On Oct. 23, the women attorneys of Chuhak & Tecson, P.C. hosted the firm’s annual Women Helping Women (WHW) Mix-and-Mingle event at Rivers Restaurant where nearly 150 women gathered to support the important work being done at Family Focus’ Nuestra Familia, a nonprofit center serving families in Humboldt Park, Cicero and the Hermosa communities.
Attendees donated over 275 winter baby items, including blankets, pajamas and snowsuits. Nearly $3,000 in gift cards and monetary donations, including contributions from Chuhak & Tecson employees, were also collected.
These donations will support the center’s “Baby Bucks” initiative, an incentive program that rewards parents with “baby bucks” for participating in center-based activities such as educational programs and group meetings focused on promoting the healthy development of their baby. Parents can then use their “baby bucks” to purchase items they need for their children.
“Not only does the Baby Bucks program help parents get critically needed items they may not be able to afford, it also fosters self-reliance by allowing parents to choose what their children require as opposed to being given items for free,” said Merri Ex, president and CEO of Family Focus.
Chuhak & Tecson attorneys and employees warmly welcomed attendees upon arrival. A visual presentation detailing the Nuestra Familia center’s programs played in the background while attendees enjoyed hors d’oeuvres, wine and the firm’s custom-made C-Tini’s. Donations beautifully adorned the room and overflowed on the center table.
In the middle of the evening, attorney Leynee A. Cruz highlighted the importance of events like WHW’s Mix-and-Mingle.
“The role of women in business has never been as important as it is today,” Cruz said. “Events like tonight, with women from over 30 industries, allow us to make connections, learn from one another and develop new business.”
Mariana Osoria, vice president of Family Focus’ centers and director of the Nuestra Familia center, could not contain her overwhelming excitement as she saw women bringing in a multitude of items for Nuestra Familia.
“We feel honored to be this year’s beneficiary,” Osoria said. “I have met so many amazing women and the night is not over yet!”
The 2018 Mix-and-Mingle ended with Chuhak & Tecson‘s “biz dev” challenge, an interactive activity that encourages guests to connect on their own time for a one-hour coffee or lunch meeting to network and discuss business development.
Women Helping Women is an after-hours networking group for women business leaders and entrepreneurs to mingle, build business and support a charitable organization benefiting women or women and their children.
Chuhak & Tecson looks forward to holding WHW’s 10th anniversary event in the fall of 2019.
For information on Family Focus or the Baby Bucks program, visit family-focus.org. To learn more about Chuhak & Tecson’s WHW events or to request an invitation to next year’s event, contact Jane LaGrassa at jlagrassa@chuhak.com.
To bring awareness of the abuse, neglect and financial exploitation that is on the rise among elderly persons, Chuhak & Tecson, P.C. attorney Julie Gardner, chair of the Chicago Bar Association’s Elder Law Committee, can be heard in a public service announcement that has begun its one-year campaign on WBBM Newsradio. She encourages listeners who suspect abuse of any kind toward an elderly or disabled person to call the Adult Protective Services Hotline at 866-800-1409.
Centering her law practice on contested and non-contested estate matters, Gardner executes all stages of the administration of probate, guardianship estates, decedent’s estates and trusts, as well as other related estate litigation. Gardner is dedicated to advocating for the elderly and disabled populations, particularly in situations of abuse.
The Adult Protective Services Hotline is available statewide, 24 hours a day, and is a function of the Illinois Department on Aging.
Principal Stephen Wood is participating as a panelist in a complimentary briefing on Oct. 31, 2018, from 1 to 2 p.m. EST titled “Reforming Multidistrict Litigation: A Proposal for Rules that Promote Transparency and Consistency in MDL Practice.” Hosted by the Washington Legal Foundation (WLF), this webinar will provide insights to attorneys and business owners on efforts and proposals to make multidistrict litigation more fair and effective for all parties concerned.
Click here to register or learn more about this timely program.
Regardless of their marital status, research shows that women do not dedicate enough time to financial planning. Be a part of change by attending Estate Planning & You—Plan Today, Strengthen Tomorrow presented by Lindsey Paige Markus from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 25, at Fidelity Investments, One North LaSalle Street. The evening is hosted by Chicago Financial Women (CFW), and the cost is $35.
Estate planning is essential for securing a woman’s financial future and it provides greater control and security over a legacy. Markus will review the basics of estate planning and other important concepts tailored to help women strategically manage their financial future.
A shareholder with the law firm Chuhak & Tecson, P.C., Markus leads the firm’s 22-attorney estate planning and wealth protection practice group. She draws on her early career in business, finance and neuroscience to craft and implement creative solutions for the estate planning, wealth protection and corporate needs of individuals and businesses. She is an indispensable resource for clients who entrust her with their finances and futures. In 2018, Markus was honored as one of Crain’s Chicago Business “Notable Women Lawyers,” a distinction recognizing accomplished women attorneys who work tirelessly to effect positive change, serve as inspirations and mentors to other women attorneys and commit their time and talents to charitable organizations and philanthropic endeavors.
For additional information or to register, click here.
CFW is committed to expanding the professional networks of Chicago-area women in finance. It provides networking opportunities through professional development, educational enrichment and social gatherings in a spirit of fun, friendship and camaraderie. CFW is a non for profit organization.
Prolific writer and frequent speaker on the False Claims Act, Stephen A. Wood, Principal and leader of the litigation practice group at Chuhak & Tecson, P.C. in Chicago, has joined the roster of featured contributors of the Washington Legal Foundation’s Legal Pulse.
In his inaugural submission, titled ”United States ex rel. Rose v. Stephens Institute: The Ninth Circuit Considers Escobar and its Materiality Mandate,” Steve examines the most recent Court of Appeals treatment of the Supreme Court’s effort to impose limits on implied false claims brought under the False Claims Act.
The Legal Pulse features commentary from many of the country’s most prestigious law firms and academic institutions on timely legal and regulatory developments of interest to those committed to a fair legal system, accountable government and free enterprise.
Read the full article here.
Chuhak & Tecson, P.C principal David J. Bloomberg will be a panelist for the Illinois Chapter Community Associations Institute (CAI) homeowner’s forum on Wednesday, October 10. This complimentary event, which will be held at the Vernon Area Public Library in Lincolnshire, is designed to help homeowners and board members of community associations meet and interact with leading industry professionals. Topics will include board responsibilities, election procedures and management expectations.
Leader of Chuhak & Tecson’s Condominium & Common Interest Community Association group, Bloomberg’s caseload ranges from commercial disputes issues involving condominium and common interest community associations to commercial disputes to product liability claims. His extensive experience encompasses all aspects of the litigation process, including case strategy and management, pre-trial motion practice, depositions, hearings, trial preparation and trial. David has presented CLE-accredited lectures on matters related to multi-party settlements, spoliation and effective deposition. He also speaks about litigation and other topics of interest to condominium, townhome and homeowner associations.
Registration is required to attend. Please visit www.cai-illinois.org/ for additional information.
On Oct. 18, Chuhak & Tecson, P.C. principal David J. Bloomberg will participate at the “Deconstructing Deconversion Conference” hosted by the Illinois Real Estate Journal. The conference, which will be held at the Montgomery Club in Chicago, will focus on the latest trends of the deconversion movement in Chicago. Topics will include the challenges of structuring a deal, the top neighborhoods and submarkets for deconversions and the legal pitfalls to consider with an attempted deconversion.
Bloomberg is the leader of Chuhak & Tecson’s Condominium & Common Interest Community Association group. He has represented both boards and developers in connection with the deconversion of condominium associations and has written extensively on the subject of Section 15 of the Illinois Condominium Act.
For additional information or to register, visit Deconstructing Deconversion Conference.
Chuhak & Tecson, P.C. proudly announces that Kevin Coyne, an experienced commercial real estate attorney, has joined the firm as leader of the firm’s 19-attorney Real Estate practice group.
Coyne provides seasoned counsel for clients in real estate acquisitions, dispositions and leasing transactions of all types and complexity. He has represented national franchises, restaurants, bars and professional practices and has substantial experience negotiating office, retail and industrial leases on the national and local levels for both landlords and tenants.
Mitchell Weinstein, president of Chuhak & Tecson, is confident that Coyne’s background, talents and commitment to client service will expand and enhance the firm’s real estate practice.
“We are delighted to welcome Kevin and look forward to the insights his leadership will bring to our vibrant real estate practice group,” Weinstein said. “Because of his extensive experience, Kevin will be an invaluable resource to our clients.”
Coyne believes the merging of his practice with Chuhak & Tecson will enhance his offerings to his clients.
“I look forward to working with a well-established team of real estate attorneys and with other firm colleagues who are in the broad range of disciplines Chuhak & Tecson offers,” Coyne said. “Together we will continue to provide excellent legal services for all of our clients.”
Previously a partner with Momkus McCluskey, LLC, Coyne currently serves on the City of Naperville’s Plan Commission and City Council as well as the DuPage County Stormwater Commission. These roles provide Coyne with unique insights for clients facing zoning, permitting and land use issues throughout Chicago and the surrounding suburbs. He is also an active member of the Naperville Chamber of Commerce and the International Council of Shopping Centers.
Coyne earned his Juris Doctor degree from DePaul University College of Law and is committed to continually expanding the scope of his legal knowledge, as demonstrated by his mid-career decision to return to law school to earn an advanced law degree (LL.M) in real estate law.
The first three years of a child’s life, filled with rapid brain growth and the development of cognitive, linguistic, social, emotional and motor skills, are critical to their future success. If a child is to truly have the opportunity to flourish and reach their full potential, they need a loving caregiver who affectionately sings, speaks or reads to them and has the knowledge and means to provide the child with a safe environment and healthy food. Family Focus, a Chicago-based nonprofit dedicated to promoting the well-being of children by supporting and strengthening families in and with their communities, understands this. That’s why they are committed to providing financially struggling parents with critical resources and educational programs that promote the healthy development of their baby.
For its 2018 Mix-and-Mingle on Tuesday, Oct. 23, at Rivers Restaurant, Chicago, Chuhak & Tecson’s Women Helping Women program (WHW) has partnered with Family Focus’ Nuestra Familia and its Baby Bucks program. Nuestra Familia is a support center serving families in Humboldt Park, the Hermosa communities, Cicero and Melrose Park. Hosted annually by the women attorneys of Chuhak & Tecson, WHW is an after-hours networking group that offers professional women the opportunity to build their businesses and support a charitable organization at the same time. While enjoying wine, specialty cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, each Mix-and-Mingle spotlights a different nonprofit agency serving women or women and their children in the Chicagoland area, and showers the organization with gifts and necessities.
Mothers and fathers participating in the Nuestra Familia program receive an incentive—Baby Bucks—for attending group meetings or programs that will positively impact the health of their baby. Baby Bucks are used to purchase much-needed baby items from the center’s store.
“Not only does the Baby Bucks program make critical baby items accessible for families, but it provides them with a sense of independence by allowing them to choose what items their child needs,” said president and CEO of Family Focus, Merri Ex. “We are grateful that Women Helping Women is helping us gather winter items for babies.”
Chuhak & Tecson attorney James Gottlieb first made Women Helping Women aware of the Baby Bucks program and the other important work Family Focus is doing at Nuestra Familia center.
“I have served on the Family Focus board for four years and am proud of their continued growth,” said Gottlieb. “The mothers especially benefit from the Baby Bucks program and that, along with all the programming hosted by Nuestra Familia, creates positive and lasting effects in the lives of their children.”
Attendees for the upcoming event are encouraged to bring winter basics for babies—blankets, pajamas and snowsuits—which are in high demand at the center. A pre-event collection drive will be held for employees of Chuhak & Tecson so they may contribute to this cause as well.
The fall Mix-and-Mingle takes place from 5 to 7 p.m. at Rivers Restaurant, 30 S. Wacker Dr. If you would like to receive an invitation, please contact Jane La Grassa at jlagrassa@chuhak.com.