Transitions

Anton R. “Tony” Valukas has decided to step down from the honorary role of chairman of Jenner & Block, and will continue as an active, senior partner of the firm. “In the coming years, I intend to remain an active practitioner, helping our firm to develop opportunities representing our clients and mentoring the next generation of lawyers, but I believe now is an appropriate time for me to continue a natural transition of my practice,” Mr. Valukas said. “I am very confident in the direction the firm is taking. We are firmly committed to our core values, have a clear strategy for the future, and a talented and committed leadership team.”

Various firm leaders commented on Mr. Valukas’ career. Craig C. Martin, chair of the firm’s Litigation Department said, “Tony has been and will continue to be a tremendous asset to our firm. He not only has practiced at the highest levels of our profession, but time and time again has embraced and embodied our commitment to pro bono work, community service and assisting those who do not have meaningful access to the legal system.”

Attorney Jennifer Bunker has joined the law firm of Reilly Law Office, LLC. Jennifer Bunker is a native of Oglesby and presently lives in Peru, Illinois. She has worked in the Illinois Valley legal community for the past seven years handling many litigation related matters, including will contests, property tax appeals, breach of contract, and personal injury claims. Prior to joining Reilly Law Office, she clerked for Justice Robert L. Carter of the Third District Appellate Court.

Jennifer Bunker is actively involved in the Illinois State Bar Association Trusts and Estates Section Council. She is the editor of the Council’s monthly publication distributed to members throughout Illinois. She also assists the Council in providing continuing legal education to attorneys, determining the need for new legislation, and reviewing and suggesting changes to current legislative proposals affecting wills, trusts, and estates. She has developed and drafted will and trust-based estate plans and administered probate and trust estates. Jennifer Bunker teaches an advanced master of laws (LL.M) class at The John Marshall Law School in estate planning and tax law. She also has experience in Municipal Law representing local governmental agencies and has experience in representing closely held businesses.

Juan R. Thomas is of counsel to Quintairos, Prieto, Wood & Boyer, P.A. and the founder and principal of The Thomas Law Group. Mr. Thomas’s practice includes the following specialties: real estate/estate planning, labor and employment, and family law. In addition, Mr. Thomas provides counseling and training to firm clients in areas involving personnel, collective bargaining, and business development matters. Mr. Thomas is the president-elect of the National Bar Association (NBA) and will be sworn in as the 75th president of the NBA in the summer of 2017 during the Association’s 92nd Annual Convention in Toronto, Canada.

The National Black Lawyers: Top 100 includes Mr. Thomas on its Top 100 Lawyers list, an honor given to only a select group of lawyers for their superior skills and qualifications in the field. Membership in this exclusive organization is by invitation only, and is limited to the top 100 attorneys in each state or region who have demonstrated excellence and have achieved outstanding results in their careers. Mr. Thomas’s selection was based upon his performance as an exceptional lawyer in the practice area of matrimonial and family law in the state of Illinois.

Law firm O’Mara Gleason O’Callaghan has moved offices. The firm, which focuses on resolving disputes for businesses and individuals, has seen an uptick in work since opening its doors in 2013, resulting in the need for new office space. The firm’s new offices are at 230 W. Monroe in Chicago. O’Mara Gleason O’Callaghan focuses on litigation, business counseling, financial services litigation & arbitration, employment and white collar defense. More at www.ogolawyers.com