Profiles

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 …

In the early 1980s, Michael Ventura was working as a plumber after attending Elmhurst College and Triton College. But that all changed thanks to Mike Marino, his late wife’s cousin. Now the chief of the Elmwood Park Fire Department, Marino was a firefighter when he invited Ventura down to the station one day. “After attending college, I couldn’t find anything that really sparked my interest, until I stepped into that fire department,” Ventura recalls. Ventura started out in 1982 as a paid on-call fireman, which is basically a part-time fireman. On May 25, 1985, he took the test and became …

When Dominic Panico looks back on all the experience that led up to him being named interim police chief of Elmhurst last year, the one he recalls most fondly was his stint as a D.A.R.E. instructor between 1987 and 1996. “Out of all the opportunities I’ve had here in Elmhurst, one of the most rewarding was getting the chance to interact with fifth graders and have a positive impact on their lives,” he explains. Years later, one of those fifth graders, then a junior in college, visited the police department to say hello to Panico, thank him for the mentoring …

Christina and Angelina Romano have mastered the art of karate at very young ages. At 12, Christina has earned one third-place trophy, two first-place medals, four second-place medals and four third-place medals. And at 9, Angelina has earned three first-place trophies (including one in national competition), five first-place medals, three second-place medals, two third-place medals and two fourth-place medals. For the past four years, Christina and Angelina have made their way regularly to the Illinois Shotokan Karate Club (ISKC.com) in Geneva, Ill., to practice. They have learned from some of the best, including Sensei Brian Mertell, who serves on the …