The Bar News

Bar News Sections

Chicago Area

  • November 17, 2017 | CLE
    CLE: Children and Mental Health

    Mental illness in children is more common than many may think, with anxiety disorders, depression, and attention deficit disorders being among the most prevalent. Developmental and psychotic disorders are less common, but can impact the child and their families in much greater ways. Don’t miss this seminar on December 13, 2017 in Chicago or via live webcast that discusses a number of key issues that attorneys need to be aware of when handling cases involving mentally ill children, including: how the Illinois Mental Health and Developmental Disability Act addresses children’s rights; the confidentiality of minor’s mental health records; the communication barriers with children who are diagnosed with mental illness; and how to promote better dialogue between attorneys and mental health professionals.

    The program is presented by the ISBA Mental Health Law Section and co-sponsored by the ISBA Standing Committee on Disability Law. It qualifies for 3.0 hours MCLE credit, including 1.0 hour Professional, Civility, or Legal Ethics PMCLE credit.

    Learn more and register on the ISBA CLE page. 

     

  • November 16, 2017 | Member Services
    Discounted Chicago Bulls Tickets for ISBA Members

    Chicago Bulls vs. New York Knicks
    United Center, Sat., Dec. 9 at 7:00 p.m.

    Chicago Bulls vs. Orlando Magic
    United Center, Wed., Dec. 20 at 7:00 p.m.

    You're invited to experience great NBA action, non-stop entertainment, and the energy of a sellout crowd! Enjoy the excitement of the Chicago Bulls as they battle the Knicks and the Magic.

    Illinois State Bar Association members, family, and friends have the opportunity to purchase Chicago Bulls tickets at a discount.

  • November 15, 2017 | Practice News
    November 2017 Bar Admission Ceremony Highlights

    Last Thursday, Nov. 9, 1,335 new attorneys were admitted to practice law in Illinois after taking the attorney's oath at five separate ceremonies across the state, bringing the total number of licensed attorneys in Illinois to approximately 98,000. Illinois Supreme Court and Illinois Appellate Court justices presided over the ceremonies.

    ISBA staff members were in attendance at all five ceremonies to welcome the state's newest attorneys to the profession, take photos, and talk about the benefits of ISBA membership, which is free for one year for new admittees. Member benefits can be activated by filling out the New Admittee Membership Form. 

    The photo galleries of highlights from the ceremonies are listed below:

    1st District Admission Ceremony, November 2017

    2nd District Admission Ceremony, November 2017

    3rd District Admission Ceremony, November 2017

    4th District Admission Ceremony, November 2017

  • November 14, 2017 | ISBA News | Events
    Diversity Leadership Council to Host "Count Me In" Reception

    The ISBA Diversity Leadership Council will be hosting the "Count Me In" reception in conjunction with the 2017 Midyear Meeting. Join us immediately after our CLE program, Diversity and Inclusion in the Practice of Law, for this complimentary reception on Friday, Dec. 8 from 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. at the Palmer House Hilton in Chicago to connect with old friends and new acquaintances, and celebrate the diversity in the legal profession. 

    Register for the reception online today and be part of the Movement for Inclusion.

    A special thank you to our premier sponsor, Lewis Rice, and our partner sponsor, Avery | Kill, LLC. 

  • November 14, 2017 | People
    Tim Bertschy to Begin Term as Illinois Lawyers’ Assistance Program President

    Tim Bertschy, the Managing Partner of Heyl, Royster, Voelker & Allen, P.C., will begin his term as president of the Illinois Lawyers’ Assistance Program’s (LAP) Board of Directors tomorrow, Nov. 15.

    “Tim’s dedication to the Illinois Legal Community is extraordinary. LAP as it is today would not exist without his advocacy. He was one of the original architects of the funding that LAP receives from the Illinois Supreme Court. We’re excited to have Tim as the President of the LAP Board of Directors to continue promoting wellness for the Illinois Legal Community,” said Robin Belleau, LAP executive director.

    Bertschy’s experience includes past president of LAP, serving on the ABA House of Delegates for over 15 years, past president of the Illinois State Bar Association, chairing the ABA Standing Committee on Publishing Oversight, United States District Court Advisory Committee on Local Rules (Central District, Illinois), commissioner of the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission (ARDC), board member of the Illinois Bar Foundation, co-chair of the Illinois Legal Needs Study II, and former president of the Illinois Equal Justice Foundation, Illinois Chapter of the American Judicature Society, Illinois Coalition for Equal Justice, Illinois Township Attorneys Association, and American Counsel Association, and co-chair of the Prairie State Legal Services Campaign for Legal Services committee.

  • November 13, 2017 | People
    Ryne J. Vitug Joins Ariano Hardy Ritt Nyuli Richmond Lytle & Goettel, P.C.

    Ryne J. Vitug recently joined Ariano Hardy Ritt Nyuli Richmond Lytle & Goettel, P.C., (AHR) as its newest attorney. Vitug will focus his practice on commercial and residential real estate and civil litigation cases.

    Attorney Ryne Vitug is a graduate of DePaul University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in political science in 2013 and a Juris Doctorate in 2016. He was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 2017. He is a member of the Illinois State, Kane County and DuPage County Bar Associations.

    Before joining AHR, Vitug worked as a law clerk for the Office of the Illinois Attorney General. He also gained experience as an extern for the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office and the Circuit Court of Cook County.

    At the Kane County-based law firm of AHR, Vitug will work with accomplished attorneys in his areas of practice. Attorney Karrsten Goettel practices commercial real estate law, as well as residential real estate, corporate law, and estate planning and administration. Attorney Scott G. Richmond practices civil litigation, as well as commercial litigation, personal injury, workers’ compensation, landlord-tenant law, and zoning-land use law.

    Outside of work, Vitug is a passionate sports fan, especially of the Chicago Cubs. Baseball fans may recognize that his parents named him after Cubs legend Ryne Sandberg.

  • November 13, 2017 | People
    Patrick Quinn Opens Park Ridge Law Office

    Patrick Quinn announced the formation of the Park Ridge-based Quinn Law Group, LLC,focusing on personal injury cases and estate planning services.

    Quinn represents clients seeking compensation for their personal injuries. Previously, he worked on the other side of personal injury cases, defending insurance companies during personal injury, wrongful death and healthcare negligence lawsuits.

    “It’s extremely rewarding to help victims of personal injury,” he said. “I’m able to help give them hope and the necessary resources to deal with the impact the injuries have had on their lives.”

    Quinn’s background gives him a unique perspective on personal injury cases because he knows the multiple tactics insurance companies will try to mitigate injury claims.

    “Unless you have someone advocating for you who understands how the insurance companies work, you are not going to get the full compensation that you deserve,” he said.

    Quinn has more than a decade of experience as a trial lawyer. He brings the same aggressive approach to each case he takes, whether the client is asking for a few thousand dollars or a million dollars. He is a member of the Illinois Bar Association, Chicago Bar Association and Northwest Suburban Bar Association.

    Quinn is a lifelong Chicagoan who lives with his family on the city’s northwest side. Outside of work, he enjoys coaching his children’s sports teams and being an active member of the Saint Paul of the Cross Men’s Club.

  • November 13, 2017 | CLE
    CLE: The Hero's Journey: Honor, Integrity, and Your Legal Career through the Lens of History

    The word hero conjures up images of firefighters, police officers, and medical personnel aiding victims in the aftermath of a tragedy. It’s synonymous with courage, determination, bravery, and selflessness. But not all heroes burst through a smokescreen of disaster; sometimes they just go to work and do their job helping others every day. Join us in Chicago on December 8, 2017 as Joshua Greene, renowned historian and documentary filmmaker, shows us how the real life actions of noble historical figures parallel your career and the things you do every day. Discover how your calling offers the opportunity to be a hero in your own right and why maintaining honor and integrity throughout your career is so important.

    The seminar is a Master Series presented by the Illinois State Bar Association and qualifies for 2.0 hours MCLE credit, including 2.0 hours Professionalism, Civility, or Legal Ethics MCLE credit (subject to approval).

    Visit the CLE page for more information and to register.

     

  • November 13, 2017 | People
    Jordan C. Olejniczak Joins Swanson, Martin, & Bell, LLP

    Associate Jordan C. Olejniczak recently joined Swanson, Martin, & Bell, LLP's Lisle office. He focuses his practice on commercial and business litigation, creditors’ rights and bankruptcy, environmental litigation, insurance, product liability, and general trial practice. Mr. Olejniczak received his J.D. magna cum laude in 2014 from Northern Illinois University College of Law and his B.S. in 2009 from Northern Illinois University. He was previously at The Collins Law Firm in Naperville, Illinois.

  • November 13, 2017 | People
    Allen Schwartz Opens Schwartz Injury Law

    Allen N. Schwartz is proud to announce the opening of Schwartz Injury Law, a division of Kralovec, Jambois & Schwartz. The full-service personal injury law firm is located at 14496 John Humphrey Drive in Orland Park, Illinois.

    Allen N. Schwartz began practicing law in 1984 and became a co-owner of Kralovec, Jambois & Schwartz in 1990. Since then, he and his associates have developed a reputation as successful personal injury attorneys who obtain favorable settlements and verdicts for their clients. Mr. Schwartz is joined at the firm by 17 outstanding personal injury lawyers with vast experience in a variety of areas, including: 

    • Amanda L. Brasfield, a 2017 Super Lawyers Rising Star and accomplished attorney in the areas of medical malpractice and work-related injuries. She has obtained numerous verdicts and settlements for her clients totaling tens of millions of dollars; and 
    • Jeffrey C. Schwartz, a native of Glen Ellyn, IL, and a 2016 and 2017 Super Lawyers Rising Star. He has successfully handled numerous cases involving automobile accidents, medical malpractice, and sexual abuse.

    These attorneys, along with the rest of the team at Schwartz Injury Law have skillfully obtained a large number of verdicts and settlements for clients in excess of one million dollars.

    In addition to the opening of Schwartz Injury Law in Orland Park, the firm also has an office in Glen Ellyn and Allen Schwartz remains a co-owner of Kralovec, Jambois & Schwartz, a personal injury law firm with offices in Chicago.