The Bar News

Bar News Sections

Chicago Area

  • January 9, 2017 | People
    Julie A. Johnson elected a member of Aronberg Goldgehn

    Aronberg Goldgehn Davis & Garmisa has elected Julie A. Johnson (formerly Neubauer) as a Member of the firm, effective January 1, 2017.

    Julie dedicates her practice to issues of matrimonial and family law, including divorce, child custody, domestic violence/orders of protection, child support, post-judgment litigation, adoption, parentage and other related matters.

    Through both negotiation and litigation, Julie has achieved extraordinary outcomes for her clients. In addition, she has expanded her practice to include family law appeals. Two  significant, published appellate cases of note include-- In re Marriage of Micheli, 2014 IL App (2d) 121245, as counsel for the wife, and In re Marriage of Branit, 2015 IL App (1st) 141297, reh'g denied (Oct. 15, 2015), appeal denied (Jan. 20, 2016), also as counsel for the wife.

  • January 9, 2017 | Practice News
    Supreme Court Justice Mary Jane Theis announces vacancy in Fourth Subcircuit of Cook County

    Illinois Supreme Court Justice Mary Jane Theis has begun an application process for a judicial vacancy in the Fourth Judicial Subcircuit of Cook County.

    The vacancy is created by the retirement of the Hon. Thomas Davy.

    Under the Illinois Constitution, judicial vacancies are filled on an interim basis by Supreme Court appointment. Justice Theis will make recommendations to the Supreme Court after applicants undergo a screening and evaluation process.

  • January 9, 2017 | Practice News
    Supreme Court Justice Mary Jane Theis announces vacancy in Second Subcircuit of Cook County

    Illinois Supreme Court Justice Mary Jane Theis has begun an application process for a judicial vacancy in the Second Judicial Subcircuit of Cook County.

    The vacancy will be created by the upcoming retirement of the Hon. Camille E. Willis, effective January 29, 2017.

    Under the Illinois Constitution, judicial vacancies are filled on an interim basis by Supreme Court appointment. Justice Theis will make a recommendation to the Supreme Court after applicants undergo a screening and evaluation process.

  • January 9, 2017 | People
    Brandess elevated to partner at Sugar Felsenthal Grais & Hammer LLP

    Sugar Felsenthal Grais & Hammer LLP (“SFGH”) announced Monday that Michael A. Brandess has been elevated to partner.

    Michael joined the firm’s business transactions and corporate restructuring and creditors’ rights practice groups in 2011. He has a wealth of experience representing companies in a wide array of healthy and distressed situations. He has led complex restructurings and liquidations across the country, in industries ranging from energy, real estate, construction, agriculture, retail, financial services, telecommunications and restaurant franchises. Michael also consistently represents asset purchasers and sellers in complex transactions, creditors’ committees in difficult reorganizations and trustees during the wind-down of multi-million dollar bankruptcy estates.

  • January 6, 2017 | Events
    Young Lawyers to host wine tasting on Feb. 10

    Registration is now open for the ISBA Young Lawyers Division Wine Tasting Networking event. Join your peers for an evening of socializing and wine tasting! This year, there will be select French wines from Que Syrah and hor d’oeuvres. To complete the experience, the YLD will be hosting a Speed Networking event beforehand at the ISBA Chicago office (20 S. Clark St, Suite 900) scheduled from 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm. Please sign up for the networking event separately.

    When: Friday, February 10, 2017, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

    Where: ISBA Mutual Space, 20 S. Clark Street, Suite 800 (map and directions)

  • January 4, 2017 | CLE
    Registration for Spring Semester of Fred Lane's ISBA Trial Technique Institute open

    Improve your trial skills in this "learn-by-doing" program that covers all phases of trial work from both a plaintiff and defendant's viewpoint. Through this course, you will learn and practice new trial techniques that are most effective and consistent with the Federal Rules of Evidence and the new Illinois Rules of Evidence. Each session is audio-video taped so you can see and hear the improvements in your voice, manner and trial technique. The program has been proven to be of value whether your practice includes trying jury and non-jury cases, administrative hearings, arbitrations, or mediations. The course is taught and coordinated by Fred Lane and Scott Lane. Please Note: Scott Lane will assume a more active role in teaching during the Spring semester along with several celebrity guest lecturers.

  • January 4, 2017 | People
    Hon. James Holderman to receive 2017 Order of Lincoln

    Governor Bruce Rauner announced the 2017 recipients of the Order of Lincoln, which is the state’s highest honor for professional achievement and public service. The list includes a Central Illinois man, who was born in Sullivan. This year's recipients include Hon. James Holderman.

    The Honorable James Holderman received his J.D. from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Was appointed to serve on the United States District Court. Served as Chief Judge from 2006 to 2013. Initiated innovations to improve the jury trial system. Expanded the Settlement Assistance Program and renovated the Dirksen Federal Courthouse. Earned the U.S. Department of Justice Aware for Distinguished Service and the American Inns Court Award for Professionalism and Ethics.

  • January 4, 2017 | CLE
    CLE: Recent Developments in State and Local Tax - Spring 2017

    Get the updates you need on statutory, regulatory, case law, and policies concerning Illinois state and local taxes! Tax attorneys, CPA’s practicing state tax, and attorneys with an interest in state and local tax practicing at law firms, industry, or governmental agencies – with intermediate practice experience – who attend this seminar in Chicago or via live webcast on January 27, 2017 will better understand: the legislative items affecting members of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce and the Taxpayers’ of Illinois; which legislative items will impact all Illinois residents; the recent policy changes at the Illinois Department of Revenue; the tax changes in Chicago and Cook County, including Chicago’s lease tax and amusement tax; the policy issues and court decisions regarding Illinois property tax; and much more!

  • January 4, 2017 | People
    Korkus joins Mueller, Reece & Hinch, LLC

    The law firm of Mueller, Reece & Hinch, LLC is pleased to announce that attorney Kyle A. Korkus has joined the firm as an associate. MRH Law is a general practice law firm with transactional and litigation concentrations in business and commercial law, estate planning and probate, and real estate law.

    Attorney Korkus comes to the firm having had the honor to work as an Assistant State's Attorney in the Office of the McLean County State's Attorney. He is a graduate of the University of Illinois College of Law and the University of Illinois at Chicago, and was a recipient of the 2015 McLean County Bar Association Community Service Scholarship.

  • January 4, 2017 | People
    Jonathan Cavins and Rachel Stern named to partnership

    Brennan Burtker is pleased to announce that Jonathan E. Cavins and Rachel S. Stern have been named partners at the firm.

    Jonathan E. Cavins concentrates his practice in civil litigation, with an emphasis on medical liability defense and commercial litigation. He has extensive experience representing hospitals, medical groups, and physicians in all phases of litigation, including pre-suit investigation, all aspects of discovery, dispositive motion practice, and multiple jury trials to verdict.  He has won summary judgment or dismissal for his clients on numerous occasions. He also has extensive experience representing large and small businesses as both plaintiffs and defendants in commercial litigation and employment disputes dealing with issues of breach of contracts, tortious interference with business relationships, failure to pay wages, breach of restrictive covenants including non-disclosure, non-compete and non-solicitation agreements, and misappropriation of trade secrets. Additionally, Mr. Cavins counsels his commercial clients regarding the drafting and implementation of business and employment agreements.