Professional Portfolio

Since the turn of the 20th century, Italian Americans have had a significant impact on the Illinois legal community, mostly through participation in the Justinian Society of Lawyers, and by community participation by individual achievements. There has been no greater impact than from the contributions of the very successful and highly respected Salvi family. They are not just attorneys who have passed the bar exam, but have been leaders in the community as well as, especially, the legal profession. From extremely successful trial lawyers in the catastrophic injury field, to bar leadership and community leaders, this outstanding family is well …

This month we introduce in these pages, the highly respected and hardworking mayor of the city of Berwyn, Illinois. Robert J. Lovero. Having been born at Mother Cabrini Hospital in the Taylor Street Neighborhood and residing in Berwyn for the last 50 years, Bob has embraced his Italian-American heritage as an integral part of his life in public service. Both parents trace their roots to the Calabria region (though Bob’s dad also has some Hispanic roots as well). Throughout this time he has had the support of his family, including father Thomas (deceased), mother Alba, brother Scott, wife Gail, son …

DePaul University has selected a nationally recognized leader in legal education as dean for the College of Law. Jennifer Rosato Perea, an accomplished scholar in family law, bioethics and civil procedure, will join DePaul July 1. When Rosato Perea became dean of the Northern Illinois University College of Law in July 2009, she also became the first Italian-American female dean of any law school in the country. It should be mentioned that she also treasures her Latino ancestry on her mother’s side. Rosato Perea came to NIU from Drexel University in Philadelphia, where she was part of the administrative team …

This month we highlight the distinguished career of architect John Vinci. Subjects for this column come to the attention of the author in various ways. An article in the Chicago Tribune about the controversial three sets of copper-clad wood exterior doors at the cost of nearly $670,000 in our state capitol brought this month’s subject to our attention — John Vinci. The article read as follows: “Revenge is sweet, but winning design awards isn’t bad either. Just ask the architects of the much-maligned restoration of the Illinois Capitol’s west wing. “A year ago, citing the state’s pension funding crisis, Gov. …

This month we highlight the career of a female trailblazer of the family law practice in the state of Illinois and throughout the country – Gemma B. Allen. Gemma B. Allen is a partner in Ladden & Allen, Chartered, a family law firm she established in 1999 to offer professional, caring and accessible representation in the areas of marriage, divorce, mediation, financial settlements, and custody matters. Prior to starting this firm, she was a partner in the notable Chicago law firms McDermott, Will & Emery, and Pretzel & Stouffer, where she was co-head of the divorce division. Not only is …

This month we highlight the career of a very charismatic, highly respected and active Italian-American community leader: Ronald Oppedisano. A successful property appraiser, Oppedisano is also former elected official, revered and respected in that role, and a wonderful family man. He’s the former president (mayor) of the Village of Norridge, Illinois in Cook County – the small community his parents moved to in 1961 after leaving the 4300 block of West Adams Street in Chicago. Oppedisano began his public service career in 1991 as a member, and later chairman, of the Norridge Zoning Board of Appeals. He was appointed to …

When an individual is suggested for highlighting in this column, a letter is sent requesting background information, ancestral background and the like. From time to time, the subject will provide a narrative, and on occasion one so compelling, so touching, oftentimes familiar, that with slight editing we produce this column in the subject’s own words – such as this month. “My name is Joseph Garofalo and I’m going to tell you my story. My Mother, Lorraine (nee Aigner) Garofalo was born to Joseph and Myrtle Aigner. Myrtle was born in Sweden and immigrated to the USA in the early 1900s …

This month we highlight the career of a bright leading lawyer and community leader as he takes the helm as president of the DuPage County Justinian Lawyers’ Chapter – Joseph Glimco. A graduate of Benet Academy High School Graduate (1978), and St. Ambrose (1982), he earned his J.D. from Drake Law School (1985). He was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1985 and operates the Law Offices of Joseph P. Glimco, III, P.C., located in Darien. Joe practices in the area of family law, which includes divorce, custody, child, adoptions, pre-marital agreements, and paternity. A trained family law mediator, he …

This month we introduce Michael V. Favia, a true leader and highly respected attorney. There is an old saw: When you want something done, give it to a busy person. In our ethnic and legal community as well as the community-at-large, that person is Michael. The principal and managing attorney for the law firm of Michael V. Favia and Associates, and counsel to the health care law firm of Goldberg Law Group, Michael is recognized for his extensive legal and administrative skills, which he uses to oversee and operate a most successful general civil practice firm. He also serves, very …

This month we highlight the distinguished career of Frank A. Citera, highly respected practitioner in a unique and complicated area of the law – products liability and mass torts. Frank Citera is co-chair of the Products Liability and Mass Torts Practice of the Chicago law firm of Greenberg Traurig. Frank received his undergraduate degree from Columbia University (1980) and his Juris Doctorate, cum laude from the University of Miami (1983). He is active in all the major bar associations, and is a member of the board of directors, by a university presidential appointment, of the Miami Law Alumni Association. To …