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  • July 18, 2012 | People
    Michael P. Schostok 1961-2012

    Michael P. Schostok, 51, a former member of the Illinois State Bar Association's Board of Governors, passed away on Sunday at his Libertyville home after a battle with brain cancer.

    Mr. Schostok practiced personal injury law, specializing in medical malpractice and catastrophic injury matters as a principal in the firm of Salvi, Schostok, and Pritchard of Chicago and Waukegan. He earned his J.D. at Capital University Law School, 1986, a B.S. in 1983 from Miami University and attended Loyola Academy. He grew up in Riverwoods. Michael was an outdoorsman and naturalist all his life.

    He was the beloved husband of Appellate Justice Mary Schostok (nee Seminara); and loving father of Marisa, Gina, and Michael; son of Kathleen Kapsa and the late Steven Schostok; brother of Stephen (Sheila) Schostok, Bradley Schostok; and sister, Katherine (Jonathan) Cunha; stepson of Dr. Patricia Schostok Reese; uncle of many.

    Visitation will be Thursday, July 19, 3 to 8 p.m. at Kolssak Funeral Home, 189 S. Milwaukee Ave (2 Blocks South of Dundee Rd) Wheeling. Michael will lie in state Friday 10 a.m. at St. Joseph Parish; 121 E. Maple, Libertyville until time of Life Celebration Mass at 11 a.m. Interment Ascension Cemetery, Libertyville.

  • July 16, 2012 | Events
    Illinois Judges Foundation to host Comedy Night

    The Illinois Judges Foundation & the Auxiliary Committee are hosting a comedy night on Tuesday, July 24. This event starts with a reception at 6 and show at 7:15. It will be held at The Second City e.t.c. Stage, 230 W. North.

    Register online at IJF Second City Event

    Questions? Contact Kathy Hosty at 312-554-2008 or Christine Athanasoulis at (708) 705-4355.

  • July 16, 2012 | People
    Howard T. Goffen to receive ABA's Pro Bono Publico Award

    Howard T. Goffen, a pro bono attorney at LAF (Legal Assistance Foundation), will receive the prestigious American Bar Association Pro Bono Publico award for his work on behalf of low income individuals across Cook County. Goffen is one of only five winners throughout the country who will be honored on August 6, 2012 during the ABA’s annual meeting in Chicago.

    For more than seven years since his retirement from the private sector, Goffen has devoted more than 7,000 hours of pro bono legal services to his clients at LAF. He has been primary counsel or co-counseled more than 120 cases and has helped his clients in numerous, life-altering ways. He has prevented the loss of client’s homes through loan modification, prevented the termination of Social Security benefits, defended hospital collections lawsuits and garnered unemployment benefits.

    “Howard’s impact on LAF’s clients is enormous and he is more deserving of this award than any  other attorney that I have come across in my career,” said Diana C. White, Executive Director of LAF. “He comes in early, stays late and readily gives up his day off if need be. His dedication, tenacity, compassion and humility make him the gold standard for pro bono attorneys.”

    2 comments (Most recent July 19, 2012)
  • July 13, 2012 | ISBA News
    New ISBA secretary, treasurer elected at Board meeting

    The Illinois State Bar Association's Board of Governors elected a new secretary and treasurer at its meeting Friday in Chicago.

    John Nisivaco (left) will serve as secretary. Nisivaco is a partner with the Chicago firm of Boudreau Nisivaco LLC. In 2011, he was elected to the Board has been elected to the Assembly three times. He has also served as chair of the ISBA Tort Law Section Council. Russell K. Scott of Belleville served as secretary for 2011-2012.

    Judge Stephen Pacey (right) of Paxton was named treasurer. He is serving his sixth year on the Board and has been a Ford County circuit judge since 1996. He has served on the Assembly and a multitude of committees and sections during his 38 years as an ISBA member. He was preceded as treasurer by Karen A. Enright of Chicago.

    The Board welcomed new members Charles Y. Davis of Springfield, Jean A. Kenol of Joliet and Sonni Choi Williams of Peoria. Chicago attorney Mark Karno was appointed to the Board seat vacated when Umberto S. Davi was elected 3rd Vice President.

  • July 11, 2012 | ISBA News
    Special Committee on Judicial Disqualification Standards meets

    The Illinois State Bar Association's Special Committee on Judicial Disqualification Standards met Tuesday at the Chicago Regional Office. The committee is discussing ways to increase public and professional attention to campaign contributions in judicial elections and the perception that such contributions may influence judicial decision making.

    On hand for the meeting were (clockwise from left): Diane F. Klotnia of Miller Shakman & Beem, Chicago; Hon. Raymond J. McKoski, Lindenhurst; ISBA Board liaison Christopher Hurley of Hurley McKenna & Mertz, Chicago; co-chair Warren Lupel of Much Shelist, Chicago; Stephen L. Corn of Craig & Craig, Mattoon; Hon. Michael B. Hyman, Circuit Court of Cook County, Skokie and co-chair Hon. Gino L. DiVito, Tabet DiVito & Rothstein LLC, Chicago.

    President John E. Thies appointed this special committee as one of his presidential initiatives. More information on the committee and those serving on it can be found at www.isba.org/committees/judicialdisqualificationstandards.

  • July 10, 2012 | People
    Charles Moynihan Evans 1976-2012

    Charles “Charlie” Moynihan Evans, age 35, passed away in his Chicago home on July 6, 2012 after a bold and arduous two year battle with cancer. Charlie was born in Champaign, Illinois on July 28, 1976 to Mr. And Mrs. Charles Victor and Ruth Ann Evans, and he spent his childhood in Belleville and Champaign.

    During his youth Charlie was very active at Indian Acres Swim Club in Champaign as a beloved coach, life guard, and seasoned member of the swim team. He was also a member of the St. Matthew’s Youth Group. Charlie is a 1994 graduate of Central High School, where he led the swim team, and the experiences and friendships he formed in Champaign enriched his life.

    Charlie graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1998 with a degree in Economics, and after spending time in Taiwan teaching English, he returned to the University of Illinois College of Law, where he graduated in 2003 summa cum laude and was an Articles Editor of the school’s Law Review and a member of the Order of the Coif.

    Charlie enjoyed his legal career, especially his clerkships with the Honorable James F. Holderman of the Northern District of Illinois and the Honorable Michael S. Kanne of the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals. He proudly ended his career as an attorney with the Federal Trade Commission.

    Charlie met his wife Tiana Nell Evans in law school in 2002. They married in Evanston on December 20, 2008. The couple has two precious sons, Charles John “Jack” Evans, age 2, and Patrick Moynihan Evans, age 1. They were Charlie’s proudest accomplishments and will be his lasting legacy.

  • July 9, 2012 | ISBA News | Events
    Solo and Small Firm Conference returns to Chicagoland - registration now open

    The Illinois State Bar Association's 8th Annual Solo & Small Firm Conference returns to Chicagoland Sept. 13-15 at the Westin Northwest Chicago in Itasca. Register by Aug. 20 for the Early Bird discount -- a savings of $75. Earn up to 15 hours of MCLE credit, including all 6 hours of PMCLE credit.

    Top 10 Reasons To Attend This Year’s Conference

    1. Networking with like-minded peers from across the state!
    2. Crowd favorite program Gizmos & Gadgets returns
    3. Basic and advanced Fastcase legal research training
    4. New location in Itasca, just northwest of Chicago
    5. Individual counseling on how to market your firm
    6. Mobile Device App to put Conference info you need at your fingertips
    7. Comedians-at-Law at Friday night social event
    8. Plenary speaker Todd Winegar's Trials of the Century Overview program
    9. New 4th track of programming – Practice Fundamentals
    10. 15 HRS MCLE/ 6 HRS PMCLE credit available

    Learn more and register today at www.isba.org/soloconference

  • July 5, 2012 | ISBA News
    ISBA President John E. Thies speaks with Chinese delegation

    Illinois State Bar Association President John E. Thies (front row, center) gave a speech to representatives of the Chinese Ministry of Justice, including Zhao Jianji (front row, second from left), the Director of the Ministry's Department of Legislative Affairs. The delages were on a two week trip to the U.S., coordinated by the University of Illinois. President Thies discussed the various bar associations in the United States (including their respective activities, and how such associations benefit various members of the legal profession and public); lawyer regulation; legal ethics; legal education; and legal aid (among other topics).

  • July 5, 2012 | People
    ISBA Past President John O'Brien named vice president with Attorneys’ Title Guaranty Fund

    John G. O’Brien, one of the most recognized attorneys in Illinois, has been named vice president and counsel at Attorneys’ Title Guaranty Fund, Inc. (ATG). O’Brien has resigned from the ATG Board of Directors to assume his new responsibilities; Chicago attorney Jonathan Sherry replaced him.

    O’Brien, who has practiced law in Arlington Heights since 1972, was president of the Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA) in 2009-10 and is past president and current chairman of the board of directors of the Illinois Real Estate Lawyers Association (IRELA), an organization he founded in 1994. IRELA, composed of real estate attorneys from all corners of Illinois, is the only bar association that represents the interests solely of real estate attorneys. ATG and IRELA have partnered over the years to advocate for real estate attorneys and the clients they serve.

    Largely through O’Brien’s advocacy efforts in the mid-90s, IRELA filed a lawsuit against a large Chicago-area realtor to prevent its agents from engaging in the unauthorized practice of law by their efforts to offer what amounted to legal advice to home buyers. IRELA won the lawsuit and continues, according to the ISBA, “to serve as a watchdog to prevent non-lawyers from offering what are essentially legal services to home buyers and sellers.” The impact of this ruling is clear not only for attorneys but also for the clients they represent.

  • July 5, 2012 | Practice News
    DuPage chief judge accepting applications for associate judge

    Chief Judge John T. Elsner has announced that the Court is accepting applications to fill a vacancy for the Office of Associate Judge of the 18th Judicial Circuit of Illinois, DuPage County. This vacancy is a result of the retirement of Associate Judge Cary B. Pierce.

    Judge Elsner added that applications to fill this vacancy will be accepted until 5 p.m. on Aug. 1, 2012. Applicants must be a United States citizen, licensed to practice law in this state and a resident of DuPage County. Two original applications, submitted on the prescribed application form, must be filed with:

    • Michael J. Tardy, Director
    • Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts
    • 3101 Old Jacksonville Road
    • Springfield, IL 52704-6488

    Applications can be obtainted from the Chief Judge's Office, the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts or from the Supreme Court's website: www.state.il.us/court.

    Applications may not be submitted electronically or via facsimile.