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ISBA Governors Al Durkin (left) and Stephen Komie attended the ITLA Young Lawyer Summer Party on the Kensington Roof Top last month in Chicago. Here they are pictures with Illinois State Rep. Ann Williams (11th).
William J. Sneckenberg, 68, brought his Nebraskan-bred blend of practicality and humanity to a legal career that spanned more than four decades. Known for sporting black cowboy boots year-round, in court and out, Bill (“Sneck” to his many friends) established himself as an astute trial lawyer and consummate gentleman. He was widely respected among colleagues, clients, judges, and adversaries alike.
Bill graduated fifth out of a class of 120 from Creighton University School of Law in 1972 and launched his practice career at the Chicago law firm of Clausen Miller. In 1977, he left big-firm practice to co-found Lev & Sneckenberg, and in 1982, he established William J. Sneckenberg & Associates, Ltd. In 2004, the firm was renamed Sneckenberg Thompson & Brody, LLP.
Throughout his career, Bill remained committed to the high-quality, personal touch of a focused boutique practice. Numerous attorneys, law clerks, and administrative professionals enjoyed the opportunity to work with and learn from him. He possessed the rare ability to connect with people from a diversity of backgrounds, often over an after-work cocktail, because he genuinely enjoyed their company. His love for people made him effective not only as a lawyer in front of a jury, but as a friend to the many who knew him and the countless strangers who encountered him.
Momkus McCluskey, LLC, a 25 year old DuPage County full-service business law firm is pleased to announce that Jason A. Doran has joined the firm as a Senior Attorney. Doran will focus his practice in estate planning, estate administration, commercial and residential real estate.
Doran began the practice of law in 2001. “It’s very exciting to go from a history of a small practice and small partnerships to an organization that’s a group practice where a client can get many services under one roof,” Doran said. “We are fortunate that Jason has chosen to join our firm, as his client service and work product is clearly exceptional,” says Edward J. Momkus, founding partner of Momkus McCluskey, LLC.
Doran, a Bolingbrook native, received his undergraduate degree in Marketing from Northern Illinois University and earned his Juris Doctor with honors (Cum Laude) from Northern Illinois University College of Law.
Doran brings a wealth of knowledge with respect to corporate and commercial law, business transactions, and estate planning and commercialand residential real estate. He previously worked at AAR Corporation. He is a member of the Illinois State Bar Association, Mainstreet Organization of Realtors, Illinois Association and National Association of Realtors respectively.
Momkus McCluskey, LLC, a 25 year old DuPage County full-service business law firm is pleased to announce that Daniel S. Porter has joined the firm as an associate attorney with the Commercial Litigation team.
Porter previously worked as a Staff Attorney for the 18th Judicial Circuit Court in DuPage County, serving as a judicial advisor in the law, chancery, domestic relations, and criminal divisions. He advised and collaborated with the judges at all stages of litigation.
“The experience as a Staff Attorney gives Dan insight on how to best navigate DuPage litigation to obtain the best results for our clients” says James F. McCluskey, founding partner of Momkus McCluskey, LLC.
Porter attended Iowa State University and graduated magna cum laude from Northern Illinois University College of Law. He externed for Justice Schostok on the Illinois Appellate Court, Second District.
Christine Sparks, vice president – managing attorney, claims and audit for Attorneys’ Title Guaranty Fund, Inc. (ATG®, http://www.atgf.com/), was recently installed as president of the Illinois Land Title Association (ILTA).
The Illinois Land Title Association is a statewide organization focused on providing professional level education and government advocacy to companies in the business of insuring titles to real estate. These activities provide services and industry networking that expand ILTA member standing within the real estate community, while helping to protect consumers on their single most important purchase.
ATG President and CEO Peter Birnbaum said, “We congratulate Christine on her new ILTA leadership position. Her 12 years of experience with ATG will be a valuable asset in helping ILTA achieve its goals.”
ATG attorneys have served on the boards and committees of ILTA for decades. Two ATG officers, Mike Brandt and Augie Butera, are past presidents of ILTA. Tom Cullen, ATG’s Vice President, Wisconsin Operations, is the current president of the Wisconsin Land Title Association, and Mike McDonnell, Senior Account Manager, is a past president of that association.
Sparks joined ATG’s claims department in 2003 as a claims attorney. In addition to investigating and resolving title insurance claims, she provides direction and support to the Audit Department personnel in resolving member audit compliance issues. She is a frequent author and speaker at ATG Legal Education programs.
For the first time, the Cook County Circuit Court will actively advertise for applicants for the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners, Chief Cook County Circuit Judge Timothy C. Evans announced today.
Also for the first time ever, the court will post every applicant’s submitted application form online at www.cookcountycourt.org.
“Our court’s process to recruit and screen potential candidates will be as transparent as possible,” Chief Judge Evans said. “With one spot currently open and another one expected to become vacant, now is the time for a more transparent way to select the commissioners who administer the elections in our city. And we’re seeking the media’s help to get the word out that we’re accepting applicants for these two prestigious positions in the public sector.”
The current Republican vacancy on the three-member board is due to the April 2015 death of Commissioner Richard A. Cowen. The Board of Election Commissioners has informed the Chief Judge’s Office that another vacancy will occur when Election Board Chairman Langdon D. Neal steps down after that Republican appointment is made.
Under state law, vacancies are filled by the circuit court where the election board is located. On the Chicago Board of Election, the Cook County Board has set commissioner salaries at $77,798 annually. Commissioners serve three-year terms.
The commissioners manage voter registrations; safeguard the rights of all voters to cast ballots independently in a safe and quiet atmosphere, free of interference or intimidation; and inform voters of all of their balloting options, such as Election Day voting, Early Voting and Vote By Mail.
David Apter of Highwood, IL passed away on Sunday, May 17th, 2015. He was beloved husband of Susann nee Much. Loving father of Kevin (Stacy) Apter, Greg (Leslie) Apter and Steve Apter. Cherished grandfather of Morgan, Jacob, Nathan, Ben, Noah, Talia and Joey Apter. Devoted brother of John (Sherry) Apter and Carol (Keith) Reichard. Dear brother-in-law of Tina (Wayne) Levenfeld and Todd (Janice) Much. Fond uncle, cousin and friend to many. Services have been held. In lieu of flowers remembrances to Parkinson's Disease Research Society (PDRS) 25 N. Winfield Road, 4 North Tower, Winfield, IL 60190 would be appreciated. Arrangement by Mitzvah Memorial Funerals, 630-Mitzvah (630-648-9824) or www.MITZVAHFUNERALS.com.
Please join the ISBA Environmental Law Section Council for a Professional Development Luncheon to discuss the Clean Power Plan - the first-ever national standards addressing carbon pollution from power plants. This program will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 21, from noon-1 p.m. at the ISBA Chicago Office, 20 S. Clark.
Speaker:
Moderator:
Cost: $15 includes lunch.
Register at www.isba.org/sections/environmentallaw/pdl
For general inquiries, please contact: Kent Mohr at kent.mohr@illinois.gov
Deadline to register is Friday, October 16th. No refunds will be given after October 16th.
No MCLE credit is available for this program.
Cook County Circuit Judge LeRoy K. Martin Jr. will be the next presiding judge of the Criminal Division of the Cook County Circuit Court.
Chief Cook County Circuit Judge Timothy C. Evans announced the appointment today, which takes effect immediately. Martin succeeds Paul P. Biebel Jr., who retired in July.
“For the last 13 years, I have observed Judge LeRoy Martin emerge as a rising star in the judiciary,” Chief Judge Evans said.
Molly Warner Lien, age 67, died on Sept. 11, 2015, at the Meijer Heart Center in Grand Rapids as a result of cardiomyopathy and complications of heart surgery. She was born in Chicago, Illinois on May 26, 1948, the only child of the late Cornelius and Donna (Dora M.) Beukema. She grew up in Homewood, Illinois, and she attended the Interlochen Arts Camp, and finished her last two years of high school at the Interlochen Arts Academy, graduating in 1966 with a major in voice. She won the concerto competition twice at the Arts Camp and again during her senior year at the Arts Academy. She also played the leads in several productions, including those by Gilbert & Sullivan, and the high school musical.
After attending the University of Michigan her freshman year, she graduated from the University of Miami with a degree in music. She sang numerous operatic roles, but ultimately was drawn to a career in law. She graduated with honors from the Emory University School of Law in Atlanta in 1978 where she was President of the Women’s Law Student Association, Articles Editor of the Law Review, a member of Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Honorary Society, and a member of the Order of the Coif. She was also voted the Wall Street Journal Award by the Faculty for Outstanding Academic Achievement in the field of law.