Arise America (TV) Nov. 6, 2013
Professor Steve Schwinn discusses the recent U.S. Supreme Court case on prayer at public meetings. Schwinn gives background outlining the trend to give these public prayers "a pass," although he says this case could change that. His comments are the second interview on this program.
WSOY (Radio) Decatur, Ill. Nov. 11, 2013
Veterans across Illinois whose disability claims are rejected by the VA can get free legal help to file an appeal. The help comes from the Veterans Legal Support Center & Clinic, run by the John Marshall Law School. Director Brian Clauss says the organization knows how to cut through the clutter and write a successful appeal.
At the 32nd Annual International Moot Court Competition in Information Technology and Privacy Law hosted by Chicago’s John Marshall Law School, members of the Stetson University College of Law took first place honors. Team members (from left) Jonathan Hart, Melaina Tryon and Brandon Pfluger are congratulated by Melinda Tsang, of John Marshall’s Journal of Information Technology and Privacy Law, and Professor David Sorkin.
Students from Stetson University College of Law came away with the top prize at the 32nd Annual International Moot Court Competition in Information Technology and Privacy Law hosted by Chicago’s John Marshall Law School Center for Information Technology and Privacy Law.
During the three-day competition held Oct. 24 - 26, 2013, students examined current issues of privacy invasion from three different aspects—social media, use of photography from a “glass” lens, and infliction of emotional distress. The competition brought together students from the United States, Africa and India.
The team of Melaina Tryon, Brandon Pfluger and Jonathan Hart won the first place award for Stetson. Second place went to a team from Texas A&M School of Law represented by Todd W. Smith, Eliana Albelbaisi and Robert Koehl.
Semifinalist teams were Brooklyn Law School represented by Imre Ilyes, and Ashley Huddleston, and Florida Coastal School of Law represented by Dat Nguyen, Michael Ballou and Heather McGriff.
Christian Dewhurst of South Texas College of Law was named “Best Oralist” and the Texas A&M team took “Best Petitioner Brief” honors. The team of Samuel Bragg, Leslie Brockhoeft and Matthew Vinson of Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law won “Best Respondent Brief” honors.
The Ambassador Round winners were Divya Jyoti Mehra, Akshita Alok and Rathin Somnath of National Law University in Jodhpur. The Ambassador Round finalists were Ramya Ramachanderan, Ryan Mendonca and Anjali Agarwal of School of Law, Christ University, Bangalore.
The competition problem assigned to participants focused on an appeal from a fictitious movie director, Alfred Bradlo. He was vacationing at a ski lodge when a major blizzard hit the area and all guests were unable to leave. Guest Xavier Yungstein discovered Balbo ill in a bathroom, and secretly took Bradlo’s picture with a “glass” lens-type device. After the photo showed a red blotch on Bradlo’s face, Yungstein alerted lodge staff who assured him there was no problem. Yet Yungstein sent the message via the Internet claiming that Bradlo was ill, possibly with a deadly disease he carried from overseas travel. Bradlo said he’d had an allergic reaction to something he ate. As a result of Yungstein’s actions, Bradlo charged that he suffered depression and anxiety attacks that required medication. The case focused on charges of intrusion of seclusion, false light and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
During the competition, students argued the problem from both Bradlo’s and Yungstein’s positions.
Competitors represented:
· Addis Ababa University, School of Law, Ethiopia
· Baylor Law School in Waco, Texas
· Brooklyn Law School in New York
· Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law in New York
· Chicago–Kent College of Law in Chicago, Ill.
· Christ University, School of Law in Bangalore, India
· Florida Coastal School of Law in Jacksonville, Fla.
· Lincoln College of Law in Sirhind, Punjab, India
· National Law University in Jodhpur, Rajastan, India
· New York Law School in New York City
· Northern Illinois University College of Law
· Nova Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
· South Texas College of Law in Houston, Texas
· Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law in Dallas, Texas
· Stetson University College of Law in Houston, Texas
· Texas A&M University School Law in Ft. Worth, Texas
· University of California Hastings College of Law in San Francisco
· University of Connecticut School of Law in Hartford, Conn.
· University of Kansas School of Law in Lawrence, Kansas
· University of South Dakota School of Law in Vermillion, SD
· William & Mary Law School in St. Paul, Minn.
Members of the Polish American Law Students Association (PALSA) who helped organize the Polish American heritage progam are (seated, from left) Julianna Walo, Agnieszka Dudek, PALSA vice president; Magdalena Wilk, PALSA president; Justyna Kruk, and (standing from left) Katarzyna Dominikowski, Michal Fus, Magdalena Jasinska, Marcin Rolek, Monika Cwikla, Izabela Poznanski, and Alexandra Golota
Dean John E. Corkery (left) and Magdalena Wilk welcomed Vice Consul Sebastian Kurek (third from left), head of Legal Section, Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in Chicago, and Vice Consul Konrad Zielinski (right), Polonia Section, Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in Chicago.
Students and guests enjoyed wonderful Polish delicacies at the Polish American Law Students Association brought the John Marshall community together Oct. 8 for its “Taste of Poland” program marking October as Polish Heritage Month.
Entertainment was provided by the Tatra Mountain Foundation dancers dressed in their traditional costumes.
“The J.D. Advantage: Law Students and Graduates Working in Politics” was the topic for the Oct. 16 program jointly hosted by the John Marshall Democrats and the Municipal Law Association. Guest presenters were (from left) Cook County Assistant State’s Attorneys John P. Carroll Jr. and Brandon Nemec; John Marshall student John Sviokla, president of the Student Democrats; Illinois Rep. Ann Williams (D-Chicago); Cook County 9th District Commissioner Peter Silvestri; Illinois Sen. Michael Hastings (D-Orland Hills); and John Marshall student George Bliss, vice president, Student Democrats.
Danielle Courrier, managing director KPMG (left) was a Lunch & Learn program speaker for a Center for Tax and Employee Benefits October program. Courrier addressed “U.S. Taxation for International Executives.” She was introduced to guests by Bridget Byrne, a 3L (right).
Donations for Women
The Student Association of Immigration Law is sponsoring a school/art supplies and toiletries drive for the Cook County Sheriff’s Women’s Justice Program. Two drop boxes will be in the Student Lounge through Nov. 22. The program is looking for pencils, pens, colored paper, notebooks (no spiral binding), paperback books and miscellaneous art supplies, and trial size deodorant, shampoo, soap and toothpaste. Contact Magda Wilk at mwilk@jmls.edu for more info.
Winter warmers
Public Interest Law Council is accepting mittens, scarves and gloves for the needy this winter season. The drop-off will be a “pine tree” display in the Student Lounge. Donations will be accepted through Nov. 25.
Colleagues who have worked with Diane Stary for many years were on hand to wish her the best, including (from left) Associate Dean William Powers, Professor Emeritus and former dean Robert Gilbert Johnston; Associate Dean Ralph Ruebner, and Professor Gerald Berendt.
After 46 years, Diane Stary said her goodbyes to staff and faculty at a retirement party Oct. 28.
Diane came to John Marshall in 1967 through an employment agency. No one ever officially “hired” her but she said that’s the way it was back then. She stayed “because I found out I liked administrative work.”
Diane leaves a school and its inner workings much different than when she first stepped through its – at the time, non-revolving – door.
When she started nearly five decades ago, John Marshall was only the 315 S. Plymouth Ct. building, with an annex building at 321 S. Plymouth Ct., which today is the location of the Chicago Bar Association Building. It was the year air conditioning was installed, and there was no need for security guards.
For the majority of her career at John Marshall, Diane was a staff member in the Admission Office. She did a stint as a faculty secretary in an office that was above the library, then housed on the 6th floor.
Giving Diane Stary (center) a fond send-off were (from left) Maridonna Schaal, Diane Gordon, Professor William Mock, and Gwen Konigsfeld.
She recalled the school didn’t have a catalog, just a small flyer with a green cover, and students paid tuition monthly. She served as the official tuition bookkeeper. All files were paper, and if you needed a copy, you typed it with carbon paper. Letters were sent individually to the more than 2,500 applicants.
“I will miss a lot of nice people that I have worked with over the years (especially my good friend, Olga Scott),” Diane said in an email to the John Marshall community. “Thank you, everyone, for your good wishes. So for now good bye and thank you for the ride.”
Diane Stary (left) and Olga Scott worked together for 40 years in the Admission Office.
“Thank you.”
At a time when members of the military receive thanks from the public for their service, it was Medal of Honor recipient former Army Capt. William Swenson who delivered his own gratitude. Swenson thanked students and staff at The John Marshall Law School’s Veterans Legal Support Center & Clinic (VLSC) for the service they provide to former and retired members of the military.
Medal of Honor recipient William Swenson addresses students and guests at The John Marshall Law School Veterans Legal Support Center & Clinic. He was introduced by Thomas White Jr. (center), director of the Clinic. Dean John E. Corkery looks on.
Swenson has been touring the country since receiving the Medal of Honor in an Oct. 15, 2013, ceremony at the White House. Swenson was recognized for valor on the battlefield in Afghanistan in 2009 after his men came under enemy fire. He was the first Army officer to receive the Medal of Honor since the Vietnam War. He also received the Purple Heart and Bronze Star.
Joining Swenson at John Marshall were U.S. Rep. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), a wounded Iraqi Army veteran and former director of the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs, and U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.), a retired Navy veteran.
“It was truly an honor to meet Medal of Honor recipient Capt. Swenson. He was remarkably humble and is using the media attention to raise awareness for the many needs of servicemembers and veterans returning home,” VLSC student Laura Wiley said.
U.S. Rep. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) (seated, left) and U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) (seated, right) had a brief informational meeting with (standing, from left) Brian Clauss, executive director, Veterans Legal Support Center & Clinic; Anthony Niedwiecki, associate dean, Skills, Experiential Learning and Assessment; Ralph Ruebner, associate dean, Academic Affairs; Medal of Honor recipient former Army Capt. William Swenson; Dean John E. Corkery, and Thomas White, Jr., director VLSC clinic, about the need for increased funding for veterans services.
“I’m currently representing a system—well, all of us, actually, because the military represents all of us—and the responsibility that comes with this medal is to tell a story, to talk about my team and talk about our fighting force which speaks to us as a nation,” he told more than 100 students and guests who gathered at the VLSC on Oct. 25.
Swenson acknowledged that leaving the rigors of the military can be difficult, and working with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) can be daunting for many.
“I know personally, from my own battles with the VA, my own battles with moving from the military to the civilian world, that sometimes you need help and not everyone’s in a good position for that,” he noted. “But that’s where you guys come in, and thank you for picking up where I left off. You’ve been looking after my team—because the military’s my team—and you are now in a better position to help them than I am. So thank you.”
VLSC students and a network of more than 350 volunteer attorneys assist veterans with their claims after the VA has denied their applications for benefits. The VLSC has assisted more than 900 veterans since accepting its first client in 2007.
Swenson said veterans know the military has “a contractual obligation” to provide for them.
“It’s written down on paper, you sign your name next to it and you understand that you have benefits and entitlements, but it’s not part of the social contract. That’s where you step in because every bureaucracy has problems,” he reminded VLSC students.
The legal aspects of all the benefits “truly is part of the missing piece because that’s how the world works…We are a nation of laws. So (for help in) navigating those laws, again, thank you,” Swenson said.
VLSC students Laura Wiley (center) and Nick Esterman (right) were honored to meet Medal of Honor recipient William Swenson (left) before he spoke to students and guests on Oct. 25.
“As veterans, there’s a lot of complexities in the civilian world that we are simply not good at adapting to in rapid order. And that’s where that special contract comes in and where you come in, and that’s where you get to help veterans readjust and re-acclimate and re-engage,” Swenson said.
He said all soldiers have difficulty moving from the military to civilian life, but it is especially difficult for those who join the military when they are 17 or 18.
“They were just beginning to develop their lives and become adults and they did that in a system that is very regimented, doesn’t give you a lot of latitude to make mistakes. And when you do make mistakes, they’re quickly corrected.
“When these guys decide they have done their service and they’ve done so honorably and they need to transition on to a new world, they have difficulty basically changing their language, their vocabulary—literally and figuratively,” he added. “They don’t know how to come out of the military every single time with the necessary cultural shift, the necessary vocabulary to speak to civilian employers or to speak to a legal system which is unique to them…again, that’s a role that you’re filling.”
Congratulations to the 2013-2014 board members for the Journal of Information Technology and Privacy Law (seated, from left) Erin Walgrave, production editor; Jennifer O'Brien, production editor; Melinda Tsang, executive business editor; Dana Benedetti, candidacy editor; Samantha Levin, communications editor; and (standing, from left) Kasia Dominikowski, solicitation editor; Zayna Nubani, symposium editor; Pamela Szelung, editor-in-chief; Camille Presbury, production editor; and Kalli Kling, executive production editor. Nick Esterman, lead production editor, is not pictured.
The John Marshall Law Review Executive Board members for the fall 2013 semester are (seated, from left) Nicole Pradun, lead articles editor; Catherine Stewart, lead articles editor; Amelia Koehler, editor-in-chief; Valerie Medelyan, executive student publications editor; Olga Voinarevich, candidacy editor; Sarah Flohr, lead articles editor, and (back row, from left) Rebecca Pierce, student publications editor; John Sviokla, executive student publications editor; Michael Taege, production editor; Michael Rohde, student publications editor; Greg Riggs, lead articles editor; John Dunne, administrative editor; and Kathleen Ihlenfeld, managing editor.
What you need to know about social media was the topic for “Digital Dirt,” a program presented Oct 2 by the Career Services Office. Guest presenters were (from left) Mark Petrolis, firm counsel and business manager at The Law Offices of Jeffery M. Leving, Ltd.; Michael Huggins, John Marshall’s co-director of Content Management; and Bill Kamper of Simplified Solutions, serving as a marketing consultant to the law school.
The outstanding lawyering skills of William Nguyen and Priyavathi Reddy won “best brief” honors at the Thomas Tang National Asian Pacific Bar Association Law Moot Court Competition Oct. 11, 2013. The team also was a semi-finalist in the Southeastern regional rounds.
M. Molly Backes
M. Molly Backes has been named publications coordinator in the Office of Institutional Affairs. She joined the staff Oct. 21. In her new position, Backes will be writing for and editing various publications produced for the law school.
Backes is the author of the young adult novel The Princesses of Iowa (Candlewick, 2012), and teaches creative writing classes to teens and adults. She comes to John Marshall from StoryStudio Chicago, a writing center on Chicago’s north side, where she spent the last five years as the assistant director and head of marketing.
Before coming to Chicago, Backes spent four years teaching 7th and 8th grade English in a struggling rural New Mexico school. Originally from Wisconsin, she graduated with degrees in English Literature and Education from Grinnell College in Grinnell, Iowa. She lives in Rogers Park with her retired racing greyhound.
The John Marshall Law School Environmental Law Society hosted an interdisciplinary panel on current local stormwater management issues and initiatives. Guest presenters at the Oct. 10, 2013, program were (standing, from left) 3L student Jason Meyer and staff member at the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD); Anthony Charlton, stormwater management director for DuPage County; Nan Newlon, director of Public Works, Village of Downers Grove; Abby Crisostomo, Water Resource Program associate, The Metropolitan Planning Council; Aaron Koch, deputy commissioner for Sustainability, City of Chicago Department of Water Management; MWRD Attorney Brendan O'Connor, and John Marshall LLM student; and (seated, from left) Mary Hendrickson, Natalie Laczek, Alejandra Vilchis and Jack Sheehan, all third-year students.
Ashley Charen (left) and Charles Perkins, Student Bar Association evening student liaisons, welcomed Adekunbi Adejumo to the Evening Student Appreciation Reception in the Student Lounge on Oct. 28. Charen and Perkins organized the quick dinner party as a way to gain feedback on the needs of fellow evening students.
John Marshall Law School students (from left) Danielle Young, Lauren Rankins and Alexis Pool wear their medals presented as the Advocate’s Choice Award winners at the St. John’s University Fifth Annual Securities Dispute Resolution Triathlon Oct. 20. The three were recognized as the competitors having the highest degree of skill, competence and professionalism, as well as the team that judges would most likely hire or work with in the future. The team was judged on dispute resolution processes of negotiation, mediation and arbitration.
Leonard Amari, president of the Board of Trustees of The John Marshall Law School, has announced the appointment of George F. Mahoney III to the board.
Mahoney will serve through 2014 completing the term of Warren Lupel of Much Shelist, P.C. who stepped down after nine years on the board. The Evanston resident was awarded emeritus status on the board of trustees.
“I want to thank Warren for his many years of service, and the guidance he has offered as a board member,” Amari said. “It is always hard to lose someone with Warren’s care and concern for John Marshall, but I’m sure George Mahoney will be a fine replacement. He has shown his interest in the law school and the legal education we are providing.”
The John Marshall Board of Trustees presented him with its Spirit Award in 2010.
Mahoney is a founding member of Mahoney, Silverman & Cross, LLC in Joliet. His practice focuses on zoning and land development, government and municipal law, litigation and appellate practice. Before going in to private practice, Mahoney was a special assistant attorney general for the State of Illinois for 22 years.
He received a bachelor’s degree from Lewis University and a JD from DePaul University College of Law. He is a member of the Will County and Illinois State Bar Associations (ISBA), and has served in various capacities on ISBA committee and programs. Mahoney twice received the ISBA Board of Governors Award. He is serving as president of the Illinois Bar Foundation, and also is a member of the Illinois Supreme Court Judicial Performance Evaluations Committee. He is treasurer of the board of directors of the Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education (CLE), and has authored materials on land use law for CLE training sessions.
Ali Haleem, a member of the security staff since April 2012, was appointed Campus Safety & Security manager September 1.
Ali Haleem appointed Campus Safety & Security manager
“He brings significant experience to this job. His managerial skills and his knowledge of our John Marshall system and people will help him provide strong leadership for the campus security department and help the school to continue to provide a safe environment for all of us,” Dean John E. Corkery said when he made the appointment.
Haleem received a bachelor’s degree from Western Illinois University in sociology and law enforcement and justice administration with special emphasis on criminal law, investigations and victimization. He previously worked at two major shopping malls earning employee appreciation and distinguished service awards. Before coming to John Marshall, he was a state employee working at the DuPage County Homeland Security and Emergency Management Office.
Ruhi Ellis
Joining the Campus Safety & Security staff are Ruhi Ellis and Christopher Rothwell.
Ellis is a security systems specialist and security guard. He completed eight years of service with the U.S. Marine Corps, and has seven years of private security supervisory expertise. He also is working part time for a detective agency as an armed protection specialist giving protection to clients in the Chicagoland area. Ellis received a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from the University of Phoenix.
Rothwell is a life safety coordinator and security guard. He has more than eight years
Chris Rothwell
of private security experience working in health care, entertainment and corporate environments. He is a trained firefighter/emergency medical technician. He received a bachelor’s degree in history from DePaul University and is completing a master’s degree in national security at American Military University.
Rothwell serves with the Illinois National Guard as a platoon leader with a military police unit. He recently completed a 10-month deployment to Afghanistan leading a police unit. He earned a Bronze Star for his work with an Allied Joint Task Force. Rothwell served nearly 10 years with the U.S. Army.
Hanna Kassis was a happy customer at the Women’s Law Caucus bake sale. Raana Heidari manned the table. Funding will help the Women’s Law Caucus with future endeavors.
