prepare employees for the transition; effectively manage the proceeds of sale; create (and complete) the pre-sale checklist; transition the family business to the next generation; draft the necessary documents for the sale/purchase of a business; recognize important intellectual property issues throughout the transaction process; address environmental issues and concerns with the business; close down a business – with or without a purchaser for the business; and deal with the ethical considerations that may arise throughout the succession planning process.

    The program is presented by the ISBA Business Advice and Financial Planning 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.

  • January 2, 2013 | Events
    Next YLD Luncheon "Graduating to the Bench" to be held Jan. 15

    The Illinois State Bar Association's Young Lawyers Division is hosting a four-part series of Professional Development Lunches (PDLs) aimed at teaching law students and young attorneys practical steps in advancing their career. The next installment will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 15 at noon at the Chicago Regional Office, 20 S. Clark Ste. 900.

    Register at www.isba.org/sections/yld/pdl/01-15-2013

  • December 21, 2012 | Practice News
    Vanecko case to get judge from McHenry County

    Illinois Supreme Court spokesman Joe Tybor is reporting the the Court has ordered the chief judge of the 22nd Circuit (McHenry County) to assign a judge from that circuit to preside over People v. Vanecko. Cook County Judge Arthur Hill recused himself from the case earlier this week.

    Vanecko is the nephew of former Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley and is charged with involuntary manslaughter in the 2004 death of David Koschman.

  • December 20, 2012 | People
    John Cobb Williams 1930-2012

    John Cobb Williams, 82, of Wilmette, IL and Naples, FL, died Friday, November 30, 2012 at Avow Hospice of Naples.

    He was born in Wilmette, the son of Ralph M. and Mary (Cobb) Williams.

    He graduated from New Trier High School, Wesleyan College and Yale Law School. In college he was a member of the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity and particularly enjoyed singing in the school's choir.

    He married Helen Grace Gilbert, of Kenilworth, IL, in 1955 at Kenilworth Union Church. Three daughters were born soon thereafter - Holly Montague (Larry Gniadek) of Mount Prospect, IL, Nancy Williams (Sandy Morrison) of Portland, OR and Sarah Mason Williams (Gabriel Ramirez) of Los Angeles, CA.

    John spent his entire legal career as a partner at the Chicago office of Sidley & Austin, specializing in trusts and estates. He served many years on the Village Board of Northbrook, IL, including a four year term as Village President. He contributed extensive work to the Illinois Bar Association. John particularly enjoyed his community of friends, traveling, tennis, reading, writing, and singing in the Glencoe Union Church choir.

  • December 20, 2012 | People
    Lyn Cima 1936-2012

    Lyn (Carter) Cima, 75, formerly of Gurnee, died in Greenville, Maine on Oct.20.

    After her husband was killed in a car accident in 1971, she obtained a law degree at John Marshall Law School and raised their six children as a single mom. She was an active member of the Lake Forest Friends (Quakers) Meeting.

    Lyn, the daughter of John and Mary Jane Carter was born in Camden, New Jersey and attended the University of Chicago at age 16, where she met her husband, Augustin Cima. They married in 1955.

    She vehemently opposed the war in Vietnam War. She marched, refused to pay war taxes, boycotted Hostess and edited the newsletter for the North Shore branch of the WILPF. She was a Draft Counselor during those turbulent years, and was arrested drawing attention to the Army's illegal surveillance of anti-war citizens. (Charges were dropped.)

    She joined the Lake Forest Friends Meeting and convened its Peace and Social Concerns Committee. Lyn was among the early organizers of PADS, Lake County's still-active community effort to feed and shelter the homeless. Until recently, she taught literacy to adult students and was honored when her student won Illinois' Spotlight Award for Literacy achievement.

  • December 20, 2012 | People
    Calvin H. Hall Sr. 1924-2012

    Calvin Hall Sr. had a distinguished career as an attorney and judge that spanned nearly 50 years.

    He started with the Chicago Housing Authority as a trial attorney and moved up to chief counsel. His work over 25 years to secure fair housing for those in need, along with his other CHA contributions, led the agency to give him its distinguished service award in 1982, said his son, Calvin Hall Jr.

    In 1984, he was appointed an associate judge of the Cook County Circuit Court, hearing domestic relations cases and tenant-landlord disputes. 

    "I worked right alongside him in domestic relations," said Chief Judge Timothy Evans. "He was a great lawyer, a wonderful judge and a very good friend."

    Mr. Hall, 88, died of a chronic lung condition Tuesday, Nov. 27, in his home on Chicago's Far South Side, his son said.

    Read the full obituary in the Chicago Tribune.

  • December 20, 2012 | People
    George M. Shur 1942-2012

    George Michael Shur, 70, of DeKalb, IL, died Sunday, Nov. 25 in Chicago. Born in 1942 in Portland, ME, to Barnett and Clarice (Geller) Shur, George spent his childhood in Portland and attended Colby College, then Boston University School of Law.

    He returned to Portland and joined the law firm of Bernstein, Shur, Sawyer, and Nelson, where he later became partner. In 1970, he met Martha West. From their first date on Valentine's Day she remained the love of his life, and they were blessed to celebrate their 42nd anniversary November 14.

  • December 20, 2012 | People
    Kenneth Jones Burns Jr. 1926-2012

    Kenneth Jones Burns, Jr., of Lake Bluff, Illinois, died peacefully with his family by his side on November 9 at age 86.

    He graduated from Evanston High School in 1944. Ken began dating his wife, Edi, while in high school. He graduated from Northwestern University in 1948, and Northwestern University School of Law in 1951. At Northwestern, Ken was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity.

    Ken served on active duty in the United States Naval Reserve in both WWII and the Korean War. Ken was a partner at the law firm of Jenner & Block from 1951 – 1972. He was Senior Vice-President, General Counsel, and Secretary of Anchor Hocking Corp. in Lancaster, Ohio from 1972 – 1979. He served as Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary of IMCERA Group, Inc. (formerly International Minerals & Chemical Corp.) in Northbrook from 1979 – 1993. He was active in the American Bar Association, serving as Chairman of the Junior Bar Conference (1961-62), Assistant Secretary (1967 – 1971), Secretary (1971 – 1975), President of the American Bar Endowment (1983 – 1985), and President of the American Bar Foundation (1998 – 2000).

    Ken enjoyed spending time with his family, playing golf, reading, and cheering for Chicago’s sports teams. He was a member since 1966 and Past President of Skokie Country Club in Glencoe.

    He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Edith Mitten Burns, their six children, Debby (Jeff) Fox, K.J. (Kathy) Burns, III, Sarah (Larry) Barden, Libby (John) Donnell, Nancy (Jose) Silva, and Andrew (Jill) Burns, their 18 grandchildren, and 5 great-grandchildren.

  • December 19, 2012 | CLE
    CLE: Illinois Post-Conviction Practice

    Post-conviction work is a unique area of the law that oftentimes poses interesting challenges for the attorney working in the particular practice. Because post-conviction law entails both trial and appellate skills, some lawyers are hesitant about working in this arena. This half-day seminar in Chicago on January 17th gives you the tools you need to take on this rewarding work with confidence and ease. Topics include: using the Illinois Post-Conviction Practice manual during your post-conviction case, conducting thorough post-conviction investigations, common claims in post-conviction law, and telling your client’s story during post-conviction. The program qualifies for 3.75 hours MCLE credit.

    Click here for more information and to register.