The Bar News

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Northern Illinois

  • July 25, 2017 | People
    Elizabeth Ellis Joins Botto Gilbert Lancaster

    ISBA member Elizabeth M. Ellis recently joined Botto Gilbert Lancaster's McHenry County office. She will focus her practice in the areas of family law, family mediation and estate planning.

    Attorney Elizabeth M. Ellis graduated from Loyola University, Chicago, in 2001 with a bachelor of science degree. She earned her law degree from DePaul University, graduating in 2003 with a certificate in the law of taxation. Ellis was admitted to the bar in Illinois 2005 and the Northern District of Illinois in 2012.

    Prior to joining Botto Gilbert Lancaster, PC, Ellis maintained a solo legal practice concentrating on the areas of family law, family mediation, estate planning, and tax matters. Her professional history also includes experience as a tax advisor and financial planner. For several years she served her alma mater, directing business operations for Loyola University’s College of Arts and Sciences, while providing career direction to students as a pre-Law advisor and adjunct instructor.

  • July 19, 2017 | People
    Christopher R. McFadden 1976-2017

    Christopher R. McFadden, age 41, of Frankfort, Illinois, died Thursday, June 29, 2017, peacefully at his home.

    Born in Joliet, Chris attended Joliet West High School. He graduated from Harvard in 1997, cum laude, where he was an editor of the Harvard Crimson newspaper. He earned his law degree, cum laude, from Northwestern School of Law in 2000 where he was on Law Review and earned Order of the Coif. Chris was a Federal District Law Clerk in Montgomery, Alabama, and he also clerked on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit. He worked as an Assistant United States Attorney in San Diego and Chicago from 2005-2016. Chris never lost a case. 

    While at the U.S. Attorney's Office he was awarded an FBI Commendation, a National Crime Victims Certificate of Appreciation, and the Chicago Crime Commission Star of Distinction Award. He successfully prosecuted 28 cases, including a $600MM fraud case and a joint case with the Illinois Department of Securities involving $1B in funding.

    Chris  worked at Northwestern University School of Law as an Adjust Lecturer from 2007-2012. He served on the Frankfort School Board and was its president from 2013-2015. He was re-elected to the Frankfort School Board in April 2017. He was an associate at the law firm of Mahoney, Silverman and Cross in Joliet.

  • July 14, 2017 | People
    Anthony Gregorio 1921-2017

    Anthony Joseph Gregorio, 96, of Batavia, beloved husband of the late Martha (Peters) died peacefully at his home on Thursday, May 25, 2017, surrounded by his family. Anthony was born on February 10, 1921, in Chicago, the son of Angelo and Philomena (Nicoletti). He married Martha Peters on May 8, 1954, in Chicago and they celebrated 58 years of marriage until her death in 2012.

    He spent his career as an attorney and claims superintendent for State Farm Insurance. He maintained an active law license up until his death. He was an arbitrator for Cook County and Kane County mandatory arbitration. He was honored with a citation for his ethical behavior as an attorney for over 50 years. He proudly served in the United States Army (World War II) as a medical technician during the Guadalcanal Campaign and the Liberation of the Philippines. He was grateful to participate in an Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. in recognition of his service. Anthony was an active member of the Cursillo Movement in the Joliet Diocese for more than 25 years. He was also a member of the Glen Ellyn Rotary. 

  • July 13, 2017 | People
    David A. North 1929-2017

    David A. North was born in Rockford on November 20, 1929, the son of Frank P. and Rhoda Woodman North, passed away in Florida on June 3, 2017. He graduated from Rockford West High School, where he was recipient of the American Legion Citizenship Award. He attended University of Wyoming on a football scholarship, then transferred to University of Arizona, where he was captain of the golf team. Following graduation, he became a naval officer and served in Korea as a fighter pilot aboard the USS WASP aircraft carrier. After his military service, he attended the University of Illinois School of Law, where he earned his J.D. He was a practicing attorney in Rockford for many years following in the footsteps of his grandfather, Attorney Harry North and his father, Attorney Frank North. He was a member of Rockford Country Club, Kiwanis Club, and served on the board of Winnebago County Department of Health. 

  • July 11, 2017 | Practice News
    Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance Seeks Staff Attorneys

    Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization that provides free legal services to senior and low-income individuals in central and souther Illinois, seeks two staff attorneys at its Northern Regional office.

    Senior staff attorney responsibilities will include representation of senior citizens in civil cases and transactional matters involving critical legal needs in 12-county service area. Position includes travel to senior centers on a regular basis and participation in community legal education and outreach.

    Staff attorney responsibilities will include representation of low-income in routine and complex family law litigation, particularly for victims of domestic violence and representation of low-income clients in other litigation involving critical legal needs.

    To qualify, applicants must be admitted to the Illinois Bar and demonstrate commitment to the representation of low-income individuals. Prior legal services or clinical work experience strongly preferred. 

    Salary is approximately $45,000 with license, depending on experience, and includes excellent benefits, including medical, dental, and vision.

    Interested applicants should send a resume, cover letter, and writing sample to:

    Lauren J. Pashayan
    Managing Attorney
    Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance Foundation, Inc.
    3085 Stevenson Drive St. 202
    Springfield, IL 62703
    (217) 529-8400
    lpashayan@lollaf.org

  • May 23, 2017 | Events
    Illinois Bar Foundation to Host McHenry County Fellows Reception

    Join the Fellows of the Illinois Bar Foundation for the McHenry County Fellows Reception on Tuesday, June 27 from 5 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Woodstock Country Club, 10310 Country Club Rd., Bull Valley, IL 60098. The event will honor Herbert H. Franks (Franks Gerkin McKenna) and posthumously honor H. Joseph Gitlin (The Gitlin Law Firm) for their leadership and dedication to the law.

    Tickets are $50 per person. Tickets and sponsorships are available here or can be purchased by calling the Foundation at 312-726-6072.

    The proceeds from this event will help the Foundation further its mission to ensure meaningful access to the justice system, especially for those with limited means; assist lawyers who have fallen on hard times; and provide legal Fellowships to recent law school graduates. For more information, please call 312-726-6072 or visit https://www.illinoisbarfoundation.org/mchenry-county-fellows-reception.

    Thank you to the McHenry County Fellows Reception Committee

    Hon. Michael J. Chmiel

    Sandra Crawford

    Susan M. Goldberg

    Paulette M. Gray

    Lisa M. Nyuli

    Mary F. Petruchius

    Thank you to our generous sponsors!

    Benefactor Sponsors

    Perry J. Browder

    Paulette Gitlin

    The Gitlin Law Firm & Michael C. Poper

    Simmons Hanly Conroy

    Friend Sponsors

  • April 27, 2017 | People
    Louis E. Olivero 1932-2017

    Attorney Louis E. Olivero passed away April 20, 2017, at his home in Peru. He was 84. 

    A private Mass of Christian burial was held at St. Joseph’s Church, Peru. Burial was with full military honors at Peru City Cemetery on April 25, 2017. Arrangements were by Mueller Funeral Home, Peru.

    He was born June 5, 1932, in Spring Valley the youngest child of Charles and Jean (Mini) Olivero. He attended school in Dalzell and later graduated as the senior class president from Hall High School.

    Louis attended the University of Illinois, graduating with a B.S. in accounting. Following graduation, he was commissioned 2nd lieutenant in the United States Air Force and entered pilot training where he earned his pilot wings and also a commercial pilot license. He served as a fighter pilot during the Korean Conflict and later joined the U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations. Louis entered the U.S. Air Force Reserves after his tour of active duty ended and completed 26 years of honorable military service, retiring at the rank of lieutenant colonel.

    Following service to his country, Louis studied law at the University of Illinois, where he was elected senior class president and earned his J.D. While in college, he met and married Mary Louise Martin, who passed away on Oct. 8, 2003, after 50 years of marriage. They were the parents of four children, Douglas, David, Philip and Marcia.

  • April 10, 2017 | People
    Tobias Barry 1924-2017

    ​Justice Tobias “Toby” Barry, 92, of Ladd, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 4, 2017, at the Illinois Valley Veteran’s Home in LaSalle, surrounded by loved ones. Toby was born on April 12, 1924, in Chicago to Tobias Sr. and Mary (Castignari) Barry. He graduated from Ladd Grade School, St. Bede Academy, LPO Junior College, Marquette University and the University of Notre Dame Law School. He interrupted his studies at Marquette University to serve his country in the U.S. Navy during WWII, from 1943-1946, as a combat medic. Following his service in the Navy, he returned to Marquette University to complete his undergraduate degree in Philosophy. In 1952, he earned a Juris Doctorate degree from Notre Dame’s Law School, beginning his legal career which spanned more than 50 years.

  • March 29, 2017 | Events
    Illinois Bar Foundation to Host Rock Island County Fellows Reception

    Join the Fellows of the Illinois Bar Foundation and the Rock Island County Bar Association for the Rock Island County Fellows Reception on Thursday, April 27 from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Oakwood Country Club, 1067 U.S. 6, Coal Valley, IL 61240.

    The event will posthumously honor Martin H. Katz (Katz Nowinski) and honor Robert T. Park (Califf & Harper, P.C.) for their leadership and dedication to the law.

    For RICO Bar Association members, tickets are complimentary and for non-RICO Bar Association members, tickets are $25 each. To reserve or purchase tickets, please call 309-762-3643 or email ricobar@churchillfirm.com.

    The proceeds from this event will help the Foundation further its mission to ensure meaningful access to the justice system, especially for those with limited means; assist lawyers who have fallen on hard times; and provide legal Fellowships to recent law school graduates. For sponsorship information, please call 312-726-6072 or visit https://www.illinoisbarfoundation.org/rock-island-reception.

    Thank you to our generous sponsors!

    Benefactor Sponsors

    Katz Nowinski, P.C. 

    Shawn S. Kasserman

    Michael J. Warner, Warner & Zimmerle

    Patron Sponsors

  • March 21, 2017 | People
    Lareau joins Rock Island practice

    Hector Lareau has joined David G. Morrison’s practice in Rock Island, where he will focus on local government law, civil litigation, and criminal defense. He was an Assistant Public Defender for Rock Island County for the last four years and in private practice for 20 years before that. He is a 1993 Honors graduate of Drake University Law School.