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  • February 4, 2015 | People
    Clyde Meachum 1920-2015

    Clyde Meachum, 94, of Danville passed away on Jan. 26, 2015 at Colonial Manor in Danville. Clyde was born Feb. 3, 1920, in Hallsville, the son of Fred and Ruth Meachum. He married Virginia Harvin on Dec. 30, 1942, in Chicago. She precedes him in death, having passed on Feb. 23, 2010.

    Clyde is survived by a son, Bruce (Sharon) Meachum of Danville; two daughters, Carol (Kim Walter) Meachum of Seattle and Connie (Elizabeth Most) Meachum of Harbor Springs, Mich.; two grandchildren, Lynette Baisch of Seattle and Grant Meachum of New York City; and two great-grandchildren, Ruben Baisch and Marco Baisch.

    Clyde graduated from Illinois State University with a Bachelor of Education degree. Following service as an officer in the U.S. Navy during World War II, he received a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Illinois College of Law in 1948.

    Clyde was an attorney for nearly 60 years, retiring in 2008. He began his legal career in Danville in 1948, as a law clerk for U.S. District Court Judge Walter Lindley. From 1949 to 1961, Clyde was the Referee in Bankruptcy for the U.S. District Court, covering 45 counties in eastern and southern Illinois. He entered the private practice of law in Danville in 1951, in partnership with Ray Foreman. At the time of his retirement in 2008, he had been a partner in the law firm of Meachum & Martin in Danville.

  • February 3, 2015 | People
    Roth and Mares join Heyl Royster’s Chicago Office

    Heyl Royster partner Andrew Roth and Associate Brett Mares recently relocated from Heyl Royster’s offices in Rockford and Edwardsville, respectively, to join the firm at its new Chicago offices located at 33 N. Dearborn St.

    Andrew Roth’s practice is focused on defending toxic tort, asbestos, and medical malpractice cases. Licensed in Illinois and Wisconsin, Mr. Roth also has a wide range of experience defending civil cases involving premises, auto and product liability; trucking; construction; dramshop; and insurance coverage. He has tried a number of cases involving medical malpractice, personal injury and contractual disputes. Mr. Roth has also represented clients in alternative dispute resolution, including mediations, settlement conferences, and arbitrations. Mr. Roth graduated magna cum laude from Northern Illinois University College of Law in 2003 and served as an associate editor on the school's Law Review.

  • January 30, 2015 | People
    Hon. Michael R. Galasso 1936-2015

    As a young lawyer in the 1960s, Michael R. Galasso represented individuals in difficult divorces and child custody battles and saw up close the need for the justice system to do more to help families and couples in crisis. During a 16-year judicial career he was able to do something about it, instituting reforms for the system’s handling of divorce cases and offering help to troubled youths. And in the final decade of his career in private practice at Schiller DuCanto & Fleck he shared his expertise and wisdom with young lawyers and with clients.

    Judge Galasso died Friday, January 23 at the age of 78.

    “Our firm lost an outstanding attorney, a respected, admired judge and a good friend with the passing of Mike Galasso,” said Donald C. Schiller, senior partner, Schiller DuCanto & Fleck. “He showed great foresight as a judge, bringing psychological services, mediation and evaluation to divorce cases in DuPage County. He was so respected he was appointed to the Appellate Court. Mike simply excelled at everything he did.”

    Mr. Galasso spent the bulk of his career litigating family law cases in DuPage County after graduating from Chicago-Kent College of Law in 1961. He was appointed an Associate Judge in DuPage County in 1984 and went on to serve as Presiding Judge of the Domestic Relations and Law Divisions and Chief Judge of the Circuit Court of DuPage County.

  • January 28, 2015 | People
    Walter J. Simhauser 1918-2015

    Walter J. Simhauser died on January 16, 2015, in Springfield at age 96. He was retired from a long career as a lawyer in Springfield and central Illinois.

    He is survived by his wife, Jean, his brother, John Simshauser, son, Val Simhauser (Patty Hagner), stepchildren Kathy (Richard) Crider, Karen (Carl) Schmidt, Brian Berg, and Melanie Berg, nephews Andy and Peter Simshauser, niece Kitty Lavin, other nieces and nephews, grandchildren Matt (Amanda) Simhauser and Mark Simhauser (fiancée, Caitlin Dungan), Ali Berg, Anna and Nate Schmidt, Kyle and Adam Crider, and great-granddaughter, Ava Simhauser.

    Mr. Simhauser was Springfield’s City Attorney from 1955 to 1959 and from 1963 to1969. He was also the city attorney for Leland Grove, aiding in its founding in 1950 and serving until 1990, and for Jerome, Southern View, Grandview, Auburn, and Chatham.
    He was born in May 1918 in Bloomington, Illinois, the oldest son of Val M. Simhauser and Daisy (Burke) Simhauser.

    He was predeceased by both parents, and by a brother, Judge Louis E. Simhauser. His father was a railroad machinist who moved on to self-employment after the 1922 strike at the Chicago & Alton yards in Bloomington, and who also served several terms as a Bloomington alderman. His mother was a teacher and a graduate of the State Normal School. Education, books, and reading were integral parts of life in the family’s Bloomington household. He and his two brothers became lawyers.

  • January 28, 2015 | People
    Neiner promoted to partner at Addy, Bush and Associates P.C

    Addy, Bush and Associates P.C. is pleased to announce that attorney Bob Neiner has become a partner in the firm. Bob has been with Addy, Bush and Associates P.C. for over eight years and focuses his practice on criminal defense and DUI’s as well as driver’s license reinstatement hearings.   

    Prior to joining Addy, Bush and Associates P.C., Bob was an Assistant State’s Attorney in Mclean and Tazewell County. He received his Bachelor of Science from Illinois State University, cum laude and received his J.D. from Southern Illinois University School of Law, cum laude.

  • January 27, 2015 | People
    Carmen D. Caruso Law Firm welcomes new team

    Chicago based Carmen D. Caruso Law Firm welcomes the addition of three new members to its trial and appellate legal team: attorney Shane D. Valenzi, Of Counsel attorney Seamus M. Ryan, and senior litigation paralegal Craig A. Nelson.

    The boutique firm concentrates in franchise and general and sharply contested business disputes.

    Lead attorney Carmen D. Caruso has been in practice since 1983 and is known for his aggressive and creative representation of clients, including large companies as well as individual plaintiffs.

    “We pursue high-stakes litigation and look for cases that are likely to go to trial,” said Caruso. “Our skilled and dynamic new team brings depth and allows us to efficiently represent our clients as we prepare and go to trial,” added Caruso.

    Shane D. Valenzi brings invaluable experience recently gained as a federal court law clerk. Valenzi graduated magna cum laude with a B.A. in Theatre Arts from the University of Pennsylvania. He received his J.D. from Vanderbilt University Law School, where he served as the editor-in-chief of the Vanderbilt Journal of Entertainment and Technology Law, one of the top intellectual property law journals in the country. While attending Vanderbilt Valenzi served as a legal writing teaching assistant, and was an octofinalist in the annual Mock Trial Competition.

  • January 27, 2015 | People
    Joseph A. Tecson 1928-2015

    Joseph A. Tecson passed away peacefully at home in Riverside on Sunday, January 11. Joe and Caroline recently celebrated 60 years of marriage, and his good humor, wisdom and support were a blessing to his children, grandchildren and great grandchild. He shared his zest for life and values with his family, many governmental and charitable institutions, and Chuhak & Tecson, P.C. where he headed the Governmental and Healthcare Practices of the firm.

  • January 27, 2015 | People
    Lawrence E. Morrissey 1936-2015

    Lawrence E. Morrissey, age 78, passed away at home on the morning of January 8, 2015, after a brief, but courageous, battle with an aggressive cancer discovered last fall. He was a loving husband to his wife of 48 years, Kathleen (nee Landreman).

    Born July 19, 1936, in Joliet, Illinois, he was raised by his mother after the sudden loss of his father just days before Christmas in 1944. A graduate of St. Raymond Elementary School, Joliet Catholic High School, the University of Illinois and The John Marshall Law School, he worked jobs to pay his tuition the entire way. He served in the Marine Corps. He began his legal career in 1964 as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Northern District of Illinois and, in 1967, was appointed Chief of the Organized Crime and Racketeering section for the Northern District of Illinois.

    In 1969, he received a meritorious service award from United States Attorney General, Ramsey Clark, who credited him with helping disband the Chicago crime syndicate. In 1974, he opened his own practice in downtown Chicago while at the same time working at O`Brien, Garrison, Berard & Kusta, a Joliet law firm that he credited for the development of his civil litigation skills. Although he represented defendants in numerous high profile government probes and scandals, his real passion was providing representation to the less fortunate, often on a pro bono basis. He took great pleasure in helping people from all walks of life.

  • January 27, 2015 | People
    Tracy Gibbons joins Clifford Law as associate

    The newest addition to the legal team at Clifford Law Offices, Tracy Gibbons, is no stranger to tort law having worked as a clerk at the firm for years and jumping in immediately into courtroom work and complex tort cases. In fact, her intelligence and legal acumen has led her to already have worked on some of the biggest lawsuits filed at the firm, led by partners directing the cases. When you first meet Tracy, one observes she is reserved and poised, a young attorney who understands the importance of listening and working hard.

  • January 23, 2015 | People
    Guerino Turano 1929-2015

    Guerino J. Turano, aka: Jake Turano or Willie Turano, passed away on Wednesday, January 21st at the golden age of 85.

    Guerino was a retired Vice President and General Counsel of Chicago Title Insurance Co. He was a 1954 graduate of DePaul University College of Law. He was an avid author and lecturer on technical issues of the practice, he wrote for Illinois State Bar Association and Chicago Bar Association publications, the law reviews and journals of The John Marshall Law School, and Chicago Title's newsletter, Titles Issues.

    Turano served on the ISBA State and Local Taxation Section Council from 1980 to 1984 and was its chair in 1982 to 1983. He also chaired the CBA State and Municipal Taxation Committee. He was a member of the Real Estate Law Section Council from 1990 to 2001, Turano was an editor of its newsletter for most of the years he served. He received a 10-year Newsletter Editor Service Award in 2000.

    Loving Son of the late Carmen and the late Giosina, nee Fabis, Turano. Dear Brother of the late Raphaella (the late Joseph) D'Onofrio. Dear Uncle of the Alex (Vickie) D'Onofrio, Joseph, Jr. (Mary Ann) D'Onofrio, Mary Jo Adal-Aziz and Michael (Linda) D'Onofrio. Dear Great and Great-Great Uncle to many.