DePaul Law News

Students go behind the scenes at Cook County Circuit Court

As part of the College of Law’s Institute for Advocacy & Dispute Resolution, twenty-three students shadowed judges at the Juvenile Justice, Bridgeview, and Skokie Courthouses in the Cook County Circuit Court in late October. Students met the presiding judges at each courthouse, and shadowed other judges throughout the day witnessing, among other things, preliminary and bond hearings, a DUI bench trial, and civil and criminal jury trials.

The students also spent their lunch hour with the judges. “The lunch with the judges was nice,” says Marcela Castillo (’13). “It was refreshing to hear the career paths these judges have taken and hear the advice they had to give.”

At the Juvenile Justice Courthouse, students toured the Child Detention Center and met with representatives of the State’s Attorney’s, Public Defender’s, and Public Guardian's Offices. Student Michelle Booker (’14) enjoyed the opportunity to take a closer look at courthouse operations, remarking, “The more I talk to people the more I realize how rare it is to get access to the detention facility for a tour of the inside.”

Events take place every spring and fall semester. Interested students should contact Natalie Taylor at ntaylor4@depaul.edu or (312) 362-8312.

Cultural heritage symposium to address repatriation of archaeological and ethnographic objects

By Lubna S. El-Gendi (LL.M. ’12)

In October, DePaul’s Center for Art, Museum & Cultural Heritage Law will host a symposium to address the underlying legal, ethical and moral reasons and policies behind the return of cultural objects.

In recent years, countries of origin have successfully recovered archaeological and ethnographic objects illegally removed from the country of origin. Indigenous and Native American communities also have successfully recovered cultural artifacts excavated from ancient burial sites. Such recoveries are the result of a patchwork of legal rules, treaties and nonlegal pressure placed on the current possessor. While the museum community and some players within the market community accept that archaeological objects unprovenanced before 1970 should not be acquired without proof of legal export, countries of origin seek to move beyond 1970 as the generally accepted cut-off for repatriation claims and continue to request the repatriation of objects appropriated during imperialist and colonial times or as a result of warfare. The underlying bases supporting repatriation in such cases are often unclear, and the validity of these repatriation claims is hotly debated.

Students shadow Cook County circuit judges in Bridgeview

As part of the College of Law’s Institute for Advocacy & Dispute Resolution, eight students shadowed judges at the Bridgeview Courthouse, the 5th Municipal District of the Cook County Circuit Court, on Friday, April 13. Students met Presiding Judge Raymond L. Jagielski, and shadowed other judges throughout the day.

Pictured from left to right: Presiding Judge Raymond Jagielski, Victoria Ger, Judge Colleen Hyland, Megan Einsele, Jennifer Gates, Judge Kerry Kennedy, Martha Soto, Kathleen Groark, Lizette Jaramillo, Colleen Glass, Judge Pete Felice, and Marta Tuhchieva-Petit.

“I really enjoyed the day,” says Victoria Ger (’12). “Meeting the judges and hearing their point of view on court proceedings, law practice, and even current events was very insightful.”

The students also had lunch with the judges, and got to meet with representatives of the State’s Attorney’s and Public Defender’s Offices. 

“Thanks so much for the chance to visit the 5th Municipal District Courthouse,” says Susan Ritacca (’13). “It was a productive and interesting trip.” 

Events take place every spring and fall semester. Please contact Natalie Taylor at ntaylor4@depaul.eduor (312) 362-8312 if you are interested in participating in fall 2012.

Students Shadow Cook County Criminal Division Judges

As part of the College of Law’s Institute for Advocacy & Dispute Resolution, nine students shadowed judges at the Criminal Division of the Cook County Circuit Court on Tuesday, March 13th. Students were able to meet and ask questions of Acting Presiding Judge Kazmierski, Judge Hill, and Judge Fox, who runs all nineteen of the specialty courts.

“I thought the day was great,” says Jeffrey Boucher (’13). “I enjoyed speaking with the judges and hearing their thoughts and advice.”

The students also observed a variety of evidentiary and status hearings, a 402 conference, and a felony jury trial.

“I had a wonderful time during the Shadow a Judge trip,” says Samuel Jackson (’13). “It was the first time that I had the opportunity to talk to a judge in his office about the law and the work that goes on in the courtroom. I highly recommend it to anyone who has yet to work in court.”

Events take place every spring and fall semester. Please contact Natalie Taylor at ntaylor4@depaul.edu or (312) 362-8312 if you are interested in participating in fall 2012.

2012 Law Alumni Award Honorees Announced

The College of Law is pleased to announce the 2012 Law Alumni Award recipients:

 

• Distinguished Alumnus Award
    Philip H. Corboy, Jr. (’77), Partner, Corboy & Demetrio

• Outstanding Service to the Profession
    Sallie G. Smylie (’89), Partner, Kirkland & Ellis

• Outstanding Service to DePaul University
    Richard C. Dunsay (’64), Owner, Law Offices of Richard C. Dunsay
    William E. Ryan (’75), Partner, Ryan & Ryan

• Outstanding Young Alumna Award
    Paula S. Kim (’05), Associate, Polsinelli Shughart

 

The 2012 Law Alumni Awards Dinner will take place downtown on Thursday, March 1, 2011, at the Sofitel Chicago Water Tower. Proceeds from the dinner will benefit the law school’s Center for Public Interest Law. Invitations will be mailed to all Chicago-area law alumni in January and multiple sponsorship and print recognition opportunities will be available. For more information, please contact James Redmond, Associate Director of Alumni Relations, at (312) 362-6065 or jredmon4@depaul.edu.

Nearly 100 DePaul law student volunteers assist domestic violence victims

When Judge Grace G. Dickler, presiding judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County’s Domestic Violence Division, decided to offer domestic violence victims assistance in filing civil orders of protection, she turned to DePaul College of Law for help. The result was an influx of 96 law students willing to staff a new pro bono program at the Domestic Violence Courthouse beginning in January 2011.

Given the tremendous response, Judge Dickler was “overwhelmed by the spirit of public service at DePaul College of Law.”

Jody Raphael, senior research fellow at the Schiller DuCanto & Fleck Family Law Center, spearheaded the project on behalf of DePaul. “Given the difficulty petitioners have in filling out the complicated forms to obtain a civil order of protection, the need for this project is great,” she says. “Thanks to Judge Dickler’s vision and a joint effort of the Family Law Center and the Center for Public Interest Law, we are able to help victims receive the assistance and support they need in court to keep themselves and their children free of abuse.”

Law student volunteers spend about three hours each week at the courthouse. They interview petitioners, assist with the required paperwork, prepare written affidavits, and accompany petitioners to the courtroom—all in an effort to support victims and help them obtain emergency orders of protection. Petitioners return to court 21 days later, at which time, the person served with the order is given the opportunity to respond. By mid-April, law students assisted 434 petitioners at the courthouse.

DePaul students are proud of their volunteer efforts, knowing this work makes a difference for abused individuals. “I love meeting with all the clients and helping with their petitions,” says third-year student Rochelle Turrisi, who is one of 28 students that volunteered through Professor Deborah Tuerkheimer’s domestic violence course. “Watching their moods change from being overwhelmed or upset at the beginning of a session to feeling accomplished and safe after getting an emergency order of protection is a great feeling.” She continues to work with the program this summer.

At the same time, law students gain valuable practical skills by interviewing clients and formulating relevant information from interviews to help petitioners obtain protection orders. “I thought this project was an amazing opportunity to develop skills outside of the classroom. It helped to give meaning to my week when I was buried in my textbooks,” says Jeremy Chavez, a third-year student who volunteered for the spring and summer. “This hands-on opportunity is an invaluable opportunity for me to reaffirm my passion for helping others.”

Law in the Family: The Zaslavskys

• Morton L. Zaslavsky (JD '36)
• Hyman W. Zaslavsky (JD '40)
• Lawrence J. Zaslavsky (JD '69)
• Michael A. Zaslavsky (JD '77)
• Mark M. Zaslavsky (JD '97)
• Marc S. Zaslavsky (JD '09)

A family that means business 

By Kortney Moore

Three generations of Zaslavsky men have made a legacy at DePaul, and for this family, business is a theme that resonates through its story. 

“I am extremely proud of my family’s legacy at DePaul,” says Hyman Zaslavsky, who fondly recalls his time as a student, attending classes in the morning and tending to business at the family deli in Albany Park the rest of the day. He was the second in his family to choose DePaul, following his brother Morton, whose son Mark followed him several decades later. After a long career, Hyman now resides in Florida where his legal legacies visit him often. 

Hyman’s son Larry, a real estate developer and business advisor in Savannah, Georgia, was the first to follow him to DePaul. After finishing his undergraduate degree in accounting and passing the CPA exam, he then decided on law school.

“I found law school to be enlightening and interesting,” he says, vividly remembering the semifinal round of a moot court competition on topics related to the Vietnam War. He also recalls the invaluable practical knowledge shared by an adjunct professor who was a managing tax partner at the former Arthur Young & Co.

Left to right: Marc S., Hyman, Michael and Larry Zaslavsky (photo credit: Nathan Keay). 

Larry credits the combination of being a CPA and an attorney to his success today. “The practicalities of the law gave me an appreciation and understanding of the practical aspects of business, as well as how to run and divest companies.” He adds, “And in my business career, I’ve found that being an attorney often offers an advantage in a business situation, because people have built-in respect for the profession.” 

Law in the Family: The Schillers

• Sidney S. Schiller (JD '33)
• Harry Lastick (JD '36)
• Donald C. Schiller (JD '66)
• Eric E. Schiller (BA '91)
• Jonathan Z. Schiller (JD '99)

 

Common ground, and a little serendipity 

By Kortney Moore

Sidney Schiller, one of five children raised in Chicago, watched three of his siblings go to medical school, but he was more attracted to the study of law. So Sidney began a new family tradition at DePaul. 

After receiving his JD, he soon returned to the law school to teach a couple of classes as an adjunct professor. That’s when he met law student Harry Lastick whose father needed legal assistance. And that’s how he would eventually meet his future wife, Harry’s sister Edith. 

Sidney established a successful practice in Chicago, primarily focusing on corporate and real estate law, and with Edith, raised his children in a household that encouraged conversations about legal issues. 

Above: From left, Eric, Don and Jonathan Schiller.

“My brother and I would often meet people who were in the legal field,” says Don Schiller, senior partner at Schiller DuCanto & Fleck LLP in Chicago. “It was an integral part of our lives and I don’t think there was much of a doubt about what we wanted to do when we grew up.” Both Don and his older brother pursued legal careers. For Don, the combination of several events guided him to the practice of family law.  

Law in the Family: The Soliunases

• Francine Stewart Soliunas (LAS '70, JD '73)
• Mikah Soliunas (JD '05)

 

A mother-daughter journey in law and service 

By Kortney Moore

For Francine Soliunas and her daughter Mikah, the decision to attend law school at DePaul really wasn’t a decision at all, but rather a natural selection. DePaul was already like family. 

“I always say DePaul chose me, in addition to me choosing DePaul,” says Francine, assistant dean for strategy and student professional development, and executive director for the Institute for Law and the Work Place at Chicago-Kent College of Law. Her longstanding relationship with DePaul is rooted in service and a love for the Vincentian mission. 

As an undergraduate student in the 1960s, Francine was actively involved in the life of the university, working with student-initiated charitable, educational and multicultural programs. She continued her service work as a law student and, today, supports and serves a long list of community organizations. 

Above: Mikah, left, and Francine Soliunas (photo credit: Nathan Keay).

“I feel I am DePaul,” Francine often says, when speaking to groups at DePaul. 

“What that means in large part for me is the quality of character that I try to be: forgiving, loving, caring, hardworking, nonjudgmental,” she says. “I’ve come to love and respect the quality of education and the way the university carries out its values and mission.” 

DePaul's International Human Rights Law Institute organizes Iraq’s first national moot court competition

DePaul University’s International Human Rights Law Institute (IHRLI), in conjunction with the International Law Students Association, organized the Iraqi National Rounds of the Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition held in December 2010 in Erbil, Iraq. It was the first time that students from across Iraq gathered to compete in a moot court competition. 

Teams represented 16 Iraqi law schools and competed through written and oral arguments before a simulated International Court of Justice (ICJ), the principal judicial entity of the United Nations. The competition problem addressed the legality of the use of unmanned drones and international anticorruption law. Final round judges included the former chief judge of the Iraqi High Tribunal, a retired judge of Baghdad Criminal Court, and a former ambassador of Iraq to the United Nations.

The teams from Baghdad University, Dhi Qar University and Duhok University will advance to the White & Case International Rounds in Washington, D.C., in March.

Kari Kammel (JD ’08), IHRLI’s deputy chief of party in Iraq who led the organizational efforts for the Iraqi National Rounds says, “For many students, this was not only their first moot court competition, but it was the first time they traveled outside their own cities.”