Justinian Society Newsletter Spring 2012 734 N. Wells, Chicago, IL 60654 Phone 708.338.0760 Fax 708.401.0360 www.justinians.org JUSTINIAN SOCIETY OFFICERS President's Message Katherine Amari O'Dell By: Katherine A. Amari O’Dell dinner meetings. We would like to thank Sasso President Marketing, Inc. for creating our new website as Gregg A. Garofalo As we end the 90th anniversary of the well as Nina, who now manages and adds to our 1st Vice President Justinian Society website on a daily basis. Frankly, I don’t know Hon. Robert W. Bertucci of Lawyers and what the society would do without her, or what I 2nd Vice President my presidency, I would’ve done if she wasn’t around. Anita DeCarlo want to thank my I also want to extend a thank you to Richard 3rd Vice President fellow officers Caifano, past president and chair of the Mentoring Jessica DePinto and all of our Committee. Due to the Illinois Supreme Court Treasurer members who allowing CLE credits for an organizational-run Frank A. Sommario have made this Mentor/Mentee program, Richard has registered Secretary year successful. The Justinian Society of Lawyers, and the Supreme I especially want Court Commission on Professionalism has ap- EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE to thank immedi- proved the Society’s lawyer-to-lawyer mentoring Honorable Anthony A. Iosco ate past President program. We are hoping to launch our program Cristina Mungai soon as we only need three additional mentees Honorable Cheryl D. Cesario for all of her help to register and pair with our listed mentors. With Honorable Celia Gamrath and guidance as she was always available to Nina’s help, any mentor and/or mentee can log Cindy O'Keefe answer any questions and provide direction onto the Justinian website and complete an online Vincent R. Vidmer throughout my year. application through the Supreme Court Commis- Richard Caifano I also want to thank Judge Celia Gamrath sion on Professionalism’s website. Hopefully, we Mauro Glorioso for appointing me secretary of the society. can begin the program soon, either by the end of Donald J. Storino Jr. She has been a mentor not only in my career, my presidency, or at the beginning of upcoming Cristina Mungai but also as a fellow mother. President Gregg Garofalo’s term. Deanna Cairo I lastly want to thank the editor of the We thank Judge Gloria Coco for chairing the Student Member newsletter, past president, my father, Leonard Installation Dinner! Unfortunately, this will be Amari, for all his assistance in answering the last dinner that she will chair as it is time for NEWSLETTER CONTRIBUTORS every day questions relating to the Society. our younger members as well as our offi cers to Richard Caldarazzo It was an honor to serve as president of the relieve Judge Coco of her installation duties by Society and I hope you enjoyed this year. creating a committee to plan upcoming Installa- Dominic Candeloro I am proud to announce that, with the tion dinners. With Gloria and Nina’s assistance, Anthony Casaccio assistance of First Vice President Gregg we had over 400 people in attendance to honor Franco Coladipietro Garofalo and our Executive Administrator president of the Illinois State Bar Association, Anthony B. Ferraro Nina Vidmer, this year the Justinian Society John G. Locallo, with our Award of Excellence Robin Iori of Lawyers has come into the 21st Century, and to honor Justice Mary Seminara Schostok, James J. Morici Jr. launching our new website. The website Appellate Court justice of the 2nd District, with Roy Puccini allows members to make reservations for our Helen M. Cerise Award of Recognition. Melissa Taormina dinner meetings, pay annual dues, join the We had a successful October Scholarship dinner Mentor-Mentee program, fi nd a fellow Jus- meeting at the Holiday Inn Merchandise Mart. With tinian lawyer, and view photographs of past ConƟ nued n Page 5 Editor: Staff : Leonard F. Amari Brian Monico Michael F. Bonamarte IV Michael Ori Executive Administrator: Richard B. Caifano Frank A. Perricone Nina Albano Vidmer Associate Editor: Dion U. Davi Michael Pisano Executive Assistant: William J. Davy Gina Rossi Katherine A. Amari Angelina Filippo John Tufano Diana Bosnjak O'dell Carmen Forte Jr. Vincent R. Vidmer PAGE 1 LettersBy: Katherine to the Amari O'DellEditor Dear Ms. O’Dell: Dear Katherine, Dear Leonard, I certainly appreciated your taking Thank you for publishing the Wonderful newsle er (especially the the me to send the Fall 2011 Jus nian wonderful article written by Tony picture of my grandson, Jack Joseph). Society of Italian Lawyers Newsle er – Romanucci. It is bringing tears to my Remember: "it ain't over l its over". We another stellar edi on. eyes as I think of the many friends who love you and all that you do. Please accept all my best wishes have become my family through the - Richard Caifano for con nued success with your fi ne Jus nians. They are tears of joy, warmth work on this informa ve and well done and love that I have for all Jus nians. publica on. The memories of our monthly mee ngs, - Timothy C. Evans installa on dinners, golf ou ngs, bocce Chief Judge ball tournaments, Columbus Day parades, Circuit Court of Cook County bake off s at Christmas, etc, for over 40 years will never be forgo en. Thank you, Leonard, for sponsoring me on the recommenda on of Mike Hennessy and Dominic Faraci. - Bruno J. Tassone Richard Caifano and his daughter, Ca e Locallo. Dear Katherine, Thank you for the Jus nian Newsle er and the good wishes. I am sorry I was unable to a end the dinner as I had an From le , Judge Tim Evans, Re red Chief Jus- appointment I could not reschedule. Best ce Thomas Fitzgerald, and Leonard Amari. of luck in your tenure as president. I am sure you will do a fabulous job (a er all, leadership is in your genes) and I wish Dear Katherine: From le , Judge Jim Holderman, Joseph you the best. Once again, I am grateful for your Bisceglia, Anthony Fornelli and Bruno Tassone. - Judge Grace G. Dickler courtesy in forwarding a copy of the Justinian Society of Italian Lawyers Dear Katherine: Newsle er. I con nue to be impressed Dear Katherine, I would like to thank you and the rest with your ability to produce such a high The last issue was absolutely of the scholarship commi ee once again quality and informa onal brochure. wonderful. Quite possibly deserving of for the scholarship award and dinner last Keep up the good work! the Pulitzer Prize! Buono, Buono, Molto Thursday. As I told Mr. Farace last week, - Edward M. Burke Buono! the award is an immense help to me Alderman, 14th Ward - Sam Tornatore fi nancially and it is always nice to gain recogni on for hard work. I had a great me at the awards dinner, and I know my parents enjoyed themselves as well. I look forward to seeing you at another Jus nian func on soon. - Vince Oppedisano Dear Katherine: Thank you for your kind note of October 5, 2011, with a copy of the most From le , Franco Coladipietro, Sam Tornatore recent Jus nian Newsle er. It is nice and Anthony Farace. to know wherever I go, the Jus nians From le , Alderman Bob Fiore , Alderman Ed follow. Say hello to Joe and John for me; Burke, and Enrico Mirabelli. tell Len that my son started law school in Valparaiso in August. - Anthony G. Scariano Scariano, Himes & Petrarca, Chtd. PAGE 2 Letters to the Editor Justinian News Dear Katherine: Installation Dinner Report I am in receipt of your le er dated By: Vincent R. Vidmer October 5, 2011, regarding the Jus nian Society of Italian Lawyers Newsle er. This year’s an- Please extend my sincerest apprecia on nual Installation to my many friends at the JSL, for and Awards Din- remembering my beau ful Jorgiana in ner proved to be a beautiful event and its newsle er. was again held at the Please take no ce it is comfor ng to magnifi cent Palmer know I have received the support and House Hilton in hear elt sympathies and condolences downtown Chicago. from many friends like you and the JSL Each year’s instal- at this very diffi cult me for my Family. lation dinner has afforded memorable Please know I will always remember moments showcased by distinguished honorees, your kindness and though ulness in the the induction of our Society’s offi cers, and a as “The most interesting man in the world.” future. wonderful feast shared by new and old friends. John’s leadership in the Italian American and - Louis G. Apostol Especially noteworthy was the swearing in of legal communities is enviable. His forward- Exec. Director & General Counsel our new President, Katherine Amari O’Dell thinking agenda as ISBA president is to deliver Illinois Property Tax Appeal Board by retired Supreme Court Justice Hon. Moses the legal community into the 21st century by Harrison. providing accessible technology and promote The night’s celebration was vibrant as more solo practitioners. On a personal note, John is Dear Ms. O’Dell, than 400 attendees celebrated, reminisced and one of my mentors and I learned the ropes of Thanks for sending us the fall networked during cocktail and dinner. In addi- property tax from his vast knowledge of the 2011 edi on of the Jus nian Society tion to President Katherine Amari O’Dell, the subject and generous tutelage. Newsle er, and thanks for your kind following members were sworn respectively Illinois Appellate Court Justice, the Honorable men ons of John Rooney and me and by Rev.