Each year Riverside Brookfield Township High School (RBHS) chooses a select group of alumni to honor with an Alumni Achievement Medal Award. This year, Andrew Tecson, president of Chuhak & Tecson, P.C., is part of that group.

Recipients are alumni recognized for their high level of contribution in a professional, athletic, governmental, civic or fine arts field; have demonstrated an act of heroism or bravery; or for their involvement in community service endeavors. In addition, they must have consistently demonstrated that they have the highest moral and ethical standards.

A graduate of the class of 1973, Tecson went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from Northwestern University and a Juris Doctor degree from University of Chicago Law School. After successfully establishing his law practice, Tecson was among 11 attorneys—his father Joseph Tecson included—to found the law firm Chuhak & Tecson, now in its 30th year. Tecson has been president for a decade and is also the practice group leader for two of the firm’s 12 practice groups—Healthcare and Not for Profit & Mission-Based Organizations.

A dedicated philanthropist, Tecson has served on numerous boards and has been instrumental in raising funds for organizations he is passionate about. Additionally, he and his wife Nancy Hagen founded glenhagen farm retreat near Princeton, Illinois, which provides a rustic camping experience to youth groups and people of all ages in support of the stewardship of God’s creation.  

Tecson’s passions extend to the arts, too, as he is an accomplished composer and jazz musician who plays tenor, alto and soprano sax, with five CDs to his credit. His love of a things jazz led him to found ChurchJazz where today he is the principal composer and bandleader of the ensemble that brings jazz to worship services—300 and counting—locally, throughout the country and in Germany and Slovakia in 2017. ChurchJazz ministry brings jazz to congregations, which are part of a wide range of denominations, and has made numerous radio and television appearances.

The Alumni Achievement Medal Award is the highest honor the RBHS community can bestow upon a graduate, as the recipients serve as role models to current students. Each honoree is added to the Alumni Achievement Medal wall where plaques with their pictures and biographies are placed. It is an iconic part of the school that allows students to learn the achievements of those who walked the halls before them.

Tecson joins four other alumni as the Alumni Achievement Medal Award honorees for 2017. All were recognized at a banquet held at RBHS on Thursday, Sept. 21. To read more about the award and RBHS, click here. 

What does it mean to be normal? What does it mean to be a good friend? Why do we share our stories? These questions are currently being explored and discussed in Chicagoland elementary school classrooms that are engaged with The Nora Project, a curriculum tailored to spark friendships between typically developing children and those with disabilities, known as Nora Friends.

The Nora Project modules help children learn to empathize with their Nora Friend who, in some ways, is vastly different from them. From this experience they are able to see and consider different perspectives as they continue through life, finding common ground in situations where it seems, at first, not to exist.

Nora is the inspiration behind The Nora Project—she was born prematurely and underwent several surgeries during the first year of her life. Due to complications in her fourth surgery, Nora was left with severe brain damage, intractable epilepsy and profound developmental delays.

“The Nora Project works to teach empathy between students and their peers who have complex medical, physical or developmental challenges, like my daughter Nora,” said Lauren Schrero, president of The Nora Project. “When we first realized how different Nora would be from her peers, I feared that others wouldn’t see in her the sweet, heroic, funny child we do. I was so worried she wouldn’t have friends.”

Chuhak & Tecson, P.C. principal Kimberly T. Boike brought the awareness of The Nora Project to the firm’s Women Helping Women (WHW) group and will introduce Schrero at the event.

“When I first met Lauren, it was clear how incredibly passionate she was about The Nora Project, which helped to spark The Nora Project’s expansion to 30 classrooms in a very short period of time,” said Boike. “I hope that by raising awareness of their mission at our event we can help them continue to grow so that the next generation of children will be taught the importance of empathy, kindness and acceptance.”

WHW chose The Nora Project as the charity partner for its 2017 Mix-and-Mingle on Wednesday, Oct. 25, at Rivers Restaurant.

An after-hours networking group hosted by the women attorneys, WHW offers professional women the opportunity to build their businesses and participate in charitable service at the same time. Over wine and hors d’oeuvres, each Mix-and-Mingle highlights a different nonprofit agency serving women or women and their children and invites attendees to come alongside them in practical ways.

Attendees for the upcoming fall event are encouraged to bring new, used or refurbished iPads or cash gift cards that will be placed in a pool to buy new iPads, or they can bring other school supplies needed for classroom activities with Nora Friends.

“The Nora Project has such an incredible mission that really resonates with students, parents and teachers,” said Boike. “The curriculum fosters social inclusion by creating a learning environment that focuses on empathy and kindness, which helps to build friendships between students and their peers with disabilities.”

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 Brittany LaMantia at BLaMantia@chuhak.com.

Chuhak & Tecson, P.C. expands its presence on the East Coast by launching its first New Jersey office. This new location is a result of the firm’s affiliation with Weltman & Moskowitz, LLP, a creditor’s rights, bankruptcy, foreclosure and commercial litigation boutique law firm based in New York and New Jersey.

Of counsel attorney Richard E. Weltman leads the New Jersey practice. Attorney Michele K. Jaspan also serves as of counsel and, like Weltman, practices in both New Jersey and New York.

“It’s exciting to see our full service business law firm expanding on the East Coast,” said Andrew P. Tecson, president of Chuhak & Tecson. “Clients on the East Coast are welcoming our extensive offering of affordable legal services with open arms.”

Due to the growing needs of its clients in New York and New Jersey, Chuhak & Tecson successfully entered the East Coast market in April 2015.

Learn more about the firm’s professionals, practice areas and latest news at chuhak.com.

The New Jersey office is located at 999 Riverview Drive, Suite 201, in Totowa. Reach out to Weltman for help with lender rights, bankruptcy, business disputes, foreclosures, and commercial litigation in New Jersey state and federal courts. He can be reached at (973) 406-5127 or at rweltman@chuhak.com.

For those seeking to understand what Chuhak & Tecson, P.C. is about as it celebrates three decades of service to its clients and community, start with saying “good morning.”

“When we first formed the firm in 1987, we had 11 attorneys and a small support staff to match,” recalls Andy Tecson, president of Chuhak & Tecson. “Every morning, Tom Chuhak, who along with my dad, Joe Tecson, were the elder statesman of the group, would come to work and personally greet every person – every attorney, every clerk, every secretary – with a smile and a joyous `good morning.’ He would ask how they were doing, what was new; he truly cared about each person’s well-being.’”

When looking back at the firm’s accomplishments over the past 30 years, Tecson thinks of those mornings and believes they are reflective of what distinguishes and defines the firm.

“That sense of family, of truly caring about the success and growth of both the people who work here and our clients, that remains a foundational principle of the firm,” Tecson says. “We have clients who have been with us from the beginning, and we have lawyers and support staff who have as well. That doesn’t happen by accident.”

Assembling a team of distinguished lawyers with complementary practices and a shared commitment to providing exceptional representation and service doesn’t happen by accident either.

“Tom and Joe were driven by a desire to excel at client service and an unshakable sense of professionalism and integrity,” says Barry Feinberg, one of the firm’s founding members. “Those of us who initially joined them on this journey and all those who have joined us since are absolutely cut of that same cloth.”

Three of the firm’s founding members, Andy Tecson, Don Russ, and Arnold Karolewski, remain with the firm as practicing attorneys, while original members Barry Feinberg and Al Grasso serve clients in an of counsel capacity. From a core of 11 attorneys, the firm now stands at 68 lawyers and about 75 support staff, some of whom work at the firm’s New York City office which opened in 2015.

Building on the Past. Prepared for the Future.

Reflecting on the firm’s growth and accomplishments, its founders don’t wax nostalgic; quite the contrary. This year’s anniversary is as much about the firm’s future as it is about the past.

“We have always taken great pride in developing subsequent generations of outstanding attorneys who can build on what the more senior lawyers have accomplished,” Tecson says. “Our belief and trust in the next generation of the firm’s attorneys to carry the flame and make it burn even brighter is the secret to the firm’s continued growth and vibrant future. It’s one of the things I’m most proud of.”

This cross-generational sharing of institutional knowledge and the firm’s commitment to the professional and personal growth of younger attorneys adds significant value for the firm’s clients, says founding member Al Grasso.

“We empower our younger attorneys in their practices from day one, and that includes interaction with clients,” Grasso says. “This allows them to get to know our clients; what they are about, what is important to them. In turn, our clients get to see the talent that we keep bringing into the firm. This builds on the established trust between our clients and the firm and gives them the peace of mind that they are in good hands for years to come.”

This continuity, this emphasis on ensuring that the firm’s clients receive the same high level of representation, service, and value that brought them to the firm in the first place, hasn’t happened in a vacuum. It has endured through three decades of change and disruption in both the practice of law and the businesses of the firm’s clients. If a lawyer or law firm fails to stay in front of these changes, they are doing a disservice to their clients and risk falling by the wayside. But navigating the seas of constant change while maintaining the timeless bearings that continue to define the firm can be a challenge. It is a balance that Chuhak & Tecson has handled with aplomb.

“Technology and the business environment may be constantly changing, but the keys to building and maintaining relationships do not,” says Tecson. “Clients will always want accessibility and responsive service, they will always want value, they will always want positive outcomes. But all of those things require adaptability and taking advantage of the technologies that allow us to stay ahead of the curve in all these respects.”

“We have done that successfully for the past 30 years, and if past is prologue, we will be doing so for the next 30 years,” Tecson adds.

Leaders in the Law

Of course, the law is as ever-changing as technology. From the very beginning, Chuhak & Tecson’s attorneys have positioned themselves at the forefront of those changes, and have made educating clients and colleagues about the latest legal developments and best practices a cornerstone of the firm.

“Al Grasso and Don Russ in particular really set the standard in terms of always learning and always educating others,” says Tecson. “They are thought leaders in both the legal and accounting professions.”

It is a tradition that has carried forward to today, with the firm’s attorneys continuing to be sought-after speakers and writers. It is also reflected in the firm’s emphasis on education as part of its 30^th anniversary celebrations. Informed clients are empowered clients, and the firm is constantly providing actionable and up-to-date information on a wide range of topics through a steady stream of seminars and client presentations, client alerts and practice group newsletters, and articles in professional and trade publications. Added to this robust mix this year is the firm’s online newsletter “Three Decades,” an issue of which you are currently reading.

Service – In Every Respect

Providing the insights that come from decades of experience and the collective knowledge of over 60 exceptional lawyers is a way of giving back to the firm’s clients. But it is far from the only way the firm demonstrates its commitment to service – in every sense of that word.

“My dad was a committed public servant, and service to our community is part of the firm’s DNA,” Tecson says.

Individually and collectively, the firm’s attorneys and support staff regularly engage in a wide range of philanthropic efforts and charitable giving throughout Chicagoland. Pick any given month – you’ll likely find folks from Chuhak & Tecson out doing something to improve the lives of other and their communities.

What makes Chuhak & Tecson’s commitment to service so special and rewarding is that it is organic and heartfelt. Participation in any or all of the firm’s myriad service efforts is not a mandate or an imposition; it comes from a shared belief in the importance of giving back, of being part of a larger community.

While giving back to the community is its own reward, Tecson says it also strengthens the firm’s ability to serve its clients.

“When you’re out working in the community and helping others, you’re meeting and collaborating with people from all walks of life,” he says. “Service gives you a broader perspective and a deeper understanding of the needs of others. Being focused on the needs of the people you serve is at the core of what we do as lawyers.”

Three Decades of Being Right There With You

30 years on, Chuhak & Tecson’s unwavering commitment to client service – being right there with you – remains a bedrock principle. Long-term and enduring client relationships flow from that commitment, and the trust that grows from sound counsel which spans multiple generations has laid the groundwork for the firm’s next three decades. 30 years from now, whatever changes the world may see, Chuhak & Tecson will no doubt retain that sense of family that was present on those mornings Tom Chuhak and Joe Tecson were passing out warm greetings to everyone they saw. 

The women attorneys at Chuhak & Tecson, P.C., were nationally recognized this week for a unique initiative allowing professional women to build their businesses while simultaneously providing support for underrepresented women and children in the community.  

Women Helping Women is a 2017 winner of the IDEA (Innovation, Development, Engagement and Advancement) Awards sponsored by the Association of Legal Administrators. The annual honor recognizes one-of-a-kind programs, services and events that enrich the legal community and advance the business of law.

Michelle Schadler, chief operating officer at Chuhak & Tecson and one of the visionaries for Women Helping Women, accepted the award for the firm April 5 in Denver, Colo. With 14 Women Helping Women gatherings under their belts the group has seen attendance nearly double since the early days.

“We’ve designed an event for women that works for the demands on women’s time,” Schadler said. “Women play a lot more roles in life than men do, and they need time to focus on networking, business development and philanthropy. We’ve figured out how to do all that in two hours.”

Women Helping Women blends networking and business building with charitable service in a single, two-hour event known as Mix-and-Mingle. Local women business leaders, entrepreneurs and strategic partners come together to develop relationships over wine and hors d’oeuvres, then sit back for a brief presentation by a selected charitable partner organization providing services to women and/or their children.

Each agency chosen to be a charity partner is feted with in-kind gifts from the women in attendance. Chuhak & Tecson also looks for other ways to add value to the organization—helping to develop their website, for example, or providing legal assistance.

“When we partnered with Jewish Child & Family Services,” said Lindsey Paige Markus, a principal at Chuhak & Tecson, “we collected more than 250 multicultural and diverse ability dolls. These were meant to help children with trauma therapy and comfort those entering the foster care system. To walk into the Mix-and-Mingle that night and see the hundreds of dolls guests had brought was just incredibly moving.”

At another event, when the Chicago Metropolitan Battered Women’s Network was the charity partner, attendees filled goody bags with personal hygiene items one needs when fleeing their home, wrote inspiring notes for the women who would be receiving the bags, and attached donated pieces of jewelry to each bag.

Women Helping Women provided school supplies for the Young Women’s Leadership Charter School, hosted a baby shower for New Moms, and showered clothing on women emerging from homelessness and sex trafficking. They collected pajamas and slippers for newly released female prisoners, teddy bears for children affected by disaster, and art supplies for children with disabilities.

“From my perspective, the number one key to building a successful book of business rests on building relationships,” Markus said. “But there seems to be a unique recipe for success based on the underlying purpose of giving back. There’s something about this mix of professional women coming together not only to grow and develop their business but also make a difference for the charity that produces an incredible energy in the room. It’s not all about us.”

Besides the obvious benefits to the community agencies and to the business builders, there have been unanticipated outcomes from Women Helping Women. Primarily, the events have further built on the firm’s a culture of firm-wide community service—implemented by the founders 30 years ago—that has led to more firm-sponsored service projects, including 25 separate initiatives during Chuhak & Tecson’s 25^th year.

“The Women Helping Women events are motivational and stirring,” Schadler said. “People are giving help, and people are receiving help. The fact that all these different women continue coming together to connect with each other and build on opportunities together is exactly what we envisioned—and it never stops being awe-inspiring.”

 

Copyright © 2017 Association of Legal Administrators. All Rights Reserved. www.alanet.org.

 

Principal Stephen Wood is co-hosting a webinar on April 12 titled "Navigating Recent Trends and Developments in the False Claims Act: A 2017 Outlook."

This webinar is aimed at companies and individuals who do business with the government or rely upon government-funded programs (like Medicare) and are at risk of being sued for knowing noncompliance with the requirements of those programs. Click here to register or learn more.

Chuhak & Tecson, P.C., marks its 30^th anniversary this year with a special emphasis on one of the things it does best—educating audiences on a wide-ranging variety of legal topics.

Attorneys are available to give presentations and seminars not only to clients but also to business and community groups. Speaking opportunities, along with topics of interest in the form of articles, columns and alerts authored by attorneys, will be highlighted in the law firm’s new online newsletter, Three Decades.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to serve our clients,” said Andy Tecson, president. “Sharing information, insights and strategies at seminars is one of the many ways we like to give back to the community.”

Thomas Chuhak and Joseph Tecson opened the firm in 1987 with nine other attorneys and their legal assistants. Three decades later, Chuhak & Tecson retains 68 attorneys in a dozen practice groups and more than 75 staff members and paraprofessionals. In 2015, the firm expanded geographically as well as exponentially, launching a New York City office in addition to its primary location in Chicago.

“We have steadily grown over three decades because we are passionate about living out the values of our founders: responsive service; creative collaboration; and exceptional value,” Tecson said.

Although many laws have changed over the years, many things have not. Chuhak & Tecson continues to enjoy the solid reputation its founders established and remains committed to providing top-quality legal services, opportunities for diversity in employment and meaningful community service. 

 Pictured from left, All God’s People President Doreen DeBoer and Chuhak & Tecson Attorney Elizabeth Osborne at the 2016 WHW Mix-and-Mingle.

Not having nice clothes to wear isn’t an issue when dealing with the President of All God’s People, Doreen DeBoer. As the leader of an organization that helps women get back on their feet after they’ve been trafficked or prostituted or homeless, most people come to DeBoer with just the clothes on their backs.

On Nov. 3, over 140 women business leaders and entrepreneurs gathered at Lloyd’s Chicago—bags of donated clothing in hand—to support The Boutique of All God’s People, an organization that ministers to the needs of women in Chicago that are trying to start anew by providing them with outfits for job interviews, funerals or special occasions. Everything is given away, nothing is sold.

DeBoer and her niece, attorney Elizabeth Osborne, spoke on behalf of The Boutique and Chuhak & Tecson, P.C., to highlight the significance of choosing to partner with one another for the 2016 Fall Mix-and-Mingle.

“After years of watching my aunt give her everything to help people, it’s great to have all of these women come together and contribute to her cause,” said Osborne. “The amount of donations we received regularly would have taken months to collect. It was a very successful event.” 

Hosted by the women attorneys of Chuhak & Tecson, Women Helping Women (WHW) is an after-hours networking group that offers professional women the opportunity to build their businesses while participating in charitable services at the same time. While enjoying wine and hors d’oeuvres, each Mix-and-Mingle highlights a different nonprofit agency serving women or women and their children.

Through this event there were hundreds of dress pants, blouses, sweaters, blazers, shoes, purses and more collected that will be put together as outfits and provided to women in need. But it is much more than that, each outfit has the chance to provide the feeling of confidence and self-importance that every woman deserves.

“I have met wonderful women through The Boutique and many of them talk about how nice the clothes make them feel,” DeBoer said. “Your outfit is oftentimes the first thing people notice. Women know that and a nice outfit can really spike their confidence. We will be able to give a lot of women confidence with the donations from this event, we are so very thankful for this experience.”

The confidence that a nice, complete outfit along with toiletries, haircuts and other freebies can give a woman on the journey to reestablish herself is one of the many reasons why Chuhak & Tecson is pleased to support The Boutique of All God’s People.

If you would like information on Chuhak & Tecson’s WHW event, contact Jane La Grassa at jlagrassa@chuhak.com.