Chicago-Kent College of Law: Alumni E-Brief
Alumni E-Brief
Dean Harold J. Krent

From the Dean

Accolades and Announcements

In fall 1987, Chicago-Kent inaugurated the Centennial Visitor lecture series as way to mark the founding of Chicago College of Law, forerunner of Chicago-Kent, in 1888.

Over the last two decades, we have hosted such distinguished lecturers as the Hon. Stephen M. Schwebel of the International Court of Justice in The Hague and Nobel Laureates Professor Elinor Ostrom, Indiana University - Bloomington, and Professor Daniel Kahneman, Princeton University. This year we welcome an equally distinguished Centennial Lecturer, noted economist, Professor Jadgish Bhagwati.

Professor Bhagwati is on faculty at Columbia University and is a senior fellow in international economics at the Council on Foreign Relations. Widely regarded as the preeminent international trade economist today, he has also made contributions to public finance, immigration, and the new theory of political economy.

Professor Bhagwati will speak at the law school this Wednesday, March 3 at 3:00 p.m. in a public lecture entitled, "U.S. Trade Policy: Why the Drift Is Dangerous." I hope you can join us for this fascinating look at the global effects of American policy.

From the established to the up-and-coming, I am pleased to announce that Richard Komaiko, a 2L student, has been selected as the IIT student entrepreneur to compete in the University of San Francisco's International Business Plan Competition. Richard is co-founder of TheLawyerMarket.com, the world's first competitive marketplace for legal services. The Lawyer Market allows consumers to locate lawyers in their area that will work within their budget. For lawyers, it offers the ability to find new clients and increase case flow with minimal risk, cost, and time.

I will be in San Francisco on Wednesday, March 24 to support Richard in the competition. I invite those of you in the Bay area to join me that evening for a reception at Hotel Kabuki. In addition to hearing a presentation from Richard on his business plan, I'll give an update on the law school and IIT, and you will have a chance to socialize and network with fellow Bay area alumni.

For those of you in the southeast, I invite you to join me for our annual Florida alumni gatherings on March 21 and 22. And, as always, we have a myriad of great events for alumni in the Chicago area. I especially would like to highlight the Intellectual Property Law Society Alumni and Faculty Award Reception on March 24 where Dr. Emily Miao '97, Partner at McDonnell Boehnen, and Professor Mickie Piatt will be honored.  I look forward to seeing you this spring.

Sincerely,

Harold J. Krent
Dean and Professor of Law

In This Issue

News and Announcements

Craig S. Donohue, LL.M. '89 to Deliver 2010 Commencement Address

Craig S. Donohue
 Craig S. Donohue       

Craig S. Donohue, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of CME Group, will deliver the keynote address at the Chicago-Kent College of Law 2010 Commencement on Sunday, May 16 at 2:30 pm. The ceremony will be held at the UIC Forum, 725 W. Roosevelt Rd., in Chicago.

Donohue has served as CEO of the CME Group and its predecessor company, CME Holdings Inc., since January 1, 2004. As CEO, he oversees the world's largest and most diverse derivatives marketplace while leading a global workforce of approximately 2,200 professionals involved in financial technology development and operations, clearing and risk management services, research and product development, government, legal and regulatory affairs, sales and marketing, and finance and human resources.

During his tenure as CEO, Donohue led the completion of more than $20 billion in mergers and acquisitions, including CME's historic acquisitions of the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) in 2008 and the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX) in 2009. In 2008, CME Group facilitated the trading of more than three billion futures and options contracts exceeding $1 quadrillion in value. Throughout his 20 year stay at CME, he has held a broad range of positions with progressively increasing responsibilities in Legal Affairs, Market Regulation, Strategic Planning and Business Development, including General Counsel and Chief Administrative Officer.

In 2009, Donohue was named to Institutional Investor's Power 50 list of the World's Most Influential People in Finance.  He holds an MBA from Northwestern University's Kellogg Graduate School of Management; a JD from John Marshall Law School; an LL.M. in Financial Services Regulation from IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law; and a BA degree in political science and history from Drake University. 


Apply to Serve on the 2010-2011 Chicago-Kent Alumni Board of Directors

The Chicago-Kent Alumni Board of Directors is now accepting applications for the 2010-2011 year. The Alumni Board of Directors represents the Chicago-Kent alumni community by overseeing and supporting various programs and events. The Board is dedicated to the goal of strengthening bonds between the law school and its students and graduates, and serves as a voice for the Chicago-Kent alumni community.

Chicago-Kent students Damien Clark '10 (left) and Charles Prochaska '10, winners of the 2010 National Trial Competition Region 8 championship.
Students Damien Clark '10 (l) and Charles Prochaska '10, winners of the 2010 National Trial Competition Region 8 championship.

Download Board Application >>

If you are interested in applying or nominating a fellow alumnus/a, please return the application by Thursday, April 1, 2010.  If you have questions, please contact Tara Anderson, Director of Alumni Relations at (312) 906-5245 or tanderson@kentlaw.edu.


Appellate Advocacy News

For the fourth consecutive year, the Chicago-Kent Trial Advocacy team has won the Region 8 championship of the National Trial Competition, the premier trial advocacy tournament in the United States. The team of Damien Clark ‘10 and Charles Prochaska '10 became the 23rd Chicago-Kent team to win the regional championship in the past 29 years during Midwest regional competition in Indianapolis, February 18-20.

Clark and Prochaska will go on to compete for the national title—which Chicago-Kent won in 1988, 2007, and 2008—later this month in Dallas. The team is coached by Hon. David A. Erickson, Rachel Moran ‘08 of the Office of the State Appellate Defender, and attorney David M. Lavin of the Chicago law firm of Field and Goldberg. The competition is sponsored by the American College of Trial Lawyers, the American Bar Association, and the Texas Young Lawyers Association.

The BLSA Mock Trial Team from left, Clyde Guilamo '11, Adella Deacon '11, Katrice Hall '10 and Janelle Fairchild '10, along with student, Eric Wilson '11.
The BLSA Mock Trial Team from left, Clyde Guilamo '11, Adella Deacon '11, Katrice Hall '10 and Janelle Fairchild '10, along with student, Eric Wilson '11.
In Mock Trial news, the Chicago-Kent chapter of the Black Law Student Association (BLSA) placed second in the Thurgood Marshall Mock Trial Competition, February 18-20 in Minneapolis. The team, which includes Adella Deacon ‘11, Janelle Fairchild '11, Clyde Guilamo '11, and Katrice Hall ‘10, has qualified to compete in the National BLSA competition to be held in Boston, March 11-13. 

The Marshall competition was instituted in March 2002 by the National Black Law Students Association. A total of nine teams, including the University of Illinois, Loyola University and Depaul University, participated in this year's regional event. The Chicago-Kent team is coached by Cook County Circuit Court judges Sybil Thomas '91, Israel Desierto '90, Donald Havis and Maxwell Griffin Jr.

The BLSA Mock Trial team is financially supported by SmithAmundsen LLC. In 2007 the firm made a five-year commitment to support diversity initiatives at Chicago-Kent, which includes support for the team representing Chicago-Kent at the Thurgood Marshall National Mock Trial Competition.


Submit Your Class Notes
Submit a Class Note on the Online Community >>

Got news? Submit your class notes for the Summer 2010 Chicago-Kent Magazine.  If you have a class note update, please log on to the Alumni Online Community to make your class note submission and let us know what is going on in your life, or send an email to alums@kentlaw.edu. (If you are not yet a member of the online community, sign up here).

Submit Class Note

Class notes submitted by Monday, March 15 will be included in the Summer 2010 issue of Chicago-Kent Magazine. We look forward to hearing what you are up to!  


New Issue of the Seventh Circuit Review Available: Now with Audio!

Volume 5, issue 1, of the Seventh Circuit Review is now available online at www.kentlaw.edu/7cr. This issue premieres a new feature: student authors have recorded audio synopses of their articles that are available as downloadable MP3 files.

Professor Lori Andrews
Professor Lori Andrews' 60 Minutes interview will air on March 14.

The articles in this issue analyze recent decisions of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit dealing with civil procedure, constitutional law, criminal law, employment discrimination, First Amendment law, labor law and prisoners' rights.


Professor Lori Andrews to Appear on 60 Minutes

Distinguished Professor of Law, Lori Andrews, will appear on the TV news program 60 Minutes. Professor Andrews, who is also the Director of Chicago-Kent's Institute for Science, Law and Technology, will discuss gene patents. The show airs on Sunday, March 14 at 6:00 p.m. CST on CBS.


Check out the Chicago-Kent Faculty Blog

We invite you to read the latest posts on the C-K Faculty Blog including:

The C-K Faculty Blog is a forum to bring together the rich intellectual contributions of the Chicago-Kent faculty and to encourage respectful and scholarly dialogue within the extended Chicago-Kent community, including faculty, students, alumni and colleagues at other law schools and universities.  We welcome and encourage readers to follow conversations, post comments and explore Chicago-Kent faculty scholarship. Read it at http://blogs.kentlaw.edu/faculty/.

Got News?

Have you won an award, gotten married, or joined a new firm?

Tell us about it!

Post a class note on the Alumni Online Community to share your career, family, and community milestones with fellow alumni, or check out the community to discover news about your classmates.

Class notes received by Monday, March 15 will be included in the Summer 2010 issue of the Chicago-Kent Magazine.

To read or post class notes, visit www.alumni.kentlaw.edu/notes.

Not yet a part of the community?
Request your login information.

Save the Date

Social Events - Chicago

RSVP>>

Phi Alpha Delta Blackstone Chapter Happy Hour
Thursday, March 11, 2010
5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Dylan's Tavern and Grill, 118 S. Clinton St., Chicago, IL 60661

Alumni members of the Phi Alpha Delta (PAD) Chicago-Kent Blackstone Chapter are invited to socialize with fellow alumni and current PAD student members at a happy hour event at Dylan's on Clinton and Adams (around the corner from Chicago-Kent). PAD will provide complimentary pizza and beverages.

RSVP to Amanda Brady at abrady@kentlaw.edu by Monday, March 8.


RSVP>>

Chicago-Kent's Night with the Bulls - Dates Added!
Tuesday, March 9, Monday, March 22, & Tuesday, March 30, 2010
7:00 p.m.
United Center, 1901 W. Madison St., Chicago, IL 60612

The Chicago-Kent Alumni Association and the Chicago Bulls are teaming up to offer even more half-price tickets for alumni and their friends and family. You may choose from the March 9 game against the Utah Jazz, the March 22 game vs. the Houston Rockets, or the March 30 game against the Phoenix Suns. Tickets which are regularly priced at $130, $60 and $40 are available for only $65, $30 and $20!

To order tickets, visit www.alumni.kentlaw.edu/bulls. All orders must be received by the Chicago Bulls at least one week in advance of the first game you are purchasing.


Dr. Emily Miao '97
Dr. Emily Miao '97
Intellectual Property Law Society Alumni and Faculty Award Reception
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
6:00 p.m.
Chicago-Kent College of Law, 565 W. Adams St., 10th Floor, Chicago, IL 60661
 
The Chicago-Kent Intellectual Property Law Society (IPLS) and the Alumni Association cordially invite you to our annual Alumni and Faculty Award Reception. Chicago-Kent Professor and Executive Director of the Program in Intellectual Property Law, Mickie A. Piatt, will be honored with the Distinguished Faculty Award, while Dr. Emily Miao ‘97, Partner at McDonnell, Boehnen, Hulbert & Berghoff, L.L.P., will receive this year's Distinguished Alumna Award.

RSVP to ipls@kentlaw.edu by Thursday, March 18.


Society of Women in Law Mentor Program Celebration
Thursday, March 25, 2010
5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Chicago-Kent College of Law, 565 W. Adams St., Lobby, Chicago, IL 60661

Please join us for a Society of Women in Law networking reception bringing together current female Chicago-Kent students and Chicago-Kent alumnae. This event celebrates the culmination of the alumnae mentor program while giving current students and alumnae an opportunity to network and socialize. Earlier this year, current law students were matched up with alumnae mentors in the legal community. Alumnae who did not participate in the mentor program are welcome to attend.  

RSVP to alums@kentlaw.edu or (312) 906-5240 by Monday, March 22.


Kent Justice Foundation Spring Auction
Thursday, April 8, 2010
4:00 - 10:00 p.m.
Chicago-Kent College of Law, 565 W. Adams St., Chicago, IL 60661

The Kent Justice Foundation (KJF) is a Chicago-Kent student organization that promotes public interest law, encourages volunteerism and supports pro-bono work. Each year, a silent auction is held to support KJF and their summer fellowship program for students in public interest positions. Please join us to support this worthy cause.

RSVP to kjf@kentlaw.edu. You can help: Support KJF through an in-kind donation to the auction. If you have spare sports tickets, a restaurant gift certificate, or a service you can provide (e.g. allowing a student to shadow you for a day), please contact kjf@kentlaw.edu. All donations are greatly appreciated.


Public Interest Awards
Fourth Annual Diversity Networking Event
Tuesday, April 13, 2009
6:00 p.m.
Chicago-Kent College of Law, 565 W. Adams St., 10th Floor, Chicago, IL 60661

The Alumni Association, along with the Asian-Pacific Islander Law Students, the Black Law Students, the Chicago-Kent Lambdas, the Hispanic-Latino Law Students, and the South Asian Law Students Associations, cordially invite you network with fellow alumni, friends and current students at a reception.

RSVP to alums@kentlaw.edu or (312) 906-5240 by Friday, April 9. 


2010 Public Interest Awards Night
Thursday, April 22, 2010
5:00 p.m. Awards, Reception to follow
Chicago-Kent College of Law, 565 W. Adams St., Chicago, IL 60661

Please join us as we honor the 2010 Marovitz Public Interest Award recipients.

  • Daniel Belko '99, Office of the Cook County Public Guardian
  • Mariangela Monteiro '04, Equip for Equality

Click here to RSVP by April 19. For more information, visit the Public Interest Awards page.


Chicago-Kent Night with the White Sox
Tuesday, May 19, 2010
7:10 p.m.
U.S. Cellular Field, 333 W 35th St, Chicago, IL 60616

Join us to watch the Sox take on the Anaheim Angels at U.S. Cellular Field. On this special night the White Sox are offering half-priced tickets to Chicago-Kent alumni and their family & friends. Tickets regularly priced at $39, $35 and $20 are available for $19.50, $17.50 and $10.

Ticket orders must be submitted to the Chicago White Sox by Friday, April 23. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.alumni.kentlaw.edu/whitesox.


Social Events - Regional

Florida Alumni Gatherings - March 21-22, 2010
Seventh Annual West Coast Florida Alumni Brunch
Sunday, March 21, 2010
11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
9951 Cherry Hills Avenue Cir., Bradenton, FL 34202

Join Dean Krent and the Alumni Association for a brunch hosted by Roy ‘62 and Susan Palmer at their home in Bradenton.

RSVP by Wednesday, March 17 to alums@kentlaw.edu or (312) 906-5240.


Sixth Annual East Coast Florida Alumni Gathering
Monday, March 22, 2010
6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
1770 Micanopy Ave., Miami, FL 33133-3323

Join Dean Krent and the Alumni Association for a cocktail reception hosted by Mark Scott ‘97 at his home in Miami.

RSVP by Wednesday, March 17 to alums@kentlaw.edu or (312) 906-5240.


San Francisco Japan Town
Dean Krent will host an alumni reception in San Francisco's Japantown on March 24.
“Pitch Perfect”: San Francisco Alumni Reception
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Hotel Kabuki, 1625 Post St. (Japantown), San Francisco, CA, 94115

Bay area alumni are invited to join Dean Harold J. Krent to socialize and network with other Chicago-Kent and IIT alumni in the region and to help 2L student Richard Komaiko prepare to pitch his business plan at the University of San Francisco's International Business Plan Competition for TheLawyerMarket.com, the world's first competitive marketplace for legal services.

For more information on Richard's company and the competition, visit www.alumni.kentlaw.edu/pitchperfect. RSVP to alums@kentlaw.edu or (312) 906-5240 by Friday, March 19.

Lectures & Conferences

Brown Bag Lecture: The Goldstone Report and Israel’s Right to Self Defense
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Noon - 1:30 p.m.
Chicago-Kent College of Law, 565 W. Adams St., Rm. 370, Chicago, IL 60661

The Office of International Law and Policy presents a lecture by Amos N. Guiora, Professor at S.J. Quinney College of Law, University of Utah, on the defense of human rights in Israel, the evolution of the rules of war and international law, and the political and legal impact of the recent Goldstone report. Professor Bart Brown and Dean Lydia Lazar will moderate a discussion.

Professor Guiora will be signing copies of his book: Freedom from Religion: Rights and National Security (Oxford University Press, 2009), which will be available for sale after the talk.

RSVP to Lauren Reinhalter at lreinhalter@kentlaw.edu or (312) 906-5134.


Professor Jagdish Bhagwati
Professor Jagdish Bhagwati
Centennial Visitor Lecture: Professor Jagdish Bhagwati
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
3:00 p.m.
Chicago-Kent College of Law, 565 W. Adams St., Marovitz Courtroom, Chicago, IL 60661

Noted economist and Columbia University professor Jagdish Bhagwati has been named Chicago-Kent College of Law's Centennial Visitor for 2010. Professor Bhagwati will deliver the 2010 Centennial Lecture, U.S. Trade Policy: Why the Drift Is Dangerous.

This event is free and open to the public. A reception will follow. Please direct questions to Insa Blanke at (312) 906-5003 or iblanke@kentlaw.edu.


Scribes Legal Writing Seminar: Tips from Top Experts
Friday, March 5, 2010
Seminar: 4:00 – 5:15 p.m., Room 510
Reception: 5:30 – 6:30 p.m., Room 580
Chicago-Kent College of Law, 565 W. Adams St., Chicago, IL 60661

Scribes, the American Society of Legal Writers, will present a seminar offering sound, practical tips for writing clearly in all legal papers, preparing effective memos and briefs, and drafting contracts and rules. Panelists include several well known authorities on legal writing. Mary Rose Strubbe '81, Director of Chicago-Kent's Legal Research and Writing Program, will serve as moderator of the seminar.

For additional details, visit www.alumni.kentlaw.edu/scribes. RSVP to alums@kentlaw.edu or (312) 906-5240 by Wednesday, March 3.  

Professor Oren Bracha
Prof. Oren Bracha will speak on copyright laws in the film industry.


Chicago IP Colloquium Speaker: Professor Oren Bracha
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
4:00 p.m.
Chicago-Kent College of Law, 565 W. Adams St., Rm. 305, Chicago, IL 60661

Oren Bracha, Professor at the the University of Texas School of Law, will speak as part of the 2010 Chicago Intellectual Property Colloquium. His paper, "Motion Pictures: The Development of Modern American Copyright and the Film Industry," will be discussed.

The Colloquium is jointly sponsored by Chicago-Kent and Loyola University Chicago School of Law. Visit the Colloquium's Web site for more information regarding the speaker series.

CLE Opportunities

Document Management and Retention Policies for Clients and Law Firms
Friday, March 12, 2010
8:15 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Chicago-Kent College of Law, 565 W. Adams St., Chicago, IL 60661

A unique full-day seminar for all attorneys, but especially for those working as business or corporate lawyers, corporate counsel, litigators, or law firm managers. Topics include document management, including record retention and archives, how to avoid e-discovery traps and technology issues, ethical considerations and Cyber Insurance Protection. This event is co-sponsored by the Chicago Bar Association.

Attendees are eligible for 6.0 hours of IL MCLE credit, including 2.5 hours of professional responsibilty credit. Register online through the Chicago Bar Association or download a printable registration form.


Joan C. Williams
Piper Lecturer
Joan C. Williams
32nd Annual Kenneth M. Piper Lecture: Joan C. Williams
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Chicago-Kent College of Law, 565 W. Adams St., Chicago, IL 60661
 
The impact of lawsuits filed by mothers under the EEOC Guidelines continues to increase. These suits have a much higher success rate than other employment discrimination suits, even though three-fourths of those laid off during the Great Recession were men. Joan C. Williams, Distinguished Professor of Law at the University of California, Hastings College of Law, will discuss this issue in the 32nd annual Piper lecture, Family Responsibilities Discrimination in the Great Recession: The Impact of the EEOC Guidelines.

Attendees are eligible for 1.25 hours of FREE IL MCLE credit. No registration is needed, however please click here to download an event brochure.


27th Annual Section 1983 Civil Rights Litigation Conference
Thursday, April 15, 2010: 8:50 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Friday, April 16, 2010: 8:45 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Chicago-Kent College of Law, 565 W. Adams St., Chicago, IL 60661

Liability arising out of §1983 presents a continuing challenge for all municipal lawyers, private practitioners, and litigators who try cases in this dynamic area. Keeping up with this ever-changing environment is critical. You will learn both the fundamentals and more advanced aspects of §1983 practice and trial skills, and analyze the latest judicial decisions.

Attendees are eligible for 11.0 hours of MCLE Credit, including 1.0 hour of ethics credit. For more information and to register, visit www.kentlaw.edu/depts/cle.


29th Annual Federal Tax Institute
Thursday, April 29, 2010: 8:00 a.m. - 5:15 p.m.
Friday, April 30, 2010: 9:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
Chicago-Kent College of Law, 565 W. Adams St., Chicago, IL 60661

Nationally recognized tax advisors provide a comprehensive update on cutting-edge legal, legislative and policy developments and their impact on tax planning, compliance and controversy techniques.  

Attendees are eligible for 9.0 hours of MCLE Credit, including 1.5 hours of ethics credit. For more information and to register, visit www.kentlaw.edu/depts/cle.

Past Event Highlights

Young Alumni Council Kick-Off
Young Alumni Council Kick-Off
(l-r) Andy Hays '05, Kelly Barrett '05, Luke Novak '05, Megan Marzec Slowikowski '04, and Tim Ritchey '05 attended the Young Alumni Council Kick-Off.

The Chicago-Kent Young Alumni Council “kicked-off” its formation with a cocktail party at Midtown Kitchen & Bar on February 18. Over 100 young alumni mingled and learned about the Council's plans.

What can the Young Alumni Council do for you? Please give us your feedback:

Take Survey

Photos of the Young Alumni Kick-Off Party are available on the Alumni Online Community at www.alumni.kentlaw.edu/yackickoff. For more information about the Young Alumni Council and to find out how to get involved, please visit www.kentlaw.edu/alumni/board/youngalumni.html.


New Shanghai Alumni Chapter

The Shanghai, China chapter of the Chicago-Kent Alumni Association held its inaugural meeting on February 6 at the Shanghai Bar Association (SBA). During the meeting, the chairman and vice chairmen of the chapter were elected and its articles of association were approved. The group also discussed its future growth.

Liu Zhengdong, the chairman of the SBA, also presented at the meeting, expressing his congratulations to the new group and offering comments and suggestions regarding the future development and expansion of the Shanghai chapter.

The Shanghai Alumni Chapter is the first Chicago-Kent alumni club in China, with the goal of exchanging information, to promoting friendship and to improving professional service for alumni in Eastern China. To view photos of the event, please visit the Shanghai chapter's group page at www.alumni.kentlaw.edu/shanghai.
Dean Harold J. Krent, Professor Ralph Brill, Brill Chair Visitor Terri LeClercq, and Tom Demetrio ‘73
Dean Harold J. Krent, Professor Ralph Brill, Brill Chair Visitor Terri LeClercq, and Tom Demetrio ‘73, who headed the Brill Chair fundraising campaign.


Ralph Brill Chair Visiting Professor Reception

Chicago-Kent held a reception on February 22 to welcome Terri LeClercq, the law school's first Ralph Brill Visiting Professor, and to commemorate Professor Brill's 50th year of teaching.

Ms. LeClercq is a nationally recognized authority on legal writing, research and drafting, who visited the law school during the week of February 22 to participate in a variety of activities with Chicago-Kent faculty and students. The Ralph Brill Visiting Professorship is a component of the Ralph Brill Faculty Chair Program, established in 2008 with more than $1.5 million in cash and pledges contributed by more than 400 Chicago-Kent alumni and friends. We hope to welcome the first permanent chair holder this fall.

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