The Bar News

Bar News Sections

Central Illinois

  • October 10, 2016 | People
    David Ellis Robinson 1937-2016

    David Ellis Robinson, 79, of Jacksonville, passed away Friday, Sept. 23, 2016, at Heritage Health.

    He was born, April 15, 1937, in Clinton, to Guy Truman Robinson and Dorothy Ellis Robinson.

    He attended Clinton Community High School (Class of 1955) and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Illinois College in 1959. He was a member of Phi Alpha Literary Society, Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society for Liberal Arts and Sciences, and Pi Kappa Delta, the National Forensics Fraternity. He attended University of Illinois College of Law, receiving his law degree in June 1962. He was a member of the Illinois State Bar Association. He actively served in the United States Navy at Great Lakes Naval Station and the Naval Justice School in Newport Rhode Island, attaining the rank of lieutenant. Following an honorable discharge from active duty, he continued to serve in the Naval Reserve until his honorable discharge in 1974.

  • October 10, 2016 | CLE
    CLE: Real Estate Law Update 2016

    Stay up to date on current developments and trends in the real estate law arena with this full day seminar that offers a look at new legislation and case law, as well as best practices tips resulting from actual ARDC cases and discussions on a potpourri of interesting short topics! The program is available in Bloomington on October 27, 2016 and in Lombard on November 2, 2016. Commercial real estate attorneys, residential estate lawyers, and general practitioners with basic practice experience who attend this program will better understand: the recent case law developments and real estate legislation that can impact your client; the ethical issues raised by recent ARDC decisions; whether or not to recommend a trust in connection with real estate transactions; how to advise clients on homeowner and commercial real estate insurance policies; what to do when the seller fails to vacate the premises; damages to property that occur immediately prior to closing; contractor mechanic’s lien priority issues; and more!

  • September 26, 2016 | Practice News
    Illinois Supreme Court appoints Canton attorney as Circuit Judge in Ninth Judicial Circuit

    Justice Thomas L. Kilbride and the Illinois Supreme Court have announced the appointment of Canton attorney Bruce C. Beal as a Resident Circuit Judge in Fulton County in the Ninth Judicial Circuit.

    Mr. Beal was appointed by the Court to fill the vacancy created by Judge William C. Davis, who retired on September 5, 2016. His appointment takes effect October 17, 2016, and will terminate on December 3, 2018, when the position is filled by the 2018 General Election.

  • September 22, 2016 | Practice News
    Rosenbaum appointed as circuit judge in 6th Circuit

    Chief Justice Rita B. Garman and the Illinois Supreme Court have announced the appointment of Randall B. Rosenbaum as a Circuit Judge in the Sixth Judicial Circuit.

    Mr. Rosenbaum has been appointed to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Harry Clem. His appointment takes effect on October 3, 2016, and terminates on December 3, 2018, when the position will be filled by the 2018 General Election.

  • September 14, 2016 | CLE
    CLE: Solo & Small Firm Practice Institute Series: A Balancing Act: Technology and Practice Management Solutions

    As any solo or small firm lawyer can attest, there are two parts to running a practice: the client part and the practice management part. Paying more attention to one part over the other creates an imbalance that can cost you a reference, ruin your reputation, or worse, land you in hot-water. Join us in Springfield for this full day seminar on September 30, 2016 that offers you the information and advice you need to successfully run the practice management part of your career, including: what you need to know to use technology in the litigation environment; how to manage the life of your practice from start to finish; how to avoid buying new software by using what you already have; whether or not practice management software is right for you; how to ensure the success of your practice through regular maintenance; how to deal with the stresses of the profession; how to keep good clients and avoid bad ones; how to successfully use Excel, Adobe, and geographical information systems in your practice; how to handle the intergenerational workplace; and much more!

  • September 7, 2016 | People
    William L. Turner 1925-2016

    William L. Turner, 91, formerly of Shelbyville, IL., died at 1 a.m. Monday, August 22, 2016.

    Mr. Turner was born on January 19, 1925, in Cowden, IL., the son of Carl A. and Dorothea L. (Turney) Turner.

    He graduated from Herrick High School in the Class of 1942 and was a U. S. Army-Air Force veteran of WW II.

    He married Ruth I. Beck of rural Herrick on August 20, 1949, in Albany, CA.

    Mr. Turner matriculated at the University of Illinois. In 1950, he graduated from the U of I law school and was admitted to the Illinois Bar Association. Mr. Turner opened his law practice in Shelbyville in 1953. He was a member of the Herrick United Methodist Church, Herrick, IL., and was a Past Master of Jackson Masonic Lodge #53 A.F. and A.M. of Shelbyville, IL.

    He is survived by his two daughters, Elisa Anne Turner (Eric S. Smith, MD) of Coral Gables, FL.; and Susan Turner Mathew (Ivan K. Mathew) of Paradise Valley, AZ.; brother, Fred E. Turner (Mary) of Herrick, IL.; and three grandchildren: Grant Stanton Smith of Miami, FL.; Margaret Susan Smith Logan (Josh) of Miami, FL.; and Gabrielle (Abbey) Mathew of Paradise Valley, AZ.

    He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Ruth I. Turner on December 23, 2013; brothers, Lee Roger Turner and George A. Turner; and grandson, Marshall Mathew.

    Services have been held. Memorials may be given to the Herrick United Methodist Church. Send condolences at www.howeandyockey.com.

  • September 2, 2016 | People
    Gary W. Klages 1957-2016

    Gary W. Klages, age 58 of Cary passed away August 30, 2016 after a long battle with cancer. A graduate of the John Marshall Law School, Klages retired in August from the Law Office of Daniel E. Goodman LLC in Rosemont.

    Klages began his career as a Sangamon County assistant state's attorney before representing defendants and plaintiffs in personal-injury litigation for several decades.

    Klages attended the University of Nebraska, graduating in 1979, he went on to attend John Marshall Law School receiving his Juris Doctorate in 1982 and was admitted to the that same year. He was a member of the Federal Bar in the Northern and Central Districts of Illinois, the Central District of Indiana, the Illinois State Bar Association and the United States Supreme Court. Gary did not just “practice law” he possessed a true love of the profession. His dedication to his clients and his commitment to serving the bar with the utmost integrity and professionalism was evident throughout his life and continued throughout his courageous five year battle with cancer.

    He is survived by his partner Charlotte Dioguardi, his children: Kyle, Kimberly, Carly and Brandon as well as a sister Lisa Klages and a brother Dan (Stacey)) Klages.

    Visitation will be held on Friday, September 2, 2016 from 4:00 until 8:00 PM at the Kahle-Moore Funeral Home, 403 Silver Lake Rd., Cary. A Funeral Mass will be offered on Saturday, September 3rd at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, 410 First St., Cary.
     

  • September 1, 2016 | Practice News
    4 appointed to "Assistance Attorneys" pilot program in 11th Circuit

    On Tuesday, August 30, 2016 Judge Kevin P. Fitzgerald, Chief Judge of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit of Illinois, issued a groundbreaking court order when he appointed four attorneys as “Eleventh Judicial Circuit Assistance Attorneys.” The individuals honored with this cutting edge role are: Erin Donaldson, Mike McElvain, Todd Miller, and Judge Rebecca Foley. The Chief Judge’s Court Order, Administrative Order 2016 – 8, is a critical step in a pilot program spearheaded by Lawyers’ Assistance Program (LAP) Volunteer and Board member, Mike McElvain. 

    The pilot program aims to make it easier for attorneys beyond the Chicagoland area, an often underserved population, to access LAP’s free and confidential services such as peer support, assessments, interventions, and referrals. The four newly appointed Court Assistance Attorneys serve as local extensions of the Lawyers’ Assistance Program. As such, they receive the same immunity and are bound by the same confidentiality as LAP employees and volunteers, as provided in the Alcoholism and Drug Addiction Interveners and Reporters Immunity Act, 745 ILCS 35/1 et. al., and the provisions of Rule 1.6(d) of the Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct of 2010.  These Court Assistance Attorneys have committed themselves to confidentially accepting “information about Eleventh Judicial Circuit attorneys and judges in need of assistance for the sole purpose of relaying that information to the professional staff at LAP.”

  • August 17, 2016 | Practice News
    Chief Justice Garman announces screening committee to fill 6th Circuit vacancy

    Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice Rita B. Garman announced today the formation of a judicial screening committee for the Sixth Judicial Circuit.

    The screening committee was formed for the purpose of assessing the qualifications of those persons who have applied for appointment to the office of At-Large Judge of the Circuit Court for the Sixth Judicial Circuit created by the upcoming retirement of Judge Harry E. Clem on September 15, 2016. Under the Illinois Constitution, the vacancy will be filled by Supreme Court appointment.

  • August 11, 2016 | People
    Robert W. Ohlsen 1931-2016

    Robert W. Ohlsen, 85, of Decatur, passed away on July 27, 2016, in Decatur Memorial Hospital.

    Bob was born on June 18, 1931, in Downers Grove, IL, son of Angeline and Raymond Ohlsen. He married Barbara Reace in Chicago in 1958. He graduated from Peoria Central High School; Bradley University; University of Illinois School of Law, where he was a member of the Law Forum and the Order of the Coif; and Millikin University. Bob practiced law 54 years, until retirement in 2011.

    Surviving are his wife Barbara, son Daniel (Stephanie), of Longmont, CO, daughter Karen Horton (William), of Carmel, IN, grandchildren Braden Ohlsen of Salt Lake City, Connor Ohlsen of Boulder, CO, Claire Horton of Indianapolis, IN, and Wesley Horton of Portland, OR; sisters Charlotte Ragan and Barbara Poindexter, brother-in-law William Rae, and many loved nieces and nephews.