Professional Portfolio

“Success at any age is impressive. But to achieve it at an early age is even more of a feat.” For the eleventh straight year, the 40 Under 40 Committee at Law Bulletin Publishing Company sifted through almost one thousand nomination forms to select the 40 most talented attorneys in Illinois under the age of 40. The Law Bulletin is the preeminent legal publication in the state of Illinois, having been in operation for over 150 years. What does it take to earn the 40/40 recognition? The standards applied in the selection process include: intelligence, professional achievements, outstanding reputation amongst …

This month we highlight the distinguished career of Vincent C. Cipolla, a successful attorney with a wonderful reputation who is on the cutting edge of a relatively new, significant development in the field of law, alternate dispute resolution (ADR). What precipitated highlighting the career of Vincent C. Cipolla was the announcement of the creation of Cipolla Mediation and Arbitration Services. For the readers of Fra Noi not familiar with ADR, let me explain. Historically, especially in major metropolitan areas like Cook County, so many people have taken advantage of access to the courts that justice often seemed to be backlogged …

Every year, Crain’s Chicago Business, a leading weekly newspaper servicing the Chicagoland business community, publishes a list of their annual selection of the top 40 business professionals in this community under the age of 40. Always, Italian Americans are prominent on the list. This year is no exception. One of the selectees is Dino De Vita, Senior Vice President at the Northern Trust Company, Managing Director of its significant Personal Financial Services Group. In the article, highlighting the career of this outstanding young Italian-American professional, it was mentioned: For his first day in first grade, Dino De Vita showed up …

Today we highlight the distinguished career of Michael D. Ruggiero, a financial advisor/planner with Ameriprise Financial Inc., a position in which he has excelled for 10 years. Michael is a neighborhood guy, born in Chicago and raised in Oak Park and then River Forest. His father, Angelo Ruggiero, is a highly respected attorney and longtime and influential member of the Justinian Society of Lawyers. The Ruggiero’s are of Neapolitan descent and Michael’s mother, Gina, is of Sicilian descent. Angelo grew up around Leavitt and Harrison and his mother grew up in the Cragin neighborhood. Angelo is still a practicing and …

On an annual basis, the Law Bulletin, an Illinois lawyers’ publication, publishes a volume called, “Forty Under 40,” recognizing through a statewide nomination process outstanding attorneys under the age of forty in the State of Illinois to watch. The most recent publication identified two outstanding young professionals from our community, for this recognition, Kenneth C. Apicella and Peter M. Spingola. We introduce these two rising stars to our readers. Kenneth C. Apicella attended DePaul University College of Law where he distinguished himself as a Dean’s List student. While there, he was elected to be an executive board member on the …

This month, we highlight the career of Brian A. Bernardoni, a truly accomplished individual in many fields and many endeavors. He is an interesting product of an Italian neighborhood and an accomplished, dynamic and respected community leader. Brian A. Bernardoni of the Illinois Association of REALTORS® is the senior director of governmental affairs and public policy serving Chicago real estate professionals. He is a resident of the city of Chicago in the Little Italy community and is regarded by many as a powerful voice on real estate matters in Chicago. Bernardoni works with the association’s leadership and volunteers to assess …

Today we highlight the distinguished career of prominent attorney Charles R. Bernardini. Rarely has anything of any consequence occurred in our ethnic community without Chuck being in the forefront, or participating as a statesman, mentor and advisor, be it politics, local or statewide, cultural and/or social. A recognized community leader, Chuck, in addition to being a leading and successful attorney with the prominent Chicago firm of Ungaretti & Harris, has always made time to work toward the improvement of our Italian-American condition. A second-generation Italian American, Chuck grew up in Streator, Ill., and distinguished himself as an undergraduate and then …

This month we introduce you to Dan Bellino, licensed practicing attorney and professional Major League Baseball umpire. That’s quite a combination. Upon graduating from Northern Illinois University, Dan thought that his career path would take him through law school in the field of intellectual property and land him in private practice as a patent lawyer. He distinguished himself as an outstanding student at the John Marshall Law School, but a funny thing happened upon his graduation in 2002. He decided to put all of his efforts into being an umpire in professional baseball. He gave it his best shot and …

Rarely has Thomas M. Battista joined an organization — professional, social, or community — and did not become a leader in its governance. He has served as president of the Justinian Society of Lawyers and the Italian-American Political Coalition; board member and legal advisor to the Italian-American Human Relations Foundation; an elected delegate of the Assembly of the 32,000 member Illinois State Bar Association, its supreme governing body; chief counsel to the chairman of the U.S. Railroad Retirement Board; and deputy director of the Illinois Property Tax Appeal Board. Raised initially in Elmwood Park, Battista and his family then moved …

There is rarely a local election, bar association election or similar activity that requires funding or the encouragement of participation when Louis Cairo isn’t solicited for assistance with that in mind. Whether it be a judicial race, or an election in the Illinois or American Trial Lawyers Association, the Illinois State Bar Association, or the Justinian Society of Lawyers, anyone seeking a leg up in those organizations, introductions, hosting a successful event or funding, Louie is always the person to call. Louis C. Cairo practices personal injury law, and his experience includes representing clients who suffered brain damages due to …