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Chicago Area

  • February 1, 2011 | People
    Henne, McDermott join Swanson, Martin & Bell
    [caption id="attachment_17479" align="alignright" width="143" caption="Kelly McDermott"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_17480" align="alignright" width="143" caption="Brett Henne"][/caption] Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP has recently added two associates to the firm’s Chicago and Libertyville offices: Brett M. Henne is an associate in Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP’s Libertyville office. He focuses his practice on construction litigation, fire and explosion litigation, general trial practice, insurance, medical negligence and healthcare, and real estate litigation. Mr. Henne joins Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP from the Lake County State's Attorneys Office where he was an Assistant State's Attorney. He received his J.D. from Loyola University Chicago School of Law in 2002 and his B.S. from Northeastern Illinois University in 1994. Kelly A. McDermott joins Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP’s Chicago office from Hall Prangle & Schoonveld LLC, where she was also an associate. She focuses her practice on medical negligence and healthcare. Ms. McDermott received her J.D. as well as a Certificate in Health Law Studies from Saint Louis University School of Law in 2007 and her B.A.
  • January 28, 2011 | Events
    Phi Alpha Delta Law honors Chief Judges Holderman, Evans at centennial celebration
    [caption id="attachment_17384" align="alignright" width="300" caption="U.S. District Court Chief Judge James F. Holderman (2nd from left) and Cook County Circuit Court Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans (2nd from right) are congratulated by Phi Alpha Delta officers on receiving their awards. From left: Pierre W. Priestley, Chicago Alumni Chapter Vice Justice and Chair of the Centennial Celebration; Chief Judge Holderman; Michele M. Jochner, Justice of the Chicago Alumni Chapter; Chief Judge Evans; and John K. Norris, Phi Alpha Delta District XI Justice. "][/caption] The Chicago Alumni Chapter of Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, International, recently celebrated the 100th anniversary of its founding at a Centennial Celebration Banquet at the Hotel InterContinental on the Magnificent Mile. The mission of the fraternity is to promote the core values of integrity, compassion, courage, professionalism, innovation and diversity, and to work with law students and their schools, with colleagues in the legal profession, and also within the broader community to advance these ideals. As part of its festivities, the chapter and the fraternity’s International Executive Board recognized Hon. James F. Holderman, Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, with the Hon. Mary Ann G. McMorrow Distinguished Service to the Legal Profession Award. The chapter also recognized Hon. Timothy C.
  • January 26, 2011
    Breaking legal news for Wednesday, Jan. 26

    State

  • January 24, 2011 | Events
    Take your personal brand to the next level
    The ISBA Standing Committee on Women and the Law will present "Power, Prestige And Your Personal Brand" on March 4 at Kent College of Law. Who you are, how you communicate, what you know and how you present yourself all make up your “Personal Brand.”  Regardless of whether you work for a big firm, small firm, are solo, or in-house, you have a reputation and an image that should be cultivated. Your personal brand is greater than the sum of your characteristics.  It is how others perceive you. This panel of professionals brings together experts in image development, branding and presentation.  They will provide insight into building your brand and how to leverage that brand to further your career.  Whether you are looking to attract clients, find your next job opportunity, or raise your profile, this program will help you get started.
    • Date: Friday, March 4, 2011
    • Time: 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
    • Location: IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law- Room 560, 565 W. Adams Street, Chicago, IL 60661, (Map and Directions)
    • Fee: $15.00
    Register online at by Thursday, February 24, 2011. Law students welcome. NOTE: MCLE credit is NOT available for this program. Space is limited so sign up NOW
  • January 24, 2011
    Breaking legal news for Monday, Jan. 24

    Chicago area

  • January 20, 2011 | People
    Cavan K. Doyle joins Lebow, Malecki & Tasch LLC
    [caption id="attachment_17219" align="alignright" width="140" caption="Cavan K. Doyle"][/caption] Lebow, Malecki & Tasch LLC of Chicago is pleased to announce that Cavan K. Doyle has joined the firm as an associate.  Ms. Doyle will focus on corporate transactions and healthcare law.  Ms. Doyle brings to the position previous experience with issues pertaining to health care providers, contracts/declaratory judgments, commercial litigations, fiduciary liability and consumer fraud.  Her healthcare experience includes professional licensure, liability and insurance coverage defense, regulatory compliance and employment law. Previously Ms. Doyle was staff attorney to the Honorable Rita M. Novak of the Circuit Court of Cook County, General Chancery Division.  She also served as Law Clerk for the Chicago firm Augustine, Kern and Levens, Ltd. Ms. Doyle graduated cum laude from the Loyola University Chicago School of Law in 2007, where she received the Bernard J. Conway Health Law Scholarship and served as Senior Member of the Loyola Law Journal.  During law school, Ms. Doyle was an extern for The Honorable Ronald A. Guzman of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.  In 2004, Ms. Doyle received an L.L. M.
  • January 19, 2011 | Practice News
    Former Jenner & Block chairman Jerold Solovy dies
    [caption id="attachment_17174" align="alignright" width="150" caption="Jerold Solovy"][/caption] Former Jenner & Block chairman Jerold Solovy passed away Wednesday at the age of 80. Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice Thomas L. Kilbride issued this statement on Solovy's passing: “We’ve lost one of the finest lawyers in the history of Illinois. If you say that, where do you stop the accolades.” Solovy began his career at Jenner in 1955 after graduating from Harvard Law. He became chairman in 1990 and was known for championing pro bono cases. Solovy also chaired the "Solovy Commission," which cleaned up the Cook County justice system after Operation Greylord. Read more about it in the Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Tribune and Crain's Chicago Business. The Tribune also published an article on Solovy's legacy in 2007.
  • January 18, 2011 | Events
    Register your team for YLD bean bag party and tournament
    Please join us in supporting this event to benefit the Illinois Bar Foundation/YLD Children’s Assistance Program. The YLD Children's Assistance Fund is a special fund of the Illinois Bar Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable entity.
    • When: Saturday, March 5, 2011 from Noon to 4:00  p.m.
    • Where: Mahoney’s Pub and Grille, 551 N. Ogden Ave. (on Ogden near Grand), Chicago, IL (map and directions)
    • What: Appetizer bar and domestic draft beer, mixed well drinks and soft drinks
    • Cost: $35.00 per person per wristband or $100.00 for entrance fee for Bean Bag Tournament for a team of two with two wristbands. You must be at least 21 years old to participate.
    • Deadline: Bean Bag Team registration and wristband registration open until Tuesday, March 1 and thereafter wristbands can be purchased at the door the day of the event
    Prizes: 1st Place Team - $350.00; 2nd Place Team - $150.00 Each person will receive a raffle ticket with a chance to win an iPad donated by Attorneys’ Title Guaranty Fund Tournament Sponsors:
    • Attorney’s Title Guaranty Fund
    • Preferred Capital Lending
    • Russell Scott, ISBA Board of Governors member, Belleville
    Questions?
  • January 13, 2011 | People
    James C. Spangler 1924-2011
    James C. Spangler, 86, a World War II veteran and former partner in the law firm of Lapin, Hoff, Spangler & Greenberg in Chicago, died of heart failure Wednesday, Jan. 5, in his Elmhurst home. He was previously a longtime resident of River Forest. Born and raised on Chicago's West Side, Mr. Spangler graduated from Campion High School, a Jesuit-run boarding school in Prairie du Chien, Wis. Mr. Spangler attended the U.S. Naval Reserve Midshipmen School at Notre Dame University before serving with the Atlantic Fleet during World War II, his family said. After the war, Mr. Spangler received a bachelor's degree from Lawrence College in Wisconsin and in 1949 graduated from Marquette law school. After briefly working with the Cook County state's attorney and in the Illinois attorney general's office, he became an associate with the Chicago firm of Geary & Stagman, and later a partner in Kennedy, Golan, Morris, Spangler & Greenberg in Chicago. He retired in 1989 as a partner with Lapin, Hoff, Spangler & Greenberg Read the full obituary in the Chicago Tribune
  • January 10, 2011 | People
    Pape Law Firm selected Small Real Estate Law Firm of the Year
    [caption id="attachment_17056" align="alignright" width="160" caption="Arthur Pape"][/caption] The Pape Law Firm of Wheaton, Illinois has been selected Small Real Estate Law Firm of the Year – North America by London‑based InterContinental Finance Magazine.  According to the magazine, The Pape Law Firm has “performed to exceptional levels during one of the most difficult economic periods ever experienced.” InterContinental Finance Magazine makes Global Awards to firms and individuals that have had the greatest impact on the industry within their region during 2009 and 2010, based on an independent poll of magazine readership, industry peers and the publication’s own in‑house panel.  Each voter was encouraged to vote for those firms and individuals that are, in their opinion, the most capable within their field. Arthur E. Pape, principal attorney of The Pape Law Firm, said “I had no idea we were being considered for this award, and it comes as a complete surprise.  It’s nice for a small suburban firm to be recognized in this way.  This validates our business plan of doing first class work at rates up to 50% lower than the big firms must charge, which frees me to work on deals rather than be just a legal administrator.  Thanks to all our clients who made this possible, and welcome to any who become clients in the future.”