Professions

As Baby Boomers move into their senior years, and families prepare for the road ahead, there’s too often a tragic disconnect between the planning they do and the planning they need. As an attorney who specializes in elder law, and a CPA with a master’s degree in taxation, Anthony B. Ferraro of Rosemont says that the best of intentions don’t necessarily add up to the most sound of strategies. “We deal not only with what happens when you pass away, but what happens when you don’t,” says Ferraro, who has spent nearly four decades helping his clients prepare for all …

Great law firms go to great lengths for their clients. They fight hard in court to get settlements that plaintiffs deserve and expect. Without question, Fichera & Miller, P.C. has delivered that stellar performance ever since Dominic R. Fichera and Howard S. Miller joined forces in 1993. The former DePaul University College of Law classmates have a refreshing take on client advocacy. “Some attorneys think that the case is their case and not the client’s case. As a result, decisions are made that reflect what’s good for the firm — and not what’s good for the client,” says Fichera, who …

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 …

Every 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, and eery year, our community sees many of its younger attorneys recognized for their accomplishments. One of this year’s honorees is Karie J. Giganti Valentino. We highlight her career, adopting, in part, the article about her from the Law Bulletin. As an Ironman triathlete and an ultra marathon runner, Karie J. Giganti Valentino brings a unique level of energy and dedication to her practice. At Anderson, Rasor & Partners, LLP, …

This month we introduce the readers to Frank Sommario, the soon-to-be elected secretary of the Justinian Society of Lawyers, a 90-year-old ethnic bar association that stands as the third largest lawyers’ organization in the state of Illinois. As secretary, Frank will work his way through the chairs and become the society’s 97th president in 2017. This year’s president, Katherine (Amari) O’Dell, says of Frank, “He became secretary because over the years, as a member, he has shown talent, organizational skills and, most importantly, reliability. The Justinian officers that have preceded Frank have come to realize that when you want something …

This issue we highlight the prominent jurist, Justice Mary Seminara-Schostok, of the 19th Judicial Circuit. This Justinian was appointed an associate judge in 1998 and elected a full circuit in 2002. We pick this time to highlight her judicial career as she was recently sworn in as president of the statewide Illinois Judges Association, no small feat. The first of five children, Seminara-Schostok grew up in New Castle, Pa. Her father came to the United States from Italy and her mother was a second-generation Italian American. She attended Youngstown State University, the first in her family to graduate college. She …