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  • July 13, 2017 | People
    George A. Collias 1927-2017

    George Colias, 89, founder and president of Century Broadcasting Corp., died Tuesday, June 13, 2017 in Deerfield. Mr. Collias served as a U.S. Army paratrooper toward the end of World War II and was in active duty in the Army Reserves for twenty eight years. He graduated from Northwestern University and Loyola University School of Law, and had a five-year career as a lawyer at Baker McKenzie. He then launched a broadcasting company, Century Broadcasting. In 1964, Collias and a college buddy bought their first FM radio station in St. Louis, Missouri. Over the next 34 years, Century Broadcasting, a Chicago-based company headquartered in the John Hancock building, grew its broadcasting empire playing rock, jazz and easy listening over the air waves in Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Denver, Boston, Dallas, Detroit, St. Louis, and Tampa. When deregulation loosened ownership of radio broadcasting in the 1990s, Collias sold the company's final hometown station, WPNT-FM, in 1996. Mr. Collias was a leader at the Hellenic Foundation, and an active member of Leadership 100, an endowment fund for the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese that supports the ministries of the church. 

  • July 13, 2017 | People
    Joshua J. Muench Becomes Partner at Stellato & Schwartz, Ltd.

    ISBA member Joshua J. Muench recently became a partner in the firm Stellato & Schwartz, concentrating in general tort litigation. Mr. Muench is a graduate of Loyola University Chicago School of Law.

  • July 12, 2017 | People
    Susan T. Bart Joins Schiff Hardin LLP

    ISBA member Susan T. Bart recently joined Schiff Hardin LLP in Chicago as a partner in the Private Clients, Trusts and Estates Group.

    Ms. Bart's practice focuses on estate and gift tax planning, trust and estate administration, charitable planning, and fiduciary counsel. Her clients include wealthy individuals and families, family business owners, corporate executives, banks and trust companies, trustees and executors, and private foundations.

    Susan is a fellow, regent, and former Illinois state chair of the American College of Trust & Estate Counsel (ACTEC), the leading national association for trust and estate lawyers. She was the Reporter of the Uniform Trust Decanting Act, which is now being enacted in several states. She has also been active in Illinois trust law legislation.

    A recognized industry thought leader, Susan has written extensively on trust and estate law topics with more than 30 published articles and two books. She has lectured to professional groups around the country, such as the Heckerling Institute on Estate Planning (University of Miami), ACTEC, the Notre Dame Trust & Estate Planning Institute, ALI-ABA, the Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education, American Institute of CPAs (AICPA), and the American Bankers Association.

  • July 12, 2017 | People
    Four Fischel & Kahn Attorneys Appointed to Leadership Positions

    Four members from Fischel & Kahn, Ltd. were tapped for leadership roles within the association.

    “Fischel & Kahn has always been an active supporter of the ISBA and the tremendous work it does to advance the practice of law in Illinois,” said David Inlander, a principal at Fischel & Kahn. “We are proud to have so many of our attorneys involved in guiding and shaping the Section Councils that drive its more than 30,000 members.”

    Bob Kaufman has been named chair of the ISBA’s Trust & Estate Section Council, which has the goal of reviewing current, and producing new legislation regarding probate, trust and estate planning matters

    David Inlander has been named vice chair of the ISBA’s Bench & Bar Section Council, which advocates for cooperation between judges and the practicing bar members for a more effective justice system.

    Deborah Soehlig has been named secretary of the ISBA’s Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Section Council, which strives to provide innovative substitutes to the conventional litigation procedures.

    Ronald Menna has been named Secretary of the ISBA’s Civil Practice and Procedure Section Council, which aims to provide the professional skills and amplify knowledge of practicing attorneys in the civil law system.

  • July 10, 2017 | People
    Daniel A. Weiler 1949-2017

    Daniel A. Weiler, 68, of Elgin, passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 3, 2017 after living courageously with ALS for nine years. Dan was born in Oak Park, IL to George and Bernice Weiler on October 19, 1948. He attended Quigley Preparatory Seminary North High School, graduating in 1966. He went on to attend Niles College Seminary and Loyola University, graduating in 1970. Dan earned his J.D. from John Marshall Law School in 1976, and spent his career as an attorney at Law in Elgin.

    He was a forty year member of the Elgin Lions Club, and among his many volunteer works throughout that time were his service as a member of the Board of Directors of the Boys and Girls Club of Elgin, his service on the City of Elgin Planning and Zoning Commission, and his service as the chairman of the Catholic Foundation for the People of the Diocese of Rockford.

    Dan is preceded in death by his Mother, Bernice Weiler; Father, George Weiler; and nephew Stephen Villeneuve. Dan is survived by his wife, Carol Weiler of Elgin; children Michael (Jocelyn) Weiler of Elgin, Sarah (Bob Mullenbach) Weiler of Denver, CO; grandchildren Abe, Grace, Ava, Cole, Emily, Marcus, Levi, and Annie; siblings Martha (Dan) Meyer, Marian (Vic) Villeneuve, Anne (Joe) Koron, Tom (Lynn) Weiler, and Gerry (Ellen) Weiler; several beloved nieces and nephews; and his beloved caregiver Rashana Robertson. 

  • July 7, 2017 | People
    Patrick J. Kelly 1952-2017

    Patrick J. Kelly, 65, of Riverside, beloved husband of Kimellen Chamberlain; loving father of Sean & Meaghan Kelly; devoted son of Frances & the late Edward; fond brother of Steven (Teri) , Edward (Laura), Michael (Cathy), Gerlyn (James) Delaney & Tim (Carrie) Kelly; uncle of many. Proud SGT USMC & Distinguished Cook County State's Attorney.

  • July 7, 2017 | People
    Calvin Kirsh 1937-2017

    Calvin Kirsh, 80, beloved husband of Lois nee Levin for nearly 60 years; loving father of Pamela Kirsh (Maher Lutfallah), Allen (Jodi) Kirsh and Linda (David) Glick; cherished Pa of Erin, Cole, Corey, Kyra and Carli; devoted son of the late Esther and Paul Kirsh; dear brother of the late Sanford (Winnie) Kirsh; fond brother-in-law of Arlene Levin and Sam Levin; adored uncle of many nieces and nephews. Calvin was a prominent Cicero attorney for over 40 years. He will be missed by everyone he touched.

  • July 6, 2017 | People
    Anthony J. Fornelli 1934-2017

    Anthony J. Fornelli passwed away on June 28, 2017. He was the beloved husband of the late Angela (nee Favia) Fornelli, for 59 years.

    Fornelli was the past president of the Justinian Society of Lawyers and grandfather of Natalie Petric, Justinian 2nd Vice President. Tony was a founding member and chair of Casa Italia, the Italian American Political Coalition, and the Italian American Veterans Museum. He served as past president of the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans, UNICO National, and publisher of Fra Noi.

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  • June 30, 2017 | People
    Valentine Austriaco & Bueschel, P.C. Expands

    Valentine Austriaco & Bueschel, P.C., a law firm formed last year by seasoned attorneys and ISBA Susan Valentine, Lydia Bueschel, and another attorney, has established its practice in commercial litigation and real estate matters. The firm has already experienced significant growth, adding new client engagements, and hiring its sixth attorney in May.

    Operating from newly remodeled and expanded offices at 105 W. Adams, VAB also recently became certified as a women-owned business by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) and was admitted for membership in the National Association of Minority and Women-Owned Law Firms (NAMWOLF.)

    “We’re excited about the growth we’ve seen in less than a year both in terms of new engagements and additional attorneys whom we’ve added to support our growing client base,” said shareholder Susan Valentine. “And, we’re thrilled to be certified as a women-owned business and to be admitted to NAMWOLF membership. In addition to serving our clients with excellence, one of our core values is to provide employment opportunities for women and minorities, and we are committed to the advancement, promotion, and recognition of minorities and women.”

  • June 30, 2017 | People
    Josette Allen Joins Momkus McCluskey Roberts LLC

    ISBA member Josette C. Allen recently joined Momkus McCluskey Roberts LLC after having operated her own family law practice in Naperville, Illinois.

    Ms. Allen will continue that focus as an associate attorney with the firm, and she brings over twelve years of experience handling family law matters. She can handle complex financial litigation and is a court approved guardian ad litem on behalf of children of divorce.

    Ms. Allen was formerly employed by the Stogsdill Law Firm, P.C., a family law practice in Wheaton, Illinois. She has experience in school law involving special education matters as a due process hearing officer with the Illinois State Board of Education and has served as the Chair of the DuPage County Bar Association School Law Committee. She has criminal litigation experience as a public defender for DuPage County.

    Ms. Allen received a bachelor’s degree in economics from Northwestern University in 1989 and a juris doctorate from the Indiana University School of Law in 1992. She was admitted to the Illinois State Bar in 1992 and is also a member of the DuPage County Bar Association, Illinois State Bar Association, American Bar Association, and Association of Family and Conciliation Courts.