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  • April 15, 2014 | People | Practice News
    Jenner & Block taps Terrence Truax as managing partner

    Jenner & Block LLP today announces that Terrence J. Truax – a 26-year veteran of the firm and co-chair of its Patent Litigation and Counseling Practice – has been elected managing partner, effective May 1, 2014.  He will succeed Susan C. Levy, who leaves the 450-attorney firm at the end of April to assume her new position as executive vice president and general counsel at Northern Trust Corporation.

    Mr. Truax served on the firm’s Management Committee starting in January 2007 and subsequently has served on the firm’s Policy Committee since 2009.  Mr. Truax joined Jenner & Block as an associate in 1988 and was promoted to partner in 1997.  Based in the firm’s Chicago office, Mr. Truax has represented clients from around the world and has been involved in some of the firm’s most complex and high-profile matters.

  • April 11, 2014 | People
    Staci A. Williamson joins Goldberg Segalla

    Goldberg Segalla is pleased to announce that Staci A. Williamson has joined the law firm in its Chicago office.

    Ms. Williamson, a partner, is a member of the firm’s Product Liability Practice Group. She focuses her practice on defending product liability claims, including those involving fire and explosion, product labeling and warnings, and other issues arising under the Consumer Product Safety Act.

    Ms. Williamson handles premises liability litigation, and represents clients in connection with mass tort class action litigation, appellate litigation, arbitration, and mediation. She has worked on a variety of complex matters, including precedent-setting, multimillion-dollar personal injury, fire, and consumer class action cases.

    A frequent contributor of articles on product liability defense to publications of the Defense Research Institute and the Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel, Ms. Williamson received her juris doctorate at Loyola University Chicago School of Law (2006) and her bachelor of arts degree from Ohio University (2000).

    Previously, she practiced in the Chicago office of Wiedner & McAuliffe.

  • April 10, 2014 | People
    Richard Gordon Harbinger 1923-2014

    Beloved Richard Harbinger of Brentwood, Calif., passed away January 17 in Santa Monica. The family interred him at Mount Sinai Memorial Park Hollywood Hills.

    He was born in Los Angeles in 1923 to Louis and Anne. He was married to his loving and lovely wife Annette Wong Harbinger.

    He was a graduate of Fairfax High, UCLA, Princeton University and Notre Dame Law School. Richard was a member of the American Bar Association, the California Bar Association, the Illinois State Bar Association and the Beverly Hills Bar Association. He also served on the board of the Beverly Hills Bar Foundation and the International Association of Jewish Lawyers and Jurists. A mentor and teacher of the Chinese students and scholars at UCLA, he taught at law schools in China.

  • April 9, 2014 | People
    John R. McInerney joins DiTommaso Lubin, P.C.

    DiTommaso Lubin with offices in Chicago and Oakbrook Terrace is pleased to announce that John R. McInerney has joined the firm. He will concentrate his practice in the areas of complex commercial and class action litigation.

    DiTommaso Lubin is a litigation-focused firm with more than 50 years of combined experience in the areas of complex commercial, class action, and First Amendment litigation. Our attorneys are at home in the courtroom and have secured hundreds of millions of dollars in judgments and settlements for our clients. Our list of clients is as diverse as our skill sets ranging from large corporations to individuals. John who has a background in business and finance will make a welcome addition to the DiTommaso Lubin team. For more information about DiTommaso Lubin and John visit www.ditommasolaw.com.

    John can be reached at DiTommaso Lubin 17W220 22nd St., Suite 410, Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois 60181; Telephone: 331.225.2137; Email: jrm@ditommasolaw.com

  • April 9, 2014 | People
    Karla Baumler joins Robbins Schwartz

    Robbins Schwartz is pleased to announce our newest associate.

    Karla J. Baumler joins our Chicago office where she will concentrate her practice in the area of labor and employment. Karla received her J.D. from the University of Iowa in 2010 and her B.S. from Drake University in 2006.

    Prior to joining Robbins Schwartz, Karla focused on labor and employment law on behalf of private sector employers.

    About Robbins Schwartz:
    Since its founding in 1970, Robbins Schwartz has provided a full range of legal services to educational institutions, public entities and private sector clients.  With offices in Chicago, Mokena, Champaign-Urbana, Decatur, Collinsville and Rockford, Robbins Schwartz is uniquely positioned to serve schools, colleges and municipal bodies, as well as clients in the corporate sector throughout Illinois.  For a complete description of the legal services provided by Robbins Schwartz visit the Firm’s website at www.robbins-schwartz.com.    

  • April 3, 2014 | People
    Richard H. Parsons 1936-2014

    Richard H. Parsons, 77, of Peoria died on Wednesday, March 26, 2014, at UnityPoint–Proctor.

    Richard was born June 9, 1936, in McAlester, OK, to Alfred Richard and Veronica Cecilia Parsons. He married Catherine Logan on August 9, 1958, in Peoria. She preceded him in death in 2011.

    He is survived by is children, Karen Voss, Anne Muren, and A. Richard Parsons II; and eight grandchildren.

    Both his sisters, Helen Murphy and MaryAnn Caster, preceded him in death.

    Mr. Parsons graduated from Taylorville High School in Taylorville, IL, in 1954, where he participated on many athletic teams including football, basketball, baseball, and track and field. However, he was most proud of the fact that he was elected captain of the first Taylorville High School Varsity Tennis team.

    Tennis continued to play an important part of his life. He played well into his 60s when spinal problems forced him to quit playing the sport he loved the most. After high school, he played tennis for Bradley University for two years. After graduation, he continued to play and own Club and Bar Association mixed and men’s doubles tournaments, including championships at Mt. Hawley Country Club, the Peoria Tennis Association, the Peoria County Bar association, and the Racquet Club of Peoria. Additionally, he was a three-time winner of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers Tournament. His home and office were festooned with dozens of tennis and golf trophies.

  • March 28, 2014 | People
    James R. Brumund 1948-2014

    He created and coached the successful Joliet J’s girls softball team for numerous years. He was an assistant softball coach at Joliet Township where he helped coach the 2000 girls state softball championship team. He was presently an assistant coach for the varsity softball team at Joliet West. He was a mentor to his son, Danny, in baseball, football, and wrestling. He coached St. Joe’s Baseball, the Joliet Lightning, and the Channahon Excavators. He presently played senior softball throughout the country and Joliet Park District softball. Jim was part owner of Aux Sable Farms (The Property) where he spent many enjoyable hours hunting, fishing, and relaxing time with his family. Jim was a diehard Sox and Bears fan.

    Jim was a loving and devoted husband, father, son, brother, brother-in-law, uncle, attorney, coach, and friend. Although law was his livelihood, sports was his passion.

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  • March 28, 2014 | People
    Eugene J. Korst 1927-2014

    Eugene J. Korst, age 86, passed away at the Joliet Area Community Hospice Home on March 7, 2014, surrounded by his loving family.

    Born in Joliet, Gene graduated from St. John 's Grade School, Joliet Catholic High School, Joliet Junior College, University of Illinois and the John Marshall Law School. Gene served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, being stationed in Germany. Gene 's law practice in Lockport began in 1960, which included representation of the City of Lockport, Valley View School District 96 and Kelvin Grove School District 91, and he practiced in Lockport until 2006, when he moved his practice to Joliet, retiring at the end of 2013. He was a member of the Illinois State Bar Association and the Will County Bar Association, and was a member and past president of the Lockport Lions Club.

    Gene often said if he knew he could have made enough money to support his family, he would have given up his law practice to solely be a professional trumpet player. Gene learned to play the trumpet at age 8, playing in the Joliet Catholic High School Band from the 6th grade at St. John 's until graduation from the Hill. He played professionally on the road from 1945-51, played in the U.S. Infantry, 28th Division Army Band, and later played with the Hot Peppers of Jazz Band, Dixieland All Stars, Gene Victor, Roy Gordon, Guy Mau and others. He also played in the Joliet Junior College Community Band, Lewis University Jazz Ensemble, Moraine Valley Community Band, the American Legion Band, Bicentennial Park Summer Band and Brass Tracks Jazz Orchestra.

  • March 28, 2014 | People
    Rodney Pitts 1948-2014

    Rodney Joseph Pitts, 65, of Lake Tapawingo, Mo., passed away Feb. 27, 2014 at his home.

    He was born May 15, 1948 in Litchfield, Il to Bill and Lola (Fensterman) Pitts. Rodney was a graduate of St. Louis University with a Juris Doctorate. He was an Attorney at Law in the Law Office of Rodney J. Pitts in Wood River, IL. He was an Assistant State Attorney in Madison County from (1973-1982). State of Illinois Special Attorney General (1976-1982), attorney for the St. Louis Regional Airport, Bethalto, IL, City Attorney for Village of East Alton, IL (1976-2004), Wood River Township Attorney (1991-2004), Adjunct Professor, Criminal Law, Lewis and Clark Community College, Godfrey, IL (1974-1977). He served as an Alderman in the City of Lake Tapawingo. On December 1, 1982 he was united in marriage to Nicole Kileen. Rodney was a Presbyterian by faith. He enjoyed fishing, guns, target shooting, and spending time with family and friends. Rodney was a tissue donor and encourages others to do likewise. He was preceded in death by his parents and an infant sister, Mary Gaye Pitts.

    In addition to his wife Nicole, he is survived by his son, Jason Walter Pitts of Maryland Heights MO; daughter, Alaina Marie Pitts of Wood River IL; grandchild, Haley Marie Monroe, brother, Gregory William Pitts of Lake Tapawingo, MO; sister, Barbara Ann Smith and husband Craig of Brighton, IL; one nephew Craig Smith II, his wife Michelle, and great niece Addyson.

  • March 28, 2014 | People
    William C. Bates, Jr. 1926-2014

    William C. Bates, Jr. 87, of Lincoln passed away on March 10, 2014 at Christian Village, Lincoln.

    Bill was born April 13, 1926 in Chicago, the son of William C. and Annette Blinn Bates.

    He served in the U.S. Army during WW II being discharged as a Second Lieutenant. Following the war, Bill entered the University of Miami, where he graduated from Law School in 1950 with a J.D. Degree cum laude. In 1947, he married Mary Evelyn Lowe, a native Floridian and a direct descendant of the Hendry family, pioneers and early settler in South Florida. After his graduation, he and his wife moved to Lincoln where he began the practice of law. He practiced alone until 1972 when he joined with Robert J. Woods and Dick H. Woods, Jr. until he retired January 1, 1985. From 1952 to 1964 he served as Master of Chancery of the Circuit Court. He is a member of the Illinois, Florida and Logan County Bar Associations.

    Bates served as a member of the Illinois Board of Banks and Trust Companies, and he served four years on the Lincoln District 27 School Board. He also served as a member of the Logan County Board of School Trustees, was a director of the Chamber of Commerce and was a member of the Lincoln Methodist Church Board, and he was a member of the Board of Kickapoo Parks and Trails Foundation.

    Family business and farming interests were also an ongoing part of his life, as was his interest in Lincoln College. Mr. Bates was a member of the Board of Trustees from 1957 to 1985, serving as President of the Board from 1963-1965. Bill retired in 1985 and moved to Naples, FL with his wife. He was the president of Quail Creek Country Club in 1988 where they were members for 31 years.