![Page 3
Justinian News
Installation Dinner Report
Dear Mr. Sommario,
Thank you so much for awarding St.
Jude the Children’s Endowment Fund
Grant of $5,000! We are so grateful of
people and organizations like you and
the Justinian Society. Furthermore,
these funds are so important to our
organization as we continue to help
children and families through their
battles with childhood cancer and
other deadly diseases! Because of you,
there is St. Jude.
- Stacey Pitts
St. Jude Children's
Research Hospital
[Editor’s Note: The CEF received a
Grant application from St. Jude Chil-
dren's Research Hospital. St. Jude’s was
seeking funds to support its Children’s
Medical Research.
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
is leading the way the world under-
stands, treats and defeats childhood
cancer and other deadly diseases. St.
Jude has the world’s best survival rates
for the most aggressive childhood
cancers, and treatments invented at
St. Jude have helped push the overall
childhood cancer survival rate from
20 percent to 80 percent since they
opened more than 50 years ago. St.
Jude is working to drive the overall
survival rate for childhood cancer
to 90 percent in the next decade. St.
Jude freely shares the breakthroughs
they make, and every child saved at
St. Jude means doctors and scientists
worldwide can use that knowledge to
save thousands more children. Families
never receive a bill from St. Jude for
treatment, travel, housing and food
– because all a family should worry
about is helping their child live. Join the
St. Jude mission by visiting stjude.org
or following St. Jude on facebook.com/
stjude and twitter.com/stjude.
Since they meet the CEF criteria to
receive a grant, the CEF Committee has
voted unanimously to award the 2015
$5,000.00 Grant to the St. Jude Chil-
dren's Research Hospital.]
Letters, continued from page 2
Installation Instills Values
By: Thomas V. Leverso, Esq.
Inspiration: it permeated throughout the
reception area of the Palmer House Hilton’s
Grand Ballroom
and energized all
who attended the
annual Justinian
Society of Law-
yers' Installation
and Awards Din-
ner on September
10, 2014. Like a
swim in a crisp
mountainlake,the
refreshinglyacademicandwelcomingcrowd
combined with the appropriately arriving
autumnal weather. My host for the evening
was Leonard Amari himself, along with
all the partners and associates of Amari &
Locallo and it seemed as though the entire
evening began right on his cue. I had the
good fortune of sitting with giants of the
Illinois legal community, including Illinois’
Judges Association president, Justice Mary
SeminaraSchostok,prominentattorneyand
Deputy Cook County Assessor Thomas J.
Jaconetty, the highly respected Judge Clar-
enceHarrisonofMadisonCounty,sonofthe
late Justice Moses Harrison, to mention just
a few. The room was filled with respected
judgesandjusticesofeverylevel,prominent
trial lawyers and public interest attorneys. It
became clear to me – the annual Installation
and Awards Dinner of the Justinian Society
of (Italian) Lawyers enjoys the reputation
of being the signature social/legal event in
Illinois in the Fall.
The cocktail hour began a wave of intro-
ductions amongst strangers, while simulta-
neously old friends resumed from the last
time they spoke. This was my first Justinian
Installation Dinner and upon entry into the
reception area, an immediate embrace of
acceptance removed any anticipation usu-
ally felt in a new social situation.The young
appellate attorney was welcomed as an old
friend instead of a newcomer – by every-
body I introduced myself to or to whom I
wasintroduced.Thewords“genuineamity”
come to mind.
The crowd of members mingled effort-
lessly while enjoying hors d'oeuvres that
farexceedtheexpectationsofyourordinary
coldchickendinnerbanquet.Prosciuttowith
melon, an assortment of cheeses and sala-
mis, and cookies that are some type of cross
between anise and angetti line the tables.
An ice sculpture adorns the main appetizer
table. This food elevated the mood of the
Continued on page 4
Betty DeCarlo, Monsignor Kenneth Velo and
President Anita DeCarlo.
Past Presidents Mike Favia and Tony Fornelli
with Father Michael Caruso, S.J.
Past Presidents Judge Bob Bertucci & Judge
Lisa Marino (right) with Marie Sarantakis.
Judge Mary Minella with Dean Jean Gas-
pardo, Loyola University School of Law; and
Erica Minchella.](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/39348a74-36fe-4782-a66b-8d3f18eb92fb-150717155943-lva1-app6892/85/JS-Spring-2015-3-320.jpg)
![Page 4
Scholarship Dinner
By: Michael D. Pisano
Every year the
Justinian Society
gathers to award
scholarshipstolaw
students. This year
the Scholarship
Dinner was held
at Riva Restaurant
on Navy Pier on
October 23, 2014.
This dinner is al-
wayswellattended
by members as well
aslawstudentsandoftentimes,thefamiliesof
thescholarshiprecipients,andrepresentatives
from various Chicago-area law schools. This
year was no different and in fact required the
restaurant to roll out a few more tables to ac-
commodatethelargegroup—agoodproblem
to have. Of course, as lore would have it, the
Justinians, to a member, are horrible about
RSVPing. Every dinner is a crapshoot.
WhiletheScholarshipDinnerisaonenight
event,thescholarshipcommitteeworksyear-
roundtoraisethescholarshipfunds,circulate
the availability of funds and getting the word
out to the law students to apply. In addition
to large donations made in the past which
have kept the scholarship program thriving,
scholarship funds are raised at the annual
golf outing as well as donations by individual
members throughout the year. Every fall the
Justinianscholarshipcommitteeistaskedwith
the responsibility of pouring through dozens
of scholarship applications to identify those
lawstudentswhohaveworkedhardanddem-
onstratedsuccessintheirstudies.Historically,
senior members Richard Caifano, Umberto
Davi, Anthony Farace, Sam Tornatore and
otherscoordinatedtheseresponsibilities.Sam
andAnthonynowserving(again)asco-chairs.
This year the scholarship committee
awarded 15 scholarships (about the yearly
average) totaling in excess of $50,000 in
tuition benefits, including the matching
funds made available by certain law schools.
Historically, with the matching law school
President Anita DeCarlo with scholarship
recipient Mara Salerno
room as good food does, but the company of
the room made the night special. From great
food comes great ideas.
Theenergylevelroseastheroomfilled,but
thehospitalityoftheoldermembersincreased
alongside the genuine respect and affection
the attendees demonstrated for each other.
The event left an impression I will never
forget. The law schools and bar associations
were well represented, the Illinois State Bar
Association was represented by its officers
andmanyofitsgovernors;TheJohnMarshall
Law School ordered two tables to support
its graduates, many of which are prominent
in the Justinian activities. Renowned jurists
from all over Illinois, both Federal and State,
took the time to welcome law students, while
seniorpartnersandsolopractitionersfostered
new relations for junior associates. The most
common topic was the advancement of the
profession, the support and advancement of
the younger attorneys, but the experienced
generations ensured the young stars shined
brightly.
Indeed, pervasive throughout the evening
was a universal spirit of treating people the
way they ought to be treated regardless of
age or experience. This was collegiality –
and it was obviously very genuine. This was
a true society that had the familial feel to it.
I felt myself grinning because every person
in attendance shared my love of the law. I
was no longer the outcast scholar, a boring
trial attorney as to the theoretical application
of an obscure doctrine; rather, I was a peer
among fellow intellectuals.And my common
ethnicity with many in attendance certainly
enhanced the great experience.
Likewise, the evening was a welcome
change from the normally passé beginning
to the Chicago social season because this
event was filled with meaning, a very basic
concept. What caught my attention were the
awards and their respective recipients. To
recap they were: Reverend Monsignor Ken-
neth Velo, recipient of the JustinianAward of
Excellence, a beloved cleric in the Chicago-
land area, and career friend of the Justinian
Society and scores of its members; Michael
V. Favia, Recipient of the President's Award,
truly a deserving recipient, highly regarded
and truly revered; and my host, Leonard F.
Amari, recipient of the Honorable Moses W.
Harrison Award of Recognition.
Based on the comments of their present-
ers, Mr. Favia, Monsignor Velo, and my host
shined. Monsignor Velo embodies the core
valuesoftheunderlyingmissionoftheJustin-
ian Society, making the words become more
thanmerewritings.Indeed,Ihopesomedayto
have his gumption to pursue social justice.
As for my host, Leonard Amari was being
honored for the very things he showed to
me on a personal level and the very things
for which Justice Harrison stood: excellence
in the profession through its advancement.
His genuine respect, affection and devotion
to the late Justice was clear, and heartfelt.
Mr. Amari’s humility was best demonstrated
throughthebrevityofhisacceptance;indeed,
he quietly accepted his award with due re-
luctance, showing the true signs of someone
devoted simultaneously to the good of the
Society and the general public.
The officers were then introduced, and
ceremoniallysworn,allbright,youngleading
Italian-American lawyers, led by the won-
derful Anita DeCarlo, a second generation
president following in the footsteps of her
latefather,prominentattorney,VitoDeCarlo.
The other officers and their offices being:
Jessica DePinto, 1st Vice President; Frank
A. Sommario, 2nd Vice President; Michael
F. Bonamarte, 3rd Vice President; Vincent
Vidmer, Treasurer; and Natalie Petric, Sec-
retary.
Fromhere,Ireturnedfromastateofextreme
focus due to speakers and instead returned to
the table’s conversation. I realized how this
table was not simply composed of esteemed
friends,lawyers,andjurists,butratherhowall
these people charitably contribute to society.
Wordsfailtodescribethepreciousnessofthis
value and how much the Installation Dinner
reinforced its importance.
My thoughts turned to reflection; how
Leonard and his A&L colleagues did not
have to do a thing for me, and yet there they
wereopeningdoors,literallyandfiguratively.
I can only aspire to emulate, as Mr. Amari
suggested, the mantra of his reputation, and
pay it forward, and indeed I resolve to do
such. More than any other room you will
visit between now andApril, this room – this
dinner, that is – actually set the tone for how a
person ought to conduct himself or herself.
The dinner is an installment of values – not
just the installation of officers.
[Editor’s Note: Father Michael Caruso,
President of St. Ignatius, delivered the most
wonderful prayer at the Installation Dinner,
insightful, and quoting St. Thomas More,
patron saint of lawyers. We reprint it here,
in part:
Lord God, as we ask your blessing upon
our fellowship and meal that we will share,
let us make these words of St. Thomas More,
the patron saint of lawyers, our own:
Pray that, for the glory of God and in the
pursuit of His justice, I may be trustworthy
with confidences, keen in study, accurate
in analysis, correct in conclusion, able in
argument, loyal to clients, honest with all,
courteous to adversaries, ever attentive to
conscience. Sit with me in my library and
stand always beside me so that today I shall
not, to win a point, lose my soul.
Pray that my family may find me what
yours found in you: friendship and courage,
cheerfulness and charity, diligence in duties,
counsel in adversity, patience in pain – their
good servant, and God’s first.
We ask all these things through Christ our
Lord. Amen.]
Installtion, continued from page 3](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/39348a74-36fe-4782-a66b-8d3f18eb92fb-150717155943-lva1-app6892/85/JS-Spring-2015-4-320.jpg)
![Page 15
At the same time, she balanced marriage, fam-
ily and motherhood of three children. She was
thought to be an unlikely running mate for
Bruce Rauner and his vision of what the best
in business practices could bring to a broken
political model. But perhaps she was the most
logical choice, because she embodies the idea
that change is not just wrought by acumen and
efficiency,butbyjusticethatisgroundedinbeing
true to the story of where we came from, true to
the commitment that the best of those in office
enable future generations to have the means, the
opportunities and the inspiration to write their
stories – stories that will take us beyond those
places we imagined we could ever go.
All that said, why should we be so excited
about this diminutive Latina? We have known
for many years that our community holds much
in common with the various Hispanic com-
munities in our State, so much so that we have
found ways to make common cause with them
in supporting candidates and working for issues
and the improvement of communities in which
our people live and work together. She embod-
ies the values of hard work, of family cohesion,
of aspiration to that which always calls us to go
deeperintoourselvesandhigherintopenetrating
theboundaries–whethersocial,economic,civic
or professional – that have traditionally closed
themselves and made themselves a barrier to
advancement. She reminds us that our ethnic
communities are not just their own. They are
woveninto each other with dreamsandstruggles
and it is never in our interest to set them against
each other.
The Lieutenant Governor is ours. She is that
which we want our children to be and to be in-
spired by. Family. Determination. Compassion.
Always the memory of the story, of those who
came, what they faced, who they left, what they
dreamt. And always the memory which propels
her to reach out to others who have stories just
as compelling, and to help unknown children to
write new ones. Justice. Equality in society, in
the economy, inopportunity, despite disabilities,
in education. Excellence in every endeavor.And
neverlettingathinglikelanguage,orlikeillness,
or like gender or ethnicity stand in the way.
We have a Lieutenant Governor beginning a
new chapter in Illinois this year . It will be a new
chapter for Latino communities, for our Italian
community,foreverycommunityacrossthestate
that wants to move forward, and for the office
itself, which I will bet will never be considered
one which has no function and requires no en-
ergy.Thistime,thereisaLieutenantGovernorin
EvelynSanguinettiwhowillcontributeashareof
greatness to what we all must hope is a new and
great chapter that a new administration – Bruce
Rauner’s administration – brings to Springfield
and to every part of a great state.
Sanguinetti, continued from page 14
[Editor’s note: This article written by Jack
Silverstein is reprinted with permission from
The Chicago Daily Law Bulletin.]
JosephM.Gagliardogotthecallaweekbefore
the show.
“Are you interested in playing with Chuck
Berry?”apromoteraskedGagliardo,whoplays
bass guitar.
Gagliardo figured he was looking for an
opener.
“No,” the promoter said. “He doesn’t travel
withaband,soifyougetadrummerandapiano
player, the show’s yours.”
Gagliardo hung up and started making calls.
He knew Berry’s reputation as an ornery per-
fectionist.ThemusicianswhoturnedGagliardo
down did too.
“The first couple people I called were con-
cerned that it could turn out to be an unpleasant
situation,” Gagliardo said. “I thought it was a
once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I was going
to take the chance.”
For Gagliardo — managing partner at Laner,
Muchin Ltd. — that gig in the early 2000s re-
mains a career highlight. He was paid $50 for
his performance, a fee he would have gladly
waived.
On Sunday, he and his band Cool Rockin’
Daddieswillplayprobonoforadifferentreason
— to help raise money for cancer treatments at
a Caring Arts charity concert.
“I view music as … something that’s posi-
tive in people’s lives,” he said. “This applies
whether we’re playing a small show or a large
show — we always put out 1,000 percent.”
When Gagliardo played with Berry, 1,000
percent was necessary.
“Chuck Berry’s stuff is mostly a three-chord
progression,soit’snotdifficult,”saidDanBuck,
the lead singer of Cool Rockin’ Daddies. “The
difficult part is following Chuck.”
That’s because Berry plays without a set
list.
“You essentially have to immerse yourself in
Chuck Berry music, because you don’t know
what he’s going to play,” Gagliardo said. “He
doesn’t even tell you what keys the songs will
be in.”
Gagliardospentaweekbeforetheshowlisten-
ingtoandpracticingBerry’ssongs.Heestimates
he prepared “somewhere in the neighborhood
of 75 to 80 songs.”
Inthehourlongshow,thebandplayed“maybe
15.”
Ifanyonewasequippedtoabsorbarock’n’roll
legend’s catalog in a week, it was Gagliardo.
“He’s like an encyclopedia,” Buck said. “I
thought I had a good handle on rock music
history, but this guy’s unbelievable. When I get
stumped, I give Joe a call. He’s that good.”
PartofGagliardo’stalentrememberingsongs
stemsfromhismusiccollection.Heownsabout
5,000 vinyl albums, 5,000 45 rpm records and
“I don’t know how many CDs.”
But part of it is his memory, which he utilizes
as much in court as he does on stage.
“Theimportanceofmymemoryasanattorney
is the ability to remember facts that did not ap-
pear to be important at an earlier point of time
that now can be critical to the development and
presentation of a case,” said Gagliardo, a labor
and employment litigator.
AftergraduatingfromTheJohnMarshallLaw
School in 1977 and running his own shop for
a year, Gagliardo became a Chicago assistant
corporation counsel in 1978.
Hewasthereforadecade,movinghiswayup
to first deputy corporation counsel while work-
ing with mayors Michael Bilandic, Jane Byrne,
Harold Washington and Eugene Sawyer.
In 1988, Gagliardo joined Laner, Muchin
as a partner heading up the firm’s litigation
group and continuing his labor and employ-
ment work, representing employers. His clients
have included Oprah Winfrey’s Harpo Studios,
Donald Trump and the state of Illinois during
the administrations of Jim Edgar, George Ryan,
Rod Blagojevich and Patrick J. Quinn.
“He is one of the most practically minded
lawyers I have ever known,” said Jeffrey S.
Fowler, a partner at Laner, Muchin who met
Gagliardo in 1994.
“He seemed to have a good focus about how
to get from point A to point B … focusing on
the best route to get to the best legal result.”
His work representing state government
included AFSCME v. Weems, a 2012 case
in which the state’s largest public employees
union alleged that Quinn’s plans to close two
youthdetentioncentersandeightDepartmentof
Corrections facilities were being made without
adequate preparation for the safety of prison
employees.
TheIllinoisSupremeCourteventuallyruledin
the state’s favor and the facilities were closed.
Gagliardo also defended the city of Chicago
duringMichaelL.Shakman’songoinglitigation
over political hires.
“One of the benefits of working for the gov-
ernment, whether you’re an in-house lawyer or
an outside lawyer, is that you have a chance to
be involved in cases that promote change on a
wide-scale basis,” Gagliardo said.
His interest in government work started in
high school, when he read Anthony Lewis’
book “Gideon’s Trumpet” about Gideon v.
Wainwright, the landmark Supreme Court case
that gave criminal defendants the right to free
legal counsel.
“The book piqued my interest in the law
because it showed me that a lawyer could have
Joey Be Good:
Gagliardo is a Cool Rockin’ Daddy
Joe Gagliardo rocks out at a recent gig.
Continued on page 16](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/39348a74-36fe-4782-a66b-8d3f18eb92fb-150717155943-lva1-app6892/85/JS-Spring-2015-15-320.jpg)
![Page 17
[Editor’s note: This article written by Roy
StromisreprintedwithpermissionfromThe
Chicago Daily Law Bulletin.]
When MaryAnn Hynes was general coun-
sel of Corn Products International Inc., she
received a phone call that would put many
general counsels in a tough spot.
On the line, years ago, was a member of
the company’s board of directors. He asked
if Hynes would have a conversation with
him about a shareholder derivative lawsuit
in which he was personally named.
He then asked if she could refrain from
telling her CEO, Sam Scott, about their con-
versation.
The request hints at a unique responsibil-
ity that can complicate the role of a general
counsel: While the CEO is the boss, the top
lawyer has a fiduciary duty to the company.
And that can mean keeping secrets from the
CEO.
Luckily for Hynes, Scott was open to this.
That was clear on Tuesday as the former col-
leagues sat down in Dentons’ Willis Tower
officesataneventtitled:“GC/CEO:ACandid
Conversation.”
The event featured pointed advice for
general counsels who are looking to improve
their relationship with their CEOs.
One of the most obvious lessons is perhaps
among the most difficult: Base your relation-
ship on trust and candor.
Hynes told the crowd gathered at the event
sponsored by legal recruiter Major, Lindsey
& Africa that she gladly advised the director
without discussing it later with her CEO.
Then, a week after their conversation, the
director told Scott about his session with
Hynes. The director asked Scott, “Does that
bother you?”
“And Sam gave the perfect answer,” said
Hynes, who is now a senior counsel at Den-
tons. “He said, ‘No. Mary Ann and I have an
understanding, and that is: She is not going
to breach any confidence of any director. But
I will always know what I need to know as a
leader of the company.’
“That was textbook perfect. And I don’t
know if on my first job I would have passed
that test.”
The answer by Scott, who served as CEO
and chairman of what is now Ingredion Inc.
from 2001 to 2009, was indicative of his view
that a general counsel should be among a
CEO’s most trusted advisers.
Candid Conversation with Former CEO Hynes
“If, in fact, a CEO is not smart enough
to have the general counsel as one of his or
her most important confidants, then they’re
making a big mistake,” said Scott, who still
serves on the boards of three Fortune 500
companies.
“In today’s world, you are in big trouble
if your relationship is not a good one. And
not only with the CEO, but with the C-suite
executives and the board ... the relationship
has to be one of comfort between the GC.”
The event was moderated by Paul S. Wil-
liams, a partner at Major, Lindsey & Africa
andformergeneralcounselofCardinalHealth
Inc.
Williams asked Scott if most CEOs shared
his enthusiasm for general counsels.
“The dynamic is changing now,” Scott
said. “And the value proposition for being
engaged with your general counsel is much
more important than before. … It’s prob-
ably not where you want it yet. But it will
get there. The reality is, the world is
changing fast enough that people are going
to start realizing that it has to happen.”
He also said it is important for a general
counsel to foster strong relationships with
executives beyond the CEO.
“Youcanhaveagreatrelationshipwithyour
CEO, and if you don’t get along with your
C-suite executives, you’re doomed,” Scott
said. “Those are the people you’re working
with.”
Hynessaiditisincumbentuponthegeneral
counsel to “win that relationship” with the
company’s executives.
The best time to start, she said, is when you
are first hired.And one way to build relation-
ships is to explicitly state how you can help
those people achieve their goals.
“That’s what you have to keep reiterating:
‘I am here to help you,’” Hynes said.
To do that, it helps to be present in as many
meetings as possible.
Hynes recalled entering into a quarterly
earnings conference call shortly after being
hired at a company. She was met with blank
staresfromherCEOandchieffinancialofficer.
The company’s prior general counsel had not
attended those calls, but Hynes made it clear
she needed to be there.
It was an example of advice she gave to
“invite yourself” to meetings.
“It’s going to be an extraordinary circum-
stancewherethey’regoingtoaskyoutoleave
as their general counsel,” she said. “So do it
professionally and understand the position of
people and the politics involved.”
Scott said, as a CEO, it is comforting to
knowwhatyourgeneralcounselcanhelpyou
accomplish. He suggested general counsels
meetwiththeirCEOoverlunchoradinner—
anywhere but the office — and discuss with
them areas where they can provide support.
The key, he said, is to be specific.
“Have it laid out in your own mind what it
is you can do to help that individual,” he said.
“Becauseifyoudon’tknow,theydon’tknow.
If you can’t express it, they aren’t going to
assume it.”
Even body language plays a role in how
general counsels are perceived within their
company.
“Thegeneralcounselwalkingdownthehall
with a frown on his or her face scares me. It
is not a good thing,” Scott said. “When you
walk around the organization, you have a
bounce. You walk around holding your head
high.
“I don’t care how bad you feel, because it
sends a message to your organization. You
folks(generalcounsels)haveaveryimportant
role in the organization, and you can elevate
your role in the organization or lower your
perception by how you act.”
From left, Chief Judge Timothy Evans, Mary
Ann Hynes, and Leonard F. Amari
From left, Leonard DeFranco, Mary Ann
Hynes, and Thomas Jaconetty](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/39348a74-36fe-4782-a66b-8d3f18eb92fb-150717155943-lva1-app6892/85/JS-Spring-2015-17-320.jpg)
![Page 18
[Editor’s note: This article written by Jack
Silverstein is reprinted with permission from
the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin.]
Eight years ago, Mark E. Wojcik launched
the Global Legal Skills Conference at The
John Marshall Law School.
The turnout was strong — 60 people from
across the U.S., withasprinklingof attendees
from other countries.
Chicago has hosted twice since then. So
has Monterrey, Mexico.And San Juan, Costa
Rica. And Washington, D.C., once.
In May, the conference moved to Verona,
Italy: 180 attendees from 77 law schools, 24
states and 28 countries.
“I knew there were lots of people who
were teaching legal writing to non-native
speakers of English, and we needed to share
materialsandteachingmethods,”Wojciksaid.
“It’s exploded into a wonderful international
event.”
For that and other contributions to the le-
gal profession, the American Association of
Law Schools will honor Wojcik at its annual
meetingnextmonthwiththeSectiononLegal
Writing, Reasoning and Research Award.
“It’s just a huge honor, and I’m so happy
to have been chosen for this award,” Wojcik
said.
The award is one of 13 given annually by
the AALS. Wojcik is the only 2015 honoree
from Illinois.
The last three legal writing winners from
Illinois are Ralph L. Brill of IIT Chicago-
Kent College of Law, Helene S. Shapo of
Northwestern University School of Law and
Susan L. Brody of John Marshall.
“It’s really humbling to be in the company
of the past recipients, who are really giants
in the field of legal writing,” Wojcik said.
Wojcik’s writing skills are rooted in his
childhood time spent with his Swiss grand-
mother and German grandfather.
“I think that instilled in me a passion for
language,” said Wojcik, who speaks German
and Spanish, a bit of French and is learning
Italian.
Another important piece came at John
Marshall, where Wojcik earned his J.D. in
1986. He credits the school for forming the
foundationofhislegalwritingskills,whichhe
honed and polished during three years clerk-
ing, first at the Nebraska Supreme Court then
at the U.S. Court of International Trade.
“Ilearnedalotandcametolovethewriting
process,” he said. “It’s something I find easy
to do and enjoyable to teach.”
Wojcik’s teaching career at John Marshall
began in 1992 and has focused on lawyering
skills and international law. He has written
three books, the first of which, “AIDS: Cases
and Materials” from 1989, was the first book
of case law focused on HIV-related legal is-
sues.
He also wrote “Introduction to Legal Eng-
lish” in 1997 and “Illinois Legal Research”
in 2003.
Wojcikhasservedontheboardofdirectors
for seven AALS sections. He is editor of the
LegalWritingProfBlog,whichtheAmerican
BarAssociationnamedtoitsbloghalloffame
in 2012.
In November, Wojcik was named to the
Advisory Commission to the ABA Standing
Committee on the Law Library of Congress,
alongwithU.S.SupremeCourtJusticeSamuel
Alito.
Those achievements were among the
reasons that professor John B. Thornton
of Northwestern nominated Wojcik for the
AALS award.
“IfeelverystronglyabouteverythingMark
hasdoneonbehalfofourfield,”Thorntonsaid.
“I felt he deserved the award, and I wanted
to let people know about it.”
Also nominating Wojcik was a group of
John Marshall professors and a group of
26 professors from law schools in Arizona,
California, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, New
Jersey, New York, Ohio and Texas.
Wojcik was selected from a pool of eight
nominees.
“I think the key piece in those nominations
is Mark’s willingness to be a mentor and his
ability to bring people into the fold and en-
courage others to develop their careers,” said
Kimberly Holst, chair of the AALS Section
on Legal Writing, Reasoning and Research.
“He’s been an amazing advocate for other
people in the field and the field itself.”
Holst and Thornton will present Wojcik with
the award. Thornton said he was impressed
when foreign professors approached him to
compliment the Italy conference in May.
“Many of them came up to me and told
me, ‘We don’t do anything like this in our
law schools,’” Thornton said.
“So there’s a good chance that this Global
Legal Skills Conference will plant seeds
in these other legal communities and may
eventually lead to the teaching of legal writ-
ing as a discipline in law schools around the
world.”
The 2015 conference will be held May 20
to 21 at John Marshall and May 22 at North-
western.
Professor’s Conference Goes from Chicago to Worldwide
“It gets harder every year to teach legal
writing because students don’t have the sus-
tained reading skills that they had 10 or 20
years ago,” Wojcik said.
“Whenyouhaveaclassofstudentswhoare
usedtoreadingveryshortthingsliketweetsor
Facebookposts,it’shardtogettheminvolved
in a serious, long and complicated text.”
The key for Wojcik is to teach students
not just how to research, write, revise and
proofread — but to get them to realize how
much time these tasks truly take.
“It’s not impossible,” he said about teach-
ing these skills, “but it’s an ever-increasing
challenge, so we just rise to it.”
Mark Wojcik, Judge Celia Gamrath and An-
thony Farace.
Devine Named
“40 Under 40” Tara R. Devine, a partner at Salvi, Schostok
& Pritchard P.C.
in Waukegan, has
been named to the
Law Bulletin Pub-
lishing Company’s
“40 Illinois Attor-
neys Under Forty
to Watch.” The
special designation
recognizes up and
coming attorneys
throughout Illinois.
Ms. Devine, who
is 36, was selected
out of more than
1,400 nominees for
the honor.
Tara Devine started her career as a law clerk
at Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard in 2004 and
was promoted to partner in 2011. Ms. Devine
concentrates her practice of law in the areas
of personal injury, nursing home negligence,
wrongful death, medical malpractice, and
product liability cases. During her time with
the law firm, she’s secured more than $15 mil-
lion in verdicts and settlement on behalf of her
clients. Ms. Devine is licensed and practices in
both Illinois and Wisconsin.
“Tara is an excellent and hard-working at-
torney,whohasreallycraftedherskillsoverthe
past decade,” said Patrick A. Salvi, managing
partner at Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard. “She is
very deserving of this award.”
Mrs. Devine is a member of numerous bar
associations, including the Illinois Trial Law-
yersAssociation, theAmericanAssociation for
Justice, the Lake County Bar Association, the
Chicago Bar Association and the Illinois State
Bar Association. She’s also been an active
Marquette University alumni member.
Ms. Devine received her Juris Doctorate
in 2003 from Marquette University and her
Bachelor of Arts degree in 2000 from the Uni-
versity of Illinois. She is also a 1996 graduate
of Libertyville High School.
Ms. Devine resides in Libertyville with her
husband and two children.](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/39348a74-36fe-4782-a66b-8d3f18eb92fb-150717155943-lva1-app6892/85/JS-Spring-2015-18-320.jpg)
![Page 19
By: Leonard F. Amari
This month we highlight the distinguished
career of Frank A. Citera, highly respected
practitioner in a unique and complicated area
of the law – products liability and mass torts.
Frank Citera is Co-Chair of the Products Li-
ability and Mass Torts Practice of the Chicago
law firm of Greenberg Traurig.
Frank received his undergraduate degree
fromColumbiaUni-
versity (1980) and
hisJurisDoctorate,
cum laude from
the University of
Miami (1983). He
is active in all the
major bar associa-
tions, the Illinois
State and Chicago
Bar associations
and a member of
the board of direc-
tors, by a univer-
sity presidential
appointment,ofthe
Miami Law Alumni Association. To list all of
Frank’saccomplishmentswouldfillmanypages
for this article but the most telling successes of
this consummate professional is his listing as
one of the “Best Lawyers in America – Litiga-
tion”, 2008-2013.
Frank has 30 years of experience defending
purported class actions, toxic tort actions, and
othercomplexlitigationinbothfederalandstate
courts. He has tried many cases, including an
actionbytheGovernmenttoenforceaunilateral
administrative order, an allocation case among
potentially responsible parties, and a complex
product liability, wrongful death case. Frank is
also an experienced appellate lawyer, having
argued many appeals in state and federal appel-
late courts. Additionally, Frank has substantial
experienceinbankruptcylitigation,havingrep-
resented debtors-in possession in a broad range
of disputes, as well as lenders, landlords, and
trade creditors in bankruptcy litigation matters.
Frank also counsels clients on risk manage-
ment and product safety matters for both con-
sumer and industrial products. In this capacity,
he has been responsible for matters pending
before various federal and state agencies and
committees regulating the importation and sale
of goods in the United States, including the
Consumer Product Safety Commission, the
National Highway Traffic Safety Administra-
tion, the Food and Drug Administration, the
United States House Energy and Commerce
Committee, the State of California Department
of Justice and the Illinois Attorney General's
office. In connection with these efforts, Frank
alsohascounseledclientsoncrisismanagement
andcrisiscommunications.Hehasparticipated
in a briefing before the United States House
Committee on Energy and Commerce and its
Subcommittee on Oversights and Investiga-
tions regarding the safety of certain products
intended for children. Frank has written and
spoken extensively on class action litigation,
product safety issues and claims for medical
monitoring.
Traditionally, at this point in these regular
columns, we discuss the Italian ancestry of the
subject. Here we do it in Frank’s own words.
“There are two towns in Southern Italy in
the Province of Salerno near Naples separated
only by Mt. Cervato and from these two towns
I am descended on three of the four immediate
members of my families.
On my paternal side both my grandparents
were born in a town named Sanza. On my ma-
ternal side my Mother’s Grandfather was born
in a town named Teggiano.
After spending six years in the Italian Army
from 1914-1920, most of it in Libya, my pa-
ternal grandfather married my grandmother in
1920 and without bringing her along came to
America in 1921 to make enough money and
establish himself before going back to get her
in 1924.
During the depression and about the time my
father was born in 1932 my grandfather was on
welfare or home relief as it was called then. It
wasn’t until about 1935 that my paternal grand-
father got a steady job that he would retire from
in 1960, a driver for the N.Y.C. Department of
Sanitation. In 1942 he purchased a house in
Brooklyn which is still owned by the family.
My maternal Grandfather and his family had
a business that supported my great grandfather,
my grandfather, his two brothers and couple of
helpers, so the depression had little impact on
their personal lives.
My father was drafted in to the American
Army in May 1952 and sent to Korea, where
he spent 13 months, including the last 9 months
on the front.
After Korea, my father met my mother and
married in 1957. They had three children, me
and two younger sisters.
My mother stayed home for 19 years raising
her children and didn’t go to work until the day
I started college and my youngest sister started
kindergarten. Even though my parents never
went to college, a higher education for the three
of us was a must. I was the first member of my
extended family to attend college. My sister
Maria is a teacher and my youngest sister Toni
Ann is a partner at Jones, Day in New York.
As you can see from these pages, my family
has lived the American dream. All my grand-
parents’ children own their own homes. A
higher education was once thought of as only
for privileged is now the norm.
I guess when all is said and done, when
my grandparents on my father’s side and my
grandparent’s on my mother’s side left their
little towns in Italy separated by a mountain,
the dreams that they had for their descendants
have been fulfilled.”
Another example of the best our community
has to offer.
Francis Citera
Products Liability and Mass Torts Authority
Continued on page 20
Michael Matters
Foundation Raises $60,000
OnFridayevening,January30,2015,The
Michael Matters Foundation’s 2ndAnnual
“New Year, Same Wish” event at Viper
Alley in Lincolnshire, Illinois, brought
together more than 550 people and raised
over $60,000.00 to help support those bat-
tling cancerous brain tumors.
As a result of the success of this year’s
event, the Michael Matters Foundation
will be donating $50,000 of these funds to
supportitsMichaelMattersGrantatNorth-
Shore University HealthSystem Kellogg
CancerCenter,locatedinEvanston,Illinois.
The Michael Matters Grant helps brain
cancer patients pay important secondary
costs they incur during treatment including
houseramps,stairlifts,transportationtoand
from treatment, food, and even childcare
costs—needed expenses not traditionally
covered by health insurance.
The Michael Matters Foundation was
established in 2013 to honor Michael P.
Schostok, a well-known trial attorney,
loving father and devoted husband from
Libertyville,Ill. Michael'ssurvivingspouse
is our fellow Justinian, Appellate Court
Justice,MarySeminara-Schostok. Amonth
after turning 50-years-old, Michael began
having difficulty recalling words and past
events. After a trip to the emergency room,
Michaelwasdiagnosedwithaglioblastoma
brain tumor. He passed away 15 months
later in July of 2012 at the age of 51.
“It is inspiring to see this grass-roots
fundraising event flourish and carry on
my father’s dream of helping others who
are facing a tough battle…emotionally,
physically, and financially,” said Marisa
Schostok,[JMLSgraduate2013]theFoun-
dation’s president and Michael’s daughter.
“We are elated to be able to keep the grant
Justice Mary Seminara Schostok and Dr.
Ryan Merrell of Northshore Hospital](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/39348a74-36fe-4782-a66b-8d3f18eb92fb-150717155943-lva1-app6892/85/JS-Spring-2015-19-320.jpg)
![Page 20
programgrowingandtohelpmorepatients
suffering from this horrible disease.”
TheFoundation’smissionistobearesource
for individuals and their family members
who suffer from the inevitable impacts of
brain cancer by providing emotional sup-
port, helping to understand the impact that
these forms of cancers have on the patient
andfamilies,andtodonatefundstoprovide
these families with desperately needed
financial assistance. Of course, one of the
Foundation's greatest causes is to provide
grant monies to medical and scientific
researchers devoted to finding a cure; like
the$50,000.00granttoNorthshorethatwill
be given this month.
Please visit the MMF website www.mi-
chaelmatters.org/ and attend an upcoming
event or make a donation for this worthy
charitable organization.
Schostok, continued from page 19
Michel Schostok's daughter, Marisa
OFFICES FOR RENT
Two adjoining offices for immedi-
ate rent in a River North location,
our Justinian headquarters and
the law offices of Amari & Locallo,
734 N. Wells Street. Full amenity
building, much synergy, referrals
and camaraderie. Plenty of street
parking with frontal loading zone.
If interested, please contact Matt
Hanssel at 312-255-0101 x 117 or
mjh@amari-locallo.com.
By Anthony Pasquini
[This article was originally published in
NIABA (National Italian American Bar As-
sociation) News, Winter 2014-2015 edition.]
An Italian proverb about success and hard
work is particularly relevant when speaking
of Chicago’s Justinian Society of Lawyers: “A
lodieonori–seguonopiantiedolori”or“Praise
and honors follow weeping and pain.”
The Society is comprised of active and in-
fluential members of the bar who are often also
civic and political leaders, judges, and leaders
inotherbarassociations.Itiscomprisedofboth
experiencedandnewattorneyswhosehardwork
has resulted in individual professional success
and the success of the Society as evidenced by
its contributions in the Chicago community.
The Justinian Society of Lawyers is one of the
oldest ethnic bar associations in Illinois and
one of the largest in the country. The Justinian
Society of Advocates was founded in Chicago
on October 17, 1921 and later renamed the
JustinianSocietyofLawyers.Itssteadygrowth
is a tribute to its value as an organization and
is inspiring, particularly to me, as a new Italian
American attorney. A testament to the spirit of
the Society and its members can be found in
two of its activities: the Scholarship and Men-
tor programs.
Sincethebarassociationwasestablished,the
Justinians have provided annual scholarships
to law students of every ethnicity attending Il-
linois law schools. The scholarships are based
primarily on the financial needs of the students,
but are also granted in conjunction with their
academiccredentials.Annually,twentyormore
scholarships are granted to grateful students.
Thesestudentsareencouragedtorememberthe
generosity of the Society so that in the future,
afterattainingtheirownsuccessfullegalcareers,
they will pay forward that same generosity
and further assist the student community of
budding attorneys. The Society awards about
$35,000inscholarshipsannuallyfrommember
contributions.Withtheparticipatinglawschools
matching the funds, dollar for dollar, there is
an average of $70,000 provided to law students
annually. This is no small sum.
Another true gem to be found within this
group of Italian American legal professionals
in Chicago is a remarkably successful Mentor
Program for at-risk law school applicants and
firstyearlawstudents.Thisprogramhasplayed
a significant role in the success of many law
students.TheSociety’sMentorProgramisbased
on serving a group of driven law students who
either struggled in their undergraduate years
or found that achieving a satisfactory score on
the Law School Admission Test was a difficult
challenge.TheprogramwascreatedbyLeonard
F. Amari, President of The John Marshall Law
School Board of Trustees, a past President of
Chicago’s Justinian Society, and partner in the
ad valorem real estate tax firm of Amari & Lo-
callo. Mr. Amari has overseen many students
truly engaged with the Mentor Program and
taken great pride in their achievements when
those students graduated with their juris doctor
degree. Each year Mr.Amari entrusts a group of
experiencedlawstudents,previouslyadmittedat
risk, who were themselves beneficiaries of the
Mentor Program, to tutor, mentor, and befriend
newly admitted high risk applicants/entrants to
ensure their success. They provide the follow-
ing year’s students the same counsel as their
mentors had provided to them. The group hosts
lunch meetings throughout the semester where
students are given guidelines regarding what
to expect in their law school career, academic
preparation and study methods and additional
insights provided by the mentors’ experience.
The reception of the Justinian Society’s
tenet of “Pay it forward” is outstanding. Stu-
dents clamor to attend meetings and become
mentors after successfully completing their
first year of law school. The only thing that is
expected of any student coming through the
program is to consider helping future students.
The expectations are exceeded every semester.
This program has touched the lives of many.
The efforts, however, do not end at the lunch
meetings. Extending well beyond the hallways
of The John Marshall Law School, the program
offers an excellent opportunity to network and
seek out veteran legal professionals, which do
not only assist law students in their academic
endeavors, but also in their professional ones
as well. It is with great thanks and appreciation
that I, as a former mentee, and mentor chair,
have good standing to attest to the hard work
involved in the program every year.
In addition to the Scholarship and Mentor
Programs,theJustinianSocietyalsoestablished
a Children’s Endowment Fund in 2002. As the
charitable arm of the Society, its mission is
to assist and aid Chicago area disadvantaged
childrenwithoutregardtoethnicity,raceandre-
ligion.OverthepasttwelveyearstheChildren’s
Endowment Fund has contributed significantly
to children via various programs including the
Make-A–Wish Foundation, Chicago Public
Schools, the Illinois Eye Institute, the Otis
Wilson Foundation, Giant Steps and Cameron
Cares.
The Society has a warm and welcoming at-
titudeandpay-it-forwardmantra.TheJustinians
compriseagroupofgenerouslegalprofessional
who go out of their way to be a guiding beacon
ofhope,successandsupportforlawstudentsand
young lawyers. The Justinian Society provides
professional/businessnetworkingopportunities
and social benefits of membership in an Italian
American professional cultural context. Our
Justinian Society of Lawyers is truly a brilliant
pillar of our Italian American greater Chicago
community
Justinian Society of Lawyers - Chicago](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/39348a74-36fe-4782-a66b-8d3f18eb92fb-150717155943-lva1-app6892/85/JS-Spring-2015-20-320.jpg)
![Page 23
By: Thomas V. Leverso
Very few attorneys
have even heard of
the “quick appeal”.
In relative terms,
the quick appeal
is the “Emergency
Motion” of appeals.
This article focuses
on civil appeals that
mustbeimmediately
brought to prevent
irreparable harm.
While the appealing
party(i.e.,appellant)
has the more arduous task, the appellee’s role
is also addressed.
Whilethisarticlefocusesoncivilappeals,care-
ful criminal law practitioners should note that
very specific procedures apply in death penalty
cases. If unfamiliar with death penalty proce-
dure,consultanactivememberofthecapitalbar
intheapplicablejurisdiction.Similarly,specific
proceduresapplyincertainchildcustodycases.
(In Illinois, one should review S. Ct. R. 306[a]
[5] and [b] [West 2015].)
Equity:
The Main Source of the Quick Appeal
The quick appeal usually involves the denial
of a Temporary Restraining Order, regardless
of the substantive area. Government action or
inaction may also lead to a quick appeal, and
family-lawemergenciesoftenhappenwhenone
party is taking a child somewhere or making a
decisionconcerningthechild’swellbeing.While
equitable rulings usually prevent irreparable
harm, knowledge of the quick appeal will serve
well in those instances of adverse rulings.
The Checklist: Everything Up Front
The first step requires multiple, immediate fil-
ings. Normally, an appeal requires the follow-
ing sequence: the filing the Notice of Appeal;
a request to prepare a transcript; a request to
prepare the Record onAppeal; filing of a dock-
eting statement or other appearance with the
appellatecourt;thefilingofanoptionalabstract;
and the filing of an opening brief. For the quick
appeal, these must all be done simultaneously
at the outset.
Next,thequickappealmayrequiretheappellant
to request a stay of enforcement of a judgment
and to post a bond.
Finally, one must place the appeal on the accel-
erated docket. In the Illinois reviewing courts,
such requires a motion pursuant to IL. S. Ct.
R. 311 (West 2015); in Federal Court, Fed. R.
App. P. 8 and 18 (West 2015) accomplish the
same. This motion also should be filed with the
Notice of Appeal, but it is also the one way to
facilitate timing for the Record and transcripts,
as discussed below.
Anticipated:WasaQuickAppealSpecifically
Expected at the Outset?
The ‘anticipated’ quick appeal impacts two of
the key components listed hereinabove: (1)
whether to submit an abstract in lieu of record;
and (2) the content of the Motions to Stay and
for Placement on the Accelerated Docket.
As to the abstract versus the full record, the
abstractonthequickappealisbasicallyarecord
theappellantsubmitsconsistingofalltheplead-
ings from the lower court. If you anticipated a
quick appeal, then tailor your pleadings to keep
quickappealissueswithinthem.Otherwise,the
appellant will need the motion practice to allow
time to have the trial court clerk and the court
reporter respectively fast-track record prepara-
tion and transcripts.
Astothemotions,theappellantshouldpreparea
MotionforStayforpresentmentinboththetrial
court and theAppellate Court. If not possible to
accomplish a stay in the trial court, then move
onto the appellate court. In our example, this
will halt the building’s demolition long enough
to prosecute the appeal.
As to the accelerated docket motion, an antici-
pated quick appeal provides a strategic advan-
tagetotheappellantbecausetheappellant’sbrief
has already been completed and filed with this
motion.Theballisimmediatelyintheappellee’s
court. If the quick appeal was unanticipated
and a stay successfully is put into place, then
one should request a date that permits time to
prepare either a record or abstract and a brief.
Albeit, this would still be mere days due to the
nature of this appeal, but such provides a more
complete record instead of an abstract.
Lastly, appeals are adjudicated in an academic
forum. The appellant and appellee are distilling
the meaning of the law, so make sure to extend
allcourtesies…andsuchmayjustcreateafuture
referral source for the effort.
The Appellee: the Stronger Position.
Appellees approximately have an 8/9 chance of
prevailing on any appeal (i.e., an affirmance),
and a 5/6 chance of prevailing specifically on
a civil appeal. Speaking second also means
speaking last on the quick appeal, as replies are
rarelyallowed.Knowingtheissuesenablesyour
response brief to feature policy arguments and
include more polished, tighter arguments.
Finally,makesuretocontactanappellatelawyer
with questions.
[AbouttheAuthor:ThomasV.Leversoattended
the Thomas Jefferson School of Law in San Di-
ego, California, studying with an emphasis on
appeals and legal writing. A native of Chicago
and its suburbs, he practices primarily in the
Appellate Courts of Illinois and the Federal
Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.]
Guidance on the Civil Quick Appeal FromCarrierPigeons
to Client Outreach:
The Strategy Behind our Communications
By: John Tufano
Carrier pigeons
dispatched mes-
sages across battle-
fields for ancient
Persians and Ro-
mans. To transmit
news or warn of
impending danger,
Native Americans
relayed smoke sig-
nals. The electric
telegraph allowed
encryptedmessages
to jump across the Atlantic Ocean. And now,
the Age of the Internet removes geography as
a barrier to how far our social networks reach.
These are distinct forms of communication,
state-of-the-art for their times.
To the legal industry, though - how does a
historical snapshot of communication apply?
The old-fashioned, even ancient, forms teach
us a valuable lesson, one that today’s technol-
ogy makes quite easy to forget. Pigeon post,
smokesignals,andtelegraphsrequiredadistinct
strategy to their messaging. They were not sent
by effortlessly stroking keys.Their senders and
receivers could not slink into autopilot, parrot-
ing generic messages in rapid fire. They were
purposed,intendedtogenerateactions.Lawyers
can realize a distinct advantage by taking the
same strategic approach to communications
with clients, employees, and the community.
Build a Strategy
Many lawyers use a strategic plan that might
include finances, business development, even
personal goals. Some are governed annually,
others by quarter. Every day, though, lawyers
communicate, and rarely does a strategy guide.
Almost every interaction with clients is an
exchange of messages that, when drive by a
plan, help elevate one’s practice in a saturated
market.
Think for a moment: if a name or letterhead
was removed from correspondence, could a
receiver distinguish content from the same sent
by another? Would the receiver even care to?A
communicationsstrategystripsawayanonymity
and builds an identity. It defines how and why
a lawyer communicates. It stimulates receivers
to latch on, to immediately recognize that their
lawyer speaks distinctly to them.
Communication is a Two-Way Road
The great Margaret Miller quipped, “Most
conversationsaresimplymonologuesdelivered
in the presence of a witness.” Common to all
forms of lawyer communication, there is a re-
lationship between us and our audience, both
engagedinsending,receiving,interpreting,and
reacting.
Know Yourself
A core strategic component, we must know
Continued, page 25](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/39348a74-36fe-4782-a66b-8d3f18eb92fb-150717155943-lva1-app6892/85/JS-Spring-2015-23-320.jpg)
![Page 24
By Joseph R. Marconi & Brian C. Langs
Johnson & Bell, Ltd.
It’s cloud’s illusions that I recall
I really don’t know clouds at all …
- Judy Collins
Back in July of
2011, we warned
of a then popular
e-mail/fraudulent
c h e c k s c h e m e
whereby lawyers
would receive
e-mailsfromalleged
potential foreign
clients looking to
collect debts from
customers. Those
scammersconvinced
the unsuspecting lawyers to deposit fraudulent
“settlement checks” into client accounts and
wire the “clients’ share” to foreign accounts
after the bogus checks cleared. When the
frauds were eventually uncovered by the
banks, the lawyers were left with liability to
the banks for the fraudulent check and wire
transfers. Since then, newer, more complex
electronicscamshavesurfacedwherebyhackers
intercept e-mails between lawyers and clients
that contain wire transfer instructions. After
intercepting such an e-mail, the hacker changes
the instructions in the e-mail to wire money
to his own untraceable account. The hacker
forwards his bogus wiring instructions to the
unsuspecting recipient, all while “masking”
his identity as the sender and making it appear
to the recipient as if the instruction came from
the correct sender, whether lawyer or client.
Depending on your firm’s sophistication and
budget,thetypeoftransactioninvolved,andthe
needsofyourclient,therearesomepreventative
measures that can be considered with regard to
protecting your firm and your clients from this
and other wire transfer and electronic fraud
schemes. Prevention techniques can include
hiring a third-party e-mail encryption service
provider or sending sensitive wire transfer
instructions via facsimile rather than e-mail.
This and other even more sophisticated
electronic scams are becoming more prevalent.
Giventheconfidentialandvaluableinformation
passed between clients and their lawyers due
to the attorney/client privilege, lawyers’ and
law firms’ computer and e-mail accounts
have become favorite targets. Whether an
attorney transfers or stores confidential client
informationusingpassword-protectedcorporate
e-mail systems, “cloud computing,” third-
party off-site network administrator vendors,
third-party hosted e-discovery management
platforms, or a variety of other electronic data
transfer or data storage solutions available
through the Internet, the attorney inevitably
faces an inherent risk that confidential client
information will be susceptible to theft by
a hacker or by an unscrupulous third-party
employee. In the absence of reasonable,
preventative, and precautionary measures,
the lawyer also risks losses for the firm
and its clients associated with such a theft.
Understanding how and why lawyers and
law firms may be exposed to cybercrime is the
first step in prevention. Because of the ever
increasing capabilities of cloud computing and,
with it, the proliferation of everyday use of
mobile devices—such as smartphones, tablets,
andlaptops—lawyersandlawfirmsputsensitive
clientmaterialatrisksimplybyfallingasleepon
the train home or finishing a brief on the redeye.
Amisplaced smartphone or briefcase can result
in serious consequences if a device ends up in
thewronghands.Inaddition,mobiledevicesand
bothcloud-basedandin-firmcorporatenetworks
and email systems are susceptible to electronic
hacking where a hacker will illegally gain
access to electronic information using a variety
of more sophisticated methods. Law firms
and lawyers present a particularly appealing
target for hackers because the mandatory
confidentialityoftheattorney-clientrelationship
creates a virtual treasure trove of sensitive
client information—such as social security
numbers, medical information, trade secrets,
wire transfer instructions, privileged litigation
communications and strategy, and internal
corporate strategies—much of which can be
veryvaluabletoanarrayofcriminalenterprises.
Illinois Rule of Professional Conduct 1.6(a)
requires a lawyer practicing in Illinois to make
reasonable efforts to ensure the confidentiality
of client information, including electronically
stored client information. However, to be
competitive in today’s legal services market,
lawyers and law firms must utilize the
cost-saving and organizational advantages
technology allows them to offer recurring and
prospectiveclients.Whiletechnologyutilization
isnecessary,theprudentlawyerwillalsorealize
that the use of technology to electronically
store and transfer sensitive client information
necessitates proactive implementation of
safeguards that will help in the prevention and
defense of this information’s electronic theft.
The extent and levels of necessary safeguards
will likely be determined by the size of the
law firm and its areas of practice, among other
considerations. Depending on the specific
needs of a firm or solo practitioner, there is
a vast selection of cyber security precautions
available but every law firm utilizing the
technology discussed in this article should
at least consider undertaking the following.
Implement Data Management Safeguards.
Every law firm should maintain computer-
use policies requiring employees to use
and routinely update passwords for e-mail,
document management systems, mobile
devices, and laptops. Intranets, extranets, and
Citrix-like virtual desktops also invariably
require password protection. In today’s
corporate environments, while all networks
and company laptops probably employ anti-
virus protection, employees using personal
laptops to perform work outside of the office
must be required to install similar anti-virus
protection. Firm policies should include
periodic inspections of mobile devices and
personal laptops to ensure that employees
do not turn off password and/or anti-virus
protection functions out of convenience or
technicalincompetence.Othersafeguardsmay
include limiting who may access particular
materials electronically and when they may
share, print, or alter data. Finally, every firm’s
computer-use policy should communicate
to its employees, (1) the seriousness of the
firm’s confidentiality obligation to its clients,
(2) the very real possibility of a cyber-
attack, and (3) the procedure for reporting a
potential data breach or suspected disclosure.
AddressFirmDataRetentionPolicies.Alaw
firmlikelyhousesanincredibleamountofdata
through its electronic document management
system and its corporate network and e-mail
system. It should maintain clear policies
regarding the length of time certain types of
data will be stored, the strength of security to
be maintained for certain stored data, and the
procedures for eliminating unnecessary or
outdated data. Just as a law firm is routinely
requiredtodestroyorshredsensitivehardcopy
materials, it must have procedures in place
to completely remove and destroy sensitive
electronic data from firm databases and to
destroyunwantedoroutofdatefirmequipment
that may have housed sensitive information.
In conclusion, attorneys can and should
take the necessary precautions to minimize the
likelihoodofcyber-securitybreaches,notonly
to give their clients peace of mind, but also to
better shield themselves from third-party and
first-party liabilities if a theft of information
or other security breach actually occurs.
[Editor’s Note: For the full article, see Joseph
R. Marconi and Victor J. Pioli, Lawyers are
Increasingly the Targets of Email/Fraudulent
Check Schemes, ISBA Mutual Insurance
Company Liability Minute, http://www.
isbamutual.com/liability-minute/lawyers-
are-increasingly-the-targets-of-emailfraud.]
The Fax is Back](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/39348a74-36fe-4782-a66b-8d3f18eb92fb-150717155943-lva1-app6892/85/JS-Spring-2015-24-320.jpg)
![Page 25
who we are among peers, the community, and
clients.Tosayoneis“anestateplanninglawyer”
is a good start, but it does not paint the whole
picture.
More than just “an estate planning lawyer”
his or her identity may be “an estate planning
lawyer who enjoys protecting for others their
intentions to contribute in life once they are
gone.” Choosing and articulating an identity
helps others recognize the personhood in each
of us.
Know Your Audience
Knowing who we are and what we provide
is further defined by knowing our audience. Do
we try to reach anyone who will need a lawyer?
Do some of us focus on commercial develop-
ers? Whether new to practice or standing on a
20-year career, a communications plan keeps
us accountable by asking ourselves about our
audience’s identity. Most precisely, by asking,
“Whose problems do my skills best solve?”
Translate into Their Language
Lawyers suffer from the chronic ailment of
speaking in tongues. Med-mal case law reads
differentthantheelementsofprotectingmineral
rights, which reads different from the general
powersforavotingshareholder.Theselanguages
(mostly) make sense to those who practice in
these areas. Remember that our audiences, our
clients, co-workers, judges, are not necessarily
as gifted/cursed in them.
Translating tongues into the language of our
listenerstransformscenturies-oldprecedentinto
living and breathing solutions.We spend hours,
years, reading cases or reviewing corporate fil-
ings. We want to share that knowledge to show
that we can maneuver the legal trappings of
real-world problems. However, the documents
we draft are often written in the legal version of
these real-world problems. It is important to tell
the story of drafting a contract’s scope of work,
for instance, knowing that the client might only
care about the contract’s impact on his budget
for labor and materials.
These components can guide us to see the
importance of knowing our identity and that of
ouraudiences,andhowandwhytocommunicate
in ways that resonate with them. Other com-
ponents are as important, such as the medium
that carries a message and the ability to adjust
to the changing needs of others. To remember
anything, it is that a communications strategy
has enormous value and can prevent our client
updates, internal memos, and trade journal
articles from the likes of smoke signals sent in
the pitch of a windy night, altogether missing
their mark.
[About the Author: John Tufano, JD, began his
career practicing law in Chicago and is the
founder of Areté Strategy (www.aretestrategy.
com). He was a significant contributor to this
newsletter, and a very active younger Justinian.
HehelpsfellowlawyersinChicagoandColum-
bus, Ohio create communication strategies that
deepen client relationships, enhance industry
presence, and position practices to close more
sustainedbusiness.Hecanbereachedatjohn@
aretestrategy.com.]
Communications, continued from page 23
By: Anthony B. Ferraro
As we begin this new year, I would like
toinformyouofsomelegislativechanges
thatimpactestateplanningandlong-term
care:
Medicaid for Long Term Care in Il-
linois. With a new administration in
Springfield, there are proposed changes
to the reimbursement rate for Nursing
Homes and Supportive Living Facilities
that accept Medicaid. Plan ahead.
New Illinois Power of Attorney
for Healthcare.
InthestateofIllinois,effectiveJanuary1,
2015, we have a new statutory short form
power of attorney for healthcare. With-
out further changes, this will be the new
statutory power of attorney healthcare
professionals will use and find recogniz-
able.Currently,theoldstatutorypowerof
attorney is the most recognizable. In an
emergency situation, the most recogniz-
ablepowerofattorneymaybebestasthat
is the one healthcare professionals are
mostusedto.Itthereforemaybeadvisable
tohavethenewpowerofattorneycreated
for you to replace an old one.
Small Estate Affidavit.
Also effective January 1, 2015, the small
estate affidavit has been changed. The
small estate affidavit is used to avoid
probate when all assets are available on
death,donotincluderealestate,andhave
atotalvaluelessthan$100,000.However,
the new statute that came into effect on
January1,2015createsadditionalliability
for the person signing this affidavit so we
ask that all of our clients consult us and
proceed cautiously before using one of
these documents.
ABLE Act.
Thisnewfederallegislationwillbeavail-
able in Illinois when Illinois chooses to
adopt the ABLE Act. The legislation
is pending in Illinois at this time. The
ABLE Act will allow a disabled person
who became disabled before the age of
26 to receive gifts from a loved one up to
theannualexclusionamountof$14,000a
year and such account may hold up to
Elder Law Update
$100,000 without negatively affecting
the disabled person's eligibility for SSI
and Medicaid. Further, the income is not
taxed. The funds in the account may be
used for the disabled person's disability
related expenses.
Presumptively Void Transfers.
Finally, in Illinois, effective January 1,
2015,transferstocaregiversortheirfam-
ilymembersworthmorethan$20,000are
considered presumptively void. Under
the statute, the term “caregiver” refers to
someone who voluntarily or in exchange
for compensation has assumed responsi-
bility for the care of another person who
needsassistancewiththeactivitiesofdaily
living, not including a family member of
the person receiving care. If the person
receiving care transfers property to a
caregiverthroughawill,trust,transferon
deathinstrument,oranyotherbeneficiary
designation, the transfer is presumed
to be void. The caregiver can rebut the
presumption by showing that there was
no fraud or undue influence involved in
the transferor’s decision. The purpose
of this new law is to protect potentially
vulnerable seniors from being exploited
by their caregivers.
These legislative updates may affect you
and your family. An elder law attorney
can advise you as to how to update your
existing documents to conform to these
new laws.
[About the Author: Anthony B. Ferraro,
is a JD, MS Tax, CPA, and owner of The
LawOfficesOfAnthonyB.Ferraro,LLC,
Attorneys&CPAs,TheElderLaw,Estate
& Trust And Asset Protection Law Firm,
based in Rosemont, IL. You may contact
himat(847)292-1220orvisithiswebsite
at www.abferrarolaw.com.]](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/39348a74-36fe-4782-a66b-8d3f18eb92fb-150717155943-lva1-app6892/85/JS-Spring-2015-25-320.jpg)
![Page 26
By: Catherine R. Locallo
Following legislative override of veto action by
the Governor, Public Act 98-1129 became law
on December 3, 2014, and reduces some of the
burdens faced by public bodies in responding
to certain FOIA requests.
Records Available on the Public
Body’s Website
If requested records are maintained on a public
body’s website, it is lawful for a public body
to respond to a FOIA request by directing the
requester to the website where the record can be
accessed. If the requester is unable to access the
records online, the request can be resubmitted
and inspection or copies of the records must
be provided.
“Voluminous Request” Defined
A “voluminous request” means a request that:
(1) includes more than 5 individual requests
for more than 5 different categories of records;
or (2) includes a combination of individual
requests for more than 5 different categories of
records in a period of 20 business days; or (3)
requires the compilation of more than 500 letter
or legal-sized pages of public records, unless
a single requested record exceeds 500 pages
(i.e., one report, form, book, etc.). Generally,
this designation cannot be extended to request
from the news media and non-profit, scientific,
or academic organizations.
Responding to a “Voluminous Request”
First Timeframe
Within the first 5 business days after receipt of
a “voluminous request”, the public body must
issue an initial response which states:
1) the public body is treating the request as a
“voluminous request”;
2) thereasonsfor“voluminousrequest”designa-
tion;
3) the requester has 10 business days from the
date the initial response was sent to specify
whether he/she would like to amend the
request so that it is no longer a “voluminous
request”;
4) if the requester does not reply within 10 busi-
ness days, or if the request continues to be a
“voluminous request”, the public body will
respond and assess any fees as permitted by
FOIA Section 6;
5) the public body has 5 business days after
receipt of the requester’s reply or, if no
reply, 5 business days from the last day for
the requester to amend his/her request, to
respond;
6) the public body may request an additional 10
business days to comply with the request;
7) the requester has the right to ask the PAC to
New FOIA Amendments to Ease
Burden on Public Bodies
review the pub-
lic body’s “volu-
minous request”
designation, and
provide the ad-
dress and phone
number for the
PAC; and
8) if the requester
fails to accept or
collecttheresponsiverecords,thepublicbody
may stillcharge the requesterfor its response
pursuanttoFOIASection6,andfailuretopay
will be considered a debt due and owing to
the public body, subject to collection.
Second Timeframe
If after issuing the public body’s initial re-
sponse there is no reply from the requester, or
there is a reply but the request continues to be
a “voluminous request”, the public body must
respond within 5 business days after receiving
therequester’sreplyorexpirationofthetimefor
the requester’s reply (whichever is earlier) by:
• providing an estimate of the fees to be
chargedfortheresponsiverecords,which
the public body may require to be paid in
full before copying the records;
• denying the request in whole or in part
pursuant to one or more exemptions
under FOIA;
• notifying the requester that the request
is unduly burdensome and extend an
opportunity for narrowing the request;
• extending the timeframe for response by
10 business days; or
• providing the requested records.
Fees for Responding to a
“Voluminous Request”
Electronic Records
FOIA provides a fee schedule for providing
electronic records in response to a “voluminous
request”:
• $20 for not more than 2 megabytes of
data (if not in PDF), or not more than 80
megabytes of data (if in PDF);
• $40 for 2 to 4 megabytes of data (if not
in PDF), or 80 to 160 megabytes of data
(if in PDF); or
• $100 for more than 4 megabytes (if not
in PDF), or more than 160 megabytes of
data (if in PDF).
Personnel Hours for Search and Redaction
A public body may charge the requester up to
$10perhourspentinsearchingforandretrieving
requested records, or examining the records for
necessaryredactions.However,thefirst8hours
of any search/retrieval efforts must be provided
for free. An accounting must be provided for
any fees charged.
Real Estate Taxes
Too High?
Appeal Them!
By: Vincent A. Oppedisano
[Reprinted from the Chicago Daily Law
Bulletin]
TheCookCounty
assessor will soon
begin the process
of reassessing all
properties located
in the city of Chi-
cago as part of the
2015 triennial re-
assessment. If you
own property in
the city, the asses-
sor will mail the
taxpayer of record
anoticeofreassess-
ment indicating the county’s proposed change
in your property’s value.
After the assessor issues this notice, you
will have a limited period of time in which to
appeal the proposed assessment.
It is important for all property owners to be
prepared to contest any proposed increases in
theirassessments.Eveniftheassessorproposes
no increase or a decrease in your property’s
value, often it is still in your best interest to
appeal your assessment at the Cook County
assessor’s office and/or Cook County Board
of Review.
There are several different types of appeals
which can be made, depending on the type of
property you own.
Commercial/industrial properties and
apartment buildings of 7 units or more
If you have purchased your property recently
(i.e., the last three years or so), you may be
able to assert the purchase price as indicative
of the property’s current market value.
Hasyourpropertybeenappraisedwithinthe
last three years? Often your bank will order
an appraisal of the property when a loan is
refinanced. If this is the case, the appraisal
may be evidence of present market value.
If you do not have an appraisal of the
property already, our firm often examines
the costs and benefits of having an appraisal
report completed that uses one or more of the
traditionalmethodsofvaluingrealestate—the
cost, income and sales approaches to value.
Market values for investment properties
(commercial, industrial and multi-tenant
apartments) can be measured by income ap-
proaches. At my firm, we can develop a value
based on capitalizing a property’s actual net
income(incomelessexpenses)andcompareit
totheassessor’smodelsfordeterminingvalue.
Oftenthecountydoesnottakeintoaccountthe
actual income, expenses, vacancy or special
circumstances of a property but relies upon
averages from the industry.
Continued on page 27](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/39348a74-36fe-4782-a66b-8d3f18eb92fb-150717155943-lva1-app6892/85/JS-Spring-2015-26-320.jpg)
![Page 27
Cook County also has many incentive pro-
gramsforindustrialdeveloperseitherrehabilitat-
ing older property that is vacant or considering
newer purchases and construction. Recently, a
new county ordinance was passed allowing for
considerable real estate tax savings for com-
mercial redevelopment.
Single-family homes
If you own a single-family residence, you
also may have several bases on which to ap-
peal your home’s assessment. Recent purchase
prices, bank or private appraisals and equity
comparisons to indicate a lack of uniformity in
assessmentstothecountyareexcellentresponses
to proposed assessments.
Condominiums
Residentialcondominiumunitownersusually
appeal their property tax assessments jointly in
conjunction with all or most of the building’s
other units.
Therearethreeadvantagestofilingajointcon-
dominiumassessmentappeal:Marketforcesthat
affect the value of an individual condominium
unit will have a similar effect on the other units
as well; the percentage of ownership assigned
to each unit is a major valuation factor; and the
associationorcondominiumboardismostlikely
to have access to relevant sales information.
Theassessor’sjobistoestablishafairmarket
value for your unit. The best indication of value
and the one most relied upon by the assessor
is the history of the building’s individual unit
sales over the last three years.
Theideaofassessmentuniformitymaycome
into play under special circumstances, for ex-
ample, where some of the building’s units are
assessed inequitably compared to other units
evenafteraccountingfordifferencesinpercent-
age of ownership.
Homestead exemptions
If you own residential property, it is always
a good idea to make sure you are receiving
the benefit of any exemptions for which you
qualify. Check your most recent tax bills to see
whether any “homestead exemptions,” such as
the homeowner’s exemption or senior citizen
exemption were applied to your property. For
a full list of Cook County homestead exemp-
tionsandeligibilityrequirements,visittheCook
County assessor’s website at cookcountyasses-
sor.com.
Exemption applications for tax year 2014
(affecting the taxes payable in 2015) will be
available on the assessor’s website early in
2015.
[About the Author: Contact Vince Oppedisano
at (312) 255-0101, ext. 412 or visit www.amari-
andlocallo.com. Vince is an associate attorney
atAmari&Locallo,alawfirmconcentratingits
practiceexclusivelyintheareaofrealestatetax
assessmentappeals.Thefirm’sexpertise,aggres-
siveness,andresponsivenesstoitsclients’needs
overthepast26yearshavehelpeditbecomeone
of the most successful and respected property
tax law firms in the Chicagoland area.
Real Estate, continued from page 26
By: James J. Morici Jr.
MandatedDisciplinaryMeasuresagainst
Defendant Employee Can Be found to be
OutsideGeneralRuleExcludingEvidence
of Subsequent Remedial Measures
Subsequent remedial measures (Corrective ac-
tions taken after the alleged negligence) cannot
be used to prove negligence. Berz v. City of
Evanston, 997 N.E.2d 733, 738 (Ill. App. Ct.
1st Dist. 2013)
The Illinois Supreme Court in Herzog stated
the policy reasons behind the rule as being: (1)
a strong public policy encouraging improve-
ments to enhance public safety (2) subsequent
remedial measures are not considered suffi-
ciently probative of prior negligence, because
later carefulness may be simply an attempt to
exercise the highest standard of care; (3) A
jury may view such conduct as an admission
of negligence. Herzog v. Lexington Twp., 657
N.E.2d 926 (1995)
InHerzogthePlaintiffclaimedthattheabsence
of a road sign led to his car accident. The trial
court did not admit evidence of the Defendant
placing additional signs after the accident and
countedthatasasubsequentremedialmeasures.
TheHerzogcourtreaffirmedthegeneralruleof
theexclusionofsubsequentremedialmeasures
but pointed out a couple of notable excep-
tions. The Supreme Ct stated that “Where the
impeachment value rests on inferences other
than prior negligence, such evidence may be
admitted where its probative value outweighs
the prejudice to defendant.” Herzog, 167 Ill.2d
at 301–02, 212 Ill.Dec. 581, 657 N.E.2d 926.
The IL Supreme Ct did caution the use of im-
peachmentbySubsequentRemedialMeasures,
which if used improperly could swallow the
rule. Id. Herzog stated other exceptions to the
rule such as, evidence of subsequent remedial
measures may be admissible for the purpose
of proving ownership or control of property
wheredisputedbythedefendant.(SeeSchultzv.
Richie(1986),148Ill.App.3d903,910,102Ill.
Dec. 289, 499 N.E.2d 1069; Coshenet v. Holub
(1980),80Ill.App.3d430,431,35Ill.Dec.733,
399 N.E.2d 1022.) Such evidence may also be
admissible for the purpose of proving feasibil-
ity of precautionary measures where disputed
by the defendant. See Sutkowski v. Universal
Marion Corp. (1972), 5 Ill.App.3d 313, 319,
281 N.E.2d 749 (products liability); Lewis v.
Cotton Belt Route-St. Louis Southwestern Ry.
Co. (1991), 217 Ill.App.3d 94, 159 Ill.Dec.
995, 576 N.E.2d 918 (feasibility of spotter for
crane operation).
Tort Notes In Pearl v. Chicago
Transit Authority,
532 N.E.2d 439 (Ill.
App. Ct. 1st Dist.
1988) after a pedes-
trianwasstruckbya
CTA bus, a garage
superintendenttesti-
fiedthatheprepared
adisciplinaryreport
and suspension no-
tice. InPearlthecourt
statedthattheevidenceshouldnotbeconsidered
Subsequent remedial measures since the CTA
undertookthisinvestigationautomatically. Re-
membering that the main policy reason behind
SubsequentRemedialMeasuresistoencourage
improvementstoenhancepublicsafety;thecourt
reasoned that the testimony was considered an
admission and not a subsequent remedial mea-
sure since the CTA was already going to do the
review as mandated by their internal rules. If
the Plaintiff’s lawyer can show the court that
the post-accident acts were going to be done
anyway, then they could argue that the policy
reasons behind the rule do not apply.
Word of caution to the practitioner, in a similar
case Bulger v. Chicago Transit Auth., 345 Ill.
App. 3d 103, 801 N.E.2d 1127 (Ill.App. Ct. 1st
Dist. 2003), after a bus crash that also injured
a pedestrian, the CTA undertook a voluntary
investigation. The Bulger Court distinguished
itself from Pearl by stating that in Pearl the
investigation was categorized as mandatory
while in Bulger the CTA used discretion to see
if it needed to retrain the driver.
TheSubsequentremedialmeasureexclusionary
rule while strong in protecting the Defendants
post-accident actions is not absolute. Adiligent
Plaintiff’s lawyer may craft the argument into
fitting into one of the pre-defined exception
categories(1.Toproveownershipandcontrol,3.
To prove feasibility of precautionary measures,
4. To impeach without inference of negligence)
or by arguing that it should not be counted as a
Subsequent Remedial Measure but instead as
an admission as outlined by Pearl.
[Editor’sNote:JamesJ.Morici,Jr.ispartnerin
the firm of MORICI, FIGIOLI &ASSOCIATES,
and represents Plaintiffs in personal injury,
workers’ compensation, and construction site
related injury suits. Research assistance pro-
vided by Tomas Cabrera, The John Marshall
Law School. Read all prior issues of “Tort
Notes” at www.MoriciFiglioli.com]](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/39348a74-36fe-4782-a66b-8d3f18eb92fb-150717155943-lva1-app6892/85/JS-Spring-2015-27-320.jpg)
![Page 29
Photo Stories
Vince Oppedisano, an associate with
Amari & Locallo, caught this 40 inch
Musky in September 2014.
Justinian Steve Phillips and his prize on a recent
hunting trip.
Prominent catastrophic injury lawyer Lou Cairo
bags another big one.
Chris Keegan, son of our good friends Kevin
and Tamara, plays quarterback at Harvard
University. He and his parents are shown here
at one of his last season games.
Guess who, guess where? (Hint: His father is a past Presi-
dent and is Village President of Bloomingdale.)
Congratulations to Justinian 2nd
Vice President Frank Sommario
and wife Gina, upon the birth of
their baby boy, Frank A. Somma-
rio, Jr. He joins sisters Angelina,
Isabella, and Sophia.
Left: Fred Serpe
attended the
Installation Mass
and celebration
of Archbishop
Blase Cupich.
Guess who, guess where?
The John Marshall Law School hosted the Justice Anne Burke
Professionalism series in February 2015. Pictured are, from left:
Amy Taylor, Justice Burke, Leonard F. Amari, Mara Salerno, and
Daniella Martorano.
An SUV rear ended a CTA bus that
ironically displayed a large ad
from our friend, Lou Cairo, part-
ner and personal injury lawyer at
Goldberg, Weisman, & Cairo.
[Photo Credit: Phil Velasquez, Chi-
cago Tribune]](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/39348a74-36fe-4782-a66b-8d3f18eb92fb-150717155943-lva1-app6892/85/JS-Spring-2015-29-320.jpg)
![Page 30
Photo Stories
Guess who, guess where? [Hint as to where: A wonderful little (Barese) Italian place at 1235 W.
Lake St., Chicago]
During the recently concluded primary
election, career members Fred Serpe
and mayoral candidate Alderman Bob
Fioretti pose at a supportive fund
raiser.
Jason O’Dell, grandson of past Presi-
dent Leonard F. Amari and son of past
President Katherine Amari O’Dell,
enjoys Columbus Day.
Fred Serpe, center, with Rich Veenstra,
Mayor of Addison, left, and Vincenzo Deni-
colò, Mayor of Triggiano, Italy. Addison and
Triggiano are Sister Cities.
Columbus Day dignitaries: Fred
Serpe, left, with Len Cannata, cen-
ter, and Richard Pellegrino
Right: Members of the Justinian Society of
Lawyers, IAPC and The John Marshall Alumni
Assoc. with the new lieutenant governor, Ev-
elyn Sanguinetti (also a John Marshall Alumna)
at Unity Dinner on December 2.
Guess who, guess when?](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/39348a74-36fe-4782-a66b-8d3f18eb92fb-150717155943-lva1-app6892/85/JS-Spring-2015-30-320.jpg)
![Page 33
Ø Charles R. Bernardini, partner at Un-
garetti & Harris, writes to tell us that effective
February 1, 2015, Ungaretti & Harris LLP
merged with Nixon Peabody LLP. By combin-
ing with Nixon Peabody’s existing Chicago
office, Chicago will become Nixon Peabody’s
second largest location and one of the largest
law practices in the city. Congratulations to all!
Miscellanea
Ø Past president and 1979 Chicago-Kent
alum, James J. Morici, Jr., is teaching the
course Illinois Evidence at ITT/Chicago-Kent
College of Law along with retired Appellate
Court Justice David Erickson.
Ø Dion U. Davi is proud to announce the
opening of his new Will County office in Joliet,
IL. Congratulations Dion!
From left: Chuck Bernardini, the late Judge
Anthony Peccarelli, and Sal Barbatano]
Ø Congratulations to Stephen D. Phillips of
Phillips Law Offices for multiple recognitions
this year. He was recently selected as a Top
Ten Personal Injury Lawyer in Illinois by the
NationalAcademy of Personal Injury Lawyers.
The National Academy of Personal Injury
Attorneys is an organization devoted to recog-
nizing the top personal injury attorneys in the
nation who demonstrate extraordinary amount
of knowledge, skill, experience, expertise, and
success in their practice of Personal Injury. He
was also selected as part of the Best Attorneys
of America by Rue Ratings.
Past President Joe Gagliardo (left)
and Stephen Phillips
Past presidents Umberto Davi (left) and
James Morici.
Ø CongratulationstoPastPresidentAnthony
B.Ferraro(photobelow)uponbeingelectedthe
President of the Illinois Chapter of the National
AcademyofElderLawAttorneys(NAELA)for
the year 2015.
From left: The late Mike Meschino, ISBA 2nd
Vice President Umberto Davi, and Dion Davi.
Ø Kimberly A. Palmisano has been elected
to a three-year term on the board of directors
of the Union League Club of Chicago. She will
serve as chair of the club’s communications
committee. Ms. Palmisano is an associate at
the Law Offices of Palmisano & Moltz, P.C.,
where she focuses on commercial real estate
and commercial transactions for commercial,
industrial and residential clients. Congratula-
tions Kimberly!
Ø JohnA.Stefani,withlawpartnerKenneth
H. Levinson, has opened Levinson & Stefani at
230 W. Monroe St., Suite 2210. The firm will
handle personal injury, wrongful death, and
medical malpractice cases.
Ø Congratulations to good friend of the
Justinian Society, Power Rogers & Smith part-
ner Larry R. Rogers, Sr., upon receipt of the
Leonard M. Ring LifetimeAchievement award
from the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association.
Ø Segal, McCambridge, Singer, & Mahoney
announces three new Italian-American associ-
ates at their firm: Robert M. Campobasso,
toxic tort defense; Danielle R. Luisi, toxic tort
claimsandenvironmentallitigation;andGrace
E. Mangieri, toxic torts.
Ø Congratulations to Joseph J. Ferrini on
his partnership with Clausen, Miller P.C. He is
a member of the appellate practice group.
Ø Mary T. Nicolau has accepted a position
as special counsel, real estate tax liabilities and
tax disputes, at Much Shelist.
Ø Mitchell L. Marinello, partner at Novack
& Macey, business and property disputes, was
named to the management committee of the
Integrated Advisory Group.
Ø Congratulations to PatrickA. Salvi on be-
ingselectedasthehonorarychairandrecipientof
the2014JudgeRobertS.SmithJr.Humanitarian
Award.
Ø Former Gov. Patrick J. Quinn appointed
retiredIllinoisappellatejusticeDavidP.Sterba
totheJudicialInquiryBoard.Sterba,apartnerat
Walsh,Fewkes,Sterba,fillsthevacancycreated
by the death of Tom Leahy.
Mary Nicolau, left, and past President John
Sciaccotta
From left, John Locallo, David Sterba, Kather-
ine Amari O’Dell, and Frank Castiglione
Ø AlejandroCaffarellihasformedCaffarelli
&AssociatesLtd.,joinedbyattorneysAlexisD.
Martin and Lorraine T. Peeters, as well as long-
time staff members Joanna Germann Zalewski
and Mariela Cano. The firm will continue to
represent individuals in employment law and
consumerprotectionmatters.Thefirmislocated
at 224 S. Michigan Ave., Suite 300, and can be
reachedat(312)763-6880.Thewebsiteiswww.
caffarelli.com.
Ø Congratulations to Hon. Phil Nicolosi on
hisappointmenttoassociatejudgeintheIllinois
17th Judicial Circuit.
Ø Congratulations to Mr. & Mrs. Michael
Bonamarte, who are expecting their first child,
a boy, in late June.](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/39348a74-36fe-4782-a66b-8d3f18eb92fb-150717155943-lva1-app6892/85/JS-Spring-2015-33-320.jpg)
JS Spring 2015
- 1. Page 1 Justinian Society Spring 2015 President's Message Editor: Leonard F. Amari Associate Editor: Katherine A. Amari O'Dell Newsletter 7 3 4 N . W e l l s , C h i c a g o , I L 6 0 6 5 4 P h o n e 7 0 8 . 3 3 8 . 0 7 6 0 F a x 7 0 8 . 4 0 1 . 0 3 6 0 w w w . j u s t i n i a n s . o r g Richard B. Caifano Angelina Filippo Carmen Forte Jr. Thomas Leverso Vincent Oppedisano Anthony Pasquini Frank A. Perricone Nicole Petrarca Michael Pisano Executive Administrator: Nina Albano Vidmer Copy Editor: Diana Bosnjak Contributors: see page 5 Justinian Officers Anita DeCarlo President Jessica DePinto 1st Vice President Frank A. Sommario 2nd Vice President Michael F. Bonamarte 3rd Vice President Vincent R. Vidmer Treasurer Natalie Petric Secretary Executive Committee Honorable Joseph Cataldo Honorable Regina Scannicchio Honorable Mark Ballard John Simpson Vincent Petrosino Nicole Centracchio Katherine Amari O'Dell Antonio Romanucci Gregg Garofalo Michela Petrosino Student Member Please notify Nina Albano Vidmer of any address changes by contact- ing her at: P.O. Box 3217; Oak Brook, IL 60522; justinians@ navandassoc.com. Continued on Page 6 Staff: As the 2014-2015 year comes to a close, I wanted to again say “thank you” to our members, past, present, and renewed. A special thank you to past Presidents Anthony Fornelli, Antonio Romanucci, Michael Favia and Rich- ard Caldarazzo for all of your advice and support throughout the year. In addition, thank you to all of our Officers who helped in too many ways to detail. We began the year with our Golf Outing run by the Dynamic Duo, Sam Tornatore and Richard Caldarazzo. This event was sponsored by the Justinian Society of Lawyers Endowment Fund. Despite the rain, we were able to raise $5,925.83, which was distributed evenly to the Justinian Children’s Endowment Fund and the Jus- tinian Scholarship Fund. None of this would have been possible without Sam and Richard! In September, we all had a fabulous time at the Ceremonial Installation Dinner at the Palmer House. For the first time, the Justinian Society of Lawyers Endowment Fund sponsored the dinner. Thanks to the Endowment Fund, we were able to turn a profit of $9,222.21. Again, the proceeds were distributed evenly to the Justinian Children’s Endowment Fund and the Justinian Scholarship Fund. In addition, the event was a great success. Judge Michael Pope served as the Master of Ceremonies and kept the night moving quickly, without feeling rushed. The Reverend Michael Caruso, S.J. of St. Ignatius College Preparatory started the evening with our Invocation. Past President Leonard F. Amari received the Honorable Moses W. Harrison Award of Recognition, past President Michael V. Favia received the President’s Award and the Reverend Monsignor Kenneth Velo received The Award of Excellence. All three gave moving speeches that inspired our year! In October, the Justinian Endowment Fund again sponsored our dinner at Riva’s. At that event, $31,000 in Scholarships were awarded, most of the Chicago law schools match the scholarships as an added bonus to the law students. The Justinian Society itself issued $17,500.00 in scholarships. A special thank you to James Morici, Stephen Phillips, Louis Cairo, Thomas Battista and theAnthony “Jack” Rosinia for the individual scholarships they sponsored. Steven Phillips ran the meeting and made a wonderful request of all of us. The request was: if you are able to donate a scholarship, please do so. If not, please donate to the general Justinian Scholarship Fund. In November, we celebrated Mass at Assumption Church, where we blessed our past Presi- dentswhowereabletoattend.TheReverendMonsignorKennethVeloalsoblessedJustinian
- 2. Page 2 Letters to the EditorBy: Katherine A. Amari O'Dell Dear Leonard, Awarding you the Harrison mentor- ing award at the Justinian dinner is LONG overdue. You deserve it a mil- lion times over. - Judge Celia (Guzaldo) Gamrath Katherine, Thank you for the newsletter. My family enjoyed your story about me. - Joe Glimco Hi Katherine, I have read the (newsletter) article; it is wonderful. Please let Mr. Amari know that our family greatly appre- ciates him taking the time to speak highly of our facility. We are glad to make his dining experience a pleasant one. Thank you once again, - Pietro Camaci and family, Nonna Graziella Restaurant, Stone Park Dear Leonard, Excellent! I believe we have more quality content and pages than the Sun-Times at this point. - Michael Favia Two esteemed past Presidents: Jack Cerone & Judge Celia Gamrath Dear Katherine, With admiration, I offer my congratu- lations as the Justinian Society News- letter celebrates the 93rd anniversary of its publication. You and all associated with your publication perform a most valuable service not only for your readers but for the larger community. Providing information in a coherent and mean- ingful manner is not merely a job, it is a mission. I salute you for your commitment to mission, which is so important to all who are familiar with your publication and depend on it: Readers and the business community that benefit each other because of your efforts. As one who believes that reading is the most crucial form of communica- tion, I thank you and wish you a long run for your publication. - Maria Pappas Cook County Treasurer Past President Michael Favia with President DeCarlo Dear Katherine, I have received your letter and was pleased to find it included a clipping from the Justinian Society of Italian Lawyers Newsletter. I appreciate your kindness in making sure I saw it, as well as your kind words about the mentoring award presented to me by my friends and colleagues. As always, the swearing-in dinner was a great success, and it was wonderful to be a part of it. - Timothy C. Evans Chief Judge Circuit Court of Cook Cty Judge Tim Evans and MaryAnn Hynes Dear Katherine, I am in receipt of the copy of the Jus- tinian Society Newsletter you provided. Thank you very much for mentioning my Colcol v. Children’s Hospital settle- ment. I am very grateful. Hope all is well! - Patrick A. Salvi From left, John G. Locallo, Mark Hassakis, and Pat Salvi Leonard, Many thanks for the kind words in the Fra Noi article and Justinian newsletter. I’m still not convinced that I deserved the accolades. - Joseph R. Curcio
- 3. Page 3 Justinian News Installation Dinner Report Dear Mr. Sommario, Thank you so much for awarding St. Jude the Children’s Endowment Fund Grant of $5,000! We are so grateful of people and organizations like you and the Justinian Society. Furthermore, these funds are so important to our organization as we continue to help children and families through their battles with childhood cancer and other deadly diseases! Because of you, there is St. Jude. - Stacey Pitts St. Jude Children's Research Hospital [Editor’s Note: The CEF received a Grant application from St. Jude Chil- dren's Research Hospital. St. Jude’s was seeking funds to support its Children’s Medical Research. St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is leading the way the world under- stands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other deadly diseases. St. Jude has the world’s best survival rates for the most aggressive childhood cancers, and treatments invented at St. Jude have helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20 percent to 80 percent since they opened more than 50 years ago. St. Jude is working to drive the overall survival rate for childhood cancer to 90 percent in the next decade. St. Jude freely shares the breakthroughs they make, and every child saved at St. Jude means doctors and scientists worldwide can use that knowledge to save thousands more children. Families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing and food – because all a family should worry about is helping their child live. Join the St. Jude mission by visiting stjude.org or following St. Jude on facebook.com/ stjude and twitter.com/stjude. Since they meet the CEF criteria to receive a grant, the CEF Committee has voted unanimously to award the 2015 $5,000.00 Grant to the St. Jude Chil- dren's Research Hospital.] Letters, continued from page 2 Installation Instills Values By: Thomas V. Leverso, Esq. Inspiration: it permeated throughout the reception area of the Palmer House Hilton’s Grand Ballroom and energized all who attended the annual Justinian Society of Law- yers' Installation and Awards Din- ner on September 10, 2014. Like a swim in a crisp mountainlake,the refreshinglyacademicandwelcomingcrowd combined with the appropriately arriving autumnal weather. My host for the evening was Leonard Amari himself, along with all the partners and associates of Amari & Locallo and it seemed as though the entire evening began right on his cue. I had the good fortune of sitting with giants of the Illinois legal community, including Illinois’ Judges Association president, Justice Mary SeminaraSchostok,prominentattorneyand Deputy Cook County Assessor Thomas J. Jaconetty, the highly respected Judge Clar- enceHarrisonofMadisonCounty,sonofthe late Justice Moses Harrison, to mention just a few. The room was filled with respected judgesandjusticesofeverylevel,prominent trial lawyers and public interest attorneys. It became clear to me – the annual Installation and Awards Dinner of the Justinian Society of (Italian) Lawyers enjoys the reputation of being the signature social/legal event in Illinois in the Fall. The cocktail hour began a wave of intro- ductions amongst strangers, while simulta- neously old friends resumed from the last time they spoke. This was my first Justinian Installation Dinner and upon entry into the reception area, an immediate embrace of acceptance removed any anticipation usu- ally felt in a new social situation.The young appellate attorney was welcomed as an old friend instead of a newcomer – by every- body I introduced myself to or to whom I wasintroduced.Thewords“genuineamity” come to mind. The crowd of members mingled effort- lessly while enjoying hors d'oeuvres that farexceedtheexpectationsofyourordinary coldchickendinnerbanquet.Prosciuttowith melon, an assortment of cheeses and sala- mis, and cookies that are some type of cross between anise and angetti line the tables. An ice sculpture adorns the main appetizer table. This food elevated the mood of the Continued on page 4 Betty DeCarlo, Monsignor Kenneth Velo and President Anita DeCarlo. Past Presidents Mike Favia and Tony Fornelli with Father Michael Caruso, S.J. Past Presidents Judge Bob Bertucci & Judge Lisa Marino (right) with Marie Sarantakis. Judge Mary Minella with Dean Jean Gas- pardo, Loyola University School of Law; and Erica Minchella.
- 4. Page 4 Scholarship Dinner By: Michael D. Pisano Every year the Justinian Society gathers to award scholarshipstolaw students. This year the Scholarship Dinner was held at Riva Restaurant on Navy Pier on October 23, 2014. This dinner is al- wayswellattended by members as well aslawstudentsandoftentimes,thefamiliesof thescholarshiprecipients,andrepresentatives from various Chicago-area law schools. This year was no different and in fact required the restaurant to roll out a few more tables to ac- commodatethelargegroup—agoodproblem to have. Of course, as lore would have it, the Justinians, to a member, are horrible about RSVPing. Every dinner is a crapshoot. WhiletheScholarshipDinnerisaonenight event,thescholarshipcommitteeworksyear- roundtoraisethescholarshipfunds,circulate the availability of funds and getting the word out to the law students to apply. In addition to large donations made in the past which have kept the scholarship program thriving, scholarship funds are raised at the annual golf outing as well as donations by individual members throughout the year. Every fall the Justinianscholarshipcommitteeistaskedwith the responsibility of pouring through dozens of scholarship applications to identify those lawstudentswhohaveworkedhardanddem- onstratedsuccessintheirstudies.Historically, senior members Richard Caifano, Umberto Davi, Anthony Farace, Sam Tornatore and otherscoordinatedtheseresponsibilities.Sam andAnthonynowserving(again)asco-chairs. This year the scholarship committee awarded 15 scholarships (about the yearly average) totaling in excess of $50,000 in tuition benefits, including the matching funds made available by certain law schools. Historically, with the matching law school President Anita DeCarlo with scholarship recipient Mara Salerno room as good food does, but the company of the room made the night special. From great food comes great ideas. Theenergylevelroseastheroomfilled,but thehospitalityoftheoldermembersincreased alongside the genuine respect and affection the attendees demonstrated for each other. The event left an impression I will never forget. The law schools and bar associations were well represented, the Illinois State Bar Association was represented by its officers andmanyofitsgovernors;TheJohnMarshall Law School ordered two tables to support its graduates, many of which are prominent in the Justinian activities. Renowned jurists from all over Illinois, both Federal and State, took the time to welcome law students, while seniorpartnersandsolopractitionersfostered new relations for junior associates. The most common topic was the advancement of the profession, the support and advancement of the younger attorneys, but the experienced generations ensured the young stars shined brightly. Indeed, pervasive throughout the evening was a universal spirit of treating people the way they ought to be treated regardless of age or experience. This was collegiality – and it was obviously very genuine. This was a true society that had the familial feel to it. I felt myself grinning because every person in attendance shared my love of the law. I was no longer the outcast scholar, a boring trial attorney as to the theoretical application of an obscure doctrine; rather, I was a peer among fellow intellectuals.And my common ethnicity with many in attendance certainly enhanced the great experience. Likewise, the evening was a welcome change from the normally passé beginning to the Chicago social season because this event was filled with meaning, a very basic concept. What caught my attention were the awards and their respective recipients. To recap they were: Reverend Monsignor Ken- neth Velo, recipient of the JustinianAward of Excellence, a beloved cleric in the Chicago- land area, and career friend of the Justinian Society and scores of its members; Michael V. Favia, Recipient of the President's Award, truly a deserving recipient, highly regarded and truly revered; and my host, Leonard F. Amari, recipient of the Honorable Moses W. Harrison Award of Recognition. Based on the comments of their present- ers, Mr. Favia, Monsignor Velo, and my host shined. Monsignor Velo embodies the core valuesoftheunderlyingmissionoftheJustin- ian Society, making the words become more thanmerewritings.Indeed,Ihopesomedayto have his gumption to pursue social justice. As for my host, Leonard Amari was being honored for the very things he showed to me on a personal level and the very things for which Justice Harrison stood: excellence in the profession through its advancement. His genuine respect, affection and devotion to the late Justice was clear, and heartfelt. Mr. Amari’s humility was best demonstrated throughthebrevityofhisacceptance;indeed, he quietly accepted his award with due re- luctance, showing the true signs of someone devoted simultaneously to the good of the Society and the general public. The officers were then introduced, and ceremoniallysworn,allbright,youngleading Italian-American lawyers, led by the won- derful Anita DeCarlo, a second generation president following in the footsteps of her latefather,prominentattorney,VitoDeCarlo. The other officers and their offices being: Jessica DePinto, 1st Vice President; Frank A. Sommario, 2nd Vice President; Michael F. Bonamarte, 3rd Vice President; Vincent Vidmer, Treasurer; and Natalie Petric, Sec- retary. Fromhere,Ireturnedfromastateofextreme focus due to speakers and instead returned to the table’s conversation. I realized how this table was not simply composed of esteemed friends,lawyers,andjurists,butratherhowall these people charitably contribute to society. Wordsfailtodescribethepreciousnessofthis value and how much the Installation Dinner reinforced its importance. My thoughts turned to reflection; how Leonard and his A&L colleagues did not have to do a thing for me, and yet there they wereopeningdoors,literallyandfiguratively. I can only aspire to emulate, as Mr. Amari suggested, the mantra of his reputation, and pay it forward, and indeed I resolve to do such. More than any other room you will visit between now andApril, this room – this dinner, that is – actually set the tone for how a person ought to conduct himself or herself. The dinner is an installment of values – not just the installation of officers. [Editor’s Note: Father Michael Caruso, President of St. Ignatius, delivered the most wonderful prayer at the Installation Dinner, insightful, and quoting St. Thomas More, patron saint of lawyers. We reprint it here, in part: Lord God, as we ask your blessing upon our fellowship and meal that we will share, let us make these words of St. Thomas More, the patron saint of lawyers, our own: Pray that, for the glory of God and in the pursuit of His justice, I may be trustworthy with confidences, keen in study, accurate in analysis, correct in conclusion, able in argument, loyal to clients, honest with all, courteous to adversaries, ever attentive to conscience. Sit with me in my library and stand always beside me so that today I shall not, to win a point, lose my soul. Pray that my family may find me what yours found in you: friendship and courage, cheerfulness and charity, diligence in duties, counsel in adversity, patience in pain – their good servant, and God’s first. We ask all these things through Christ our Lord. Amen.] Installtion, continued from page 3
- 5. Page 5 Honore Nella Legge How about being the first on your blocktoreceiveaJustiniandeskflagby writingachecktotheJustinianSchol- arship Fund in the amount of $200, or more? With the sad condition of theeconomy,lawstudents,especially folks from our community, are more in need of scholarship monies than ever.TheJustinianSociety,infact,our ethnicity, is known for its generosity and concern for others. Won’t you write your $200 check todaytotheJustinianSocietyScholar- ship Fund? Send it to the Newsletter editor at our Justinian Headquarters, 734N.WellsSt.,Chicago,IL60654.You willimmediatelyreceiveinthemailor bymessenger,amailingtubecontain- ing your Justinian desk flag. Grazie! contributions, the Society awards annually between $50,000 to $75,000.The following students received a scholarship: Antonia Marie Kopec, Andrew Manno, Matthew Kaufmann, Domenica Manfredini, Nicole Petrarca,LauraLuisi,JustinoMirabelli,Ma- rieSarantakis(thePresidentofourJustinian chapteratJMLS),AmyTaylor,MaraSalerno, MichaelBertucci,MichelaPetrosino,Bianca Saviano, Dominic LoVerde, and Christine Beaderstadt. As Steve Phillips called upon each student to accept their award and take photographs with some of the donors, he recounted the long history of the scholar- ship program. He encouraged members to make contributions so that the program can continue to thrive and improve so that even more scholarships can be awarded in the future.Asubstantialnumberoftheapplicants aresonsanddaughters,nephewsandnieces, of career Justinians. Iamproudtobeapastscholarshiprecipient whileanactivestudentJustinianatJMLSand recognizehowmuchthisscholarshipbenefits law students. It means not having to borrow extra money for tuition and books, it means not having to work as many hours during the semester so that you can concentrate on your studies; it means every loan payment that you make will be smaller. It means so much more than words can describe, and no mattertheamount,everydonationandevery award has long lasting benefits beyond the obvious financial benefits. This extraordi- narily generous and successful scholarship program is an investment in future lawyers and future Justinian members. As a past scholarship recipient, I am encouraged to share my success throughout my career with future law students by making my own contribution to the scholarship fund as so many have done in the past and will continue to do in the future. Thank you to the generous individuals and families for their contribution to the scholar- ship fund, and thank you to the scholarship committee for your work in raising the funds and selecting the recipients. This night would not be possible without everyone involved. Former 2nd Ward Alderman Robert Fioretti, Erica Minchella, with past Presidents Thomas Battista, and Michael Favia The Justinian Society Scholarship Committee and the recipients of the 2014 scholarships Scholarship recipients, from left, Mara Sal- erno, Matthew Kaufman, Marie Sarantakis, and Laura Luisi Newsletter Contributors Dion Davi Krista Easom Anthony B. Ferraro Dominic Fichera Brian Langs Catherine R. Locallo Joseph R. Marconi Dr. Mary Milano James J. Morici, Jr. Cindy O’Keefe Roy Puccini Marie Sarantakis John Tufano
- 6. Page 6 Past Presidents' DinnerPinsforeachofourpastPresidents.Lastly,we madeanhonorarypresentationofaCertificate ofAppreciation to John G. Spatuzza. It was a wonderful celebration of our Past presidents at Gene & Georgetti’s! A special thank you to Garofalo Family Vineyards for donating the wine for the event. We started the year in January at a new loca- tion,Tuscano’s,awonderfulrecommendation by Jack Cerone! They were able to handle our Joint Chapter Dinner meeting. We had many representatives from DuPage includ- ing many of our ISBA dignitaries, President RichardFelice,President-ElectUmbertoDavi and 3rd Vice President Candidate James F. McCluskey. In addition, Ron Mentone gave a short talk on his book, Dominic and Ross, My Two Uncles. A special thank you to ATI Physical Therapy for donating the wine for the event. InFebruary,wemovedforwardwithourbocce tournament at the Mazzini Verde on a very cold and snowy night! None the less, it was warm inside and the event was a wonderful success. Sam Cannizzaro ran the tournament with only five teams due to the bad weather, but a good time was had by all. In March, the Children’s Endowment Fund- raiser, again sponsored by the Justinian So- cietyofLawyersEndowmentFund,washeld at Maggianos. As the dinner was on March 19, in honor of St. Joseph’s Day, blessed St. JosephMedalswerepassedout.Moreimpor- tantly, a Grant of $5,000.00 was given to St. Jude’s.As this was another successful event, all proceeds are being added to the corpus of the Children’s Endowment Fund. Thank you to everyone on the Newsletter staff who works so hard to put this publica- tion together, especially Associate Editor Katherine Amari O’Dell. In addition, thank you to all of the law students who met with us this year, who attended our dinners and who helped in countless ways, especially: Disa DiBuono, Nicole Petrarca, Michela Petrosino, and Adrianna Preston. Yet to come is our April 23 Nomination of Officers meeting at Carmines with wine sponsored by Injured Workers Pharmacy and the May 13 Installation of Officers at Gibson’s. We are working hard to continue our success this year! I again thank you for this wonderful experience! President's Report, continued from page 1 By: Cindy J. O'Keefe Each year, one of the more special monthly meetings is held honoring the Past Presidents of our prestigious society preceded by our annual Jus- tinian mass. This is a legacy of past president Joseph Gagliardo during his turn at the helm – and has become one of our annual dinners. Celebrat- ingourhistoryhelpstheJustinianSocietymove into the future, with an emphasis on building new relationships and membership.This year, our Past Presidents’ Dinner was piggybacked with a Justinian Mass. Held on November 20, 2014, in keeping with the legacy of past presi- dentGloriaG.Coco,anintimatemasswasheld at the Assumption Church, 323 W. Illinois St. Chicago, with Monsignor Kenneth Velo. The good father has long been associated with our Society. For example, and as we know, he was this year’s choice of President Anita DeCarlo for our prestigious Award of Excellence. He made the mass very intimate and special. Blessingseveralpastpresidents,andlapelpins for each of our past presidents. At the time of communion, all members in attendance were called up to the altar, the hosts distributed, and the sacrament jointly experienced. All in attendance hen shared the blessing and greeted one another, many with tears in their eyes, the warmth and camaraderie evident. Historically, every president of the Society attempts to cre- ate an event that will continue on after his or her term. For example, Umberto Davi created the “family dinner,” Jim Morici the mentoring award and dinner, the late Gerry Sbarbaro the Installation Dinner in the fall, Leonard Amari thenewsletter,etc.PastPresidentsinattendance were Anthony Fornelli (1969-1970), Lenonard Amari(1978-1979),JackP.Cerone(1981-1982), Hon. Bruno J. Tassone (1984-1985), Joseph G. Bisceglia (1992-1993), Hon. Gloria G. Coco (1993-1994), Michaeal V. Favia (1998-1999), Leonard S. Defranco (2000-2001),Antonio M. Romanuci(2002-2003),MauroGlorioso(2008- 2009),andKatherineAmariO'Dell(2011-2012). Aftermass,dinnerwasheldmostconveniently acrossthestreetatGene&Georgetti's,est.1941, at 500 N. Franklin Street, Chicago. The dinner meeting was held upstairs, in a private banquet room,thoughbecauseofthegreatturnout,some membershadtodineinaseparateroom.Allwere treated to a wonderful meal and delectable des- serts. It definitely was a full house, with 17 out of39pastpresidentsinattendance.Severalother past presidents who were able to join us at din- ner included; Richard B. Caifano (1982-1983), SalvatoreJ.Tornatore(1985-1986),MichaelD. Monico(1989-1990),ThomasM.Battista(2003- 2004), Cristina Mungai Scalzitti (2010-2011), and Hon. Robert W. Bertucci (2013-2014). John G. Spatuzza (1961-1962) was given an award as our reigning patriarch. Unfortunately, he was not able to attend due to health issues; the award was presented his behalf to Anthony A photo of Monsignor Velo, past Presidents, and guests in attendance.
- 7. Page 7 Fornelli (1969-1970). Also present were an overwhelming number of judges namely, Hon. Aleksandra Gillespie, Hon. Diann Marsalek, Hon.ReginaScannicchioandHon.AnnaLoftus. There were a rising number of law students in attendance, probably a third of the wonderful turnout, and thanks to the continued generosity of our members who paid for their meals. The delicious wine for dinner was donated by Joe Garofalo and the Garofalo Family Vineyards. As always, the dinner was a smashing success, a multigenerational gathering of Justinians. Our Justinian family broke bread and shared wine, from the most prestigious and senior member of our organization, to our newest and youngestlawstudents.FellowshipwithourPast Presidentsisanall-importantroleoftheJustinian organization; the experiences and accolades of elder Justinians is passed down to its younger prospects. Having this past presidents’ dinner in conjunction with a mass, especially at the oldest Italian-American church/parish in the city, the first founded by the Scalabrini Fathers, the first Italian order of priests inAmerica – and the parish of the Italian community from the MotherCabriniprojects.Promotingcollegiality and professionalism are the founding precepts of the Justinian Society, a very gracious ‘Thank You’ goes out to all of our Past Presidents who make the Society one of the largest and most successful Italian legal organizations in the country and to Judge Coco for this wonderful legacy. A photo of Monsignor Velo, past Presidents, and guests in attendance From left, Kristine Abruzino, Madeline Sch- neider, Alex Srbinovski, and Vincent Oppedi- sano attended the dinner. By: Nicole Petrarca The Justinian Society’s annual Joint Chapter Meeting is usually held at Rosewood in Rosemont, IL. However,thevenue was changed last minuteduetoRose- wood’s closing. A big thank you to past President Jack Cerone who sug- gestedre-locatingto Tuscano’s in Schil- ler Park. The new venue proved to be a great new meeting place for the Society. The meeting was well attended by members of the Justin- ian Society, including our Officers President Anita DeCarlo, Second Vice President Frank Sommario, Third Vice President Michael Bonamarte,aswellaspastPresidentsKatherine Amari O’Dell, Cristina Mungai Scalzitti, Lisa Marino, Antonio Romanucci, John Locallo, Joseph Bisceglia, Leonard DeFranco, Um- berto Davi, Hon. Gloria Coco, and Richard Caldarazzo. Mayor Ronald Serpico, along with several honorable justices and members of the Illinois State BarAssociation, were also in attendance. The company and the food were wonderful. Members feasted on appetizers of fried ravi- oli and antipasto, followed by pasta, chicken, sausage and peppers, and finished off with a piece of tiramisu. Along with this wonderful feast, the Society was honored to have R.J. Mentone come and tell the group about his new novel, “Dominic and Ross, My Two Uncles.” The book focuses on the friendship and love shared by Mr. Mentone’s two uncles, Rossario and Dominic, following them from their childhood years to their early twenties. Mr. Mentone is a prominent Chicago trial attorney and graduate of DePaul College of Law. This is his first published novel and sure to be a great read! Joint Chapter Dinner From left, ISBA President Richard Felice, ISBA 3rd VP Candidate James McCluskey, and ISBA 2nd VP Umberto Davi Top row, from left: Judge Gloria Coco, Nicole Petrarca, Enza Zacchigna, Judge Lisa Marino, Mayor Ron Serpico of Melrose Park, and Richard Caldarazzo. Bottom row, from left: Katherine Amari O’Dell, Cristina Mungai Scalzitti, and Judge Patrice Ball-Reed. From left, ISBA Past President John G. Locallo; and current ISBA Officers Vincent Cornelius, Richard Felice and Umberto Davi. Wanted Submissions: Law School information, articles, gossip and miscellaneous wanted for the newsletter The newsletter staff is anxious to receive information, articles, comings and goings pieces, photographs, infor- mative articles, photo stories, or what- ever, of all the law schools in the State of Illinois. Because of the educational law school background of most of the folks that write for the newsletter, there is a concentration of just one or two law schools. We’d really like to write about all nine law schools in Illinois. Anyone interested in representing their law school for purposes of publishing items for the newsletter, please contact the newsletter editor, Leonard F.Amari (db@amari-locallo.com).
- 8. Page 8 By: Anthony Pasquini With bone chill- ing winds and be- low freezing tem- peratures, it was with great pride and dedication that Justinians and Bocce enthusiasts alike gathered for the 2015 Justin- ian Bocce tournament on February 19. The tournamentwashostedinFranklinParkatthe Mazzini Verdi Club. This year’s Tournament was coordinated by 2014 Justinian Bocce ChampionSamCannizzaro.Withmuchplan- ning and preparation, Mr. Cannizzaro fought againstMotherNatureherselfandputtogether a wonderful evening for all attendees. Exqui- site dining, excellent wine, and even better company, this year’s tournament was host to Justinians of all Bocce skill levels. From Novices to Veterans, the Bocce courts were filled with the sounds of balls rolling and colliding; only overpowered by the cheers and laughter from the crowd. Five teams took to the courts, most notably Team Favia, consisting of Man of The Year, Mr. Michael Favia himself, Dana Benedetti, Denise Noodwang, and Anthony Pasquini (who may or may not have walked away with theeveningshighlightwhenheputentirelytoo muchbackspinononeofhistossesresultingin the balling going absolutely nowhere). Team Ranallo, Team Ingraffia, Team Angelo, and Team Panichi advanced through the tourna- ment showing skill and poise with every toss. Team Favia was eliminated in the first round, saving their energy and biding their time for next year’s tournament. Team Ingraffia pro- vided for some stiff competition throughout theevening.BiancaSavianoofTeamRanallo proved to be this year’s ringer and put big points on the board for her team. At the end of the evening Team Ingraffia walked away with the championship trophies and custom Bocce set, presented by Justinian President AnitaDeCarlo.TeamPanichiwalkedawayin secondplace,buttheydidsoonlyafterputting Bocce Dinner & Tournament the pressure on Team Ingraffia keeping both teams in a close race for first. TheeveningwashosttoaunionofJustinians of all ages and experience. As is common in the Justinian Society of Lawyers there were many laughs, friendships made and strength- ened, and most importantly to our group of extraordinary folks, new opportunities to mentor and be mentored were formed. The 2015JustinianBocceTournamentwasagreat success, despite the cold trying to prevent it. Abig thank you goes to Mr. Sam Cannizzaro for his hard work putting this event together. And a special thank you to President Anita DeCarlo in assisting Mr. Cannizzaro and coordinating this event. Mr. Cannizzaro and Ms.DeCarloprovedyetagainjustexactlyhow much hard work goes into this organization and we owe them both an extended gratitude fortheircommitmenttoourbelovedJustinian Society of Lawyers. Past President Mike Favia displays perfect form when throwing the bocce ball. Bianca Saviano, Bill Danna, President Anita DeCarlo and Anthony Pasquini Dana Benedetti, Michael Favia, Mark Spognar- di and Christina Ranello Mark Spognardi angles his throw toward the pallino, or target ball. Anthony Pasquini attempts a rather ambi- tious overhand throw. The Panichi Team. Newsletter Staff: Interested in becoming a staff member/contributor to our highly regarded semi-annual newsletter? The only responsibility is to attendsocietyfunctionsandsubmit articlesforpublications,andmaybe take photos of the event being at- tended. Incoming President Jessica DePinto is in the process of mak- ing Justinian committee appoint- ments. Thisisawonderfulopportunity for networking, increasing one’s personainthelegalcommunityand have a head shot published with submissions. If interested, contact the newsletter Editor Leonard F. Amari at lfa@ amari-locallo.com or Associate Editor Katherine Amari O’Dell at kaa@amari-locallo.com.
- 9. Page 9 By: Vince Oppedisano The 2015 Justinian Society Children’s Endowment Fund (CEF) dinner was held on March 19th—St. Joseph’s Day—at the River NorthMaggiano’s. The dinner is held eachyearinMarch, and the CEF pres- ents a grant to a differentcharitable organization each year. Past presi- dentandprominent Italian American community leader Antonio Romanucci established the CEF in 2002 and serves as its chairperson. The endowment fund was started almost 13 years ago with a very modest sum of money. The mission of the CEF is to assist children whoaredisabledordisadvantagedinsomeway, and the fund has grown so greatly that the CEF corpus now stands at almost $90,000. If we add the CEF to the Justinian Society’s scholarship fund, the entire fund stands at approximately $200,000.Annual dues and individual member contributions account for a substantial portion of the fund. A wide range of grant recipients have benefited from the CEF since its incep- tion, including the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Illinois Eye Institute, and Ronald McDonald House of Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana. This year’s grant recipient was the St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. Stacey Pitts, Regional Associate Director at St. Jude’s, and past president Joseph Bisceglia (who has been St. Jude’s committee member for its Annual Chicago Fundraiser since 1995, andCo-Chairmanofthefundraisersince2006) accepted the grant and spoke on behalf of the hospital. Families of children accepted by St. Jude’s does not pay a single dollar for medical treatment or related costs of hospitalization, allowing them to focus solely on providing support for their child in a time when it is most needed. Funds donated support the hospital’s cuttingedgeresearcheffortsintheareaoftreat- ments and cures for childhood cancers.As Mr. Biscegliapointedout(quotingHilaryClinton), rather than keeping its scientific breakthroughs “closetothevest”tofigureouthowitcanprofit from them, St. Jude’s openly shares what it has learned with the medical community—to the benefit of children across the world. The hospital requires about two million dol- lars per day in order to keep its doors open, and asStaceysaid,itisthegenerosityofpeopleand organizations like the Justinian Society that al- low the hospital to continue to serve children andtheirfamilies.WhenSt.Jude’swasfounded in 1952 the survival rate for childhood cancers was 20 percent. It now stands at more than 80 percent thanks in large part to the efforts of organizations like St. Jude’s. Many past presidents attended the dinner, includingtheHonorableBrunoTassone,Joseph Bisceglia,JohnLocallo,MauroGlorioso,Anto- nio Romanucci, and Gregg Garafolo. Officers Jessica DePinto, Frank Sommario, Michael Bonamarte, Vince Vidmer, and Natalie Petric wereinattendance,andtheSocietywashonored to have respected guests James F. McCluskey (Candidate for 3rdVice President of the Illinois State BarAssociation) andAdministrative Law Judge and Justinian member Fred Bates in at- tendance as well. FrankSommariospokeinhiscapacityasCEF TreasurerandstressedtheneedoftheJustinians’ continued remarkable generosity to ensure the success of the fund going forward. Any dona- tion will be accepted, and contributions can be made on the Justinian Society of Lawyers website (www.justinians.org), by check, or by cash to Nina Albano Vidmer. Additional funds were raised on the night of the dinner through the annual 50/50 drawing. Children's Endowment Dinner Stacey Pitts, Regional Associate Director at St. Jude’s, speaks about the mission of St. Jude’s, while Joseph Bisceglia, Antonio Romanucci, and Frank Sommario look on. Jessica DePinto, Joseph Bisceglia, Hon. Bruno Tassone and John G. Locallo enjoy each other’s company at Maggiano’s. Frank Sommario awards Stacey Pitt and St. Jude’s with the Justinian Society CEF grant. By: Dion Davi Past President, Justinian Society of Lawyers, DuPage County Chapter OnJune12,2014,the DuPage Chapter of the Justinian Society of Lawyers installed Joseph P. Glimco, III as its 37th President. President Glimco held his installation dinner at Ditka’s in Oak Brook. Other officersinstalledthat evening were 1st VicePresidentEliza- beth Pope, 2nd Vice President Angela Aliota, Secretary Nicholas Galasso, Treasurer Lindsay Stella,andImmediatepastPresidentMariaTolva Mack. On hand to present the East West Title President’s Gavel to President Glimco was past President Richard Caldarazzo. ThenexteventontheChapter’sschedulewas the 24thAnnual Charity Event held on October 24,2014.TheEventhasraisedhundredsofthou- sandsofdollarsfortheresearchandtreatmentof cancer. The proceeds from this year were used to fulfill the Chapter’s commitment to fund The Den,afamilymeetingroomintherecentlybuilt RonaldMcDonaldHouselocatedonthecampus of Cadence Health/Central DuPage Hospital in Winfield, Illinois. The Chapter added another $21,000 to the $23,000 raised in 2013, which nearly fulfills its $50,000 pledge. The theme of theEventhaschangedoverthelastseveralyears with a move from a black-tie optional dinner to Halloweencostumeoptional.Thenewimageof the Event has caught on with even a few firms coming out in fully themed costumes, including Davi Law Group. The evening was highlighted by a guest appearance by Elvis Ronald and ac- knowledgementthatTheDenhadbeenofficially opened for use that same month. In December, the Chapter hosted the annual Holiday Party at Tuscany in Oak Brook. Presi- dent Glimco had a holiday treat for attendees with a special guest appearance by the Son of Svengooli, who was celebrating the 35th year since the televising of his debut episode. On had to celebrate with President Glimco and the DuPage Update Continued on page 10 Davi Law Group: Dion Davi as Gru, Kelly Davi as Lucy, Adam Gynac as Dr. Nefario, and their minions at the Charity Ball.
- 10. Page 10 Son of Svengooli were current ISBA President Richard Felice and President Elect Umberto Davi. The evening also honored the retirement oflongtimeJustinian,theHonorableRodEqui, from the 18th Judicial Circuit Court. ThemostrecenteventpresentedbytheChap- ter was the annual St. Joseph’s Day Dinner held on March 23rd at Amalfi’s Restaurant. Owner and Chef Frankie served up a bountiful meal in memory of those that prayed to St. Joseph when Sicily was suffering from a great famine centuries ago. St. Joseph was said to have an- swered the prayers by ending the drought that ravaged the island. The next event will be the Installation Din- ner for President Elect Elizabeth Pope along with the newest officer, Chris Lunardini. I encourage everyone to come out to support the incoming officers and this very active chapter of the Justinian Society of Lawyers by attend- ing the Installation of President Elect Pope as the Chapter’s 38th President on May 7, 2015 at Gibson’s in Oak Brook. To RSVP, please visit theirwebsite:www.dupagejustinians.com.Non vedo l’ora di vedere tutti li. Ciao!! DuPage, continued from page 9 Ronald McDonald addressed the Charity Ball attendees and President Glimco The Charity Ball was well attended by costumed party-goers. President Glimco, Son of Svengooli, and ISBA President Felice DuPage Chapter Holiday Party Umberto and Janet Davi, with Son of Sven- gooli Caldarazzo JMLS Speaker By: Marie K. Sarantakis This fall semester, Richard Cal- darazzo, distinguished attorney and owner of East West Title Company, taught a valuable real estate seminar to Justinian students at The John Marshall Law School. The event was a great success! Not only was it at- tended by a large number of current Justinian students, but also, many alumni returned to the law school to enjoy an informal refresher course in pertinent real estate matters. Mr. Caldarazzo offered practical sugges- tionsandimpartedcolorfulinsightson how to conduct a closing transaction from start to finish. The seminar il- lustrated to guests the subtle nuances, yet meaningful differences, in repre- senting buyers and sellers in a clos- ing proceeding. Attendees received a packetofmaterialsforfuturereference consisting of a variety of standard forms and Mr. Caldarazzo’s original and informative checklists. Upon the conclusion of the remarks that evening, Mr. Caldarazzo spon- soredadeliciouspizzadinnerforthose inattendanceandtheIllinoisStateBar Association’s Young Lawyers Divi- sionprovidedcomplimentaryflavored Pellegrino beverages, cannoli, and Italian bakery cookies. The evening was a wonderful educational and social event for the student members of the JMLS Justinian Society and we are very grateful for Mr. Caldarazzo’s generous contributions to our Chap- ter! Marie Sarantakis & Richard Caldarazzo
- 11. Page 11 Justinian Student Chapter News Mentoring Update By: Nicole Petrarca Merriam-Webster defines a mentor as “a trusted counselor or guide, a tutor or coach.” The Justinian Society of Lawyers Mentoring Program supports its mentees in ways that far exceed that definition. The mentors are not only counselors, guides, and tutors for their mentees,butalsopersonalcheerleaders,friends, confidants, an outlet, an ear, and more. I would not have survived my first semester without my mentor Anthony Pasquini, who was will- ing to read first, second and third drafts of my memorandums for my legal writing course, to give me tips and tricks for each course and professor, and always called for a pep talk or more often to calm my nerves before for each and every midterm or final exam. The Justinian Society of Lawyers Mentoring Program is spearheaded by Leonard F. Amari, who is a past President and active member in our Society, as well as the President of the Board of Trustees of The John Marshall Law School. Two student co-chairs, usually 2L or 3L students at John Marshall, who were once mentees in the Program, also help lead the group. The participants in the Program are often those who had difficulty succeeding on the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). Mr. Amari formed the mentoring group in order to help these participants through the law school admissions process and guide them to success in their first semester of law school. The Program’s motto is “pay it forward.” The Program is lucky to have so many of its former mentees come back their second semester or second year and “pay it forward” by mentoring a student. Each semester, the co-chairs match up mentors and mentees based on personalities, similar interests, attendance at the same under- graduate institution, and whether each had the sameprofessorsthatfirstsemesteroflawschool. The group meets three times a semester, at the LawOfficesofAmari&Locallo,wherethemen- tors and co-chairs provide guidance and insight into various topics, such as how to prepare for class, how to brief a case, and how to outline for a final exam, to name a few. But the mentoring does not stop there - the mentors regularly talk and meet with their mentees outside of these scheduled meetings. The mentors are always willing to go above and beyond to help their menteesuccessfullycompletethisfirstsemester. It is this personal, one-on-one relationship that truly makes the Program so special. I would just like to thank Mr. Amari, all past co-chairs, and mentors for your countless hours of time and commitment to this Program. This amazing group of individuals has forever impacted my life and career. I am so proud to have been a member of such a great Program thatprovidesstudentswithanunparalleledform of mentoring. From left, Tyler Duff, Mark McQueary, Bobby Cannatello, Nicole Petrarca, Diana Bosnjak, Colleen Redden, and Leonard F. Amari. Duff, McQueary, and Redden are the current co-chairs, Cannatello and Petrarca are the im- mediate past co-chairs and Bosnjak organizes the group and coordinates their meetings. Bobby Cannetello and Nicole Petrarca accept their mentoring awards from the Justinian Mentoring Program. The program had a very successful year and they played a huge role. Most of our Fall 2014 group of “mentees” or new 1L students in the Justinian Mentoring Group. Top row, from left: Leonard F. Amari (creator of program), Bobby Greene, An- thony Pasquini (mentor), Anthony Pontillo, Vincent Petrosino, Tom Numbere, Kevin Kleine, Mark Grotto, and Matthew Kaplan. Bottom row, from left: Colleen Redden (mentor), Nicole Petrarca (mentor), Bobby Cannatello (mentor) and Kim Bartoszewski. JMLS Pres. Report By: Marie Sarantakis This year I am humbled to be serving as your PresidentfortheJohnMarshallJustinianSociety Student Chapter. I represent several organiza- tions on campus, but I am most honored to be a partoftheJustinianlegacyatTheJohnMarshall Law School. Nearlytwoyearsago,mymentorandattorney extraordinaire, Mr. Umberto Davi, invited me to attend a Justinian Society Installation Din- ner at Gib- son’s with his family. At the time, I was a first yearlawstu- dent. Every- thing about the wonder- ful world of law seemed exciting, but also quite intimidat- ing. I was constantly preoccupied withmaking just the right first impres- sion. Friendly and kind yet stern and serious. Memorable but not obnoxious. Intelligent but not too talkative.As a law student, most events seemed to be riddled by an underlying anxiety, but the Justinians made me feel right at home from that very first day at Gibson’s. The following afternoon, I contacted Mr. Leonard F. Amari at The John Marshall Law School. I knew that I had to formally become a part of this extraordinary organization.Afew minutes later he had put me in touch with for- mer JMLS Justinian Society President, Nicole Petrarca, and I officially became a member of the Student Chapter. Throughout the year I was impressedbythecaliberofeventsandwonderful people that I met through both the student and parent organizations. Fast forward to today, the Justinians are like a second family. It is a support structure of friendly faces with which you break bread and can always turn to for advice. I come from an immigrant family of entrepreneurs. No one in myfamilyhadattendedcollege,muchlessgone to law school. My parents instilled in me the morals and values that are requisite for success, but they had no experience in the legal field. I was in a foreign territory, not understanding the tradeaswellasmanyofmycontemporarieswho hadgrownupsurroundedbyafamilyoflawyers, familiar with the lexicon and environment.The Justinianscameintomylifeandfilledthatvoid, showing me not just how to be a successful law Continued on page 12
- 12. Page 12 student, but an upstanding attorney one day. The Justinian Society is an organization near anddeartomyheart.AsPresidentoftheStudent Chapter, I hope to introduce many new faces to the group and let them know that the Justinian Society is not simply an organization to add to their resume, but a group that will remain relevant throughout their careers. Please know that we have an open door policy and invite all members of the parent organization,paststudentalumni,andmembers of other Justinian Chapters at the various law schools throughout Chicago, to join us for our events throughout the year. Thank you for this opportunity to serve. I look forward to the year ahead along with the board listed below: 2014-2015 JMLS Justinian Student Executive Board: President: ........ Marie Sarantakis Vice President:.Mara Salerno Treasurer: ....... Matthew Kaufmann Secretary: ....... Amy Taylor Social Chairs: .Laura Luisi and Bill Iversen JMLS Student Update OurJohnMarshallLawSchoolJustinianChapter has had an event-filled Fall 2014 semester. In between the many programs held these past few months, we are proud to share some of the accomplishments of our individual members inside and outside of the classroom: • Bobby Cannatello and Nicole Petrarca re- ceivedthe Lupel&Amari scholarship ($10,000 each). • Tyler Duff was honored with a CALI Award for the highest grade in Constitutional Law II. Ms. Duffy is also a Co-Chair of the Justinian Society Mentoring Program. • Mark Grotto was named to the Fall 2014 Dean’s List. He is a TeachingAssistant for Pro- fessor Kordesh’s Property course and currently participating in a 1L Mock Trial competition. • Toni Heniff was named a SupervisingTeach- ing Assistant for Professor Spanbauer’s Con- tractscourse.Ms.Heniffwasalsoawardedwith the Edith and Phillip Baim Scholarship and the Professor Arthur M. Scheller, Jr. Scholarship. • Brian Iverson was named to the Fall 2014 Dean’s List. • William Iverson was named to the Fall 2014 Dean’s List. • Karalyn Jevaney was named to the Fall 2014 Dean’s List. • Andrew Manno was elected to the Student Bar Association as the ABA Representative. This position also puts him on the Executive Board of the SBA. • Mark McQueary was honored with a CALI Award for the highest grade in Civil Procedure II. Mr. McQueary is also a Co-Chair of the Justinian Society Mentoring Program. • Colleen Redden was honored with a CALI Award for the highest grade in Antitrust Law. Ms. Redden is also a Co-Chair of the Justinian Society Mentoring Program. JMLS Update, continued from page 11 • Marie Sarantakis was honored with two CALI Awards for the highest grades in Consti- tutional Law I and Evidence. This January, Ms. Sarantakis began a judicial externship with the Honorable Thomas L. Kilbride of the Illinois Supreme Court. Shortly thereafter she obtained her certification as a Mediator and is currently volunteering in the Family Law Division of the Lake County Courthouse in Waukegan, Illinois. Ms. Sarantakis was also appointed as the Lieutenant Governor of Programming & Events for the American Bar Association’s 7th Circuit Law Student Division. • LisaSterbagraduatedfromTheJohnMarshall Law School and is working as an Assistant State’s Attorney with the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office and has been assigned to the Criminal Appeals Division. Congrats to our entire Justinian student body and we wish you all the very best this coming semester! All three of the current mentoring program co-chairs received CALI Awards for the Fall 2014 Semester. From left: Colleen Redden (Antitrust Law), Mark McQueary (Civil Proce- dure II), and Tyler Duff (Constitutional Law II). From left, Nicole Petrarca, Katherine Amari O’Dell, and Bobby Cannatello at the Schol- arship Recognition Luncheon. Nicole and Bobby are previous mentoring program co-chairs. JMLS Networking Social By Marie K. Sarantakis The John Marshall Justinian Society Student Chapter kicked off the semester by hosting a meet and greet event with the Parent Orga- nization at The John Marshall Law School. Distinguished guests in attendance included: AnitaDeCarlo(currentPresidentofTheJustin- ian Society), Michael Favia (past President of The Justinian Society and 3rd Vice President of the John Marshall Board of Trustees), and Leonard Amari (past President of The Justinian Society and President of the John Marshall Board of Trustees). These dignified John Marshall Alumni graciously took the time to get to know the many new students of the John Marshall Chapter. This was a casual opportunity for student members to network and get to know some of the friendly faces that they would see at Parent Organization events throughout the year. The evening began with networking and cama- raderie. Fellow Justinian students, and recently graduated Chapter alumni, who had been com- municatingviae-mailforthepastseveralweeks, finally had the opportunity to meet in person. There were many handshakes and warm smiles asstudentsmingledwithotherfamiliarstudents of Italian-descent on campus. This network- ing session was proceeded by an introduction from the members of the Parent Organization. Students and Distinguished Board Members gathered together and exchanged stories about how they first became involved with the Justin- ian Society and what the organization means to them today. MembersoftheParentOrganizationgraciously provided delicious food and beverages from Plymouth Restaurant for students to continue to mingle over dinner thereafter.After the meal, members of the Parent Organization and Marie Sarantakis accepted Professor Mark Wojcik’s kind invitation to join his Lawyering Skills course and introduce themselves to the students oftheclass.Studentswereinterestedinlearning more about becoming members of the Justinian Society and attending upcoming events. President Anita DeCarlo, Marie Sarantakis, and Past President Michael Favia Continued on page 13
- 13. Page 13 Overall, the evening was a great success as several new student members joined the Jus- tinian Society and existing members had the opportunity to network with peers and mentors. We are very grateful for the Parent Organiza- tion’ssupportandpresencethroughouttheyear. Molte grazie! JMLS, continued from page 12 Justinian Students Gather at Hubbard Inn By: Marie K. Sarantakis On Friday, March 20th, President of the Loyola Law School Justinian Society Student Chapter, Dominic LoVerde, coordinated a meet and greet social amongst the various Chicago- area Justinian student chapters. Thank you to Social Chair of The John Marshall Law School Justinian Society Student Chapter, Laura Luisi, for her hand in making these arrangements, as well. The event was hosted in the beautiful second floor event space of The Hubbard Inn, 110 W. Hubbard Street, from 6 to 9 p.m. where Italian students from local law schools had the op- portunity to meet and mingle. The event facili- tated not just camaraderie amongst the student members, but also the opportunity for young Justinian leaders to generate ideas for future events. Chapter Presidents warmly extended invitations to upcoming activities hosted at their respective law schools. As a result, we plan on seeing several inter-Chapter events in the months to follow. Dominic LoVerde, Loyola Law School Justin- ian Society Student Chapter President; 4th right Marie Sarantakis, The John Marshall Law School Justinian Society Student Chapter President; with students from JMLS and Loyola Law. By: Richard Caifano Inspired by those who have passed before us, we Ital- ian-Americanlegal professionals con- tinue to do what they taught us best: We prevail and, in doing so, we honor their memory. And when we are recognized for our achievement, we serve that memory best. Appropriately, on February 27, 2015, Justin- ian past President Michael Monico was rec- ognizedforhisachievementinthepracticeof law–aprudentifnotobviouschoice.Michael was bestowed with the Award of Excellence by his alma mater, St. Ignatius College Prep. Proud to be associated with Michael, a good numberofhisfellowJustinianswereinatten- dance to the honor and to applaud Michael’s standing in the legal community. Like many accomplished trial lawyers, Mi- chael has served in the Office of the United States Attorney from which he entered the private practice of law. Over the course of some forty years, Michael has enjoyed a challenging and distinguished career in the practice of law. He has served as president of theNationalAssociationofCriminalDefense Attorneys, our country’s foremost defense bar. Michael is a past director of the Seventh Circuit Bar Association during the course of whichserviceheassistedinthecreationofthe 7th Circuit Bar Association Rules. Michael hasauthoredmanyarticlesovertheyearsthat have served to assist attorneys to more ably provideeffectivelegalservicetotheirclients. Most importantly, Michael has never shied fromprovidingneededrepresentationnomat- ter how difficult or unpopular the challenge. Integrity,distinctionandaccomplishmentare termsthatdefinehiscareer.Involvement,care and creativity are terms that define Michael as a man. We proudly salute our brother Justinian for a recognition well deserved and honorably earned. Ignatius Honors Monico Michael Monico, center, with sons Dan and Brian. The Justinians came out in full force to celebrate Michael Monico’s achievement. From left, Leonard F. Amari, Anita DeCarlo, Tom Battista, Tony Fornelli, Michael Monico, Joseph Bisceglia, Judge Gloria Coco, Nata- lie Petric, Joell Bisceglia Zahr, and Richard Caifano. Justice Mary Jane Theis, Hon. Thomas Lip- scomb, Hon. Russell Hartigan and State Sen. Don Harmon. From left: Richard Caifano, Joell Bisceglia Zahr, and Joseph Bisceglia
- 14. Page 14 By: Leonard F. Amari This issue, we highlight the promi- nent jurist, Justice Mary Seminara- Schostok, of the 19th Judicial Cir- cuit. This Justinian was appointed an associate judge in 1998 and elected a full circuit in 2002. We pick this time to highlightherjudicial career as she was recently retired from the pres- tigious position as president of the state – wide Illinois Judges Association, no small feat. Thefirstoffivechildren,Seminara-Schostok grew up in New Castle, PA. Her father came to theUnitedStatesfromItalyandhermotherwas a second-generation Italian-American. She at- tendedYoungstownStateUniversity,thefirstin herfamilytograduatecollege.Sheexceededall expectations when she successfully completed her law studies at Capital University College of Law in Columbus, Ohio. “It wasn’t common for someone in my generation and background to go to law school. But I always marched to a different drummer than most people my age - always challenging, always questioning,” said Seminara-Schostok. While in law school, she met her recently deceased husband, the extraordinarily highly regarded catastrophic injury litigator, Michael Schostok, a name partner in the firm of Salvi, Schostok&PritchardP.C.,whoafewyearsback served as president of the IllinoisTrial Lawyers Association, a state-wide group of prominent litigators.Afterlawschool,Seminara-Schostok became an associate in the Pittsburgh, PA firm ofBernsteinandBernstein,practicingCorporate Chapter11bankruptcyworkwhileworkingpart- time for the public defender’s office. However, when she married, she moved to her husband’s hometownofWaukeganandbecameaprosecu- tor in the Lake County State’sAttorney’s office in 1998 where her new spouse was already employed.Asaprosecutor,Seminara-Schostok knew she ultimately wanted to be a judge: “I don’t think I was probably out of misdemeanor court before I made it clear that’s what I was working for.” Seminara-Schostokexpressedafondnessfor politicsearlyinhercareer.ShejoinedtheYoung Republicans and campaigned for Lake County State’s Attorney Michael J. Waller, several judges, a number of Republicans running for the state Senate, and the various campaigns of her close friend, Albert J. Salvi. Shecampaignedtobeappointedanassociate judge five times. In May 1998, she achieved that goal. She was elected a full circuit judge Mary Seminara-Schostok: Retiring IJA President in 2002, but the road wasn’t entirely smooth: a court battle over the validity of her nominating petitionswentallthewaytotheIllinoisSupreme Court. Of course, she brought wonderful cre- dentials and a stellar reputation to this effort. “ThereputationofJudgeSeminara-Schostok in Lake County is one all lawyers, like myself, should ascribe to. She is a wonderful example of the best our ethnic community has to offer and we take pride in seeing her on the bench and knowing the wonderful reputation she enjoys,” says Michael Ori, a prominent Lake CountyAttorney, who’s late dad was founder of the first iteration of the Lake County Justinian chapter and was a judge in Lake County before he passed away. “Judge Schostok has served as a role mode and mentor to me and count- less others for which I will always be grateful. She is dedicated to the law and dispenses her judicial duties evenly and fairly. She is known as a patient, well-prepared and fair jurist.” “I used to think I had the greatest job in the world when I was a prosecutor,” Seminara- Schostok said. “But then I became a judge, and now I know I have the greatest job in the world. I can honestly say there’s not one morning that I getupandsayIdon’twanttogotoworktoday…. IlovewhatIdo.”Whenshelecturestochildren, “I always encourage them to be lawyers. It’s the greatest profession in the world.” Judge Schostok is also a moving force in the continuing success of the Lake County Chapter of the Justinian Society of (Italian) Lawyers. Away from the bench, Seminara-Schostok enjoys volunteer work, travel, reading and golf. On Thursdays, she meets with a group of other judges, lawyers, secretaries and deputies for a Bible study group. “It’s a great opportunity to clear your mind and to study with others in the same profession,” she said. “It helps ground me after a hard week in Criminal Court.” Seminara-SchostokcurrentlyresidesinLiber- tyville with her three children, Marisa, a recent John Marshall Law School graduate, Gina and Michael. An example of the best our community has to offer. From left: Past President Katherine Amari O'Dell, Lou Cairo, Justice Seminara-Schostock and Past President Len DeFranco. Evelyn Sanguinetti: Hope,Faith,andFamily:ChangingSpring- field with Her Story By: Dr. Mary L. Milano Itisnosecretthat the Italian Ameri- canCommunityhas long supported the presence of mem- bersofourcommu- nity in our State’s Capitol, or that on theshouldersofour dedicated legisla- tors representing all parts of the State and both sides of the aisle, we have wanted to see the elevation of some of those outstanding men and women to our Constitutional offices. Who knows what the course of Illinois history would have been if, for example, Jim (Stringini) Ryan had gone on to the governor’s mansion? Or, if Christine Radogno had won statewide office and con- tinued to progress upwards? Or if an Al Salvi candidacy was not premature, or had the ranks of Italians elected at the state, federal and even City of Chicago levels not been decimated by redistricting over the years? This year we had no Italian-American candi- date for a constitutional office in Illinois. But we had someone first as a candidate, and now have someone as an Officer who fits our hopes and aspirations with virtual perfection. Her name is Evelyn Sanguinetti, running mate to Governor Bruce Rauner, and she was recently inaugurated as Lieutenant Governor. No – she is not Italian by lineage. Sanguinetti is her married name, although she seems to wear it as proudly as her birth name of Pacino. She is the first Latina constitutional officer in the State of Illinois and she is ready to make her mark on the office, on the State, and on its issues. Why should we be so excited about Ms. San- guinetti? Because her story, perhaps one genera- tion removed, is our story. She is the daughter of immigrants from Ecuador and Cuba. She grew up without privilege and with much struggle in Florida, and her first language is Spanish. Her family may have struggled, but still inculcated in her a love for music and the arts, and she was sufficiently talented and motivated to major in classical piano at University. Her family also gifted her with the knowledge of self, of family, of country and of a future that can be there for those willing to work for it. Following the path of so many of our col- leagues,shefoundherwaytoTheJohnMarshall LawSchool,adestinationofaccess,opportunity and choice for those without clout, influence or even a traditional preparation, but who do have the drive to succeed through hard work and to become attorneys destined to leave their distinc- tive contributions on both law and society. Ms.Sanguinettiservedthepublicwithdistinc- tionasanAssistantAttorneyGeneral.Sheserved many municipalities while in private practice, her law school as a teacher and professor, and her community as an elected council member. Continued on page 15
- 15. Page 15 At the same time, she balanced marriage, fam- ily and motherhood of three children. She was thought to be an unlikely running mate for Bruce Rauner and his vision of what the best in business practices could bring to a broken political model. But perhaps she was the most logical choice, because she embodies the idea that change is not just wrought by acumen and efficiency,butbyjusticethatisgroundedinbeing true to the story of where we came from, true to the commitment that the best of those in office enable future generations to have the means, the opportunities and the inspiration to write their stories – stories that will take us beyond those places we imagined we could ever go. All that said, why should we be so excited about this diminutive Latina? We have known for many years that our community holds much in common with the various Hispanic com- munities in our State, so much so that we have found ways to make common cause with them in supporting candidates and working for issues and the improvement of communities in which our people live and work together. She embod- ies the values of hard work, of family cohesion, of aspiration to that which always calls us to go deeperintoourselvesandhigherintopenetrating theboundaries–whethersocial,economic,civic or professional – that have traditionally closed themselves and made themselves a barrier to advancement. She reminds us that our ethnic communities are not just their own. They are woveninto each other with dreamsandstruggles and it is never in our interest to set them against each other. The Lieutenant Governor is ours. She is that which we want our children to be and to be in- spired by. Family. Determination. Compassion. Always the memory of the story, of those who came, what they faced, who they left, what they dreamt. And always the memory which propels her to reach out to others who have stories just as compelling, and to help unknown children to write new ones. Justice. Equality in society, in the economy, inopportunity, despite disabilities, in education. Excellence in every endeavor.And neverlettingathinglikelanguage,orlikeillness, or like gender or ethnicity stand in the way. We have a Lieutenant Governor beginning a new chapter in Illinois this year . It will be a new chapter for Latino communities, for our Italian community,foreverycommunityacrossthestate that wants to move forward, and for the office itself, which I will bet will never be considered one which has no function and requires no en- ergy.Thistime,thereisaLieutenantGovernorin EvelynSanguinettiwhowillcontributeashareof greatness to what we all must hope is a new and great chapter that a new administration – Bruce Rauner’s administration – brings to Springfield and to every part of a great state. Sanguinetti, continued from page 14 [Editor’s note: This article written by Jack Silverstein is reprinted with permission from The Chicago Daily Law Bulletin.] JosephM.Gagliardogotthecallaweekbefore the show. “Are you interested in playing with Chuck Berry?”apromoteraskedGagliardo,whoplays bass guitar. Gagliardo figured he was looking for an opener. “No,” the promoter said. “He doesn’t travel withaband,soifyougetadrummerandapiano player, the show’s yours.” Gagliardo hung up and started making calls. He knew Berry’s reputation as an ornery per- fectionist.ThemusicianswhoturnedGagliardo down did too. “The first couple people I called were con- cerned that it could turn out to be an unpleasant situation,” Gagliardo said. “I thought it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I was going to take the chance.” For Gagliardo — managing partner at Laner, Muchin Ltd. — that gig in the early 2000s re- mains a career highlight. He was paid $50 for his performance, a fee he would have gladly waived. On Sunday, he and his band Cool Rockin’ Daddieswillplayprobonoforadifferentreason — to help raise money for cancer treatments at a Caring Arts charity concert. “I view music as … something that’s posi- tive in people’s lives,” he said. “This applies whether we’re playing a small show or a large show — we always put out 1,000 percent.” When Gagliardo played with Berry, 1,000 percent was necessary. “Chuck Berry’s stuff is mostly a three-chord progression,soit’snotdifficult,”saidDanBuck, the lead singer of Cool Rockin’ Daddies. “The difficult part is following Chuck.” That’s because Berry plays without a set list. “You essentially have to immerse yourself in Chuck Berry music, because you don’t know what he’s going to play,” Gagliardo said. “He doesn’t even tell you what keys the songs will be in.” Gagliardospentaweekbeforetheshowlisten- ingtoandpracticingBerry’ssongs.Heestimates he prepared “somewhere in the neighborhood of 75 to 80 songs.” Inthehourlongshow,thebandplayed“maybe 15.” Ifanyonewasequippedtoabsorbarock’n’roll legend’s catalog in a week, it was Gagliardo. “He’s like an encyclopedia,” Buck said. “I thought I had a good handle on rock music history, but this guy’s unbelievable. When I get stumped, I give Joe a call. He’s that good.” PartofGagliardo’stalentrememberingsongs stemsfromhismusiccollection.Heownsabout 5,000 vinyl albums, 5,000 45 rpm records and “I don’t know how many CDs.” But part of it is his memory, which he utilizes as much in court as he does on stage. “Theimportanceofmymemoryasanattorney is the ability to remember facts that did not ap- pear to be important at an earlier point of time that now can be critical to the development and presentation of a case,” said Gagliardo, a labor and employment litigator. AftergraduatingfromTheJohnMarshallLaw School in 1977 and running his own shop for a year, Gagliardo became a Chicago assistant corporation counsel in 1978. Hewasthereforadecade,movinghiswayup to first deputy corporation counsel while work- ing with mayors Michael Bilandic, Jane Byrne, Harold Washington and Eugene Sawyer. In 1988, Gagliardo joined Laner, Muchin as a partner heading up the firm’s litigation group and continuing his labor and employ- ment work, representing employers. His clients have included Oprah Winfrey’s Harpo Studios, Donald Trump and the state of Illinois during the administrations of Jim Edgar, George Ryan, Rod Blagojevich and Patrick J. Quinn. “He is one of the most practically minded lawyers I have ever known,” said Jeffrey S. Fowler, a partner at Laner, Muchin who met Gagliardo in 1994. “He seemed to have a good focus about how to get from point A to point B … focusing on the best route to get to the best legal result.” His work representing state government included AFSCME v. Weems, a 2012 case in which the state’s largest public employees union alleged that Quinn’s plans to close two youthdetentioncentersandeightDepartmentof Corrections facilities were being made without adequate preparation for the safety of prison employees. TheIllinoisSupremeCourteventuallyruledin the state’s favor and the facilities were closed. Gagliardo also defended the city of Chicago duringMichaelL.Shakman’songoinglitigation over political hires. “One of the benefits of working for the gov- ernment, whether you’re an in-house lawyer or an outside lawyer, is that you have a chance to be involved in cases that promote change on a wide-scale basis,” Gagliardo said. His interest in government work started in high school, when he read Anthony Lewis’ book “Gideon’s Trumpet” about Gideon v. Wainwright, the landmark Supreme Court case that gave criminal defendants the right to free legal counsel. “The book piqued my interest in the law because it showed me that a lawyer could have Joey Be Good: Gagliardo is a Cool Rockin’ Daddy Joe Gagliardo rocks out at a recent gig. Continued on page 16
- 16. Page 16 involvement in a case that influences the law across the nation,” he said. Gideonwasdecidedin1963,theyearGagliardo turned 11. The next year, the Beatles played on “The Ed Sullivan Show.” “When the Beatles and the British Invasion hit,itinspiredmanykidstoplayaninstrument,” Gagliardo said. “I was one of those kids.” He was already a pop music fan. At age 5, he got his first 45 record — “At the Hop” by Danny and the Juniors. His first Chuck Berry 45 was “Sweet Little Sixteen.” “I didn’t have a bunch of 45s, so whatever I had, I used to play a lot,” he said. Gagliardo picked up the guitar in grammar school and switched to the bass soon after. He and some friends started a band called The Belvederes, named after the Plymouth car, and he continued playing in bands throughout high school and college. He stopped when he went to law school, then resumed 21 years later. He has played for the past 11 years with Buck and three others in Cool Rockin’ Daddies, a self-described “roadhouse-style” band that has opened for Cheap Trick, Heart, Ted Nugent and ZZ Top. Theband’snextgigonSundaysupportsCaring Arts, a nonprofit that brings art to hospitalized cancer patients. Gagliardo serves on its board of directors. “It’s a very different Joe — the rocker Joe versusthemanaging-partner-of-a-law-firmJoe,” Fowlersaid.“Andthenseeinghimonstagewith a T-shirt rocking out with a bass guitar is such a contrast. I get a big kick out of it.” To this day, Gagliardo still enjoys recalling his time on stage with Berry, a capacity show at the Hawthorne Race Course that drew about 2,500fans.Berry’sinstructionstothebandwere as simple as they were perplexing. “I’m going to go out there and start playing Chuck Berry songs,” Chuck Berry said, “and you guys jump in.” There was only one stipulation. “I want you to play very simply,” Berry said. After three or four songs, Berry changed his tune. “You’ve got it,” he told Gagliardo and the band. “Play what you want.” “It was an honor,” Gagliardo said. “I was probably beaming.” Then it happened. Berry started playing “Sweet Little Sixteen.” “My heart started pumping,” Gagliardo said. “I could picture watching that 45 spin on the turntable and listening to it over and over again as a kid.” Berry may be a prickly performer, but he spent that night vibing and smiling on stage with Gagliardo and the band. At the end of the show, he bowed to all three menandwalkedoffthestagewhiletheyfinished the set. Afterward, the sound man approached them. “Man,” he said, “he really liked you guys.” Gagliardo, continued from page 15 MaryAnn Hynes By: Leonard F. Amari One of the truly outstanding woman lawyers from our community continues to distinguish herself. Mary Ann (Iantorno) Hynes will be receiving three significant awards in 2015. The first is the American Bar Association Commission on Women's coveted 2015 Mar- garet Brent award which will be given at the ABA Annual Meeting in Chicago in August. The Margaret Brent Women Lawyers of Achievement Award, established by the ABA Commission on Women in the Profession in 1991,recognizesandcelebratestheaccomplish- ments of women lawyers who have excelled in their field and have paved the way to success for other women lawyers – both hallmarks of Mary Ann’s distinguished career. MaryAnn,afive-timegeneralcounselveteran and the first woman to serve in that role at a Fortune 500 company in her long career, has always been on the cutting edge, a trail blazer, intheadvancementofwomeninthecommunity and, especially, in the national and local legal communities. The second is the 2015 Damen Award at Loyola University Chicago to be awarded in September. Named for Loyola University Chi- cago'sprimaryfounder,ArnoldDamen,S.J.,this award is granted to an alumnus(a) recognized forthequalitiesofleadershipinindustry,leader- ship in community and service to others. This is fitting, since our wonderful President-elect Jessica DePinto has made it known that Father Garanziniwillbetherecipientofthe2015Justin- ian Society Award of Excellence at our annual Installation and Awards dinner on Wednesday, September 16, 2015 (mark your calendars). The third is Harvard Law School has invited her to receive its Award for Professional Ex- cellence. Mary Ann will accept her honor at an awards dinner with the theme "Women as Lawyers and Leaders," to be held at NewYork's Lincoln Center in May, alongside four other honorees including current US Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power. Obviously, Mary Ann is a leader in every respect. She serves on many significant boards, national and international, in addition to that of her law school,The John Marshall Law School. ShealsoservesasboardTreasurer.Aremarkable and very dear lady. Super Lawyers SuperLawyersisaratingserviceof outstand- inglawyersfrommorethan70practiceareas who have attained a high-degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The selection process includes independent research, peer nominations and peer evalu- ations. To be eligible for inclusion in Rising Stars, a candidate must be either 40 years old or younger or in practice for 10 years or less. Whileupto5percentof thelawyersinastate are named to Super Lawyers, no more than 2.5 percent are named to Rising Stars. All attorneys first go through the Super Lawyers selectionprocess.Thosewhoarenotselected totheSuperLawyerslist,butmeeteitherone of the Rising Stars eligibility requirements, then go through the Rising Stars selection process. Super Lawyers Patrick A. Salvi, Illinois (Personal Injury) Joseph M. Gagliardo, Illinois (Employment & Labor Law) Rising Stars Natasha Gianvecchio, Washington, D.C. (Energy) Catherine Locallo, Illinois (Employment & Labor Law) Vincent Vidmer, Illinois (Real Estate: Consumer, General Litigation, Estate Planning & Probate)
- 17. Page 17 [Editor’s note: This article written by Roy StromisreprintedwithpermissionfromThe Chicago Daily Law Bulletin.] When MaryAnn Hynes was general coun- sel of Corn Products International Inc., she received a phone call that would put many general counsels in a tough spot. On the line, years ago, was a member of the company’s board of directors. He asked if Hynes would have a conversation with him about a shareholder derivative lawsuit in which he was personally named. He then asked if she could refrain from telling her CEO, Sam Scott, about their con- versation. The request hints at a unique responsibil- ity that can complicate the role of a general counsel: While the CEO is the boss, the top lawyer has a fiduciary duty to the company. And that can mean keeping secrets from the CEO. Luckily for Hynes, Scott was open to this. That was clear on Tuesday as the former col- leagues sat down in Dentons’ Willis Tower officesataneventtitled:“GC/CEO:ACandid Conversation.” The event featured pointed advice for general counsels who are looking to improve their relationship with their CEOs. One of the most obvious lessons is perhaps among the most difficult: Base your relation- ship on trust and candor. Hynes told the crowd gathered at the event sponsored by legal recruiter Major, Lindsey & Africa that she gladly advised the director without discussing it later with her CEO. Then, a week after their conversation, the director told Scott about his session with Hynes. The director asked Scott, “Does that bother you?” “And Sam gave the perfect answer,” said Hynes, who is now a senior counsel at Den- tons. “He said, ‘No. Mary Ann and I have an understanding, and that is: She is not going to breach any confidence of any director. But I will always know what I need to know as a leader of the company.’ “That was textbook perfect. And I don’t know if on my first job I would have passed that test.” The answer by Scott, who served as CEO and chairman of what is now Ingredion Inc. from 2001 to 2009, was indicative of his view that a general counsel should be among a CEO’s most trusted advisers. Candid Conversation with Former CEO Hynes “If, in fact, a CEO is not smart enough to have the general counsel as one of his or her most important confidants, then they’re making a big mistake,” said Scott, who still serves on the boards of three Fortune 500 companies. “In today’s world, you are in big trouble if your relationship is not a good one. And not only with the CEO, but with the C-suite executives and the board ... the relationship has to be one of comfort between the GC.” The event was moderated by Paul S. Wil- liams, a partner at Major, Lindsey & Africa andformergeneralcounselofCardinalHealth Inc. Williams asked Scott if most CEOs shared his enthusiasm for general counsels. “The dynamic is changing now,” Scott said. “And the value proposition for being engaged with your general counsel is much more important than before. … It’s prob- ably not where you want it yet. But it will get there. The reality is, the world is changing fast enough that people are going to start realizing that it has to happen.” He also said it is important for a general counsel to foster strong relationships with executives beyond the CEO. “Youcanhaveagreatrelationshipwithyour CEO, and if you don’t get along with your C-suite executives, you’re doomed,” Scott said. “Those are the people you’re working with.” Hynessaiditisincumbentuponthegeneral counsel to “win that relationship” with the company’s executives. The best time to start, she said, is when you are first hired.And one way to build relation- ships is to explicitly state how you can help those people achieve their goals. “That’s what you have to keep reiterating: ‘I am here to help you,’” Hynes said. To do that, it helps to be present in as many meetings as possible. Hynes recalled entering into a quarterly earnings conference call shortly after being hired at a company. She was met with blank staresfromherCEOandchieffinancialofficer. The company’s prior general counsel had not attended those calls, but Hynes made it clear she needed to be there. It was an example of advice she gave to “invite yourself” to meetings. “It’s going to be an extraordinary circum- stancewherethey’regoingtoaskyoutoleave as their general counsel,” she said. “So do it professionally and understand the position of people and the politics involved.” Scott said, as a CEO, it is comforting to knowwhatyourgeneralcounselcanhelpyou accomplish. He suggested general counsels meetwiththeirCEOoverlunchoradinner— anywhere but the office — and discuss with them areas where they can provide support. The key, he said, is to be specific. “Have it laid out in your own mind what it is you can do to help that individual,” he said. “Becauseifyoudon’tknow,theydon’tknow. If you can’t express it, they aren’t going to assume it.” Even body language plays a role in how general counsels are perceived within their company. “Thegeneralcounselwalkingdownthehall with a frown on his or her face scares me. It is not a good thing,” Scott said. “When you walk around the organization, you have a bounce. You walk around holding your head high. “I don’t care how bad you feel, because it sends a message to your organization. You folks(generalcounsels)haveaveryimportant role in the organization, and you can elevate your role in the organization or lower your perception by how you act.” From left, Chief Judge Timothy Evans, Mary Ann Hynes, and Leonard F. Amari From left, Leonard DeFranco, Mary Ann Hynes, and Thomas Jaconetty
- 18. Page 18 [Editor’s note: This article written by Jack Silverstein is reprinted with permission from the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin.] Eight years ago, Mark E. Wojcik launched the Global Legal Skills Conference at The John Marshall Law School. The turnout was strong — 60 people from across the U.S., withasprinklingof attendees from other countries. Chicago has hosted twice since then. So has Monterrey, Mexico.And San Juan, Costa Rica. And Washington, D.C., once. In May, the conference moved to Verona, Italy: 180 attendees from 77 law schools, 24 states and 28 countries. “I knew there were lots of people who were teaching legal writing to non-native speakers of English, and we needed to share materialsandteachingmethods,”Wojciksaid. “It’s exploded into a wonderful international event.” For that and other contributions to the le- gal profession, the American Association of Law Schools will honor Wojcik at its annual meetingnextmonthwiththeSectiononLegal Writing, Reasoning and Research Award. “It’s just a huge honor, and I’m so happy to have been chosen for this award,” Wojcik said. The award is one of 13 given annually by the AALS. Wojcik is the only 2015 honoree from Illinois. The last three legal writing winners from Illinois are Ralph L. Brill of IIT Chicago- Kent College of Law, Helene S. Shapo of Northwestern University School of Law and Susan L. Brody of John Marshall. “It’s really humbling to be in the company of the past recipients, who are really giants in the field of legal writing,” Wojcik said. Wojcik’s writing skills are rooted in his childhood time spent with his Swiss grand- mother and German grandfather. “I think that instilled in me a passion for language,” said Wojcik, who speaks German and Spanish, a bit of French and is learning Italian. Another important piece came at John Marshall, where Wojcik earned his J.D. in 1986. He credits the school for forming the foundationofhislegalwritingskills,whichhe honed and polished during three years clerk- ing, first at the Nebraska Supreme Court then at the U.S. Court of International Trade. “Ilearnedalotandcametolovethewriting process,” he said. “It’s something I find easy to do and enjoyable to teach.” Wojcik’s teaching career at John Marshall began in 1992 and has focused on lawyering skills and international law. He has written three books, the first of which, “AIDS: Cases and Materials” from 1989, was the first book of case law focused on HIV-related legal is- sues. He also wrote “Introduction to Legal Eng- lish” in 1997 and “Illinois Legal Research” in 2003. Wojcikhasservedontheboardofdirectors for seven AALS sections. He is editor of the LegalWritingProfBlog,whichtheAmerican BarAssociationnamedtoitsbloghalloffame in 2012. In November, Wojcik was named to the Advisory Commission to the ABA Standing Committee on the Law Library of Congress, alongwithU.S.SupremeCourtJusticeSamuel Alito. Those achievements were among the reasons that professor John B. Thornton of Northwestern nominated Wojcik for the AALS award. “IfeelverystronglyabouteverythingMark hasdoneonbehalfofourfield,”Thorntonsaid. “I felt he deserved the award, and I wanted to let people know about it.” Also nominating Wojcik was a group of John Marshall professors and a group of 26 professors from law schools in Arizona, California, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio and Texas. Wojcik was selected from a pool of eight nominees. “I think the key piece in those nominations is Mark’s willingness to be a mentor and his ability to bring people into the fold and en- courage others to develop their careers,” said Kimberly Holst, chair of the AALS Section on Legal Writing, Reasoning and Research. “He’s been an amazing advocate for other people in the field and the field itself.” Holst and Thornton will present Wojcik with the award. Thornton said he was impressed when foreign professors approached him to compliment the Italy conference in May. “Many of them came up to me and told me, ‘We don’t do anything like this in our law schools,’” Thornton said. “So there’s a good chance that this Global Legal Skills Conference will plant seeds in these other legal communities and may eventually lead to the teaching of legal writ- ing as a discipline in law schools around the world.” The 2015 conference will be held May 20 to 21 at John Marshall and May 22 at North- western. Professor’s Conference Goes from Chicago to Worldwide “It gets harder every year to teach legal writing because students don’t have the sus- tained reading skills that they had 10 or 20 years ago,” Wojcik said. “Whenyouhaveaclassofstudentswhoare usedtoreadingveryshortthingsliketweetsor Facebookposts,it’shardtogettheminvolved in a serious, long and complicated text.” The key for Wojcik is to teach students not just how to research, write, revise and proofread — but to get them to realize how much time these tasks truly take. “It’s not impossible,” he said about teach- ing these skills, “but it’s an ever-increasing challenge, so we just rise to it.” Mark Wojcik, Judge Celia Gamrath and An- thony Farace. Devine Named “40 Under 40” Tara R. Devine, a partner at Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. in Waukegan, has been named to the Law Bulletin Pub- lishing Company’s “40 Illinois Attor- neys Under Forty to Watch.” The special designation recognizes up and coming attorneys throughout Illinois. Ms. Devine, who is 36, was selected out of more than 1,400 nominees for the honor. Tara Devine started her career as a law clerk at Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard in 2004 and was promoted to partner in 2011. Ms. Devine concentrates her practice of law in the areas of personal injury, nursing home negligence, wrongful death, medical malpractice, and product liability cases. During her time with the law firm, she’s secured more than $15 mil- lion in verdicts and settlement on behalf of her clients. Ms. Devine is licensed and practices in both Illinois and Wisconsin. “Tara is an excellent and hard-working at- torney,whohasreallycraftedherskillsoverthe past decade,” said Patrick A. Salvi, managing partner at Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard. “She is very deserving of this award.” Mrs. Devine is a member of numerous bar associations, including the Illinois Trial Law- yersAssociation, theAmericanAssociation for Justice, the Lake County Bar Association, the Chicago Bar Association and the Illinois State Bar Association. She’s also been an active Marquette University alumni member. Ms. Devine received her Juris Doctorate in 2003 from Marquette University and her Bachelor of Arts degree in 2000 from the Uni- versity of Illinois. She is also a 1996 graduate of Libertyville High School. Ms. Devine resides in Libertyville with her husband and two children.
- 19. Page 19 By: Leonard F. Amari This month we highlight the distinguished career of Frank A. Citera, highly respected practitioner in a unique and complicated area of the law – products liability and mass torts. Frank Citera is Co-Chair of the Products Li- ability and Mass Torts Practice of the Chicago law firm of Greenberg Traurig. Frank received his undergraduate degree fromColumbiaUni- versity (1980) and hisJurisDoctorate, cum laude from the University of Miami (1983). He is active in all the major bar associa- tions, the Illinois State and Chicago Bar associations and a member of the board of direc- tors, by a univer- sity presidential appointment,ofthe Miami Law Alumni Association. To list all of Frank’saccomplishmentswouldfillmanypages for this article but the most telling successes of this consummate professional is his listing as one of the “Best Lawyers in America – Litiga- tion”, 2008-2013. Frank has 30 years of experience defending purported class actions, toxic tort actions, and othercomplexlitigationinbothfederalandstate courts. He has tried many cases, including an actionbytheGovernmenttoenforceaunilateral administrative order, an allocation case among potentially responsible parties, and a complex product liability, wrongful death case. Frank is also an experienced appellate lawyer, having argued many appeals in state and federal appel- late courts. Additionally, Frank has substantial experienceinbankruptcylitigation,havingrep- resented debtors-in possession in a broad range of disputes, as well as lenders, landlords, and trade creditors in bankruptcy litigation matters. Frank also counsels clients on risk manage- ment and product safety matters for both con- sumer and industrial products. In this capacity, he has been responsible for matters pending before various federal and state agencies and committees regulating the importation and sale of goods in the United States, including the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administra- tion, the Food and Drug Administration, the United States House Energy and Commerce Committee, the State of California Department of Justice and the Illinois Attorney General's office. In connection with these efforts, Frank alsohascounseledclientsoncrisismanagement andcrisiscommunications.Hehasparticipated in a briefing before the United States House Committee on Energy and Commerce and its Subcommittee on Oversights and Investiga- tions regarding the safety of certain products intended for children. Frank has written and spoken extensively on class action litigation, product safety issues and claims for medical monitoring. Traditionally, at this point in these regular columns, we discuss the Italian ancestry of the subject. Here we do it in Frank’s own words. “There are two towns in Southern Italy in the Province of Salerno near Naples separated only by Mt. Cervato and from these two towns I am descended on three of the four immediate members of my families. On my paternal side both my grandparents were born in a town named Sanza. On my ma- ternal side my Mother’s Grandfather was born in a town named Teggiano. After spending six years in the Italian Army from 1914-1920, most of it in Libya, my pa- ternal grandfather married my grandmother in 1920 and without bringing her along came to America in 1921 to make enough money and establish himself before going back to get her in 1924. During the depression and about the time my father was born in 1932 my grandfather was on welfare or home relief as it was called then. It wasn’t until about 1935 that my paternal grand- father got a steady job that he would retire from in 1960, a driver for the N.Y.C. Department of Sanitation. In 1942 he purchased a house in Brooklyn which is still owned by the family. My maternal Grandfather and his family had a business that supported my great grandfather, my grandfather, his two brothers and couple of helpers, so the depression had little impact on their personal lives. My father was drafted in to the American Army in May 1952 and sent to Korea, where he spent 13 months, including the last 9 months on the front. After Korea, my father met my mother and married in 1957. They had three children, me and two younger sisters. My mother stayed home for 19 years raising her children and didn’t go to work until the day I started college and my youngest sister started kindergarten. Even though my parents never went to college, a higher education for the three of us was a must. I was the first member of my extended family to attend college. My sister Maria is a teacher and my youngest sister Toni Ann is a partner at Jones, Day in New York. As you can see from these pages, my family has lived the American dream. All my grand- parents’ children own their own homes. A higher education was once thought of as only for privileged is now the norm. I guess when all is said and done, when my grandparents on my father’s side and my grandparent’s on my mother’s side left their little towns in Italy separated by a mountain, the dreams that they had for their descendants have been fulfilled.” Another example of the best our community has to offer. Francis Citera Products Liability and Mass Torts Authority Continued on page 20 Michael Matters Foundation Raises $60,000 OnFridayevening,January30,2015,The Michael Matters Foundation’s 2ndAnnual “New Year, Same Wish” event at Viper Alley in Lincolnshire, Illinois, brought together more than 550 people and raised over $60,000.00 to help support those bat- tling cancerous brain tumors. As a result of the success of this year’s event, the Michael Matters Foundation will be donating $50,000 of these funds to supportitsMichaelMattersGrantatNorth- Shore University HealthSystem Kellogg CancerCenter,locatedinEvanston,Illinois. The Michael Matters Grant helps brain cancer patients pay important secondary costs they incur during treatment including houseramps,stairlifts,transportationtoand from treatment, food, and even childcare costs—needed expenses not traditionally covered by health insurance. The Michael Matters Foundation was established in 2013 to honor Michael P. Schostok, a well-known trial attorney, loving father and devoted husband from Libertyville,Ill. Michael'ssurvivingspouse is our fellow Justinian, Appellate Court Justice,MarySeminara-Schostok. Amonth after turning 50-years-old, Michael began having difficulty recalling words and past events. After a trip to the emergency room, Michaelwasdiagnosedwithaglioblastoma brain tumor. He passed away 15 months later in July of 2012 at the age of 51. “It is inspiring to see this grass-roots fundraising event flourish and carry on my father’s dream of helping others who are facing a tough battle…emotionally, physically, and financially,” said Marisa Schostok,[JMLSgraduate2013]theFoun- dation’s president and Michael’s daughter. “We are elated to be able to keep the grant Justice Mary Seminara Schostok and Dr. Ryan Merrell of Northshore Hospital
- 20. Page 20 programgrowingandtohelpmorepatients suffering from this horrible disease.” TheFoundation’smissionistobearesource for individuals and their family members who suffer from the inevitable impacts of brain cancer by providing emotional sup- port, helping to understand the impact that these forms of cancers have on the patient andfamilies,andtodonatefundstoprovide these families with desperately needed financial assistance. Of course, one of the Foundation's greatest causes is to provide grant monies to medical and scientific researchers devoted to finding a cure; like the$50,000.00granttoNorthshorethatwill be given this month. Please visit the MMF website www.mi- chaelmatters.org/ and attend an upcoming event or make a donation for this worthy charitable organization. Schostok, continued from page 19 Michel Schostok's daughter, Marisa OFFICES FOR RENT Two adjoining offices for immedi- ate rent in a River North location, our Justinian headquarters and the law offices of Amari & Locallo, 734 N. Wells Street. Full amenity building, much synergy, referrals and camaraderie. Plenty of street parking with frontal loading zone. If interested, please contact Matt Hanssel at 312-255-0101 x 117 or mjh@amari-locallo.com. By Anthony Pasquini [This article was originally published in NIABA (National Italian American Bar As- sociation) News, Winter 2014-2015 edition.] An Italian proverb about success and hard work is particularly relevant when speaking of Chicago’s Justinian Society of Lawyers: “A lodieonori–seguonopiantiedolori”or“Praise and honors follow weeping and pain.” The Society is comprised of active and in- fluential members of the bar who are often also civic and political leaders, judges, and leaders inotherbarassociations.Itiscomprisedofboth experiencedandnewattorneyswhosehardwork has resulted in individual professional success and the success of the Society as evidenced by its contributions in the Chicago community. The Justinian Society of Lawyers is one of the oldest ethnic bar associations in Illinois and one of the largest in the country. The Justinian Society of Advocates was founded in Chicago on October 17, 1921 and later renamed the JustinianSocietyofLawyers.Itssteadygrowth is a tribute to its value as an organization and is inspiring, particularly to me, as a new Italian American attorney. A testament to the spirit of the Society and its members can be found in two of its activities: the Scholarship and Men- tor programs. Sincethebarassociationwasestablished,the Justinians have provided annual scholarships to law students of every ethnicity attending Il- linois law schools. The scholarships are based primarily on the financial needs of the students, but are also granted in conjunction with their academiccredentials.Annually,twentyormore scholarships are granted to grateful students. Thesestudentsareencouragedtorememberthe generosity of the Society so that in the future, afterattainingtheirownsuccessfullegalcareers, they will pay forward that same generosity and further assist the student community of budding attorneys. The Society awards about $35,000inscholarshipsannuallyfrommember contributions.Withtheparticipatinglawschools matching the funds, dollar for dollar, there is an average of $70,000 provided to law students annually. This is no small sum. Another true gem to be found within this group of Italian American legal professionals in Chicago is a remarkably successful Mentor Program for at-risk law school applicants and firstyearlawstudents.Thisprogramhasplayed a significant role in the success of many law students.TheSociety’sMentorProgramisbased on serving a group of driven law students who either struggled in their undergraduate years or found that achieving a satisfactory score on the Law School Admission Test was a difficult challenge.TheprogramwascreatedbyLeonard F. Amari, President of The John Marshall Law School Board of Trustees, a past President of Chicago’s Justinian Society, and partner in the ad valorem real estate tax firm of Amari & Lo- callo. Mr. Amari has overseen many students truly engaged with the Mentor Program and taken great pride in their achievements when those students graduated with their juris doctor degree. Each year Mr.Amari entrusts a group of experiencedlawstudents,previouslyadmittedat risk, who were themselves beneficiaries of the Mentor Program, to tutor, mentor, and befriend newly admitted high risk applicants/entrants to ensure their success. They provide the follow- ing year’s students the same counsel as their mentors had provided to them. The group hosts lunch meetings throughout the semester where students are given guidelines regarding what to expect in their law school career, academic preparation and study methods and additional insights provided by the mentors’ experience. The reception of the Justinian Society’s tenet of “Pay it forward” is outstanding. Stu- dents clamor to attend meetings and become mentors after successfully completing their first year of law school. The only thing that is expected of any student coming through the program is to consider helping future students. The expectations are exceeded every semester. This program has touched the lives of many. The efforts, however, do not end at the lunch meetings. Extending well beyond the hallways of The John Marshall Law School, the program offers an excellent opportunity to network and seek out veteran legal professionals, which do not only assist law students in their academic endeavors, but also in their professional ones as well. It is with great thanks and appreciation that I, as a former mentee, and mentor chair, have good standing to attest to the hard work involved in the program every year. In addition to the Scholarship and Mentor Programs,theJustinianSocietyalsoestablished a Children’s Endowment Fund in 2002. As the charitable arm of the Society, its mission is to assist and aid Chicago area disadvantaged childrenwithoutregardtoethnicity,raceandre- ligion.OverthepasttwelveyearstheChildren’s Endowment Fund has contributed significantly to children via various programs including the Make-A–Wish Foundation, Chicago Public Schools, the Illinois Eye Institute, the Otis Wilson Foundation, Giant Steps and Cameron Cares. The Society has a warm and welcoming at- titudeandpay-it-forwardmantra.TheJustinians compriseagroupofgenerouslegalprofessional who go out of their way to be a guiding beacon ofhope,successandsupportforlawstudentsand young lawyers. The Justinian Society provides professional/businessnetworkingopportunities and social benefits of membership in an Italian American professional cultural context. Our Justinian Society of Lawyers is truly a brilliant pillar of our Italian American greater Chicago community Justinian Society of Lawyers - Chicago
- 21. Page 21 By: Leonard F. Amari We report regularly in these pages of the activi- ties of the SicilianAmerican CulturalAssocia- tion (SACA) because many of our members are so active, both in is creation and ongoing success. The 20 year old entity announces its 2015-2016 officers, elected at its regular meet- ingofitsBoardofDirectorsonAugust14,2014. Succeeding as President of the wonderful year of prominent family law attorney Samuel Can- nizzaro, a career and beloved Justinian, is long time member and director, Katherine (Amari) O’Dell,andpastJustinianpresident.Othernew officers include Rose Mary Pagano, 1st V.P., retired Circuit Court judge, also a past Society president,GloriaCoco,2ndV.P.,continuingon as treasurer is Dino Porto, founding member, and as secretary, Martha Monastero. All were elected by unanimous vote. Our esteemed past Justinian president Alfred E. Gallo was the moving force behind the creation of SACA, along with Justinians Dom Fichera,retiredJudgeFrankOrlandoandthelate members Justice Tony Scariano, Emil Venuti, Judge Nello Gamberdino, to mention just a few. Katherine O’Dell, the new president, will assume her responsibilities after the first of the year.“FollowingtheesteemedSamCannizzaro in this role will be very difficult, he kept us on track of our mission statement, promoted our usualandsuccessfulculturalevents,withsome innovative ideas and programs,” says Mrs. O’Dell. Katherine, in addition to being a past presidentoftheJustinianSocietyoflawyers,as well as The John Marshall Law SchoolAlumni Association, is a senior associate with the real estate tax reduction firm of Amari & Locallo. She has served through all the chairs of the as- sociation before assuming its presidency. SACAwas incorporated in the State of Illinois on September 8, 1994, by a handful of proud Sicilians, leaders in their professions and in our ethnic community and all highly respected, Dino Porto, Alfred E. Gallo, Vincent Inserra, the brothers Joseph and Salvi Monastero, Sr., and the Justinians mentioned above. SACA's mission has and continues to be to support, publicize and promote a greater public aware- ness of, and interest in Sicily, its art, history, traditions,cultureanditspeople,andtoincrease the mutual understanding and friendship of its members and others. It was the avowed purpose of these altruistic community leaders that SACA’s only mission wasculturalandeleemosynaryandwiththeonly motivation to enhance the Sicilian experience. SinceitsinceptionSACAhasworkedveryhard todemonstratehowmuchSicilyhascontributed to the world culturally. SACAalso has an eleemosynary agenda, mak- ing charitable contributions. Just a few of the beneficiaries include Loyola University Chi- cago (the Italian Studies program, spearheaded Scariano, former Justice of the Illinois Appel- late Court and their wives. They all had visited Sicily and they shared their experiences to this fun-filled and historic island of the sun. In 2001, SACA celebrated the distinguished careers of Italian-American past presidents of the 37,000 member Illinois State Bar Associa- tion,includingthiswriter,Cheryl(Ippolito)Niro and the late Ralph Gabric, Michael Coccia, and Larry Pusateri. Annually,thiswonderfulorganizationsponsors a Medal of Merit brunch in the fall, honoring various community leaders, contributors and folks of repute. The social events are usually held at the wonderful Monastero’s restaurant (3935 W. DevonAve., Chicago, IL), that serves magnificentfoodintastefulethnicsurroundings – Sicilian, of course. Honored over the years were leading lawyers and judges, successful businessmenandentrepreneurs,actors,aConsul General of Italy, Presidents of universities and law schools, and from time to time, the folks that aren’t well known on a broader scale, but are to the leaders of our organizations, the folks that do all the work to make the rest of us look better.Alongwiththisthisarticleareapotpourri of brunch photos taken over the years, almost all of the honorees recognizable to us. SACA’s agenda for the remainder of the year promisestobeanexcitingone.Theymeetabout ten times a year for a monthly dinner meeting at beautiful Monastero’s in Chicago (Joe Mon- astero always plans a special Sicilian meal), which has long been the home of SACA. The dinner meetings are steeped in Sicilian/Italian culture and music. The dinners are open to all, notjustmembers,andatveryreasonableprices, usually well below market. They are educa- tional and entertaining and the food prepared by the Monasteros is exceptional. Everyone is invited to attend. SACA membership is open to all persons of good reputation, regardless of culture,originsorethnicbackgrounds,provided they are dedicated to the same principles, goals and objectives as embraced by SACA. For events, details, or for membership information, contact SACA secretary Martha Monastero at belcantojo@aol.com or 773-588-2515. byProf.DominicCandeloro),scholarshipfunds atTheJohnMarshallLawSchoolinChicago,and sending $1,000.00 each year to the Franciscan outreach program, to feed the hungry. SACA also sponsored a Champagne Brunch honoringallthethenItalianAmericanAppellate Court Justices in Illinois, highlighting the sig- nificant career of the first ever ItalianAmerican Illinois Supreme Court Justice, Moses W. Har- rison, II (his mother’s maiden name was Dar- fado).Untilhispassingafewyearsback,Justice Harrison always said the SACAaward was one of the most appreciated of all the recognitions and awards of his distinguished career. AnotherexampleofSACAeventsandactivities is a spectacular program entitled “Impressions of Sicily.” This included Paul Simon, former US Senator from Illinois;Abner Mikva, former Justice of the US Court ofAppeals andAnthony SACA Celebrates 20 Years Announces 2015-2016 officers 2014 SACA Medal of Merit Recipients Outgoing SACA President Sam Cannizzaro and incoming President Katherine Amari O’Dell at February 11 dinner. Steve Fiorentino, Joe Locallo, Katherine Am- ari O'Dell, Leonard Amari, Hon. Gloria Coco and Sam Cannizzaro. New SACA President Katherine Amari O'Dell
- 22. Page 22 Reviewed by: Krista Easom A Tear and A Tear in My Heart is a window into a world unlike any of us in this day andagehavefaced. Bernard Bruno has compiled a collec- tion of short stories thatpaintsapicture of what it was like for Italian immigrants living in Chicago. Bruno’s memoirs are a reminder of how the immigrants in the “old days”workedsohardtomakeitinAmerica. At the end of each unique story, Bruno eloquently points out the theme or lesson learned such as “Dreams stored in the heart neverdie”or“Loyaltyisalwaystriumphant.” Themes like loyalty, vanity, greed, selfless- ness, desperation, discipline, and modesty scour the book. These themes allow the reader to connect with the characters and take something away from each story. Bruno begins by opening up about his own experiences as an attorney. Bruno repre- sented a diverse group of people including a certain class associated with alleged “big dons” of the underworld population. As a young attorney, Bruno did not realize the effects representing these people would have on his own reputation. Bruno lost some business because people saw hiring him as a risk to their own reputation. This is punctuated by Bruno’s story about how a man walked into his office to ask Bruno to kill his daughter’s boyfriend. The man assumed that because Bruno represented some people allegedly belonging to the Chicago Mob, that Bruno himself was a mob member. Notwithstanding, Bruno had a successful career and worked on a variety of matters ranging anywhere from union disputes to will preparation. Bruno’s stories are valuable lessons to any attorney who will face challenging moral situations in his or her career. The rest of the stories in the book are told in the third person. The reader experiences a rangeofcharactersincludingaunionbuster, asoldierinWWII,anentrepreneur,athief,a fatheretc.Thebookalsoconnectsthereader to the stories by mentioning places that are still around today or places that many Chicagoans have heard of. The Green Door Tavern in River North, around since 1921, is one of them. To sum- marize one short story that stood out from the book will give better insight into its overall purpose. The story surrounding The Green Door Tavern involves a licensed attorney who got involvedintheresidentialconstruction business. The attorney, Charles, had a gamblingproblemthatledhimtosecret gambling games held at the restaurant. Theclientelewasselectiveandincluded many of Chicago’s politicians. During the games, politicians related how they hadfixedticketsandcourtcasestoentice players to come around. Charles paid a politician $25,000 to assure a judicial candidacy.Surelyenough,Charleswas not listed on the election list of judicial candidates. Charles tried to speak with the politician he had paid the money to butsoonrealizedhehadbeendefrauded. Charles intended to get back at the politician so he spoke to a real estate broker about renting his property to African Americans, a hot button issue atthetime.Shortlyafter,Charleswasin the hospital after experiencing a brutal beating.Thepoliticianwasindictedand sentencedtojail.Whenhewasreleased he returned to his bribing practices and wasreturnedtothepenitentiaryasecond time. The politician died shortly after hissecondrelease. Thestoryconcludes with “Degenerates live a life of impec- cable immortality.” My meek summary of just one of the stories in the book does Bruno little justice. There are many more tales in- cluded and he certainly presents them in a more thrilling and interesting way. Thebook’seffortlessstyleandstructure make it an easy read. The chapters are shortandsweet,makingthistheperfect book to pick up and read on the train, in the waiting room, or right before bed. I certainly encourage everyone to make A Tear and Tear In my Heart his or her next read. Book Review A Tear and A Tear in My Heart by Bernard J. Bruno Are Corporations Persons? By: Dominic R. Fichera The Supreme Court in Citizens United held that Corporations are “per- sons”, and as such have a right of free speech. I understand the free speech argument and I also believe that the first amendment guaranteeing free speech is sacrosanct and must be protected. But let us not forget that with “rights” comes duties, and obligations. As “persons” we have the obligationtofollowthelaw, which allows for an orderly society. And if a person breaks the law there are punishments proscribed.And we know no one “person” is above the law. But it seems that the corporate “person” is above the law. If a “person” person is found guilty of a crime that person can be sent to jail for an extended period of time or if the crime is murder in some states that personcanbeputtodeath.Thatpersonnotabletocare for his or her family leaves that obligation to others or to the State. Notsoacorporate“person”.Thecorporate“person” does not go to jail or put to death, but need do no more than pay a fine. I suggest the corporate “person” be treated as “per- son” persons are treated. If a corporation is found guilty of a criminal acts it should be sent to jail. It should be kept from provid- ing for its family (stockholders) as a person would. And in states that have the death penalty for murder the corporation if convicted of murder should cease to exist. That’s how we treat “person” persons, who murder other persons. Is there a StatesAttorney or a USAttorney with the willingnesstonotonlycriminallychargeacorporation, but if the corporation is found guilty, asking the judge to have the corporation serve the sentence imposed as any other citizen person would. “What’s good for the goose…” We can then see how the Supreme Court explains its decision in Citizen United. And I can think of no better time then the present to test the Courts resolve regarding its decision in the “Citizens United” case. Lets start by asking the US Attorney or the States Attorney in Detroit to charge General Motors with murder because of the “real” 57 persons who died because GMs allowed autos to be sold when it knew the ignition switch installed were defective, and that people were going to die as a result. If GM is found guilty of murder than GM should cease to exist. OR the Supreme Court must admit that it believes that the corporate “person” is superior to the “person” person that is referred to in The United States Constitution. Or the Supreme Court has to change its mind on Citizen United.
- 23. Page 23 By: Thomas V. Leverso Very few attorneys have even heard of the “quick appeal”. In relative terms, the quick appeal is the “Emergency Motion” of appeals. This article focuses on civil appeals that mustbeimmediately brought to prevent irreparable harm. While the appealing party(i.e.,appellant) has the more arduous task, the appellee’s role is also addressed. Whilethisarticlefocusesoncivilappeals,care- ful criminal law practitioners should note that very specific procedures apply in death penalty cases. If unfamiliar with death penalty proce- dure,consultanactivememberofthecapitalbar intheapplicablejurisdiction.Similarly,specific proceduresapplyincertainchildcustodycases. (In Illinois, one should review S. Ct. R. 306[a] [5] and [b] [West 2015].) Equity: The Main Source of the Quick Appeal The quick appeal usually involves the denial of a Temporary Restraining Order, regardless of the substantive area. Government action or inaction may also lead to a quick appeal, and family-lawemergenciesoftenhappenwhenone party is taking a child somewhere or making a decisionconcerningthechild’swellbeing.While equitable rulings usually prevent irreparable harm, knowledge of the quick appeal will serve well in those instances of adverse rulings. The Checklist: Everything Up Front The first step requires multiple, immediate fil- ings. Normally, an appeal requires the follow- ing sequence: the filing the Notice of Appeal; a request to prepare a transcript; a request to prepare the Record onAppeal; filing of a dock- eting statement or other appearance with the appellatecourt;thefilingofanoptionalabstract; and the filing of an opening brief. For the quick appeal, these must all be done simultaneously at the outset. Next,thequickappealmayrequiretheappellant to request a stay of enforcement of a judgment and to post a bond. Finally, one must place the appeal on the accel- erated docket. In the Illinois reviewing courts, such requires a motion pursuant to IL. S. Ct. R. 311 (West 2015); in Federal Court, Fed. R. App. P. 8 and 18 (West 2015) accomplish the same. This motion also should be filed with the Notice of Appeal, but it is also the one way to facilitate timing for the Record and transcripts, as discussed below. Anticipated:WasaQuickAppealSpecifically Expected at the Outset? The ‘anticipated’ quick appeal impacts two of the key components listed hereinabove: (1) whether to submit an abstract in lieu of record; and (2) the content of the Motions to Stay and for Placement on the Accelerated Docket. As to the abstract versus the full record, the abstractonthequickappealisbasicallyarecord theappellantsubmitsconsistingofalltheplead- ings from the lower court. If you anticipated a quick appeal, then tailor your pleadings to keep quickappealissueswithinthem.Otherwise,the appellant will need the motion practice to allow time to have the trial court clerk and the court reporter respectively fast-track record prepara- tion and transcripts. Astothemotions,theappellantshouldpreparea MotionforStayforpresentmentinboththetrial court and theAppellate Court. If not possible to accomplish a stay in the trial court, then move onto the appellate court. In our example, this will halt the building’s demolition long enough to prosecute the appeal. As to the accelerated docket motion, an antici- pated quick appeal provides a strategic advan- tagetotheappellantbecausetheappellant’sbrief has already been completed and filed with this motion.Theballisimmediatelyintheappellee’s court. If the quick appeal was unanticipated and a stay successfully is put into place, then one should request a date that permits time to prepare either a record or abstract and a brief. Albeit, this would still be mere days due to the nature of this appeal, but such provides a more complete record instead of an abstract. Lastly, appeals are adjudicated in an academic forum. The appellant and appellee are distilling the meaning of the law, so make sure to extend allcourtesies…andsuchmayjustcreateafuture referral source for the effort. The Appellee: the Stronger Position. Appellees approximately have an 8/9 chance of prevailing on any appeal (i.e., an affirmance), and a 5/6 chance of prevailing specifically on a civil appeal. Speaking second also means speaking last on the quick appeal, as replies are rarelyallowed.Knowingtheissuesenablesyour response brief to feature policy arguments and include more polished, tighter arguments. Finally,makesuretocontactanappellatelawyer with questions. [AbouttheAuthor:ThomasV.Leversoattended the Thomas Jefferson School of Law in San Di- ego, California, studying with an emphasis on appeals and legal writing. A native of Chicago and its suburbs, he practices primarily in the Appellate Courts of Illinois and the Federal Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.] Guidance on the Civil Quick Appeal FromCarrierPigeons to Client Outreach: The Strategy Behind our Communications By: John Tufano Carrier pigeons dispatched mes- sages across battle- fields for ancient Persians and Ro- mans. To transmit news or warn of impending danger, Native Americans relayed smoke sig- nals. The electric telegraph allowed encryptedmessages to jump across the Atlantic Ocean. And now, the Age of the Internet removes geography as a barrier to how far our social networks reach. These are distinct forms of communication, state-of-the-art for their times. To the legal industry, though - how does a historical snapshot of communication apply? The old-fashioned, even ancient, forms teach us a valuable lesson, one that today’s technol- ogy makes quite easy to forget. Pigeon post, smokesignals,andtelegraphsrequiredadistinct strategy to their messaging. They were not sent by effortlessly stroking keys.Their senders and receivers could not slink into autopilot, parrot- ing generic messages in rapid fire. They were purposed,intendedtogenerateactions.Lawyers can realize a distinct advantage by taking the same strategic approach to communications with clients, employees, and the community. Build a Strategy Many lawyers use a strategic plan that might include finances, business development, even personal goals. Some are governed annually, others by quarter. Every day, though, lawyers communicate, and rarely does a strategy guide. Almost every interaction with clients is an exchange of messages that, when drive by a plan, help elevate one’s practice in a saturated market. Think for a moment: if a name or letterhead was removed from correspondence, could a receiver distinguish content from the same sent by another? Would the receiver even care to?A communicationsstrategystripsawayanonymity and builds an identity. It defines how and why a lawyer communicates. It stimulates receivers to latch on, to immediately recognize that their lawyer speaks distinctly to them. Communication is a Two-Way Road The great Margaret Miller quipped, “Most conversationsaresimplymonologuesdelivered in the presence of a witness.” Common to all forms of lawyer communication, there is a re- lationship between us and our audience, both engagedinsending,receiving,interpreting,and reacting. Know Yourself A core strategic component, we must know Continued, page 25
- 24. Page 24 By Joseph R. Marconi & Brian C. Langs Johnson & Bell, Ltd. It’s cloud’s illusions that I recall I really don’t know clouds at all … - Judy Collins Back in July of 2011, we warned of a then popular e-mail/fraudulent c h e c k s c h e m e whereby lawyers would receive e-mailsfromalleged potential foreign clients looking to collect debts from customers. Those scammersconvinced the unsuspecting lawyers to deposit fraudulent “settlement checks” into client accounts and wire the “clients’ share” to foreign accounts after the bogus checks cleared. When the frauds were eventually uncovered by the banks, the lawyers were left with liability to the banks for the fraudulent check and wire transfers. Since then, newer, more complex electronicscamshavesurfacedwherebyhackers intercept e-mails between lawyers and clients that contain wire transfer instructions. After intercepting such an e-mail, the hacker changes the instructions in the e-mail to wire money to his own untraceable account. The hacker forwards his bogus wiring instructions to the unsuspecting recipient, all while “masking” his identity as the sender and making it appear to the recipient as if the instruction came from the correct sender, whether lawyer or client. Depending on your firm’s sophistication and budget,thetypeoftransactioninvolved,andthe needsofyourclient,therearesomepreventative measures that can be considered with regard to protecting your firm and your clients from this and other wire transfer and electronic fraud schemes. Prevention techniques can include hiring a third-party e-mail encryption service provider or sending sensitive wire transfer instructions via facsimile rather than e-mail. This and other even more sophisticated electronic scams are becoming more prevalent. Giventheconfidentialandvaluableinformation passed between clients and their lawyers due to the attorney/client privilege, lawyers’ and law firms’ computer and e-mail accounts have become favorite targets. Whether an attorney transfers or stores confidential client informationusingpassword-protectedcorporate e-mail systems, “cloud computing,” third- party off-site network administrator vendors, third-party hosted e-discovery management platforms, or a variety of other electronic data transfer or data storage solutions available through the Internet, the attorney inevitably faces an inherent risk that confidential client information will be susceptible to theft by a hacker or by an unscrupulous third-party employee. In the absence of reasonable, preventative, and precautionary measures, the lawyer also risks losses for the firm and its clients associated with such a theft. Understanding how and why lawyers and law firms may be exposed to cybercrime is the first step in prevention. Because of the ever increasing capabilities of cloud computing and, with it, the proliferation of everyday use of mobile devices—such as smartphones, tablets, andlaptops—lawyersandlawfirmsputsensitive clientmaterialatrisksimplybyfallingasleepon the train home or finishing a brief on the redeye. Amisplaced smartphone or briefcase can result in serious consequences if a device ends up in thewronghands.Inaddition,mobiledevicesand bothcloud-basedandin-firmcorporatenetworks and email systems are susceptible to electronic hacking where a hacker will illegally gain access to electronic information using a variety of more sophisticated methods. Law firms and lawyers present a particularly appealing target for hackers because the mandatory confidentialityoftheattorney-clientrelationship creates a virtual treasure trove of sensitive client information—such as social security numbers, medical information, trade secrets, wire transfer instructions, privileged litigation communications and strategy, and internal corporate strategies—much of which can be veryvaluabletoanarrayofcriminalenterprises. Illinois Rule of Professional Conduct 1.6(a) requires a lawyer practicing in Illinois to make reasonable efforts to ensure the confidentiality of client information, including electronically stored client information. However, to be competitive in today’s legal services market, lawyers and law firms must utilize the cost-saving and organizational advantages technology allows them to offer recurring and prospectiveclients.Whiletechnologyutilization isnecessary,theprudentlawyerwillalsorealize that the use of technology to electronically store and transfer sensitive client information necessitates proactive implementation of safeguards that will help in the prevention and defense of this information’s electronic theft. The extent and levels of necessary safeguards will likely be determined by the size of the law firm and its areas of practice, among other considerations. Depending on the specific needs of a firm or solo practitioner, there is a vast selection of cyber security precautions available but every law firm utilizing the technology discussed in this article should at least consider undertaking the following. Implement Data Management Safeguards. Every law firm should maintain computer- use policies requiring employees to use and routinely update passwords for e-mail, document management systems, mobile devices, and laptops. Intranets, extranets, and Citrix-like virtual desktops also invariably require password protection. In today’s corporate environments, while all networks and company laptops probably employ anti- virus protection, employees using personal laptops to perform work outside of the office must be required to install similar anti-virus protection. Firm policies should include periodic inspections of mobile devices and personal laptops to ensure that employees do not turn off password and/or anti-virus protection functions out of convenience or technicalincompetence.Othersafeguardsmay include limiting who may access particular materials electronically and when they may share, print, or alter data. Finally, every firm’s computer-use policy should communicate to its employees, (1) the seriousness of the firm’s confidentiality obligation to its clients, (2) the very real possibility of a cyber- attack, and (3) the procedure for reporting a potential data breach or suspected disclosure. AddressFirmDataRetentionPolicies.Alaw firmlikelyhousesanincredibleamountofdata through its electronic document management system and its corporate network and e-mail system. It should maintain clear policies regarding the length of time certain types of data will be stored, the strength of security to be maintained for certain stored data, and the procedures for eliminating unnecessary or outdated data. Just as a law firm is routinely requiredtodestroyorshredsensitivehardcopy materials, it must have procedures in place to completely remove and destroy sensitive electronic data from firm databases and to destroyunwantedoroutofdatefirmequipment that may have housed sensitive information. In conclusion, attorneys can and should take the necessary precautions to minimize the likelihoodofcyber-securitybreaches,notonly to give their clients peace of mind, but also to better shield themselves from third-party and first-party liabilities if a theft of information or other security breach actually occurs. [Editor’s Note: For the full article, see Joseph R. Marconi and Victor J. Pioli, Lawyers are Increasingly the Targets of Email/Fraudulent Check Schemes, ISBA Mutual Insurance Company Liability Minute, http://www. isbamutual.com/liability-minute/lawyers- are-increasingly-the-targets-of-emailfraud.] The Fax is Back
- 25. Page 25 who we are among peers, the community, and clients.Tosayoneis“anestateplanninglawyer” is a good start, but it does not paint the whole picture. More than just “an estate planning lawyer” his or her identity may be “an estate planning lawyer who enjoys protecting for others their intentions to contribute in life once they are gone.” Choosing and articulating an identity helps others recognize the personhood in each of us. Know Your Audience Knowing who we are and what we provide is further defined by knowing our audience. Do we try to reach anyone who will need a lawyer? Do some of us focus on commercial develop- ers? Whether new to practice or standing on a 20-year career, a communications plan keeps us accountable by asking ourselves about our audience’s identity. Most precisely, by asking, “Whose problems do my skills best solve?” Translate into Their Language Lawyers suffer from the chronic ailment of speaking in tongues. Med-mal case law reads differentthantheelementsofprotectingmineral rights, which reads different from the general powersforavotingshareholder.Theselanguages (mostly) make sense to those who practice in these areas. Remember that our audiences, our clients, co-workers, judges, are not necessarily as gifted/cursed in them. Translating tongues into the language of our listenerstransformscenturies-oldprecedentinto living and breathing solutions.We spend hours, years, reading cases or reviewing corporate fil- ings. We want to share that knowledge to show that we can maneuver the legal trappings of real-world problems. However, the documents we draft are often written in the legal version of these real-world problems. It is important to tell the story of drafting a contract’s scope of work, for instance, knowing that the client might only care about the contract’s impact on his budget for labor and materials. These components can guide us to see the importance of knowing our identity and that of ouraudiences,andhowandwhytocommunicate in ways that resonate with them. Other com- ponents are as important, such as the medium that carries a message and the ability to adjust to the changing needs of others. To remember anything, it is that a communications strategy has enormous value and can prevent our client updates, internal memos, and trade journal articles from the likes of smoke signals sent in the pitch of a windy night, altogether missing their mark. [About the Author: John Tufano, JD, began his career practicing law in Chicago and is the founder of Areté Strategy (www.aretestrategy. com). He was a significant contributor to this newsletter, and a very active younger Justinian. HehelpsfellowlawyersinChicagoandColum- bus, Ohio create communication strategies that deepen client relationships, enhance industry presence, and position practices to close more sustainedbusiness.Hecanbereachedatjohn@ aretestrategy.com.] Communications, continued from page 23 By: Anthony B. Ferraro As we begin this new year, I would like toinformyouofsomelegislativechanges thatimpactestateplanningandlong-term care: Medicaid for Long Term Care in Il- linois. With a new administration in Springfield, there are proposed changes to the reimbursement rate for Nursing Homes and Supportive Living Facilities that accept Medicaid. Plan ahead. New Illinois Power of Attorney for Healthcare. InthestateofIllinois,effectiveJanuary1, 2015, we have a new statutory short form power of attorney for healthcare. With- out further changes, this will be the new statutory power of attorney healthcare professionals will use and find recogniz- able.Currently,theoldstatutorypowerof attorney is the most recognizable. In an emergency situation, the most recogniz- ablepowerofattorneymaybebestasthat is the one healthcare professionals are mostusedto.Itthereforemaybeadvisable tohavethenewpowerofattorneycreated for you to replace an old one. Small Estate Affidavit. Also effective January 1, 2015, the small estate affidavit has been changed. The small estate affidavit is used to avoid probate when all assets are available on death,donotincluderealestate,andhave atotalvaluelessthan$100,000.However, the new statute that came into effect on January1,2015createsadditionalliability for the person signing this affidavit so we ask that all of our clients consult us and proceed cautiously before using one of these documents. ABLE Act. Thisnewfederallegislationwillbeavail- able in Illinois when Illinois chooses to adopt the ABLE Act. The legislation is pending in Illinois at this time. The ABLE Act will allow a disabled person who became disabled before the age of 26 to receive gifts from a loved one up to theannualexclusionamountof$14,000a year and such account may hold up to Elder Law Update $100,000 without negatively affecting the disabled person's eligibility for SSI and Medicaid. Further, the income is not taxed. The funds in the account may be used for the disabled person's disability related expenses. Presumptively Void Transfers. Finally, in Illinois, effective January 1, 2015,transferstocaregiversortheirfam- ilymembersworthmorethan$20,000are considered presumptively void. Under the statute, the term “caregiver” refers to someone who voluntarily or in exchange for compensation has assumed responsi- bility for the care of another person who needsassistancewiththeactivitiesofdaily living, not including a family member of the person receiving care. If the person receiving care transfers property to a caregiverthroughawill,trust,transferon deathinstrument,oranyotherbeneficiary designation, the transfer is presumed to be void. The caregiver can rebut the presumption by showing that there was no fraud or undue influence involved in the transferor’s decision. The purpose of this new law is to protect potentially vulnerable seniors from being exploited by their caregivers. These legislative updates may affect you and your family. An elder law attorney can advise you as to how to update your existing documents to conform to these new laws. [About the Author: Anthony B. Ferraro, is a JD, MS Tax, CPA, and owner of The LawOfficesOfAnthonyB.Ferraro,LLC, Attorneys&CPAs,TheElderLaw,Estate & Trust And Asset Protection Law Firm, based in Rosemont, IL. You may contact himat(847)292-1220orvisithiswebsite at www.abferrarolaw.com.]
- 26. Page 26 By: Catherine R. Locallo Following legislative override of veto action by the Governor, Public Act 98-1129 became law on December 3, 2014, and reduces some of the burdens faced by public bodies in responding to certain FOIA requests. Records Available on the Public Body’s Website If requested records are maintained on a public body’s website, it is lawful for a public body to respond to a FOIA request by directing the requester to the website where the record can be accessed. If the requester is unable to access the records online, the request can be resubmitted and inspection or copies of the records must be provided. “Voluminous Request” Defined A “voluminous request” means a request that: (1) includes more than 5 individual requests for more than 5 different categories of records; or (2) includes a combination of individual requests for more than 5 different categories of records in a period of 20 business days; or (3) requires the compilation of more than 500 letter or legal-sized pages of public records, unless a single requested record exceeds 500 pages (i.e., one report, form, book, etc.). Generally, this designation cannot be extended to request from the news media and non-profit, scientific, or academic organizations. Responding to a “Voluminous Request” First Timeframe Within the first 5 business days after receipt of a “voluminous request”, the public body must issue an initial response which states: 1) the public body is treating the request as a “voluminous request”; 2) thereasonsfor“voluminousrequest”designa- tion; 3) the requester has 10 business days from the date the initial response was sent to specify whether he/she would like to amend the request so that it is no longer a “voluminous request”; 4) if the requester does not reply within 10 busi- ness days, or if the request continues to be a “voluminous request”, the public body will respond and assess any fees as permitted by FOIA Section 6; 5) the public body has 5 business days after receipt of the requester’s reply or, if no reply, 5 business days from the last day for the requester to amend his/her request, to respond; 6) the public body may request an additional 10 business days to comply with the request; 7) the requester has the right to ask the PAC to New FOIA Amendments to Ease Burden on Public Bodies review the pub- lic body’s “volu- minous request” designation, and provide the ad- dress and phone number for the PAC; and 8) if the requester fails to accept or collecttheresponsiverecords,thepublicbody may stillcharge the requesterfor its response pursuanttoFOIASection6,andfailuretopay will be considered a debt due and owing to the public body, subject to collection. Second Timeframe If after issuing the public body’s initial re- sponse there is no reply from the requester, or there is a reply but the request continues to be a “voluminous request”, the public body must respond within 5 business days after receiving therequester’sreplyorexpirationofthetimefor the requester’s reply (whichever is earlier) by: • providing an estimate of the fees to be chargedfortheresponsiverecords,which the public body may require to be paid in full before copying the records; • denying the request in whole or in part pursuant to one or more exemptions under FOIA; • notifying the requester that the request is unduly burdensome and extend an opportunity for narrowing the request; • extending the timeframe for response by 10 business days; or • providing the requested records. Fees for Responding to a “Voluminous Request” Electronic Records FOIA provides a fee schedule for providing electronic records in response to a “voluminous request”: • $20 for not more than 2 megabytes of data (if not in PDF), or not more than 80 megabytes of data (if in PDF); • $40 for 2 to 4 megabytes of data (if not in PDF), or 80 to 160 megabytes of data (if in PDF); or • $100 for more than 4 megabytes (if not in PDF), or more than 160 megabytes of data (if in PDF). Personnel Hours for Search and Redaction A public body may charge the requester up to $10perhourspentinsearchingforandretrieving requested records, or examining the records for necessaryredactions.However,thefirst8hours of any search/retrieval efforts must be provided for free. An accounting must be provided for any fees charged. Real Estate Taxes Too High? Appeal Them! By: Vincent A. Oppedisano [Reprinted from the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin] TheCookCounty assessor will soon begin the process of reassessing all properties located in the city of Chi- cago as part of the 2015 triennial re- assessment. If you own property in the city, the asses- sor will mail the taxpayer of record anoticeofreassess- ment indicating the county’s proposed change in your property’s value. After the assessor issues this notice, you will have a limited period of time in which to appeal the proposed assessment. It is important for all property owners to be prepared to contest any proposed increases in theirassessments.Eveniftheassessorproposes no increase or a decrease in your property’s value, often it is still in your best interest to appeal your assessment at the Cook County assessor’s office and/or Cook County Board of Review. There are several different types of appeals which can be made, depending on the type of property you own. Commercial/industrial properties and apartment buildings of 7 units or more If you have purchased your property recently (i.e., the last three years or so), you may be able to assert the purchase price as indicative of the property’s current market value. Hasyourpropertybeenappraisedwithinthe last three years? Often your bank will order an appraisal of the property when a loan is refinanced. If this is the case, the appraisal may be evidence of present market value. If you do not have an appraisal of the property already, our firm often examines the costs and benefits of having an appraisal report completed that uses one or more of the traditionalmethodsofvaluingrealestate—the cost, income and sales approaches to value. Market values for investment properties (commercial, industrial and multi-tenant apartments) can be measured by income ap- proaches. At my firm, we can develop a value based on capitalizing a property’s actual net income(incomelessexpenses)andcompareit totheassessor’smodelsfordeterminingvalue. Oftenthecountydoesnottakeintoaccountthe actual income, expenses, vacancy or special circumstances of a property but relies upon averages from the industry. Continued on page 27
- 27. Page 27 Cook County also has many incentive pro- gramsforindustrialdeveloperseitherrehabilitat- ing older property that is vacant or considering newer purchases and construction. Recently, a new county ordinance was passed allowing for considerable real estate tax savings for com- mercial redevelopment. Single-family homes If you own a single-family residence, you also may have several bases on which to ap- peal your home’s assessment. Recent purchase prices, bank or private appraisals and equity comparisons to indicate a lack of uniformity in assessmentstothecountyareexcellentresponses to proposed assessments. Condominiums Residentialcondominiumunitownersusually appeal their property tax assessments jointly in conjunction with all or most of the building’s other units. Therearethreeadvantagestofilingajointcon- dominiumassessmentappeal:Marketforcesthat affect the value of an individual condominium unit will have a similar effect on the other units as well; the percentage of ownership assigned to each unit is a major valuation factor; and the associationorcondominiumboardismostlikely to have access to relevant sales information. Theassessor’sjobistoestablishafairmarket value for your unit. The best indication of value and the one most relied upon by the assessor is the history of the building’s individual unit sales over the last three years. Theideaofassessmentuniformitymaycome into play under special circumstances, for ex- ample, where some of the building’s units are assessed inequitably compared to other units evenafteraccountingfordifferencesinpercent- age of ownership. Homestead exemptions If you own residential property, it is always a good idea to make sure you are receiving the benefit of any exemptions for which you qualify. Check your most recent tax bills to see whether any “homestead exemptions,” such as the homeowner’s exemption or senior citizen exemption were applied to your property. For a full list of Cook County homestead exemp- tionsandeligibilityrequirements,visittheCook County assessor’s website at cookcountyasses- sor.com. Exemption applications for tax year 2014 (affecting the taxes payable in 2015) will be available on the assessor’s website early in 2015. [About the Author: Contact Vince Oppedisano at (312) 255-0101, ext. 412 or visit www.amari- andlocallo.com. Vince is an associate attorney atAmari&Locallo,alawfirmconcentratingits practiceexclusivelyintheareaofrealestatetax assessmentappeals.Thefirm’sexpertise,aggres- siveness,andresponsivenesstoitsclients’needs overthepast26yearshavehelpeditbecomeone of the most successful and respected property tax law firms in the Chicagoland area. Real Estate, continued from page 26 By: James J. Morici Jr. MandatedDisciplinaryMeasuresagainst Defendant Employee Can Be found to be OutsideGeneralRuleExcludingEvidence of Subsequent Remedial Measures Subsequent remedial measures (Corrective ac- tions taken after the alleged negligence) cannot be used to prove negligence. Berz v. City of Evanston, 997 N.E.2d 733, 738 (Ill. App. Ct. 1st Dist. 2013) The Illinois Supreme Court in Herzog stated the policy reasons behind the rule as being: (1) a strong public policy encouraging improve- ments to enhance public safety (2) subsequent remedial measures are not considered suffi- ciently probative of prior negligence, because later carefulness may be simply an attempt to exercise the highest standard of care; (3) A jury may view such conduct as an admission of negligence. Herzog v. Lexington Twp., 657 N.E.2d 926 (1995) InHerzogthePlaintiffclaimedthattheabsence of a road sign led to his car accident. The trial court did not admit evidence of the Defendant placing additional signs after the accident and countedthatasasubsequentremedialmeasures. TheHerzogcourtreaffirmedthegeneralruleof theexclusionofsubsequentremedialmeasures but pointed out a couple of notable excep- tions. The Supreme Ct stated that “Where the impeachment value rests on inferences other than prior negligence, such evidence may be admitted where its probative value outweighs the prejudice to defendant.” Herzog, 167 Ill.2d at 301–02, 212 Ill.Dec. 581, 657 N.E.2d 926. The IL Supreme Ct did caution the use of im- peachmentbySubsequentRemedialMeasures, which if used improperly could swallow the rule. Id. Herzog stated other exceptions to the rule such as, evidence of subsequent remedial measures may be admissible for the purpose of proving ownership or control of property wheredisputedbythedefendant.(SeeSchultzv. Richie(1986),148Ill.App.3d903,910,102Ill. Dec. 289, 499 N.E.2d 1069; Coshenet v. Holub (1980),80Ill.App.3d430,431,35Ill.Dec.733, 399 N.E.2d 1022.) Such evidence may also be admissible for the purpose of proving feasibil- ity of precautionary measures where disputed by the defendant. See Sutkowski v. Universal Marion Corp. (1972), 5 Ill.App.3d 313, 319, 281 N.E.2d 749 (products liability); Lewis v. Cotton Belt Route-St. Louis Southwestern Ry. Co. (1991), 217 Ill.App.3d 94, 159 Ill.Dec. 995, 576 N.E.2d 918 (feasibility of spotter for crane operation). Tort Notes In Pearl v. Chicago Transit Authority, 532 N.E.2d 439 (Ill. App. Ct. 1st Dist. 1988) after a pedes- trianwasstruckbya CTA bus, a garage superintendenttesti- fiedthatheprepared adisciplinaryreport and suspension no- tice. InPearlthecourt statedthattheevidenceshouldnotbeconsidered Subsequent remedial measures since the CTA undertookthisinvestigationautomatically. Re- membering that the main policy reason behind SubsequentRemedialMeasuresistoencourage improvementstoenhancepublicsafety;thecourt reasoned that the testimony was considered an admission and not a subsequent remedial mea- sure since the CTA was already going to do the review as mandated by their internal rules. If the Plaintiff’s lawyer can show the court that the post-accident acts were going to be done anyway, then they could argue that the policy reasons behind the rule do not apply. Word of caution to the practitioner, in a similar case Bulger v. Chicago Transit Auth., 345 Ill. App. 3d 103, 801 N.E.2d 1127 (Ill.App. Ct. 1st Dist. 2003), after a bus crash that also injured a pedestrian, the CTA undertook a voluntary investigation. The Bulger Court distinguished itself from Pearl by stating that in Pearl the investigation was categorized as mandatory while in Bulger the CTA used discretion to see if it needed to retrain the driver. TheSubsequentremedialmeasureexclusionary rule while strong in protecting the Defendants post-accident actions is not absolute. Adiligent Plaintiff’s lawyer may craft the argument into fitting into one of the pre-defined exception categories(1.Toproveownershipandcontrol,3. To prove feasibility of precautionary measures, 4. To impeach without inference of negligence) or by arguing that it should not be counted as a Subsequent Remedial Measure but instead as an admission as outlined by Pearl. [Editor’sNote:JamesJ.Morici,Jr.ispartnerin the firm of MORICI, FIGIOLI &ASSOCIATES, and represents Plaintiffs in personal injury, workers’ compensation, and construction site related injury suits. Research assistance pro- vided by Tomas Cabrera, The John Marshall Law School. Read all prior issues of “Tort Notes” at www.MoriciFiglioli.com]
- 28. Page 28 Worker’s Comp Fraud By: Roy Puccini Insurance Fraud Insurance fraud has been a major problem with the insurance compa- nies in past years. Companies have setupSpecialFraud Units to address questionable claims. Fraud occurs in all areas including 1) work- ers’compensation 2) commercial property and liability3)homeinsuranceand4)unscrupulous repair shops. At this time, I will write about workers’compensation and in the future, I will address other areas of concern. The following are examples of Workers’ Compensation fraud indicators to insurance companies. • Employee is disgruntled, soon to retire or facing layoff • Employee is involved in seasonal work • Employee took excessive time off prior to claim • Employee is new on the job • Employee has a history of reporting sub- jective claims • Employeechangesphysicianswhenrelease for work is issued • Employee demands quick payments • Circumstances of Accident • Accident occurs late Friday afternoon or early Monday morning • Accident is not witnessed • Accident occurs just prior to a strike • Incident is not reported by employee promptly • Details are vague • Diagnosis is inconsistent with treatment • Physician is known for handling suspect claims • Both Workers’Comp and hospital carriers are both billed together and payment is accepted by both. There are many more examples of these that insurancecompaniesusetodetermineifaclaim is real or fraudulent. Claims that are not real costcompaniesmillionseachyearandintheend cost everyone with higher insurance costs. It is important to everyone to prevent these things from happening. If someone is hurt, everyone wants to see that person get whatever he should in both his medical bills and any other benefits that he has coming. Real claims are going to happen and it is important that we expedite the care and payment of them so that the good employee gets back to work as soon as possible to avoid any serious financial problems. Insurance Consulting and Risk Management, (630) 461-0671. Information from US-Reports University Technical Bulletins Photo Stories Amari & Locallo partner Franco Coladipietro was a floor guest of Senator Michael Connelly at the Illinois State Senate Inauguration in Springfield, IL in January 2015. Senator Connelly was Franco’s seatmate when they were in the House together. From left, Franco Coladipietro, Matthew Connelly (son of Senator Connelly), and Senator Michael Connelly. Past ISBA presidents gather for their annual breakfast in conjunction with the mid-year meeting of the Illinois State Bar Association. Recent JMLS graduates and Justin- ian Society Mentoring Group men- tors, Leonard Cannata and Jon Magna, outside the University of Bologna Law School, the oldest law school in exis- tence. The two pals traveled around Italy from August 28 to September 29 in celebration of taking the bar exam. Congratula- tions to Miss Illinois Jr. Tween Sofia (Gemellaro) Console! Joe Gagliardo, right, with wife Jennifer, above, and their granddaughter.
- 29. Page 29 Photo Stories Vince Oppedisano, an associate with Amari & Locallo, caught this 40 inch Musky in September 2014. Justinian Steve Phillips and his prize on a recent hunting trip. Prominent catastrophic injury lawyer Lou Cairo bags another big one. Chris Keegan, son of our good friends Kevin and Tamara, plays quarterback at Harvard University. He and his parents are shown here at one of his last season games. Guess who, guess where? (Hint: His father is a past Presi- dent and is Village President of Bloomingdale.) Congratulations to Justinian 2nd Vice President Frank Sommario and wife Gina, upon the birth of their baby boy, Frank A. Somma- rio, Jr. He joins sisters Angelina, Isabella, and Sophia. Left: Fred Serpe attended the Installation Mass and celebration of Archbishop Blase Cupich. Guess who, guess where? The John Marshall Law School hosted the Justice Anne Burke Professionalism series in February 2015. Pictured are, from left: Amy Taylor, Justice Burke, Leonard F. Amari, Mara Salerno, and Daniella Martorano. An SUV rear ended a CTA bus that ironically displayed a large ad from our friend, Lou Cairo, part- ner and personal injury lawyer at Goldberg, Weisman, & Cairo. [Photo Credit: Phil Velasquez, Chi- cago Tribune]
- 30. Page 30 Photo Stories Guess who, guess where? [Hint as to where: A wonderful little (Barese) Italian place at 1235 W. Lake St., Chicago] During the recently concluded primary election, career members Fred Serpe and mayoral candidate Alderman Bob Fioretti pose at a supportive fund raiser. Jason O’Dell, grandson of past Presi- dent Leonard F. Amari and son of past President Katherine Amari O’Dell, enjoys Columbus Day. Fred Serpe, center, with Rich Veenstra, Mayor of Addison, left, and Vincenzo Deni- colò, Mayor of Triggiano, Italy. Addison and Triggiano are Sister Cities. Columbus Day dignitaries: Fred Serpe, left, with Len Cannata, cen- ter, and Richard Pellegrino Right: Members of the Justinian Society of Lawyers, IAPC and The John Marshall Alumni Assoc. with the new lieutenant governor, Ev- elyn Sanguinetti (also a John Marshall Alumna) at Unity Dinner on December 2. Guess who, guess when?
- 31. Page 31 Photo Stories Our very own Richard Caldarazzo, during his offensive guard days at the University of Michigan, circa 1967-1969. Amari & Locallo welcomed new intern Colleen Redden in the Fall of 2014. From left, Associate Vesna Marusic, Colleen Redden, Partner John Locallo, and Senior Associate Katherine Amari O’Dell. Attorney James McCluskey visits the Justin- ian Society Headquarters. From left, John Locallo and James McCluskey. Lunch at Ferrara Bakery! Mathew Dattilo, Jessica DePinto, and Father Michael J. Garanzini, Presi- dent of Loyola University Chicago Father Michael J. Garanzini, with Nella and Bill Davy, owners of Ferrara Bakery. Anthony Fornelli and Matthew Dattilo enjoy lunch at Ferrara Bakery. Leonard F. Amari, left, and Father John Costello at Ferraro Bakery. Congratulations to Justinian Society Treasurer Vince Vidmer on his wedding to Lauren Kogut on September 6, 2014. Judge Thomas Panichi swearing in the new officers of Casa Italia: (from left) Paul Basile (Treasurer), Joseph F. Locallo, Jr. (Parliamentarian), Daniel D. Corrado (Chairman), Nick A Vangel (Vice Chairman), and Giuseppe Zerillo (Secretary). Justice Stevens in the Justice Arthur Goldberg Court- room (named for a John Marshall Law School Pro- fessor who was elevated to the U.S. Supreme Court) and Marie Sarantakis, Magister of the Stevens Inn Chapter of Phi Delta Phi Law Fraternity, at The John Marshall Law School. Judge Clarence Harrison of Madison County visits Justinian Headquarters with past Presi- dents Hon. Celia Gamrath (left) and Katherine Amari O'Dell.
- 32. Page 32 Photo Stories By: Leonard F. Amari Ø Congratulations to Matt and Alison Kellam, on the birth of their daughter, Emily Lynn! Ø CongratulationtoChrisCali,uponhisnewjob with Latimer, LeVay, Fyock, LLC. Chris joined the firm in January 2015 and concentrates his practice in real estate, business and corporate planning and transactions, and estate planning and probate ad- ministration. Ø The year 2015 is off to a great start for Nicole Petrarca, past student member of the Justinian Society Newsletter and past co-chair of the Justinian Mentor- ing Program. She graduated fromThe JohnMarshallLawSchoolonJanuary 18th.Furtheraddingtothegoodnews, she and Michael Pisano, a Justinian Society member, former mentoring program co-chair, andAssociate with Cassiday Shade, are engaged to be married!Congratulationstothehappy couple! (Photo right) Miscellanea Justinians Michael Favia and Marie Sarantakis with future Justin- ian Cristina Favia and WGN's Chief Meteorologist Tom Skilling at the JMLS seminar on the Science of Climate Change for Lawyers. Guess who, guess where? (Hint: Somewhere in Europe!) Leonard Amari, President of The John Marshall Law School Board of Trustees, along with John E. Corkery, Dean (third from left), and Dorothy Li (to Mr. Amari's right), Co-Director of the JMLS Asian Alliance Program shown with representatives of the Intellectual Property Court during their trip to China. Mr. Amari is traveling with a delegation from The John Marshall Law School on the annual trip to China, to confer degrees on 27 graduates of a joint program between the law school and China's State Intellectual Property Office (SIPO). For over twenty years, The John Marshall Law School has collaborated with SIPO on this educational partnership. Leonard Amari, left, with Dean Paul Liu, center, and Dean John Corkery, at National Chiao Tung University Law School in Hsinchu in Taiwan during the abovemen- tioned recent Asian trip. Ø Justinian Second Vice President Michael Bonamarte writes to an- nounce that his firm is proud to an- nounce the promotions of associate attorneysJordanPowellandMargaret Battersby Black to partners. Ø TheCarmenD.CarusoLawFirm welcomed 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 firmconcentratesinfranchiseandgeneralandsharplycontestedbusiness disputes. Congratulations to all! Ø CongratulationstoDuPageCountyBoardMemberPeterDiCianni, uponreceivingtheMargaretBancroftDistinguishedLeadershipAwardfor Advocacy for Children with Autism. He received the award on October 9th, 2014 at the Bancroft Awards Dinner, held at DePaul University. Ø Catherine R. Locallo was recently named an Illinois “Rising Star” in the area of Employment & Labor Law in the 2015 edition of Illinois Super Lawyers. Congratulations Catherine! (Catie Locallo with her family below.)
- 33. Page 33 Ø Charles R. Bernardini, partner at Un- garetti & Harris, writes to tell us that effective February 1, 2015, Ungaretti & Harris LLP merged with Nixon Peabody LLP. By combin- ing with Nixon Peabody’s existing Chicago office, Chicago will become Nixon Peabody’s second largest location and one of the largest law practices in the city. Congratulations to all! Miscellanea Ø Past president and 1979 Chicago-Kent alum, James J. Morici, Jr., is teaching the course Illinois Evidence at ITT/Chicago-Kent College of Law along with retired Appellate Court Justice David Erickson. Ø Dion U. Davi is proud to announce the opening of his new Will County office in Joliet, IL. Congratulations Dion! From left: Chuck Bernardini, the late Judge Anthony Peccarelli, and Sal Barbatano] Ø Congratulations to Stephen D. Phillips of Phillips Law Offices for multiple recognitions this year. He was recently selected as a Top Ten Personal Injury Lawyer in Illinois by the NationalAcademy of Personal Injury Lawyers. The National Academy of Personal Injury Attorneys is an organization devoted to recog- nizing the top personal injury attorneys in the nation who demonstrate extraordinary amount of knowledge, skill, experience, expertise, and success in their practice of Personal Injury. He was also selected as part of the Best Attorneys of America by Rue Ratings. Past President Joe Gagliardo (left) and Stephen Phillips Past presidents Umberto Davi (left) and James Morici. Ø CongratulationstoPastPresidentAnthony B.Ferraro(photobelow)uponbeingelectedthe President of the Illinois Chapter of the National AcademyofElderLawAttorneys(NAELA)for the year 2015. From left: The late Mike Meschino, ISBA 2nd Vice President Umberto Davi, and Dion Davi. Ø Kimberly A. Palmisano has been elected to a three-year term on the board of directors of the Union League Club of Chicago. She will serve as chair of the club’s communications committee. Ms. Palmisano is an associate at the Law Offices of Palmisano & Moltz, P.C., where she focuses on commercial real estate and commercial transactions for commercial, industrial and residential clients. Congratula- tions Kimberly! Ø JohnA.Stefani,withlawpartnerKenneth H. Levinson, has opened Levinson & Stefani at 230 W. Monroe St., Suite 2210. The firm will handle personal injury, wrongful death, and medical malpractice cases. Ø Congratulations to good friend of the Justinian Society, Power Rogers & Smith part- ner Larry R. Rogers, Sr., upon receipt of the Leonard M. Ring LifetimeAchievement award from the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association. Ø Segal, McCambridge, Singer, & Mahoney announces three new Italian-American associ- ates at their firm: Robert M. Campobasso, toxic tort defense; Danielle R. Luisi, toxic tort claimsandenvironmentallitigation;andGrace E. Mangieri, toxic torts. Ø Congratulations to Joseph J. Ferrini on his partnership with Clausen, Miller P.C. He is a member of the appellate practice group. Ø Mary T. Nicolau has accepted a position as special counsel, real estate tax liabilities and tax disputes, at Much Shelist. Ø Mitchell L. Marinello, partner at Novack & Macey, business and property disputes, was named to the management committee of the Integrated Advisory Group. Ø Congratulations to PatrickA. Salvi on be- ingselectedasthehonorarychairandrecipientof the2014JudgeRobertS.SmithJr.Humanitarian Award. Ø Former Gov. Patrick J. Quinn appointed retiredIllinoisappellatejusticeDavidP.Sterba totheJudicialInquiryBoard.Sterba,apartnerat Walsh,Fewkes,Sterba,fillsthevacancycreated by the death of Tom Leahy. Mary Nicolau, left, and past President John Sciaccotta From left, John Locallo, David Sterba, Kather- ine Amari O’Dell, and Frank Castiglione Ø AlejandroCaffarellihasformedCaffarelli &AssociatesLtd.,joinedbyattorneysAlexisD. Martin and Lorraine T. Peeters, as well as long- time staff members Joanna Germann Zalewski and Mariela Cano. The firm will continue to represent individuals in employment law and consumerprotectionmatters.Thefirmislocated at 224 S. Michigan Ave., Suite 300, and can be reachedat(312)763-6880.Thewebsiteiswww. caffarelli.com. Ø Congratulations to Hon. Phil Nicolosi on hisappointmenttoassociatejudgeintheIllinois 17th Judicial Circuit. Ø Congratulations to Mr. & Mrs. Michael Bonamarte, who are expecting their first child, a boy, in late June.
- 34. Page 34 Miscellanea Ø Cook County Associate Judge Joseph D. Panarese was honored by the Boy Scouts at the Union League Club with the Outstanding Eagle ScoutAward. The recognition was given for his work mentoring Scouts and repeatedly setting up Law Merit Badge Day at the Daley Center, helping Scouts get their law merit badge. Judge Joseph D. Panarese (left) with brother Judge Donald D. Panarese, Jr. and Gregg Garofalo (center). Ø CongratulationstopastJustinianPresident, the highly respected Judge Bruno Tassone (Ret.), for his recognition by the ItalianAmeri- canPoliticalCoalition–thepoliticalvoiceofour ethnic community in Illinois. He was awarded the LifetimeAchievementAward at the IAPC’s HeritageCelebrationonFriday,March20,2015. The Heritage Celebration is an event which acknowledges and celebrates our values and traditions as being uniquely Italian-American. It is a vehicle to come together in friendship to recognize the blessings we enjoy asAmericans of Italian descent. Other community leaders honored were Joanne Serpico (PACA Award) and Joseph Mancino (Public Service Award). From left: Judge Tassone, Anthony Fornelli, and Thomas Jaconetty. Ø Taft, Stettinius & Hollister LLP added Pablo L. Petrozzi as a partner in its real estate group. Petrozzi practices in commercial real estate transactions, including acquisitions and dispositions, financings and joint ventures. Ø Bryan, Cave LLP partner Jena M. Valde- terohasbeennamedco-chairoftheInternational Association of Privacy Professionals’ Illinois regionalnetworkforatwo-yearterm.Valdetero willco-chairtheIAPP’sIllinoisKnowledgeNet, which provides local programming and in- person networking opportunities for privacy professional. Ø Salvi, Schostok, & Pritchard promoted Nikole K. Messerschmidt, personal injury and medical malpractice cases, to associate. Ø The IllinoisSupreme Court reappointed AntonioM.RomanuccitoitsRulesCommittee. AfoundingpartnersandprincipalatRomanucci &Blandin,LLC,hehasservedonthecommittee since 2011. One of 15 committee members, he analyzes and recommends new Supreme Court rules or modifications to existing rules. Ø Congratulations to President Anita M. DeCarlo for opening the DeCarlo Law Group, Ltd., concentrating in Workers Compensation. The DeCarlo Law Group, Ltd., is located at 6525 W. North Avenue, Suite 204, Oak Park, IL 60302. They can be reached by phone, 312- 661-0088;fax,708-575-2388;ore-mail,anita@ decarlolawgroup.com. From left: Frank Sommario, Joseph Gagli- ardo, Justice Tom Kilbride, and Antonio Romanucci From left: Anita Decarlo, Antonio Romanucci, and Anita’s late dad, Vito DeCarlo Ø Joe Maddon is the new manager of the Cubs.Maddon’scommitmenttothecommunity and his players stems from his roots in Hazle- ton, where his father, Joe, the son of an Italian immigrant, married Albina, a woman of Polish descent. They raised two sons and a daughter in an apartment above Joe Sr.’s plumbing store. Ø Judge Diann Marsalek was recently named as the Super- vising Judge of Traffic Court in the Daley Center. Congratula- tions Judge Marsalek! (photo right) Ø Career member MaryAnn (Iantorno) Hynes announces that her firm, Dentons, will merge with Dacheng Law Offices of China to create the world’s largest law firm. The new firm, to be branded Dacheng Dentons, will have more than 6,500 lawyers in more than 50 countries, overtaking Baker & McKenzie, with nearly 4,300 lawyers, as the world’s biggest. Ø Thank you to Joe & Toni Garofalo of Garofalo Family Vineyards for donating the wineattheNovember20,2014JustinianSociety PastPresidentsDinner.Formoreinformationon Garofalo Family Vineyards, please visit www. garofalofamilyvineyards.com. Ø Thank you to Marguerite Gardens for their generosity and beautiful flowers at the Installation Dinner. Ø Sidley Austin elected Frank J. Favia, Jr., complex commercial litigation matters, to partner. Ø Congratulations to Cameron R. Monti on his new position at Howard & Howard, concentrating in taxation, business law and employment law. Ø Segal, McCambridge, Singer, & Mahoney has hired Justin DeLuca as an associate, com- plex commercial litigation. Ø On September 17, 2014, the Northern Illi- noisUniversityCollegeofLawAlumniCouncil honored many alumni and friends of the school duringitsannualawardsreceptionattheUniver- sityClubofChicago.Theeventincludedopening remarks from RobertW. Fioretti, a member of the Class of 1978.Honorees included:Alumnus of theYear – Richard D. Felice, Class of 1979, Law Offices of Richard D. Felice in Wheaton and president of the Illinois State Bar Associa- tion. Outstanding Service Award – Christian Consentino, Class of 2000, Nina Consentino, Class of 2002, and Blake Consentino, Class of 2003,TheConsentinoLawFirminChicago,St. Charles, and DeKalb. Public Service Award – U.S. District Judge James F. Holderman of the Northern District of Illinois. Presenting the award were (from left) NIU Law Alumni Council President and ISBA Board member Kenya Jenkins-Wright, NIU College of Law Dean Jennifer Rosato Perea, ISBA President Felice, and NIU Law Alumni Council Awards Committee Chair Stacey Mandell. (Photo courtesy of the ISBA)
- 35. Page 35 Ø Congratulations to folks from our com- munity and our friends in the legal field being honored by the Illinois State Bar Association as “Senior Counselors,” celebrating 50 years in the profession. Those honored include: Arthur Berman,JeromeCihak,BrianCrowe,David Decker, Daniel Fusco, Michael Hennessy, Albert Hofeld, John Jiganti, Justice Lloyd Karmeier,JosephMirabella,JusticeS.Louis Rathje,SenatorPhilipRock,RoccoRomano, Richard Spicuzza, Hon. Alexander White. Ø Locke Lord LLP and Edwards Wildman Palmer LLP have officially merged, creating Locke Lord LLP. Congratulations to partner Nick J. DiGiovanni who is a member of the executive committee. Ø Freeborn & Peters elevated Robert M. Baratta, Jr., environmental law and insurance coverage, to partner. Ø Romanucci & Blandin promoted Angela P. Kurtz, personal injury matters, to associate. MØ Akerman welcomes partner Christine S. Bautista, litigation, and Michael L. Molinaro, bankruptcy and reorganization matters. Ø Aronberg, Goldgehn, Davis & Garmisa welcomesassociateLindsayP.Lollio,complex insurance matters. Ø Freeborn&PeterswelcomespartnerDaniel F. Lanciloti, restrictive covenants and trade secrets law. Ø Hunt Law Group welcomes Of Counsel Mario R. Cusumano, transportation, premises liability, construction litigation and insurance coverage. Ø News about Past President Anthony J. Fornelli: • St. Ignatius College Prep honored one of its star alums by naming its athletic field the Anthony J. Fornelli Field on Oct. 24.Amember oftheclassof1951,Fornellihasbeenalongtime benefactor of Saint Ignatius, establishing finan- cial aid endowments and creating the Anthony J. Fornelli ’51 Alumni Lounge. The publisher of Fra Noi, founder of Chicago’s Festa Italiana From left: Richard Felice with other promi- nent ISBA leaders: Umberto Davi, John G. Locallo, Paula Hudson Holderman, Felice, and Vincent Cornelius. and past national president of UNICO, he is a former director of the Illinois Department of FinancialInstitutions,chairoftheChicagoPlan Commission and commissioner of the Chicago Zoning Board of Appeal. • Over the past year, a scholarship endow- ment in the name of Anthony Fornelli was established at St. Ignatius. It has been funded by gifts totaling nearly $90,000 to date. The fund is dedicated to providing scholarships to underprivileged students and is being matched by the school. Tony’s friends at UNICO have been responsible for the major portion of the funds raised. • EdMcElroy,hostof“CommunityinFocus” TV show, recently interviewed Anthony For- nelli, Publisher of Fra Noi and John Chandler, Vice President of St. Ignatius College Prep. The show aired on December 19th on Can TV, Channel 19. Ø Congratulations to ISBAExecutive Direc- tor Robert Craghead and his wife, Fran, on the arrival of their new grandchild. Ø CongratulationstoRuthAnnSchmittafter a brilliant career as the Executive Director with the Lawyers Trust Fund of Illinois (IOLTA). Justice Thomas Kilbride & Ruth Ann Schmitt. Ø Congratulations to Dean Jennifer Rosato Perea,thefirstfemaleItalian-AmericanDeanin the U.S. (at Northern Illinois University Law), who will be leaving NIU Law to become Dean of DePaul Law School, beginning July 1. In her last six years as Dean of NIU Law, she ac- complished wonderful things in enhancing the valueandexcellenceinstudents’legaleducation. We wish her luck in her new and challenging position. Ø Congratulations to Cook County Board of ReviewCommissionerMichaelM.Cabonargi on his new association with Kroll Associates, Inc. Ø Congratulationstoourpal,careerJustinian and community leader, Sam F. Cannizzaro joining the firm of Birnbaum, Haddon, Gelf- man & Arnoux, LLC. 180 N Lasalle, 60601 (312.863.2800 / s.cannizzaro@ bhgafamlaw.com). Ø 2nd District Appellate Justice Mary SeminaraSchostokreceivedtheHumanitarian Award from the Lake County Bar Association during its’LCBA President’s Award Dinner on February27inHighlandPark,IL.Schostokwas honored for her work with the Michael Matters Foundation, which works to increase public knowledge of glioblastoma brain tumors and also provides financial assistance to families dealingwiththedisease.Thefoundationhonors the memory of her husband, attorney Michael P. Schostok, who passed away in 2012 at the age of 51 from brain cancer. Justice Seminara Schostok & John Locallo. Ø KatherineAmari O’Dell, past President of the Justinian Society and President of the Sicil- ian American Cultural Association, announces that our past President Judge Gloria Coco has been voted as the Medal of Merit recipient of SACAandwillreceivethishonoratabrunchon September 27, at Monastero’s Restaurant, 3935 W.DevonAve,Chicago,IL.Forticketinforma- tion or questions, contact Martha Monastero at belcantojo@aol.com or 773-588-2515. Ø THE NEXT GENERATION OF JUSTIN- IAN LAWYERS. Our wonderful Justinian Society is about to see a new wave of legatees into the profession. Starting this summer and fall, the following will begin law school, most if not all, at The John Marshall Law School: the sons of Anthony Erbacci Jr., Joseph Curccio, Tony Cuda and Mike Urgo, the niece of Bruno Tassone and the grandson of the late Angelo Mistretta. We look forward to welcoming them into our membership and our profession. Ø Anthony Robert Pontillo, III. Born Friday 4/10/15. Parents Anthony and Maria Pontillo are very proud! (photo below) Miscellanea
- 36. Page 36 Ø Congratulations to prominent cata- strophic injury lawyer Louis Cairo as 2015 ManofTheYearoftheItalianCulturalCanter at Casa Italia. Ø Congratulations to past President Cris- tinaMungai(below)onhermarriagetoDavid Scalzitti. The couple resides in Washington DC and was married by the groom’s uncle. Verdicts & Settlements By: Michael F. Bonamarte Ø CongratulationstoMichaelF.Bonamarte, John J. Perconti and Margaret Battersby- Black of Levin & Perconti on a $7.5 million dollar Jones Act Settlement. According to the Jury Verdict Report this JonesAct Settlement is thelargestrecordedrecoveryinanIllinoisJones Act case. This result broke the previous record of $4.5 million for a leg amputation Jones Act case that was also handled by Levin & Perconti. ThePlaintiff,then37,sufferedseriousneck and back injuries in an explosion aboard the MV Alejandro in 2009 while it was docked for restoration and repairs inAlton. Edward was in the engine room of the boat when the air tank exploded.Hewasthrownintotheairandlanded on his neck. The lawsuit alleged that American Tugs and the unidentified Alton boat company were liable for Perez-Mossetty’s injuries under the Jones Act, general maritime law and com- mon law negligence. Thelawsuitallegedthattheairaccumulator tankthatexplodedaboardtheAlejandrowasbe- ing operated without a pressure relief valve or a workingdrainvalveonthedayoftheexplosion. Investigations by the Coast Guard, OSHA and theIllinoisBoilerInspectorrevealedthatthetank was being operated without a working pressure relief valve and had thinned and pitted due to rusting caused by water accumulation. These agencies later cited the Defendant American Tugs.Thesuitfurtherallegedthatthefaultytank wasinstalledintheAlejandroseveralyearsprior to the accident, providing the Defendants with ample notice and opportunity to place pressure relief and drain valves. The regulatory agencies also found that on the day of the accident, employees were operating the tank on manual because the compressor kept shutting off. When running on automatic, the compressor would shut off at a certain pressure to avoid overloading the tank with compressed air. However on manual, pressure was allowed to build-up with no relief and eventually exploded, similar to blowing up a balloon until it pops. Ø Congratulations to Stephen D. Phillips and Jill Webb of Phillips Law Offices on a $25 milliondollarjuryverdictinanIndianatrucking accident wrongful death case. In 2010, Philip Amsden was fixing a semitrailer's flat tire along the shoulder of Interstate 65 when the back of his service truck was struck by Jeffery Cleary. Amsden was pinned between his own vehicle and the semitrailer. He died before paramedics arrived. In Lake County Superior Court, Ams- den's widow, Patricia, sued Cleary, the business he owned and the two nearby restaurants that allegedly served him alcohol that day. It was alleged that Cleary spent more than 11 hours at the two restaurants and that his tested blood- alcohol content measured 0.19 two hours after thecrash.ThelegalintoxicationlimitinIndiana is the same as Illinois, .08. The counts against the restaurants came under Indiana's dram shop laws which, like Illinois' law, imposes liability on restaurants or bars for the actions of their pa- tronsifthosecustomerswerevisiblyintoxicated and the bar knew. Unlike Illinois, there are no set limits for dram-shop damages in Indiana. Cleary spent about two more hours at a second bar, Country Lounge in Hobart, Ind. The crash site was only a 45-second drive from the bar. A jury trial in Lake County Superior Court before Judge Bruce D. Parent began Feb. 9. Cleary admitted negligence before the trial but then claimed at trial that the bars were at fault for overserving him. The jury awarded $25 million toAmsden.Indianajuriesareinstructedtoreach general verdicts and do not itemize individual damages. But the jury then divides up the total award payments among the defendants based on their proportion of liability. The jury found Cleary,at40percentfault,liablefor$10million, and his business, Maintenance Dynamics Inc., 10 percent at fault, liable for $2.5 million. Data fromtheIndianaDepartmentofCorrectionindi- cates Cleary was convicted in September 2012 of operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated, causing death. He was sentenced to 14 years in prison.ChulasLLC,whichoperatedtheCountry Lounge bar, was found 30 percent liable and assessed $7.5 million. Giovanni's Inc., which runs the other restaurant, was found liable for $5 million. Finally, Stephen recently resolved a case involving a misfiled prescription for a 3 year old child who ended up with a 2 month hospi- talization from the misfill. This case settled for $925,000. Ø Congratulations to Frank Marino of Ma- rino & Simonetti on an $850,000.00 settlement in a medical malpractice case against an ortho- pedist for failing to diagnose a child’s slipped capital femoral epiphysis when he presented following a fall. It was alleged that the delay in diagnosis caused the condition to become unstable, necessitating 3 surgeries. Ø Congratulations to Mark Rigazio of Rigazio Law Office on a $1.3 million dollar jury verdict in Grundy County, Illinois in an automobile accident that occurred on Route 6 in Morris. The plaintiff was driving westbound and the northbound defendant failed to yield when making a left turn. The Plaintiff suffered spinal damage that necessitated a multi-level fusion. Ø Congratulations to Jennifer L. Ashley of Salvi, Schostok, & Pritchard on a $450,000 settlementinapersonalinjurycase.Theplaintiff, driving his parents’ tractor, was sideswiped by the defendant’s semi-truck which tried to pass on the left as the plaintiff began to left-turn. Plaintiff was ejected and suffered fractures of his leg and clavicle, plus a concussion – but made a full recovery. Ø Congratulations to Joseph A. Bosco and Brian R. Kusper of LaRose & Bosco on a $490,000 settlement in a personal injury case. Allegedly,defendantmaintenancecompanyleft awetspotonthemarblefloorintheMacy’sstore in Oak Brook. Plaintiff employee slipped/fell as she was entering the store to begin her shift, aggravating a preexisting spinal condition and necessitating surgery. She also injured her right foot. Ø CongratulationstoThomasM.Fabianoof Fabiano Law Offices on a $26,571 jury verdict in a personal injury case. The plaintiff, a senior citizen,sustainedanon-displacedcervicalfrac- ture during a rear-end collision in Rockford, and later developed vertigo which necessitated hospitalization. Defense conceded the cervical fracture, but insisted that the vertigo was not accident-related. Ø Congratulations to Anthony M. Pinto and Elizabeth C. Christen of Donohue, Brown, Mathewson & Smyth on a not guilty verdict in a medical malpractice case. The plaintiff claimedthatthedefendant,adoctor,improperly positioned the knee prosthesis during replace- mentsurgery,resultinginpost-opkneepainand stiffness that necessitated revision.The defense denied negligence and breach of the standard of care, and insisted that the plaintiff’s complaints stemmed from neuropathic pain rather than mechanical issues. Ø Congratulations to Mitchell B. Friedman of Morici, Figlioli & Associates on a recently obtained a $1.2 million settlement for an office worker who was injured when a waterlogged ceiling tile fell on her head and arm. Miscellanea
- 37. Page 37 Ø Congratulations to James J. Morici, Jr. and Mitchell B. Friedman of Morici, Figlioli &Associates on obtaining a $2.7 million settle- ment that included waiver of a nearly $903,000 workers compensation lien for an ironworker who was injured when he fell due to a patch of ice on the working deck of a building being constructed. Congratulations to James J. Morici, Jr. and Mitchell B. Friedman of Morici, Figlioli & Associates who recently obtained a $1.775 million settlement and waiver of a workers compensation lien in excess of $716,000 for a laborer who was injured in the course of cutting concrete. Ø CongratulationstoPatrickA.Salvi,Patrick A.Salvi,II,andBrianL.SalviofSalvi,Schostok & Pritchard on obtaining a $14 million settle- ment for a 47 year old Lombard woman who sustained spinal injuries when her car collided with a semi-trailer. Obituaries V Judge Ronald J.P. Banks Career Justinian and prominent Cook County judge, Ronald J.P. Banks, died on New Year’s Day. Mr. Banks, who died from heart complica- tions at Gottlieb Memorial Hospital in Melrose Park, was 76. V Le Roy O. Bulleri We regret to inform you that Le Roy O. Bul- leri passed away at the age of 73. He was the beloved husband of Patricia, and dear father of Roy (Maureen). V Andrea Carponelli It is with great sadness that we inform you of the death of Andrea Carponelli, age 67. She was the dear mother of Ross Carponelli and loving wife of the late Steve Carponelli, both Justinians. V Marie “Cookie” D’Amico We regret to inform you of the passing of Marie D’Amico, age 73. She was the loving sister of Alderman Margaret Laurino, sister-in-law to CommitteemanRandyBarnette,anddearmother of Alderman John D’Amico. V Dr. James T. Drylie, II With great sadness, we inform you of the death of Dr. James T. Drylie, II, the father of friend of the Justinian Society and John Marshall Law School Trustee Christine Castellano. V Thomas J. Durkin With great sadness, we report the passing of Thomas J. Durkin, age 84, the father of the Honorable Thomas Durkin. He was a Trustee of The John Marshall Law School and Fenwick High School. V Sal Ferrara Our deepest sympathies to the family of Sal Ferrara, longtime head of Ferrara Candy Company. V Justice Michael R. Galasso We regret to inform you of the passing of 2nd Appellate Court Justice Michael R. Galasso (retired).HewasadistinguishedDuPageCounty Judge, and an appellate court judge until 1999, currently he was a partner at the law firm of Schiller, DuCanto & Fleck. V Antone Gregorio Past Justinian President Antone "Greg" Gre- goriopassedawaypeacefullyonApril12.He was a WWII Veteran, Chicago-Kent College ofLawgraduate,leadprosecutorfortheCook County State's Attorney Office and founded Gregorio & Associates. V Gene Guetzow We regret to inform you of the passing of Gene Guetzow,lovingfatherofourfriendScottGuet- zow. He is the very beloved husband of Ruth, lovingfathertoScott(Alissa),GeneandLaurie, and devoted grandfather of Savannah, Ryan, Cody, Ava and great “Papa” of Sophia. V Norman LaBrasca Itiswithgreatsadnessthatweinformyouofthe passing of Norman LaBrasca, age 84, brother of Jack La Brasca. Beloved husband of Gloria LaBrasca, nee Verdick for 58 years. Devoted father of Norman Jr. (Debra). Cherished grand- father of Christopher, Eric & Breanne. Loving brother of Jack (Frances) LaBrasca and Tony (Linda) LaBrasca. Dear uncle of many nieces and nephews. Born in Chicago, November 20, 1930tothelateAnthonyandFrancesLaBrasca, Norman passed away January 10, 2015 at his home.NormanworkedforMotorolaforover40 yearsandthenworkedforCorporateDiskfor17 years until his retirement. He also volunteered for the Mended Hearts of Alexian Brothers for 23 years and volunteered for the Parents As- sociation for Loyola University (PALS). V Thomas J. Leahy With overwhelming sadness, we announce the deathofTomLeahy,62,ofChicago.Tompassed Saturday,August 23, 2014 after a short and val- iant struggle with cancer. Beloved husband of Gaile and loving father of Taylor Susan, a law student at Loyola University Chicago. V Edward A. Matuga, Sr. We regret to inform you of the passing of Ed- wardA. Matuga, Sr., age 93. He was a longtime resident and attorney in Westchester. He was the beloved husband of the late Pearl, loving fatherofEdwardA.M.D.(Joan)Matuga,Janice (Thomas) O’Hara, Rita (Thomas) Ahearn and the late Michael. V Michael A. Meschino Our deepest sympathies to the family of Mi- chael A. Meschino, who passed away at the young age of 60. An attorney for more than 30 years, Michael practiced at the Law Offices of Michael A. Meschino in Palatine. Michael was the President of the NWSBA from 2013-2014. He is survived by his wife of 29 years, Kelly (nee Barth) and children Alyssa, Victoria, An- thony and Alexis. V Thomas F. Monico Our sympathies are extended to the family of ThomasF.Monico.Hewasthebelovedhusband of Linda and loving father of T.J. and Laura and brother of past President Michael Monico. V Mary Orticelli We regret to inform you of the passing of Mary Orticelli, beloved mother of Sam Orticelli. She was 88 years old. V Samuel Pietrini With great sadness, we inform you of the pass- ing of Samuel Pietrini, the father of past Casa Italia Chairman, Dr. Dennis Pietrini. He was 93 years old. V Olimpia Pisterzi WeregrettoinformyouofthepassingofOlimpia Pisterzi, mother-in-law of our friend, Thomas Benigno, Assistant Secretary of State. V Hanna Schade OurdeepestsympathiestofriendoftheJustinian Society, Rudolf G. Schade, upon the passing of his mother, Hanna. She was 100 years old. V Nicoletta "Nickie" Tornatore We regret to inform you of the passing of Nicky Tornatore,motherofpastPresidentandDuPage County Board Member, SamTornatore, and his brothers, Steve and Pete. She is also the aunt of Nina Vidmer and great aunt of Vince Vidmer, treasurer. V Guerino “Jake” Turano Withgreatsadness,weinformyouofthepassing ofGuerino“Jake”Turano,retiredVicePresident andGeneralCounselofChicagoTitleInsurance Company. He passed at the golden age of 85. V Emilio Venuti We regret to inform you of the passing of EmilioVenuti,memberofCasaItaliaandcareer Justinian. V Teresa Zamparo Our deepest sympathies to the family of The- resa Zamparo. Teresa is the mother of Justinian and JMLS Board of Trustees member, Roger Zamparo. Justinian Socity Golf Outing June 3 Bloomingdale Golf Club Register Online or Become a Sponsor! www.justinians.org Miscellanea
- 38. Page 38 Justinian Society of Lawyers Golf Outing Wednesday, June 3, 2015 Name: _________________________________________________________ Company: ________________________________________________________ Address: _________________________________________________________ City/State/Zip: _____________________________________________________ Telephone: (_____)__________ E-Mail ______________________________ No. Golf & Dinner Tickets: ______________ No. Dinner Only Tickets: ______________ Names of players (if available): 1 __________________________________ 2 __________________________________ 3 __________________________________ 4 __________________________________ Enclosed is my check in amount of $_____________ RSVP BY May 22 — NO RESERVATIONS ACCEPTED WITHOUT PREPAYMENT Please make checks payable to The Justinian Society of Lawyers Endowment Fund and mail to: Nina Albano Vidmer | P.O. Box 3217 | Oak Brook | IL 60522 | (708) 338-0760 PAY ONLINE AT WWW.JUSTINIANS.ORG - HOLE SPONSORSHIPS AVAILABLE! GREAT MARKETING TOOL! All proceeds benet The Justinian Society of Lawyers Endowment Fund, a 501(c)(3) non-prot organization. Your contribution is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. Bloomingdale Golf Club (181 Glen Ellyn Rd., Bloomingdale) Registration starts at 10:00 AM; Lunch to follow — Shotgun start at 11 AM sharp! Cocktails at 4:30 PM — Dinner at 5:30 PM — Raffle and prizes following. 2015 President Jessica DePinto Golf & Dinner $150 Per Person - $600 Per Foursome Dinner Only - $ 50 Per Person PROCEEDS TO BENEFIT THE JUSTINIAN SOCIETY OF LAWYERS ENDOWMENT FUND Includes golf, cart, full lunch with beverages, clubhouse locker room, dinner and prizes Gift for every player Raffle Par three, hole-in-one, and other prizes! Committee Co-Chairs: Sam Tornatore Vince Vidmer Richard Caldarazzo Franco Coladipietro
- 39. Page 39 Name: _________________________________________________________ Company: ________________________________________________________ Address: _________________________________________________________ City/State/Zip: _____________________________________________________ Telephone: (_____)__________ E-Mail ______________________________ Contact Person_________________________ Yes, I would like to sponsor _____________________________ Enclosed is my check in amount of $_____________ * NOTE: ALL SPONSORSHIPS AND GIFTS MUST BE PRE APPROVED BY THE COMMITTEE! Please make checks payable to The Justinian Society of Lawyers Endowment Fund and mail to: Nina Albano Vidmer | P.O. Box 3217 | Oak Brook | IL 60522 | (708) 338-0760 All proceeds benet The Justinian Society of Lawyers Endowment Fund, a 501(c)(3) non-prot organization. Your contribution is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. PAY ONLINE AT WWW.JUSTINIANS.ORG - HOLE SPONSORSHIPS AVAILABLE! GREAT MARKETING TOOL! CONTRACT DEADLINE — MAY 22 THE Justinian Society Annual Golf OutingWednesday, June 3, 2015 Bloomingdale Golf Club 181 Glen Ellyn Rd., Bloomingdale Sponsorship & Raf le Prizes Promotional opportunities available in many sizes - 1st come, 1st serve...Please select (x) your sponsordhip below: ___ PLATINUM CLUB $500 __ Lunch __ Single Hole Sign __ Hole in One ___ GOLD CLUB $300 __ Beverage Cart __ Fruit Cart __ Registration Table __ Cigar Cart __ Players Cart ___ SILVER CLUB $250 __ Par 3 Volunteer Cart __ Bag Drop ___ BRONZE CLUB $150 Multiple Hole Sign VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! __ Yes, I would like to Volunteer the day of the outing! Your Contact Information RAFFLE PRIZES NEEDED! __ Yes, I would like to DONATE a Raffle Prize! (MINIMUM $50 VALUE) SOLD
- 40. Page 40 Justinian Society of Lawyers P.O. Box 3217 Oak Brook, IL 60522