Chicago Area

January 19, 2010 | People

Arthur Gorov 1932-2010

Longtime ISBA member Arthur Gorov passed away last week at his home in Montana. The Chicago native worked at the personal-injury law firm of Berkson, Gorov and Levin before heading up the legal research department for Cook County Circuit Court. He and his wife moved to Montana seven years ago. "He always declared eagles carried his heart with them," said Billie Lee, his wife, friend and companion of 31 years. "They were the reflection of his soul." Read the full obituary in the Chicago Sun-Times.
January 19, 2010 | People

Bieber joins Levin Schreder & Carey as partner

Levin Schreder & Carey Ltd. welcomes Scott Bieber as a partner of the firm. Bieber has been practicing law for 27 years and focuses his practice on family wealth preservation, federal transfer taxation and family business planning. A published author and frequent speaker for attorneys, accountants and other professionals on business planning and wealth preservation topics, Bieber is a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel and is an Editorial Board member of Estate Planning magazine. Bieber has been recognized as a Leading Lawyer in Trust, Will and Estate Planning Law by the Illinois Leading Lawyers Network, has been named an Illinois Super Lawyer in Estate Planning and Probate, and is also named in Best Lawyers in America in the area of Trusts and Estates. Before joining Levin Schreder & Carey Ltd. in January 2010, Bieber practiced law at Schiff Hardin LLP. Bieber received his law degree from the University of Chicago Law School and his undergraduate degree, cum laude, from the University of Pennsylvania. Levin Schreder & Carey Ltd. is a law firm focused on federal income tax, estate tax and gift tax planning and controversy resolution for individuals and closely-held businesses. The firm is one of the largest law firms devoted exclusively to income tax and estate planning and related litigation in the Chicago area. For more information, visit the firm's website at: www.levinschreder.com.
January 18, 2010 | People

Michael E. Lavelle Sr. 1938-2009

Election law expert Michael E. Lavelle Sr. passed away last month after years of battling lupus and liver disease. Mr. Lavelle was a native of County Galway, Ireland, and servied in the Marines from 1957-1960. He received a bachelor's degree from Loyola University and a law degree from John Marshall Law School. "People called him the election czar," his son said. "He took a lot of heat as head of the Chicago election board, but I never heard him speak badly of anybody. He could be trading heated comments with somebody, and later on they would be friends." Click here to read the obituary in the Chicago Sun-Times Click here to read the obituary in the Chicago Tribune
January 15, 2010

Breaking legal news for Friday, January 15
State
- Wills can now be stored at secretary of state's office, Bloomington Pantagraph
Chicago area
- Zion man flees courtroom, bounces off wall in escape attempt, Daily Herald
- Four years in prison for one-punch killing in McHenry Co., Daily Herald
- 2 firms to stay at UBS Tower, Chicago Business
Northern Illinois
- Reid guilty of murder, no death penalty, Quad-City Times
Southern Illinois
- Veteran pleads guilty to threatening staff at Marion VA, The Southern
Nation
- Gay marriage judge abandons web broadcast attempt, Belleville News-Democrat
This post is updated with breaking news throughout the day.
January 14, 2010 | People

Barbara Downs passes away

[caption id="attachment_7426" align="alignright" width="100" caption="Barbara Downs"][/caption] Barbara A. Downs, Wife and Partner of Robert K. Downs of Downs Law Offices, P.C., recently passed away. Barb and Bob met on July 4, became engaged Aug. 1 and were married Nov. 30, 1963. They have 2 children, Christopher and Kelli (Steve) Seales and 2 grandchildren, Zach and Amanda. Barb worked as a child welfare worker to help put Bob through law school. She received a P.H.T. (Putting Hubby Through) Degree from Stetson University College of Law in 1965. Barb received her JD from DePaul University in 1984. She also had an LLM in taxation. She received her B.A. from Ohio Wesleyan University in 1961. Member, Family Law Section Council, Sub-Committee on Supreme Court Rules; Association of Family and Conciliation Courts; West Suburban and DuPage County Bar Associations; Past member of the Estate and Probate Section Council. In or about December 2008, Barb wrote an article for the ISBA Family Law Section Council's newsletter regarding an unfair transfer tax on the division of property in divorce cases that caught the attention of many, including Ald. Ed Burke. Action is pending in the Chicago City Council. She was a partner in life and the law to Bob and a loving mother to Chris and Kelli.
January 14, 2010

Breaking legal news for Thursday, January 14
Central Illinois
- Lawsuits: Boys zapped in Kankakee school stun gun demo, Springfield State Journal-Register
Chicago area
- Chicago lawyer gets 7 years for role in Refco Inc. fraud, Chicago Business
- Alleged Burge torture victim goes free, Chicago Tribune
- Man ruled insane in 2004 slaying may be permanently institutionalized, Daily Herald
Northern Illinois
- FBI investigating Rock Island County Clerk's Office, Quad-City Times
Southern Illinois
- Fentanyl death blamed in Wal-Mart slip and fall, Madison/St. Clair Record
Nation
- DLA "working lawyer" explains why he and 8 others moved to Jackson Lewis, ABA Journal
- Lawyers advise delay in ending ban on gays in military, ABA Journal
This post is updated with breaking news throughout the day.
January 13, 2010

Breaking legal news for Wednesday, January 13
Central Illinois
- A Macoupin County judge suspended for threatening statements, Springfield State Journal-Register
- Peoria council tables vote to add FOIA job, Peoria Journal Star
Chicago area
- Supreme Court skeptical of NFL antitrust claim, Chicago Tribune
- Aurora man struck by flying ice will file legal motions to find driver, Daily Herald
- Kane may reconsider ban on video gambling, Beacon News
Southern Illinois
- Judicial candidates running in 3rd and 20th are "recommended" in ISBA poll, Madison/St. Clair Record
Nation
- Jones Day practice head joins Winston; others likely to follow, ABA Journal
This post is updated with breaking news throughout the day.
January 12, 2010

Breaking legal news for Tuesday, January 12
State
- Supreme Court to consider request to shut Chicago locks Jan. 15, Chicago Business
Central Illinois
- Jury shown photos of victim in murder trial, Bloomington Pantagraph
Chicago area
- Obama focuses on three judge nominees for Chicago, Law.com
- Sheriff: Burr Oak is thousands over capacity, Chicago Tribune
SCOTUS
- High court upholds death sentence, despite disparaging defense, ABA Journal
This post is updated with breaking news throughout the day.
January 12, 2010 | People

"Rules of Evidence" to air on Judicial Perspective

[caption id="attachment_7280" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Luis A. Berrones, Israel A. Desierto and Diana J. Larsen and Michael B. Hyman will appear on "Rules of Evidence.""][/caption] Rules of Evidence will be the topic of "Judicial Perspective," a half-hour cable program presented by the Illinois Judges Association (IJA), airing on Chicago Access Network Television, Channel 21 in Chicago, on Tuesday, Jan. 19 at 10:30 p.m. The judges explain to non-lawyers the purpose and the use of evidence rules. Appearing on the show will be Luis A. Berrones, a judge in the 19th Judicial Circuit of Lake County; Israel A. Desierto and Diane J. Larsen, both judges on the Circuit Court of Cook County; and program moderator Michael B. Hyman, also a judge on the Circuit Court of Cook County. The Illinois Judges Association, formed in 1971, provides continuing legal support to members of the judiciary and education to the public on matters regarding the court system.
January 11, 2010 | Events

Jenner & Block to host pro bono event with "Angel of Death Row" author Lyon

Jenner & Block will host an event on Thursday, Jan. 21, celebrating pro bono work on capital cases and honor Andrea D. Lyon, a distinguished death penalty defense lawyer, DePaul Law professor and the author of Angel of Death Row: My Life as a Death Penalty Defense Lawyer. This event begins at 5:30 p.m. at Jenner & Block, 353 N. Clark. Ms. Lyon will be available to sign copies of her book. Hors d'oeuvres and wine will be served. Click here to register online or contact Kristine A. Stassen at (312) 923-8524 or at kstassen@jenner.com for more information.