The Docket - February 2022

THE

DOCKET The Official Publication of the Lake County Bar Association • Vol. 29 • No. 2 • February 2022

MARCH 4–5, 2022 GORTON COMMUNITY CENTER 400 E. ILLINOIS ROAD, LAKE FOREST, IL 60045

CONFERENCE ROOM For meetings only. Seats 16 – 20 comfortably During business hours (8 am – 5 pm) • Member- Free • Non-Member $150/1st hour. $50/hour after • Non-Member, Not-for-Profit: $25/hour

2022 LCBA OFFICE RENTAL PRICING

After Hours (5 pm – 9 pm) • Member - $25 per hour • Non-Member – Not Available • Non-Member, Not-for-Profit: $50 per hour

MEMBER CENTER “The Bar” Accommodates up to 100 people During business hours (8 am – 5 pm) Members (add $25/hour for after hour events) • Meeting only (individual or group, no food or beverages served: Free • Self-Service reception or party (provide own alcoholic beverages): $50 per hour • Hosted beer & wine reception or party (beer & wine provided by Association): $250/ 1st hour, $50/hour after Non-Members: (add $50/hour for after hour events) • Meeting only (individual or group, no food or beverages served): $50 per hour • Self-Service reception or party (provide own alcoholic beverages and food): $300/ 1st hour, $50/hour after • Hosted beer & wine reception or party – Not Available Non-Member, Not-for-Profit: (add $25/hour for after hour events) • Meeting only (individual or group, no food or beverages served): $25 per hour • Self-Service reception or party (provide own alcoholic beverages and food): $150/1st hour, $25/hour after • Hosted beer & wine reception or party – Not Available Association Committee Meetings (Conference Room or Member Center) Without beer & Wine - Free With Hosted Beer & Wine - $150 flat fee (for 5 – 15 people), $200 (over 15 people) Room rentals are based on availability. Rentals include use of A/V already in room (phone, TV, Speaker. WIFI).

All rentals include free parking in our large, well-lit, 45 vehicle parking lot adjacent to the LCBA building.

Contact the LCBA Office at 847-244-3143 or info@lakebar.org

Contents THE DOCKET • Vol. 29 • No. 2 • February 2022

COLUMNS 2 President’s Page The 2022 President’s Awards

BY JOSEPH FUSZ, PRESIDENT

4 The Chief Judge’s Page 19th Circuit Spring Training

A publication of the

BY CHIEF JUDGE MARK L. LEVITT

10 The Meeting Minutes December 16, 2021 300 Grand Avenue, Suite A Waukegan, Illinois 60085 (847) 244-3143 • Fax: (847) 244-8259 www.lakebar.org • info@lakebar.org

LCBA EVENTS IFC Office Rental Pricing 3 New LCBA Members 10 Calendar of Events 12 Monthly Committee Meetings BC Member Reception Sponsorship Opportunities

BY DANIEL HODGKINSON, SECRETARY

THE DOCKET EDITORIAL COMMITTEE Jeffrey A. Berman,Co-Editor Hon. Charles D. Johnson,Co-Editor Jennifer C. Beeler Hon. Michael J. Fusz Hon. Daniel L. Jasica Kevin K. McCormick Hon. Raymond J. McKoski Tracy Poulakidas Stephen J. Rice Neal A. Simon Hon. ­­­James K. Simonian Rebecca J. Whitcombe Alex Zagor STAFF Greg Weider Executive Director Jose Gonzalez Assistant Executive Director Nancy Rodriguez Receptionist

AD SIZE 1/8 Page 1/4 Page 1/2 Page Full Page Inside Front or Inside Back Cover

Back Cover

ONE ISSUE

6 ISSUES

12 ISSUES

$85 $80 $75 $145 $135 $125 $195 $185 $175 $325 $295 $275 $650 per issue $800 per issue

Classified Advertising

Standard $1.75 per word (Rate for LCBA Members) Text $2.75 per word (Rate for Non-Members) Bold $3.50 per word (Rate for LCBA Members) Text $4.50 per word (Rate for Non-Members) Classified Advertisement may contain as many words, numbers, symbols and boldface type.

Advertising Rates To place an ad or for information on advertising rates, call (847) 244-3143. Submission deadline: first day of month preceding the month of publication. All submissions must be made in electronic format (high resolution PDF or JPG format at a resolution of 300 pixels per inch or more.) See www.lakebar.org/page/Docket_Advertising The Docket is the official publication of the Lake County Bar Association, 300 Grand Avenue, Suite A, Waukegan, Illinois 60085 (847) 2443143, and is published monthly. Subscriptions for non-members are $45.00 per year.

Reproduction in whole or part without permission is prohibited. The opinions and positions stated in signed material are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the Association or its members.

All submitted manuscripts are considered by the Editorial Board. All letters to the editor and articles are subject to editing. Publications of advertisements is not to be considered as an endorsement of any product or service advertised unless otherwise stated.

The 2022 President’s Awards “Appreciation is a wonderful thing. It makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well.” - Voltaire

P

eople deserve to be recognized for their accomplishments and achievements. Not that everyone should not be

Joseph Fusz President Tara Devine First Vice President Katharine Hatch Second Vice President Kevin Berrill Treasurer Daniel Hodgkinson Secretary Hon. Patricia Cornell Immediate Past President Dwayne Douglas Hon. Jacquelyn Melius Craig Mandell Sarah Raisch Jeffrey O’Kelley Jeremy Harter

2

The Docket

striving for greatness every day, but it is important to take time to recognize the efforts of individuals, and appreciate their contributions to the community as a whole, especially during these turbulent times.

As I often remind others, participation in the Lake County Bar Association is completely voluntary, from the Officers and Board of Directors positions through all of the committee chairs, seminar planners and event participants. There is no level of compensation commensurate with this level of professional and personal dedication.

Every day, the members of the Lake County legal community make the decision to be selfless as opposed to selfish, and volunteer their time, talent and energy in the

The

President’s Page

pursuit of the missions of the Association, the Foundation, and for the betterment of our legal system.

I do want to dispel the notion that being selfish is a purely negative connotation. There is nothing wrong with being selfish from time to time. Everyone requires and deserves time to rest and recharge, to focus on their own individual needs, to replenish the “well of fortitude,” according to Lt. Col. Michael Grossman, USA (Ret.). There are many worthwhile pursuits all of us have that bring us joy and help us feel fulfilled. Especially during these pandemic times, it is extremely important that we take time to be mindful of our own needs and take care of ourselves.

But that makes the

BY JOSEPH FUSZ PRESIDENT

contributions of our members all the more worthy of individual recognition.

Long ago, the LCBA established multiple awards that can be given out by the President. This month, on February 22, I will be presenting the LCBA Outstanding Young Lawyer Award to member Divina Ayala, the LCBA Innovator Awards to members Bella Rappaport and Janet Mazurek, and the LCBA Lifetime Achievement Award to member Rick Lesser.

Divina Ayala is an Assistant Public Defender in the Felony Division of the Lake County Public Defender’s Office. Early in her legal career she became active and involved in the Lake County Bar Association through committee work and other projects, such as the Gridiron. She currently serves as the

Chair of the Young and New Lawyers Committee, in addition to her participation and leadership in other Lake County legal professional and non-profit organizations. Ms. Ayala does an outstanding job in all aspects of her professional career, represents the excellence of the bar association, and is extremely worthy of recognition as the LCBA Outstanding Young Lawyer.

Bella Rappaport and Janet Mazurek are two prominent family law attorneys in Lake County.

Both are solo practitioners and have been active members of the Lake County Bar Association and the Family Law Committee for years. Moreover, both Ms. Rappaport and Ms. Mazurek have served as the court-appointed Guardian ad Litem for hundreds of cases over the course of their legal careers, trusted by attorneys and the judiciary with providing expert opinions and recommendations that affect every aspect of a family’s life. Their idea to establish a virtual GAL Training series for the Lake County Bar Association was extremely timely and inventive, and based on the feedback from participants, very worthwhile and informative. For all of their hard work and ingenuity, Bella Rappaport and Janet Mazurek are each extremely deserving of the LCBA Innovator Award this year.

Rick Lesser is a name that is almost synonymous with participation in the Lake County Bar Association. Over the course of his legal career, he has

been a stalwart supporter of the LCBA with his time and talent, his energy and enthusiasm, his foresight and fortitude. Mr. Lesser has fostered involvement in our committees and events, served in leadership roles on the Board of Directors which, during his 2008-2009 LCBA Presidency, he expanded to its current size, and he continues to serve as a strong advocate for membership and participation. These accolades say nothing of the continued, often unheralded, contributions of his wife, Terry Moss-Lesser, as well as the entire firm of Lesser, Lutrey, Pasquesi and Howe. For decades, Rick Lesser has been a fervent proponent of our association, and is extremely deserving of the LCBA Lifetime Achievement Award.

Additionally, we traditionally take the time to recognize the members of the Lake County Bar Association who have reached the milestone of fifty years of the practice of law. While we have not had the opportunity to publicly acknowledge these members since February 2019, it is extremely important that their achievement of longevity in our mutual profession be recognized and honored in this issue of The Docket. On behalf of the entire Bar Association, I want to thank each and every one of those members listed for their dedication, service, mentoring and professionalism.

“What’s recognized gets reinforced, and what gets reinforced gets repeated.” While I have seen various iterations of this

anonymous quote, I prefer this version the most.

The compliment paid to someone who took the time to prepare a seminar presentation will always be remembered. The praise given to a young attorney will not soon be forgotten, and the positive leadership displayed by the senior attorney will be behavior that is emulated.

The verbal tribute from a judge to the attorneys commending their preparation, diligence, advocacy and professionalism will reinforce the standard expected, and serve as a benchmark for achievement. If the acknowledgement of the great works of individual bar association members inspires us to action in the future, we are all better for it.

There have been times in everyone’s life that are looked back on with regret.

But I do not believe that anyone should aspire to be the character “Stilwell” from the 1992 feature film, A League of Their Own (“You’re gonna lose, you’re gonna lose!”). Like the fictional character, one would be hard-pressed to think back on a time when they regretted paying a compliment to someone who was deserving, regretted publicly acknowledging the positive achievements of another, regretted choosing to inspire others as opposed to casting criticism and doubt. We can all inspire one another to great things, and no one has the monopoly on success and generosity.

We are not able to recognize everyone deserving of accolades with the presentation of a plaque.

The unheralded actions of all the members of the Lake County Bar Association have been a tradition of our organization since 1912. I am certainly thankful for every one of you, and for all that you do to make the Lake County Bar Association great. But it is important to give public appreciation where we can, and to recognize extraordinary achievement. I hope that you join us on February 22 for the President’s Awards so that we can appreciate and recognize the excellence of our award recipients—excellence that belongs to us as well.

Thank you.

Welcome

New LCBA Members

ATTORNEY Robert Smoler Smoler Law Office, P. C. Kristian Nordby Law offices of Kristian V. Nordby Rebecca E Cahan Berger Schatz Matthew Vincent Romano Ben Dillon Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office Lawrence Steingold Law Office of Lawrence Steingold Evan J. Smith Zane D. Smith & Associates Jennifer Tier Feinberg Sharma P.C. STUDENT Katelynn M. Blake

February 2022

3

19th Circuit Spring Training

H

appy February! I know what you’re probably thinking, “there is nothing happy about February.” Well, that’s not entirely true.

While February is the shortest month of the year, (but often feels like the longest, given the frigid temperatures), there is at least one day of the month that makes me quite happy.

While National Pizza Day on the 9th, Valentine’s Day on the 14th and National Margarita Day on the 22nd

4

The Docket

are certainly causes to celebrate, in my view there is nothing quite as important as the day pitchers and catchers report for spring training! It is on this day, February 15, when I will inevitably be filled with optimism for warm days ahead and the hope that comes with every new Cubs season.

Pitchers and catchers reporting for spring training has marked the symbolic end of winter since the late 1800’s. Not only does

The

Chief Judge’s Page spring training give players an opportunity to prepare for the long season before them, it allows baseball enthusiasts to imagine endless possibilities for a bright future ahead. The prospect for better days to come is powerful in sports and it certainly drives us forward in the courthouse!

There is no doubt that we have all been imagining, hoping, and planning for an end to the pandemic.

Despite the recent challenges omicron has brought, I am extremely proud of how the 19th has adapted. Of course, we will continue to assess circumstances surrounding Covid, but for the foreseeable future the courthouse will maintain a mix of in-person, remote, and hybrid proceedings. As we endeavor to return to normalcy, life for the judges of the 19th will be a blend of the familiar and the not-so-familiar.

BY CHIEF JUDGE MARK L. LEVITT Many of you are aware that judges are required to participate in continuing legal education. In order to fulfill these requirements, each of the judges in the state must complete a weeklong training seminar once every two years. Judges are permitted to choose from a variety of courses in topics touching on all parts of legal practice. Additionally, judges are required to complete ongoing ethics training. While the training weeks have traditionally been held in February and April, they will be pushed back two months because of concerns about transmission of the virus. Although we will be missing half of our judges, courthouse operations will continue without interruption in each of the divisions.

While there will always be continuity in courtroom activity, in order to facilitate an environment where our

judges and staff are accustomed to working in all the divisions, in the coming months there will be some changes in judicial assignments. Accomplishing this goal requires flexibility and teamwork. Although not every courtroom assign-

ment will be affected, there will be movement across all our divisions. The goal is to promote efficient use of judicial resources and enhance access to justice for all of our stakeholders.

Finally, I want to take this opportunity to wel-

come our new members of the 19th Judicial Circuit family: Daisy Fermaint, Jeremy Hall, Arian Cortez, Mychelle Rodriguez, Marisa Cervantes, Maria Rivas, James Dellis, Nicholas Moore, Anthony Davis, Salma Pasillas, and Jose Gatica.

I am looking forward to working with and getting to know each of them!

With spring just around the corner, I am optimistic about—and looking forward to—the many opportunities to come and the bright future ahead!

MEDIATION AND ARBITRATION THROUGH THE CHICAGO BAR ASSOCIATION ¨

I have 35+ years’ experience in personal injury li�ga�on, with a focus on heavy truck li�ga�on for the past 20 + years.

¨

Media�ons and arbitra�ons are available online

¨

Mee�ng rooms are available in Waukegan or Chicago for in person sessions

¨

The Chicago Bar Associa�on established rate for media�on is $400 per hour with a four hour minimum.

¨

Many small to midsize auto cases can be successfully mediated for around $1000 a party.

¨

You do not have to be a Chicago Bar Associa�on member to use the service.

¨

Contact the CBA Media�on Service at www.chicagobarmedia�on.org or call 312.554.2040

¨

Or contact me at 312.217.0054.

Helping people obtain the benefits that are rightfully theirs.

Do you have a client who cannot work and is struggling to obtain Social Security Disability benefits?

Has your client already been turned down?

SSD cases can be time-consuming and confusing, with complex requirements and deadlines.

With nearly 25 years of experience, The Good Law Group has won cases at all levels of the claims process, including cases originally declined by the Social Security Administration.

Get help today!

847-577-4476 | 800-419-7606 thegoodlawgroup.com • info@TheGoodLawGroup.com 209 W. Madison Street, Suite 1, Waukegan, IL 60085

February 2022

5

ACT! Advertise! ATTEND! Doors Open at 6:30 p.m.

Show at 7:30 p.m.

Gorton Community Center , 400 E. Illinois Road, Lake Forest, IL 60045

RESERVATION FORM l Friday, March 4, 2022 l Saturday, March 5, 2022

# of tickets ____ x $49* per person = $_____ # of tickets ____ x $49* per person = $_____

_______________________________________ Company/Firm

_______________________________________ Contact

_______________________________________ Address

_______________________________________ City, State & Zip

_______________________________________ Phone

_______________________________________ E-mail

METHOD OF PAYMENT l Check l Discover*

l Visa* l MasterCard* l American Express*

_____________________________________ Card Number

_____________________________________ Expiration Date & CCV

_____________________________________ Signature

*A 4% Credit Card Processing Fee will be applied to purchases paid with a credit card. All tickets must be paid for at the time of the order. No refunds issued after February 25, 2022.

RETURN THIS FORM WITH YOUR PAYMENT:

Lake County Bar Association • 300 Grand Avenue, Suite A • Waukegan, Illinois 60085 TEL: 847-244-3143 • E-mail: info@lakebar.org

I6

The Docket

BROADWAY LCBA Style

Dinner on your own

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with hosted beer and wine • Curtain rises at 7:30 p.m.

SPONSORSHIPS l FEED THE CAST The Need: • Gridiron actors meet 10 times in preparation for the show • This occurs after work • They are hungry and grumpy

The problem: • Food cost $ The solution: • You can sponsor a meal for $150 • (That’s what it costs to feed sad, grumpy actors) The benefit: • We acknowledge you in the Gridiron program • Your name/logo will grace the food table • The actors will refer you cases worth millions • The Pope will expedite your path to sainthood

l RESTAURANT SPONSORSHIP Seeking Lake Forest area restaurants to become “preshow” sponsors of the Lake County Bar Association biannual Gridirion Show. For one low price ($299) we will advertise your restaurant to 1,000 members, over 300 whom will be in Lake Forest for the show.

1,000 Lake County Lawyers will see you in: • Our January and February 2018 magazine, highlighting your special offer in connection with our show • A complimentary 1/4 page advertisement in our April 2022 magazine • Acknowledgement on the Lake County Bar Association website and in weekly e-mails to 1,000 members through March 2022.

PLAYBILL ADVERTISING RESERVATION The 2022 Gridiron Show, The Lake County Bar Association’s hilarious musical follies, will be held March 4 & 5, 2022 at the Gorton Community Center, Lake Forest. You can to be part of the fun by advertising in the just-ashiliarious keepsake Gridiron Playbill.

You know you’ll be sorry if your ad isn’t included. Reserve your space now!

AD SIZE - COLOR

l Back Cover l Inside Front or Inside Back Cover l Full Page (Live Area) l Half Page (Horizontal) l Half Page (Vertical) l Quarter Page (Horizontal) l Quarter Page (Vertical) l Business Card (Horizonal) l Graphic Design Service Fee

_______________________________________

Company/Firm

DIMINSIONS (width x length) PRICE

8.5" x 11" 8.5" x 11" 7.75" x 10.265" 7.75" x 4.895" 3.75" x 10" 7.75" x 2.34" 3.75" x 4.91" 3.5" x 2" N/A

$850 $700 $450 $250 $250 $150 $150 $125 $50/hr

METHOD OF PAYMENT

_______________________________________ Contact

l Check l Discover*

_______________________________________

_____________________________________

Address

l Visa* l MasterCard* l American Express*

Card Number

_______________________________________ City, State & Zip

_____________________________________ Expiration Date & CCV

_______________________________________

_____________________________________

Phone

Signature

_______________________________________

*A 4% Credit Card Processing Fee will be applied to purchases paid with a credit card.

E-mail

RETURN THIS FORM WITH YOUR PAYMENT:

Lake County Bar Association • 300 Grand Avenue, Suite A • Waukegan, Illinois 60085 TEL: 847-244-3143 • E-mail: info@lakebar.org

February January 2020 2022

II7

8

The Docket

February 2022

9

Board of Directors’ Meeting

The

December 16th, 2021 CONSENT AGENDA • Minutes • New Members A motion was made and seconded to approve the consent agenda. The motion was unanimously approved.

2

The

OLD BUSINESS: Holiday Party Significant positive feedback concerning the holiday party.

2

2 2

Calendar of Events February 17, 2022 12:00 p.m.

Debtor Creditor Committee Meeting Virtual February 22, 2022 12:00 p.m.

President’s Awards Luncheon Virtual February 24, 2022 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Free Legal Advice Virtual Clinic

March 4 - 5, 2022 6:30 p.m.

2022 Gridiron Gorton Center, Lake Forest

10 The Docket

DISCUSSION ITEMS • Treasurer’s Report Discussion was had concerning Manning and Silverman’s Quarterly Review.

Financial Review Committee Discussion was had that a decision on financial review would be concluded prior to the new fiscal year. Also, coordination is to be done with the Foundation Board.

Bylaws Committee Jeff O’Kelley lead a discussion concerning the Bylaw Committee submitting drafts of areas that could be addressed.

NEW BUSINESS: Terry Brady Lifetime Membership Discussion was had

Meeting Minutes

BY DANIEL HODGKINSON SECRETARY

concerning a Lifetime Membership application

by Terry Brady. A motion was made and seconded to approve the Lifetime Membership. The motion was unanimously approved.

Partnership for a Safer Lake County CLE Proposal Discussion was had concerning the proposal.

A motion was made and seconded to approve the partnership.

Board Resolution Discussion was had concerning a board resolution with regard to the chief judge completing her term. A motion was made and seconded to approve the resolution.

Executive Session: An executive session was held from 12:56 to 1:05 The meeting concluded at 1:09PM.

BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT Joseph Fusz President Tara Devine First Vice President Kevin Berrill Treasurer Daniel Hodgkinson Secretary Katharine S. Hatch Second Vice President Hon. Patricia Cornell Past President Craig Mandell Director Hon. Jacquelyn Melius Director Jeremy Harter Director Jeff O’Kelley Director Sarah Raisch Director Greg Weider Executive Director

We’ve got you covered. ISBA Mutual insures more small firms in Illinois than any other insurance company.

Same-day Service Risk Management Consultations

Answers questions and helps guide you through the process

Online CLE

Sponsored with the Illinois State Bar Association

No interest or fees for quarterly or monthly payments

Call us at (312) 379-2000 or visit us online at ISBAMUTUAL.COM/APPLY.

(312) 379-2000 | ISBAMUTUAL.COM

February 2022

11

Monthly

Committee Meetings

DAY

GO TO

WWW.LAKEBAR.ORG FOR THE MOST UP-TO-DATE CALENDAR INFORMATION

Bar

Bulletin Board

To place an ad or for information on advertising rates, call (847) 244-3143

MEETING

LOCATION

TIME

1st Tuesday

Diversity & Community Outreach

Virtual Until Further Notice

12:15-1:15

1st Thursday

Real Estate

VUFN

5:30-6:30

Docket Editorial Committee

VUFN

12:15-1:15

2nd Tuesday

Criminal Law

VUFN

12:15-1:15

2nd Tuesday (Odd Mo.)

Immigration

VUFN

4:30-5:30

2nd Wednesday

Family Law Advisory Group (FLAG)

VUFN

12:00-1:00

2nd Wednesday

Civil Trial and Appeals

VUFN

4:00-5:00

2nd Thursday

Young & New Lawyers

VUFN

12:15-1:15

2nd Thursday

Trusts and Estates

VUFN

12:15-1:15

3rd Monday (Odd Mo.)

Solo & Small Firms

VUFN

12:00 noon

3rd Tuesday

Local Government

VUFN

12:15-1:15

3rd Tuesday

LCBF Board of Trustees

VUFN

4:00

Family Law

VUFN

12:00-1:00

LCBA Board of Directors

VUFN

12:00 noon

VUFN

5:30-6:30

VUFN

5:15-6:15

1st Thursday (Even Mo.)

3rd Wednesday 3rd Thursday 3rd Thursday As Needed

Debtor/Creditor Rights Employment Law

• RSVP to a meeting at www.lakebar.org.

• Meetings subject to change. Please check your weekly e-news, the on-line calendar at www.lakebar.org or call the LCBA Office @ (847) 244-3143.

• Please feel free to bring your lunch to the LCBA office for any noon meetings. Food and beverages at restaurants are purchased on a individual basis.

ANNOUNCING OUR NEW NAME!

STILL IN THE SAME LOCATION, CONTINUING TO PRACTICE IN LITIGATION & APPEALS, RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE, BUSINESS LAW, ESTATE PLANNING, & TRUST ADMINISTRATION

ROBERT W. CHURCHILL WILLIAM A. CHURCHILL JOHN W. QUINN MARK T. HAMILTON MARK VAN DONSELAAR JOHN L. QUINN LEO J. DELANEY AMBER L. DESSELLES MARY LEE BERRESHEIM

TWO SOUTH WHITNEY, GRAYSLAKE, IL 60030 • (847) 223-1500 • WWW.GRAYSLAKELAW.COM

12

The Docket

February 2022

13

MEMBER RECEPTION SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES LCBA Member Receptions will generally be held on the 4th Thursday of every month.

Your $500 sponsorship includes: • Recognition in advertising before the event and on signage at the event • Reception from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m.

• Complimentary beer and wine. Upgrades available for additional fee.

Contact Jose at jose@lakebar.org to add your name to a reception.

300 Grand Avenue, Suite A, Waukegan, IL 60085 Tel: 847-244-3143 • Fax: 847-244-8259