The Docket - June 2022

THE

DOCKET The Official Publication of the Lake County Bar Association • Vol. 29 • No. 6 • June 2022

LCBA Past Presidents Welcome New LCBA President Tara R. Devine

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Contents THE DOCKET • Vol. 29 • No. 6 • June 2022

COLUMNS 2 President’s Page All About Me

BY TARA R. DEVINE, PRESIDENT

4 The Chief Judge’s Page As we Celebrate the Rule of Law, We Honor Someone Who Fostered it in Lake County

A publication of the

BY CHIEF JUDGE MARK L. LEVITT

12 The Meeting Minutes April 21, 2022 300 Grand Avenue, Suite A Waukegan, Illinois 60085 (847) 244-3143 • Fax: (847) 244-8259 www.lakebar.org • info@lakebar.org

BY DANIEL HODGKINSON, SECRETARY

LCBA EVENTS IFC Office Rental Pricing 5 New LCBA Members 5 Calendar of Events 6 Installation Social 9 Installation Social Sponsors 10 Grapevine 13 Lawyer Referral Service 14 Monthly Committee Meetings BC Member Reception Sponsorship Opportunities

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

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The

All About Me

I

am very honored to be appointed as the next President of the Lake County Bar Association.

The concept of writing an article that is supposed to be “All About Me” feels

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

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oxymoronic when I envision my position as President to not be about me at all. Rather, this position is about the LCBA as an organization, and how I can best serve its purpose.

The LCBA can only function as a “we.” I look forward to serving as President so that I can continue to be part of the “we” of this association and devote my time and services to furthering the association’s mission and goals for its members.

I was not looking forward to writing an article “All About Me” because I have seldom been described as an artful writer.

Truthfully, I have already reached out (specifically to Steve Rice) to be my ghostwriter for the rest of the year. He has not taken me up on the offer yet, but as a trial lawyer I strive to be persuasive so there is a chance that this may be the

President’s Page

last article written in only my own words.

Other than my aversion to writing, and more importantly: I consider myself to be a Lake County girl through-and-through, although I spent the beginning of my childhood in Wisconsin. At 10 years old, my family moved to Libertyville, Illinois.

When I graduated from Libertyville High School, returning to Libertyville was the furthest thing from my mind but, here we are.

After high school, I went to the University of Illinois and graduated with a degree in Political Science. As a lawyer, one of the most frequent questions I get asked is if I always knew that I wanted to pursue a career in law.

I know for a fact that my mother would tell you that I was born to argue. From my perspective, however, other than knowing I

BY TARA R. DEVINE PRESIDENT wanted to go to law school, I was undecided about what I would do with a degree in Political Science.

Straight out of U of I, I headed over the border to Marquette Law School. In law school, I developed a passion for moot court (evidently, I did not develop a similar passion for law review). Ultimately, myself and two of my colleagues found ourselves bringing home a 1st place win at a National Corporate Law Moot Court Competition.

Heading into my third year of law school, I interviewed for a law clerk position at a firm alarmingly close to my hometown of Libertyville. This firm was Salvi, Schostok and Pritchard, and the interview was with Mr. Pat Salvi. At that time, I did not remotely envision that nearly twenty years later, I would be writing an article “All About Me” as the Managing Partner

of Salvi, Schostok and Pritchard’s Lake County office. If you attended the Installation Dinner on June 3, then I hope that I made you aware of how thankful I am for all of the opportunities my boss and this firm has afforded me.

I do not want this article to be all about accolades, such as the fact that I was named the first female partner at Salvi, Schostok and Pritchard in 2011. All joking aside, my best attempt at making this “All About Me” article interesting is to mention things about myself that are not readily available on our firm’s website.

First fun fact: at 21 years old I held a CDL and drove a seventy-five-passenger yellow school bus for Banner Day Camp in Lake Forest. Despite the buses being manual, I still took out every nice curb in the quaint neighborhoods of Lake Forest where I picked up kids for camp. I maintained that CDL license for a couple of years until I—finally and reluctantly—let the license lapse in law school because I was not willing to pay the $50 renewal fee.

Another point worth mentioning is one of my most embarrassing moments. Just prior to moving to Libertyville, my family moved briefly to Westchester, Pennsylvania. At 9 years old, I walked into my classroom wearing a headto-toe Brownie’s uniform.

If you do not know the type of Brownie I am referring to, it is the younger version of Girl Scouts with a full uniform, brown beanie, badge, sash and all. In Wisconsin on Brownie meeting

days, my fellow Brownies and I would proudly wear the Brownie uniform to school during the day, although the meeting was after school. Unfortunately for me, that is not how it worked in Pennsylvania at my new school. In addition to my uniform mishap, I also spent two years in Pennsylvania arguing and pleading my case with my classmates that they were the ones who had accents, not my midwestern self. It was my position that news anchors sounded like me, so mine was the natural dialect (a fairly compelling argument from a 9 year old, if you ask me).

Now, years later as a retired Brownie, ex-CDL holder, and attorney, I have worked at both of Salvi, Schostok and Pritchard’s offices in Waukegan and Chicago. I started in Lake County and then worked for several years in the Chicago office. I lived in Chicago for over a decade,

and then returned to Lake County after my husband and I decided to raise our children here. I currently reside in Libertyville, along with my husband and my two amazing kids. I cannot forget to mention my favorite member of our family, which is our goldendoodle, Zoey. Yes, she is a Covid fur-baby and it only took a pandemic to finally convince my husband to let us get a dog.

As light-hearted as I am keeping this article, it is important that I emphasize the strong connection I have fostered with Lake County, considering that I grew up here, I work here, I am raising my family here, and I represent many clients from this community as well. I feel very fortunate that I love my job. I love everything about a courtroom from picking a jury, to interacting with defense counsel, to presenting and arguing in front of a judge. My job

is incredibly rewarding; it allows me to support families through very difficult periods in their lives and help them navigate through the litigation system.

On a final note, I want to conclude where this article started: with the LCBA. Becoming President brings my years with the LCBA full circle. I started as a Board Member, and actively participated in the Civil Trials and Appeals Committee, which I chaired for several years. I eventually took a position as Secretary on the Executive Board, then Second Vice President, and then First Vice President. That is how I came to be where I am today, as President. Again, I cannot overstate that this position of presidency is not about me, but about “we” as an organization.

Thank you again for this opportunity. It is going to be a great year for the LCBA.

Marcie Mangan, Jennifer Ashley, Jackie Kurth, Tara Devine, TJ Saye, Bruce Wolf, Mandy Palmer, Stacey Hoover, Matt Williams

June 2022

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As we Celebrate the Rule of Law, We Honor Someone Who Fostered it in Lake County

I

want to take a moment at the start of my June article by addressing an event that took place in May. Each year the 19th Judicial Circuit hosts the annual Law Day Celebration at the courthouse. Law Day has been celebrated each year since 1957, when American Bar Association (ABA) president and counsel to President Dwight Eisenhower proposed a day to celebrate the rule

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of law. Since then, Law Day has traditionally been celebrated on May 1 with Congress officially designating that day in 1961.

Each year the ABA develops a theme, which is used across the country. This year the theme is More Perfect Union: The Constitution in Times of Change.

The theme was designed to promote the idea that all people are responsible to “promote the rule of law, defend liberty, and

The

Chief Judge’s Page pursue justice.”

It has always been the tradition of our Circuit to host a variety of events celebrating this special day, and involving many of our justice partners including the Public Defender, the State’s Attorney, members of the Lake County Bar Association, and attorneys from all practice areas.

Events occur in the courthouse, culminating with the presentation of awards to participating Lake County school children.

Although this year’s event was limited to remote participation, I want to thank all of our members and friends for making the event so successful. A very special thanks goes out to the Lake County Bar Foundation for providing the generous prizes for the participants! Here’s hoping for a return to our more robust celebration in the years to come.

BY CHIEF JUDGE MARK L. LEVITT GOING AND COMING… As many of you know, our Adult Probation Department has been anchored for many years by our outstanding Director, Steve Fabbri. Steve has been a part of the 19th Judicial Circuit family since he joined us as an adult probation officer in February 1985! He served as a Juvenile Probation Officer in the Intensive Probation Division beginning in 1986 and worked with highrisk youth offenders until his return to the Adult Division in 1989, where he worked with high-risk adult offenders. Steve became a Unit Coordinator in the Presentence Investigation Unit and served there until he became Assistant Director of the Pretrial Division and the Presentence Investigation Unit. As Assistant Director, Steve was instrumental

in working with Judge John Phillips in developing our Problem-Solving Courts and implementing programming for all of our clients in this rapidly developing area. Many of us will always associate Steve’s tenure as being dominated by the thoughtful implementation of “evidence-based-best-practices” and “data-driven solutions!”

Known to many of us from his years of service to our circuit, Steve is also a well-known member of the community. Steve had a long career as an umpire for local little leagues and as an umpire and referee for the IHSA. Please join me in wishing Steve and his family best wishes for an enjoyable retirement!

While we all will miss seeing Steve around the courthouse, we are so happy to welcome Margaret Fontana as our new Director of Adult Probation! Meg has served as a member of Adult Probation since 1986. Beginning in 2006, she has served as a member of the management team. She became Unit Coordinator of the Domestic Violence Unit in 2006 and served in that role until becoming Unit Manager in 2012. In 2019 Meg was promoted to her now-former role as Assistant Director. During her tenure, Meg has been instrumental in keeping the 19th at the forefront of probation innovation throughout the state and the country. Most notably, she has served as a member of the Illinois Judicial College—appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court. In addition, she was respon-

sible for implementing the Domestic Violence Unit for Adult Probation, developing guidelines for Domestic Violence Probation for the AOIC, and developing treatment protocols for violent offenders in our Circuit. Congratulations and welcome, Meg!

Welcome

New LCBA Members

ATTORNEY Madeline Jane Sefton Beermann LLP Ann Leone Strategic Divorce Jose Lebron Law Offices of Jose Lebron Dominic J. Buttitta Buttitta Law Group, LLC PROFESSIONAL Anthony E Wadas Prairie State Legal Services Inc.

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Calendar of Events

Family Law Committee Meeting Wednesday June 15, 2022 12pm - 1pm Lake County Courthouse 18 N. County St. C-103 Waukegan, IL 60085 2022 Summer Social Thursday, June 16, 2022 5pm – 8pm Tighthead Brewing Company Mundelein IL 2022 Lake County Bar Association Golf Outing Thursday, June 23, 2022 11am – 5pm White Deer Run Vernon Hills, L

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June 2022

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2022 SOCIAL

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June 2022

Thursday, June 16 5-8 pm Join the Association of Women Attorneys of Lake County and the LCBA Community Outreach and Diversity Committee at Tighthead Brewing Company for the 2022 Summer Social.

The Fire & Smoke BBQ Company’s food truck will be serving food!

Donations will be collected for the Libertyville Township Food Pantry.

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June 2022

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Grapevine

Benedict J. Ori Award Congratulations to Steven McCollum on receiving the 2022 Benedict J. Ori Award. Established in 1986 by former Lake County State’s Atty. Fred Foremen the Ori Award recognizes the efforts of former Lake County prosecutors and their contribution to law enforcement, the bar association, and the judiciary. The award is named for Benedict J. Ori, a former Lake County assistant state’s attorney who later became a top criminal defense attorney. Ori was appointed to a Lake County associate judgeship in 1985 but passed away before taking office.

Lake County Bar Association Community Outreach and Diversity Committee Co-chair John Joanem delivers donations from the recent LCBA professional clothing drive to the staff at the Legacy Reentry Foundation.

The Art Impact Project receives a Lake County Bar Foundation Grant.

The Art Impact Project was established with the purpose of helping adolescents in substance abuse recovery through the use and benefits of art making. The organization serves at-risk youth, juveniles coming from incarceration/detention and students identified as having academic and behavioral issues. The Lake County Bar Foundation is pleased to support an organization making such a positive impact in the community.

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June 2022

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Board of Directors’ Meeting

The

April 21, 2022 CONSENT AGENDA • Minutes • New Members A motion was made and seconded to approve the consent agenda. The motion was unanimously approved.

DISCUSSION ITEMS • Treasurer’s Report We received the Quarterly Report from Manning Silverman. It is a helpful tool when reviewing costs and expenditures and preparing for the new budget. Expenses and revenue is positive, but the board must be aware of expenses moving forward

BY DANIEL HODGKINSON SECRETARY due to pre and post Covid times.

OLD BUSINESS: FY’ 2022-23 Budget Process: Kevin Berrill and Greg Weider are working through the budget for the next fiscal year. Everything is on track to have a proposed budget ready for the May meeting.

Financial Sub-committee Update: The sub-committee is actively speaking with new accountants to better fit the association’s needs.

There is nothing to present to the board at this time.

FREE CLE DISCOUNTED CLE BUSINESS MEETINGS LAWYER REFERRAL SERVICE COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP THE DOCKET & WEEKLY E-NEWS

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Meeting Minutes

Judicial Selection and Retention Committee: Discussion was had concerning the committee’s bylaws addressing Appellate and Supreme Court candidates. A motion was made, seconded and unanimously passed to update the Judicial Selection and Retention Committee’s bylaws based on the proposal from the committee.

NEW BUSINESS: Wayne Flanigan Award Revisions A motion was made, seconded and unanimously passed to amend the language of the award to include service to the Lake County Bar Association as a potential basis to receive the award.

Foundation Board of Trustees: A motion was made, seconded and unanimously passed to accept the slate of trustees to the Foundation Board.

Executive Director Review: The Executive board will complete the evaluation of the Executive Director.

The Board will discuss the review at the May meeting.

Meeting Concluded 12:50.

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

LAWYER REFERRAL SERVICE

WHY SHOULD YOU JOIN? The LCBA Lawyer Referral Service (LRS) is a valuable member benefit as well as a public service. LRS provides member attorneys with an opportunity to build business through client referrals. The service benefits the public by helping callers quickly find an attorney in the area of law in which they need help.

The LRS program is designed to assist persons who are able to pay normal attorney fees but whose ability to locate legal representation is frustrated by a lack of experience with the legal system, a lack of information about the type of services needed, or a fear of the potential costs of seeing a lawyer.

Cost is only $200 annually for a Standard listing or $350 for a Premium listing. Download the application at www.lakebar.org/page/LRS or contact the LCBA office for more information.

ATTORNEYS NEEDED IN THE FOLLOWING CATEGORIES • Administrative • Bankruptcy • Commercial • Consumer • Employment • Environmental • Estate Planning, Wills, Trusts and Probate Visit lakecountylawyer.info for a complete list of available categories.

CONTACT THE LCBA AT 847.244.3143 OR INFO@LAKEBAR.ORG

LAKECOUNTYLAWYER.INFO June 2022

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Monthly

Committee Meetings

DAY

GO TO

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

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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.

Do you have a speaker idea or suggestion for our business meetings?

We would like to hear from you!

Send your ideas to: jose@lakebar.org 14

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June 2022

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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: 16 847-244-3143 The Docket • Fax: 847-244-8259