Professions Profiles

When Jennifer Rosato became dean of the Northern Illinois University (NIU) College of Law last July, she also became the first Italian-American female dean of any law school in the country. It should also be mentioned that she also treasures her Latino ancestry, on her mother’s side. Rosato comes to NIU from Drexel University in Philadelphia, where she was part of the administrative team that created and launched the Earle Mack School of Law. An ambitious endeavor, but with 20-20 hindsight, she was obviously up to. She was acting dean during the school’s first year of operation (July 2006 to …

In 2009, the Illinois Supreme Court announced the appointment of Jayne (maiden name Rizzo) Reardon as executive director of the Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism, a body established to improve civility between and among lawyers, their clients and judges in Illinois. Ms. Reardon, a University of Michigan Law School graduate who is an experienced Illinois lawyer and licensed to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court, had served as deputy director of the Commission since 2006, shortly after it was established by the Supreme Court. During that time, she has been a key formulator of policy approved by the commission and …

Upon his being named to the 2011 “Top 100” Illinois Super Lawyers, we highlight in this edition the distinguished career of Antonio M. Romanucci. Antonio is a founding principal and partner in Romanucci & Blandin, LLC, a Chicago-based personal injury law firm which concentrates in catastrophic personal injury, wrongful death and workers’ compensation. The firm has recovered more than $200 million for its clients, including a record $23 million medical malpractice verdict against a hospital and a record $17 million verdict against the City of Chicago. Dozens of those verdicts and settlements were $1 million or higher. Considered one of …

This month we highlight the distinguished career of Bernard B. Rinella, a trailblazer in the field of domestic relations, a revered past Justinian president (1978-79) and a highly respected and successful practitioner. Rinella has long been one of the nation’s leading divorce lawyers, but even that description doesn’t capture his unique stature in the profession. Now in his early 70s, Rinella upholds a family tradition of leadership in matrimonial law. In fact, at a recent luncheon honoring him and other distinguished members of the Illinois State Bar Association, Bernard was recognized for his outstanding contributions to his community and the …

It seemed like only yesterday that we highlighted the career of Patrick A. Salvi Jr. in these pages upon his being named one of the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin prestigious list of 40 lawyers under the age of 40 (Fra Noi, January 2013). As I mentioned then, the young Salvi boasts of an impressive legal pedigree. His grandfather, Albert, practiced law for decades in Lake County, and five of Albert’s nine children, including Patrick’s father, are lawyers. Using the old adage, “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree,” we highlight this month the senior Patrick A. Salvi, renowned catastrophic …

I am asked from time to time how the subjects of this Fra Noi Professional Portfolio column are chosen. Sometimes by referral, but usually reading in some publication about a significant accomplishment or event of an Italian-American from our community. I learned about this month’s subject in reading the most recent issue of Leading Lawyers National Women’s Edition — Janet A. Pioli. Recently featured in the Women’s Edition of Leading Lawyers Network Magazine, Pioli doesn’t save lives, but her work protects the companies that do. A patent lawyer and shareholder at Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione, Pioli represents clients who …

A leading figure of the Italian-American community in the Chicago area, Dr. Dennis R. Pietrini has announced his retirement after a distinguished career in the field of dentistry. He is retiring this summer after 42 years as a dentist, and after having distinguished himself in his profession, as well as dedicating his career to the improvement of the Italian-American condition. To list all of the accomplishments of Dr. Pietrini would require volumes but, in the interest of space, we highlight a number of his significant achievements. Dr. Pietrini is a past president of the Midwest Chapter of the Academy of …

This month we are highlighting the career of highly-respected criminal defense lawyer (etc.) Michael D. Monico. Monico, of Monico & Spevack, has represented politicians, businessmen, and employees of corporations under criminal investigation. The great reputation Mike enjoys is evidenced by the fact that his current clients include several BP employees under investigation by the federal government as part of the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Monico also represents individuals in civil and regulatory investigations. Monico’s clients include defendants facing criminal charges or civil actions involving allegations of public corruption, white-collar offenses, antitrust violations or Medicare or securities …

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. …