Chicago Area

Susan T. Bart, a Partner at Sidley Austin LLP, Chicago, served as Reporter for the Uniform Trust Decanting Act, which was recently approved by the Uniform Law Commission, a non-profit association that promotes uniformity of law among the states.  Trust decanting is a nonjudicial method of modifying an irrevocable trust.

Leslie Ann Koczur, 60, of Hinsdale passed away on August 11th.

She recently retired from her position as Director of Regulatory Projects at ComEd after a long career with the company. She worked with Illinois regulatory officials and legislators, and with municipal officials on numerous projects, including the modernization of the electric grid in Illinois to increase generation capacity, improve efficiency, and reduce electric outages. One of her notable projects was working on legislation that transformed the electric system in Illinois into one of the most successful competitive retail systems in the United States, saving consumers billions of dollars in electric rates.

Previously, she served as the Chief-of-Staff to the Illinois President of SBC Communications, the Manager of Federal Governmental Affairs for Nicor, and as an Assistant Illinois Attorney General.

Leslie had a passion for traveling and outdoor activities, but especially for spending time with her family and many friends.

Leslie received a Juris Doctor Degree from the John Marshall Law School in 1981, and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology from John Carroll University where she graduated Magna Cum Laude in 1977.

The American Association for Justice (AAJ) has appointed personal injury attorney, Antonio M. Romanucci, as Chair of the Police Misconduct Litigation group, effective July  12, 2015. Mr. Romanucci also serves as Chair-Elect of the Traumatic Brain Injury Litigation Group and was elected to a three year term as one of AAJ’s PAC Trustees this year. Founding partner and principal at Romanucci & Blandin, LLC, Mr. Romanucci has been an active member of AAJ for nearly 20 and has served leadership positions since July 2007.  

“I am honored to be given the opportunity to serve as Chair of the Police Misconduct Litigation group for AAJ, as well as serve other meaningful leadership roles for the organization,” said Mr. Romanucci. “The use of unlawful, excessive force by police officers currently taking place across our country is a rampant concern. I am looking forward to collaborating with other like-minded attorneys and individuals in my new role, to tackle this issue head-on.”

This past month in Montreal, Canada, at the AAJ annual conference, Mr. Romanucci spoke to the Police Misconduct Litigation Group and Civil Rights Section on the topic of "Overcoming Juror Bias in Police Misconduct Cases". His July 13th presentation focused on key issues involving implicit bias and methods to deselect jurors with bias in favor of police officers and trial strategies to contain jurors with bias who make it onto juries.   

BNY Mellon, a global leader in investment management and investment services, has appointed Nancy E. Anderson as senior wealth director serving BNY Mellon Wealth Management’s greater Chicago market and Midwest. She reports to Regional President Michael DiMedio.

Previously employed as a senior private wealth advisor by U.S. Trust, Bank of America Private Wealth Management in Minnesota, Anderson will be based in Chicago.

“Nancy’s stature in the region, her substantial experience, professional credentials and long track record of client service brings additional depth and expertise to our Midwestern wealth management team,” DiMedio said.

During her time at U.S. Trust, she led a team of professionals in the areas of trust administration, investment management, philanthropic planning, banking and wealth strategies. Before that, she held senior leadership roles at U.S. Bank Private Client Reserve, Citigroup Global Wealth Management, and Merrill Lynch Trust Company.

Anderson earned a bachelor’s degree in business and finance from the University of Minnesota and a juris doctorate from William Mitchell College of Law in St. Paul, Minn. She is a Certified Trust and Financial Advisor (CTFA) and an Accredited Domestic Partnership Advisor (ADPA). Anderson serves on the boards of the Hispanic National Bar Association and the William Mitchell College of Law. She is also a member of the Financial Planning Association, Minnesota Women Lawyers, the Illinois State Bar Association, the National LGBT Bar Association, and the National Society for Hispanic Professionals.