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  • July 23, 2009 | People
    Hon. Charles Covey 1933-2009
    Retired judge Charles Covey, 76, of Dunlap, passed away on July 19 in Peoria. Mr. Covey attended Gettysburg College in Gettysburg, Pa., graduating in 1955. He then served in the U.S. Army as a first lieutenant until being honorably discharged. He graduated from the University of Illinois College of Law in 1960. After law school, Mr. Covey founded the law firm of Covey and Litterst and also worked as a city attorney for Chillicothe and later served as a judge for Peoria County until he retired in 1995. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association or to the charity of the donor's choice. Online tributes and condolences may be made at www.mem.com.
  • July 20, 2009 | People
    Michael Morris passes away
    Former ISBA member Michael Earl Morris passed away earlier this month in Colorado Springs, Colo.  Mr. Morris was born in Peoria and graduated from Bradley University and Kent College of Law. From the Canton Daily Ledger: He began his career with the Illinois Bar Association, then worked as an attorney with the Fulton County Illinois Public Defender's Office. He also worked for Sebo Law Office. Mike's love of the mountains led him and his family to move to Colorado Springs, Colo., in 1982 where he was employed at the El Paso County District Attorney's Office from 1982-1986. He then entered private practice until he retired in June 2009. Click here to read the full story.
  • July 14, 2009 | People
    Homer W. Keller passes away
    Longtime ISBA member Homer W. Keller passed away in June at age 91. He was born in Peoria and attended Franklin Elementary School and Peoria High School. Mr. Keller earned his law degree from the University of Illinois in 1943 and practiced with the Westervelt firm for 66 years. Mr. Keller was President of the Peoria County Bar Association in 1971-72. He will long be remembered for his integrity, quick wit and kindness.

    From the Peoria County Bar Association's July Newsletter.

  • July 14, 2009 | People
    Richards opens Family Law offices in Chicago, Buffalo Grove
    [caption id="attachment_2154" align="alignright" width="150" caption="Amy Richards"][/caption] Amy E. Richards is pleased to announce the opening of the Family Law Office of Amy E. Richards, with offices in Chicago and Buffalo Grove.  She will be handling family law matters (divorce, paternity, custody, child support, post-decree) in Cook, DuPage, Lake, and McHenry counties and can be reached at (312) 523-2155 or at AER@AmyRichardsFamilyLaw.com. Click here to visit the Richards Family Law website
  • July 13, 2009 | People
    Belongia, Shapiro & Hynes expands to new offices
    [caption id="attachment_2134" align="alignright" width="150" caption="Mark Belongia"][/caption] Belongia, Shapiro & Hynes, LLP has moved to new law offices at 20 South Clark Street, Suite 300, Chicago. Belongia, Shapiro & Hynes, LLP expanded its offices due to its ever expanding client base and the addition of several new attorneys in 2009, doubling its size. Belongia, Shapiro & Hynes, LLP is a full-service boutique law firm that handles a wide scope of legal matters locally, nationally and internationally. The Firm’s trusted experience and reliable leadership have allowed its attorneys to represent a broad client base ranging from large multi-national corporations to individuals.
  • July 10, 2009 | People
    Gardner re-elected President of the University of Chicago Alumni Club of Chicago
    [caption id="attachment_2071" align="alignright" width="150" caption="Amy Gardner"][/caption] ISBA Member Amy M. Gardner was re-elected President of the University of Chicago Alumni Club of Chicago at its officer elections June 22.  Ms. Gardner is a 2002 graduate of the University of Chicago Law School.  The Club is made up of the 46,000 alumni and friends of the University of Chicago who reside in the Chicago area. Gardner is a commercial and IP litigator at Ungaretti & Harris LLP.
  • July 9, 2009 | People
    Gerald Snyder Jr. passes away
    [caption id="attachment_1994" align="alignright" width="150" caption="Gerald Snyder Jr."][/caption] Waukegan attorney and longtime Illinois State Bar Association member called a tireless advocate for children. He was a partner in the firm of Snyder, Clarke and Fouts.

    From the Daily Herald:

    Law partner Jim Fouts said Snyder took a personal interest in his clients.

    "There were times where a woman wouldn't be able to afford a lawyer and Gerry would pay," Fouts said. "There were times when these people needed a place to stay and Gerry would put them up in a motel. He had an unending compassion for children."

    Click here to read the full story
  • July 8, 2009 | People
    Former judge Jane Waller joins Schiller DuCanto & Fleck
    [caption id="attachment_1919" align="alignright" width="150" caption="Jane Waller"][/caption] Jane Waller has joined Schiller DuCanto & Fleck LLP in the firm's Lake Forest office after a judicial career of almost 28 years in the Circuit Court of Lake County. She was the first female judge in Lake County. During her years on the bench, Ms. Waller served a term as the Chief Judge of the Circuit and for 10 years she served as the Chief Presiding Judge of the Family Court. Ms. Waller received her undergraduate degree, cum laude, from Trinity College in Washington, DC. She holds a Masters in Teaching degree from Northwestern University and a Law degree, with honors, from the University of Illinois College of Law. She is a member of the Illinois Chapter of the Order of the Coif. She has attended courses at the National Judicial College and she has taken training in mediation and other alternative dispute resolution methods. Schiller DuCanto & Fleck LLP a family law firm that works with clients to solve problems and to achieve the best possible results. It is the largest law firm in the country focusing exclusively on family law. Illinois Lawyer Now is happy to announce transitions for ISBA members. Please include name, position, law firm, practice areas, education information and former employer. A head shot in the JPG file format may also be included. Send information to cbonjean@isba.org
  • July 6, 2009 | People
    Crawford installed as President of the Collaborative Law Institute of Illinois
    [caption id="attachment_1813" align="alignright" width="150" caption="Sandra Crawford"][/caption] Sandra Crawford of the Chicago firm of Law Crawford, P.C., was installed as the 2009-2010 President of the Collaborative Law Institute of Illinois on June 1. Currently, Crawford concentrates her practice in the areas of Family Law, Real Estate Law, Collaborative Practice and Mediation. Crawford obtained her Bachelors of Arts degree from DePaul University, Chicago, in 1984, and her Juris Doctorate from The John Marshall Law School in 1989. Collaborative Practice is an emerging model of dispute resolution which is actively practiced in 17 countries around the globe. The education in and growth of this newest dispute resolution model in Illinois is the primary mission of The Collaborative Law Institute of Illinois (CLII), a not-for-profit volunteer organization established in 2002. Crawford has been an active member of CLII since its inception. Crawford is a Fellow in the Collaborative Law Institute of Illinois and a member of the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals.  She is also a member of the Illinois State Bar Association (a member of the ISBA Assembly and Vice-Chair of the Women and the Law Committee), the Chicago Bar Association and the Illinois Real Estate Lawyers Association.
  • July 6, 2009 | People
    Former Cook County State's Attorney Dick Devine joins Resolute Systems
    [caption id="attachment_1792" align="alignright" width="170" caption="Dick Devine"][/caption] Former Cook County State's Attorney Richard A. Devine has joined Resolute Systems, LLC's Chicago office to provide mediation, arbitration, and Alternative Dispute Resolution services, the company announced. Mr. Devine, a partner at Meckler Bulger Tilson Marick & Pearson LLP, will concentrate his mediation practice on the resolution of complex commercial, public entity, employment and products liability disputes. "Mediation is an important alternative to litigation. It gives adversaries a vehicle for resolving disputes short of going to court and helps unclog our judicial system," said Dick Devine. "I am proud to be part of a team that seeks to settle conflicts fairly and economically and look forward to my work at Resolute Systems." Resolute vice-president of consulting Michael E. Weinzierl said that Mr. Devine will help fill the growing demand for mediators with the knowledge, skill and expertise to help Chicago lawyers and their clients settle complex litigation. Resolute Systems was founded in Milwaukee in 1988, Resolute Systems has offices throughout the country and mediates thousands of cases across the U.S. each year. Resolute established its Chicago office in 1992. Illinois Lawyer Now is happy to announce transitions for ISBA members. Please include name, position, law firm, practice areas, education information and former employer.