The Bar News

Bar News Sections

Northern Illinois

  • May 15, 2014 | Events
    IBF to host Winnebago County Fellows reception on May 28

    Winnebago County attorneys Joseph Dailing, Bobbie Holzwarth and Nancy Hyzer will be honored by the Fellows of the Illinois Bar Foundation at a reception on Wednesday, May 28 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Prairie Street Brewhouse, 200 Prairie St., in Rockford.

    The extraordinary attorneys are being honored for their professionalism and commitment to assist the legal profession in serving the public. The mission of the Illinois Bar Foundation is to ensure meaningful access to the justice system, especially for those with limited means, and to assist lawyers who have fallen upon hard times.

    Individual tickets are $40 per person. For more information or to purchase tickets, call (312) 726-6072. The Illinois Bar Foundation is located at 20 S. Clark St., Suite 910, Chicago, IL  60603. Information also is available at www.illinoisbarfoundation.org.

  • May 1, 2014 | People
    Hon. Tomas M. Magdich 1939-2014

    The Honorable Tomas M. Magdich of Dixon died Tuesday, April 15, 2014. He was 74.

    He was born July 2, 1939, in Gary, Ind., to a bookkeeper, Ann Magdich, and a carpenter, Milan Magdich. His working-class childhood was made difficult by the death of his father at the age of 13. He was raised by a hardworking, single mother in the 1950s, and delivered papers to contribute to the family’s grocery money. Although his life was difficult, from early on, he always had a passion for school and learning.

    Tom graduated from Lew Wallace High School in 1957 in Gary, and then attended Ripon College. At Ripon College, he met his future spouse, Judith Lawson. He became president of his fraternity, where he developed many lifelong friendships. And it was at Ripon College where he was mentored to seek a career in law after graduating with a degree in philosophy.

    While attending Northwestern Law School, he discovered his passion for the law and his lifelong mission to help people seek justice. During his first year, he married Judith Lawson on Aug. 11, 1962. During his last year of law school, he found himself in need of employment due to the impending birth of their first child. A job opportunity with the firm Gunner and Keller is how he came to Dixon 50 years ago, a place that he thought would be a temporary home but grew to endear.   

  • March 10, 2014 | CLE
    CLE: Myra Bradwell: The Practice of Law in the Wake of Her Legacy

    Myra Bradwell had a dream of becoming a lawyer, but was repeatedly rejected based on gender. Her determination, courage, and perseverance – both her attempt at gaining entrance to the Illinois bar and her dedication to women’s rights – has made her one of the most influential figures of the American legal profession. Join us in DeKalb on Friday, March 21st as Jenner & Block attorney, Rachel Morse, offers a dramatic rendition of Myra Bradwell’s struggle to gain admittance to the bar. Using excerpts of actual court records and other historical documents, Ms. Morse brings Bradwell’s trailblazing story to life. The presentation closes with a distinguished panel of speakers discussing the obstacles women have faced pursuing careers in the law, how those obstacles were overcome, and what the future holds for diversity in the law. You are invited to attend a reception celebrating ourselves and honoring those who went before us immediately following the panel discussion. Attendees will receive a complimentary copy of Myra Bradwell: In the Light of Experience (prepared by John Lupton, Illinois Supreme Court Historic Preservation Commission Historian), which contains copies of contemporaneous documents and an account of Myra Bradwell’s life.

    Click here for more information and to register.

  • January 17, 2014 | Events
    From Myra Bradwell to Us: Rise Up and Reach Back set for March 21

    What is Myra Bradwell’s legacy to us as attorneys and future attorneys and what is our commitment to carrying forward that legacy? Find out at From Myra Bradwell to Us: Rise Up and Reach Back on Friday, March 21, 2014 at the NIU College of Law. The program will run from 3-5 p.m. with a reception from 5-7 p.m. This event is presented by the ISBA’s Standing Committees on Women and the Law and Racial and Ethnic Minorities and the Law.

    In order to fund this epic event, the ISBA is relying on public contributions & sponsorships. All contributors will be listed in a program and on a board prominently displayed at the reception. Please contact Rachel McDermott at rmcdermott@isba.org or 20 S. Clark, Ste. 900, Chicago, IL 60603 to participate.

  • January 13, 2014 | People
    Gerald F. Tuite, Sr. 1928-2013

    Gerald F. Tuite, Sr., 85, died Tuesday, December 31, 2013 in Naples, Fla. He was a former long time Rockford resident.

    Gerald was a combat infantry leader as well as a chief photographer for the US Army Signal Corp in Japan during the Korean War. After the Army, he attended Rockford College and Georgetown University. He then attended Chicago-Kent College of Law, graduating with Honors and a Juris Doctor degree in 1958. During law school, he worked as a claims adjuster for Travelers Insurance Company.

    In 1958, he opened his law office in Rockford, Illinois. His law firm of Gerald Tuite & Associates specialized in Labor Law, Workers' Compensation Law and Personal Injury Law. He was the Senior Partner of the firm, where he handled and litigated cases for injured workers. His son, Gregory Tuite, began practicing in his father's law firm and has taken over the firm, which is now known as Greg Tuite & Associates.

  • January 9, 2014 | People
    William P. Laird 1949-2013

    William P. Laird, 64, of Moline, died peacefully Saturday, Dec. 21, 2013, at Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House, Bettendorf, with his family surrounding him.

    William was born July 14, 1949, in Moline, son of Lester Neal and Margaret Elizabeth VanderBeke Laird. He graduated from United Township High School in 1967 where he was elected senior class president. He received his bachelor's and juris doctorate degrees from Drake University, where he was elected president of his beloved fraternity, Pi Kappa Alpha. He married Susan Kelly at St. Anne's Catholic Church on Aug. 13, 1971.

    William was an attorney for 38 years, working the last three years at Katz, Huntoon and Fieweger. He was an active member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, where he served on the Parish Council. He also was a member of the Iowa and Illinois State Bar Associations, the Scott County and Rock Island County Bar Associations, the Rock Island County Public Building Commission, the Rock Island County Jail Commission and the Iowa Inns of Court. Bill also appeared regularly on WQAD's Good Morning Quad-Cities for many years as a weekly legal guest speaker. He was also one of the original organizers of the Moline DARE Program.

    William enjoyed golf, fishing, traveling, cheering on the Cubs, attending Iowa Hawkeye football games, but most of all, spending time with his family, friends and grandson, Liam.

  • December 12, 2013 | People
    Stephen G. Terrando 1947-2013

    Stephen G. Terrando, 66, a local resident and family law attorney, died Nov. 17, 2013, following a medical emergency while driving his car in Utica.

    Steve was born Oct. 4, 1947, in La Salle to Joseph and Florence (Loomis) Terrando, and was the eldest of six children. He married Joke’ Verwey on July 18, 1980, in Magnolia, Texas.

    Steve attended St. Bede Academy, La Salle-Peru-Oglesby Junior College and Illinois State University in Normal. He received his bachelor of arts degree in Latin education from Illinois State University in 1969 and was a student teacher in the language at La Salle-Peru Township High School. Steve moved to Houston, Texas in 1971 and attended South Texas College of Law where he earned his Juris Doctorate in 1974.  He practiced in Houston, Texas until 1987 when he moved his family back to the Illinois Valley where he maintained his practice in La Salle for the last 26 years. 

  • November 19, 2013 | People
    Firm to honor founding partner Ronald Klein with retirement party

    The law firm of Klein, Stoddard, Buck & Lewis, LLC announces the retirement of their founding partner, Ronald G. Klein. Mr. Klein will remain with the firm in his “Of Counsel” status, but at the conclusion of 2013 he will retire from fulltime practice.

    On November 14, 2013, Mr. Klein was recognized as a Distinguished Counselor by the Illinois State Bar Association for Fifty Years of service in the practice of law. He has enjoyed a long and distinguished career in DeKalb County, serving local farmers, families, businesses, banks, and organizations in a wide variety of areas. His professional accomplishments include first president of the DeKalb County Community Foundation, founding member of the DeKalb County Estate Planning Council, first president of the NIU Friends of the Library, and leadership in a many more charitable and professional organizations.  He retires with a long-standing “AV” rating by Martindale-Hubbel, the highest rating available for an attorney.

    There will be an Open House to honor Mr. Klein on December 6, 2013, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the DeKalb County Community Foundation’s Freight Room in Sycamore. All are welcome to stop by and share a memory with Ron.

  • October 8, 2013 | People
    Hugh James Bagley 1941-2013

    Hugh James "Jim" Bagley, 72, of Rockford died peacefully in his home on Sept. 27, 2013, after a short battle with cancer. He will be remembered as a loving husband, father, and "Danda." His wise counsel and strong character will leave a long-lasting legacy.

    Jim was born in Manchester, GA, on January 14, 1941, son of Hugh and Elizabeth (Hill) Bagley. Jim attended both undergrad and law school at the University of Georgia. He proudly served 21 years in the US Air Force. In September 1967, Jim took a life-changing flight on TWA, where he met a stewardess named Milena Chomko. They married in 1969 and recently celebrated their 44th wedding anniversary.

    He was a savvy and intrepid traveler, and he always wanted to visit new and faraway places. He was a tireless advocate for his clients during forty years of legal practice. However, his greatest joy was investing time and energy in his family, especially his five grandsons. He truly set the standard for being a grandfather.

    Jim is survived by his wife, Milena; his children, Noelle (Chris) LaLiberty and Jason (Summer) Bagley; grandsons Kevin, Colin, Ryan, Jacob, and Connor. He is predeceased by his parents and his sister, Barbara Staples.

    Memorials may be directed in Jim's name to Heartland Hospice, 363 Financial Court, #300, Rockford, IL, 61107. Cremation Society of Illinois assisted the family. To extend condolences go to caringbridge.org/visit/jimbagley.

  • October 3, 2013 | CLE
    CLE: Family and Consumer Law Pro Bono Bootcamp

    Available at No Cost to Attorneys Who Agree to Take a Pro Bono Case in The Next Year**

    Thousands of low-income litigants in Illinois cannot afford an attorney and free legal services organizations alone cannot meet this need. You can be the difference! We are proud to offer you this opportunity to develop your expertise and put your knowledge to work for people in need. Join us in Rockford on October 25th for this free program that’s designed to train practitioners in the basics of handling family law and consumer/debt collection cases. Topics include: assisting clients who need to establish or challenge parentage of a minor; establishing the initial child custody or visitation order; modifying, enforcing or establishing a child support order in Illinois; assisting clients with debt collection problems; the citation process for discovery of assets in Illinois; and ethical issues that can arise during the negotiation process on behalf of individuals. In exchange for the commitment to handle just one pro bono case, attendees receive free training and MCLE credit!

    The seminar is presented by the ISBA Standing Committee on the Delivery of Legal Services and qualifies for 6.5 hours MCLE credit, including 1.0 hour Professional Responsibility MCLE credit (subject to approval).

    Click here for more information and to register.