Professions

This month we introduce our community to Michael R. Lufrano, senior vice president, community affairs and general counsel for the Chicago Cubs. Lufrano joined the team in July 2004 and is responsible for Cubs’ community affairs endeavors, government relations efforts, neighborhood relations and charitable activities. He also serves as chief legal counsel for the team. Is there a better career opportunity, especially for sports/baseball fans? In his time with the Cubs, Lufrano has led efforts to develop and maintain positive relations with the community around Wrigley Field, including neighborhood elected officials, residents and businesses. These relationships have helped gain City …

During 2011, Northern Illinois University announced that this month’s subject, Judge Anthony A. Iosco, was appointed to the prestigious position of trustee, a member of the governing board of this highly respected university and law school. The press release set-out the following: “Illinois Governor Pat Quinn has announced that Anthony A. Iosco is one of four appointments to the governing board of Northern Illinois University. “Iosco, a member of the NIU College of Law’s first graduating class (1978), currently serves as a judge in the Circuit Court of Cook County, sitting in the Rolling Meadows courthouse, the 3rd municipal district. …

As we’ve mentioned in these pages, year after year, the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, a highly respected daily newspaper for the Illinois legal community, accepts nominations for its prestigious 40 lawyers under the age of 40 recognition. Every year, our community sees many of its younger attorneys recognized for their accomplishments. One of this year’s individuals recognized, among other Italian Americans, was Claudia Gallo. We highlight her career, adopting, in part, the article about her from the Law Bulletin. Claudia Gallo, 36, is a highly respected, mature-beyond-her-years attorney in a very difficult area of practice. A partner at the highly …

Every year, the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, a highly respected daily newspaper for the Illinois legal community, accepts nominations for its prestigious “40 Under 40” recognition. Every year, our community sees many of its younger attorneys recognized for their accomplishments. One of this year’s honored individuals, among other Italian Americans, was Patrick A. Salvi II. Here are some highlights from Salvi’s burgeoning career, excerpted from the Law Bulletin’s article about him. For the success young Patrick A. Salvi has already enjoyed, it is hard to believe that he has been practicing law for only a little more than four years. …

Our extended ethnic community lost a giant recently, the highly respected Lawrence J. Ferolie, distinguished lawyer and leading Italian American in Rockford. Lawrence, 90, loved his family, the law and Italy. Larry passed away on Sunday, July 29, 2012, in his home, having lived in Rockford for all but one of those years when he went to his mother’s birthplace, Gallarate, Italy to go to school for a year and receive his First Holy Communion. He made over 30 trips to Italy, reconnecting his American family with the Italian cousins his mother sent care packages to during World War II. …

This month we highlight the distinguished career of Philip J. Castogiovanni, assistant general counsel for the international firm of Beam Inc. Beam is the producer of brand-name spirits like Jim Beam bourbon and Skinny Girl cocktails, among other highly recognized and successful products. One does not become a general counsel of a multinational multibillion-dollar corporation without having great talent and experience in the practice of law. Philip previously worked at the highly respected national firm of McDermot, Will & Emery as a compensation and benefits partner, a very complicated and specialized area of the law. Though Phil was successful in …

In June 2013, Al Salvino began his 50th year in the investment industry, with more than 30 years at William Blair & Company. It is a record that represents stability, dependability and loyalty to both his clients and the firm. Al joined William Blair in 1988 and became a partner of the firm in 1990. When sons Tom and John joined the firm, they formed the Salvino Wealth Management Team. Partners of the firm, they strongly believe that the team approach is one of the keys to their success. “We admire the Mayo Clinic model,” says John. Founded by a …

Allow me to introduce you to Joseph P. Matty, executive director of alumni relations and alumni association at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb. Many prominent folks from our ethnicity and our community have significant leadership roles at NIU along with Joe Matty. For example, the newest dean at the law school, Jennifer Rosato, is the first ever Italian-American female dean of any American law school. Judge Anthony Iosco serves as president of the Alumni Association Board, with Judge Rod Equi serving as president of the Alumni Association Board of the law school. Anthony D’Andrea, whose career was previously highlighted in …

My wonderful editor, Paul Basile, who recommends subjects for this column from time to time, faxed me an article from an old edition of the Washington Post with the headline “The ‘Last American Tourist’ Flees Beijing.” The article, dated June 13, 1989, identifies this month’s subject, Daniel Nardini, as “the last American tourist,” a dedicated educator and journalist. The article describes Nardini’s misfortune to arrive in Beijing on June 3, 1989, the night tanks and troops smashed into Tiananmen Square to recapture it from student demonstrators, as we vividly recall only too well. Nardini’s adventures and travels to the Far …

This month we highlight the distinguished career of Joseph R. Curcio, one of the true leaders throughout the legal profession and especially in the Italian-American legal community. Frankly, I’ve been after Mr. Curcio for years to permit me to highlight his distinguished career, one that our community should know about and an individual that we can all be proud of and respect greatly. Perhaps, because of his Calabrian roots, he has been adamant about his quasi-anonymity and with great humility has prohibited me from telling our community about all that he means to the younger lawyers that have come along …