Transitions

Attorneys’ Title Guaranty Fund, Inc. (ATG®) recently promoted three ISBA members with a combined 50 years of experience at the company: Christine Sparks to senior vice president – chief operating officer; Arden K. Miner to vice president – underwriting, support, and development; and Tania M. S. Stori to vice president – claims and litigation.

“One of ATG's biggest strengths is the loyalty and longevity of its staff and member agents,” said Peter J. Birnbaum, ATG president and CEO. “Christine, Arden, and Tania are all talented lawyers who have come up through the ranks at ATG. They possess in-depth experience in many aspects of our business and are uniquely qualified to lead us to future success and business growth.”

An employee since 2003, Sparks brings a deep understanding of ATG operations, agent operations, risk assessment, and compliance to her new position as a result of her experience in the training and procedures, support and development, claims, and underwriting departments. She is well-versed in title insurance and lending industry practices and the regulatory environment. In her most recent role as vice president and managing attorney, Sparks assessed the insurability of real estate transactions as they relate to claims analysis and investigated and resolved title insurance claims. She also provided direction and support to training and procedures department personnel in resolving member compliance issues.

Anton R. “Tony” Valukas has decided to step down from the honorary role of chairman of Jenner & Block, and will continue as an active, senior partner of the firm. “In the coming years, I intend to remain an active practitioner, helping our firm to develop opportunities representing our clients and mentoring the next generation of lawyers, but I believe now is an appropriate time for me to continue a natural transition of my practice,” Mr. Valukas said. “I am very confident in the direction the firm is taking. We are firmly committed to our core values, have a clear strategy for the future, and a talented and committed leadership team.”

Various firm leaders commented on Mr. Valukas’ career. Craig C. Martin, chair of the firm’s Litigation Department said, “Tony has been and will continue to be a tremendous asset to our firm. He not only has practiced at the highest levels of our profession, but time and time again has embraced and embodied our commitment to pro bono work, community service and assisting those who do not have meaningful access to the legal system.”

Attorney Jennifer Bunker has joined the law firm of Reilly Law Office, LLC. Jennifer Bunker is a native of Oglesby and presently lives in Peru, Illinois. She has worked in the Illinois Valley legal community for the past seven years handling many litigation related matters, including will contests, property tax appeals, breach of contract, and personal injury claims. Prior to joining Reilly Law Office, she clerked for Justice Robert L. Carter of the Third District Appellate Court.

Jennifer Bunker is actively involved in the Illinois State Bar Association Trusts and Estates Section Council. She is the editor of the Council’s monthly publication distributed to members throughout Illinois. She also assists the Council in providing continuing legal education to attorneys, determining the need for new legislation, and reviewing and suggesting changes to current legislative proposals affecting wills, trusts, and estates. She has developed and drafted will and trust-based estate plans and administered probate and trust estates. Jennifer Bunker teaches an advanced master of laws (LL.M) class at The John Marshall Law School in estate planning and tax law. She also has experience in Municipal Law representing local governmental agencies and has experience in representing closely held businesses.

Juan R. Thomas is of counsel to Quintairos, Prieto, Wood & Boyer, P.A. and the founder and principal of The Thomas Law Group. Mr. Thomas’s practice includes the following specialties: real estate/estate planning, labor and employment, and family law. In addition, Mr. Thomas provides counseling and training to firm clients in areas involving personnel, collective bargaining, and business development matters. Mr. Thomas is the president-elect of the National Bar Association (NBA) and will be sworn in as the 75th president of the NBA in the summer of 2017 during the Association’s 92nd Annual Convention in Toronto, Canada.

The National Black Lawyers: Top 100 includes Mr. Thomas on its Top 100 Lawyers list, an honor given to only a select group of lawyers for their superior skills and qualifications in the field. Membership in this exclusive organization is by invitation only, and is limited to the top 100 attorneys in each state or region who have demonstrated excellence and have achieved outstanding results in their careers. Mr. Thomas’s selection was based upon his performance as an exceptional lawyer in the practice area of matrimonial and family law in the state of Illinois.