Class Notes
Class Notes are displayed in the order that they are received. You may also view notes by decade, or by class year – simply click on the decade or click on the + symbol to expand the decade and display by year. If a given class year does not appear, notes do not exist for that particular year.
Shelly Knuppel '86
(3/21/24)
Shelly Davis Knuppel, 63, passed away after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer at her home in Petersburg on January 11, 2024.
Taisa Markus '86
(10/11/23)
After 35 years of practice in Latin American capital markets and leaving White & Case in 2020, Taisa Markus serves as an adjunct professor at the College. She was recently appointed Visiting Professor at National University Kyiv Mohyla Academy Faculty of Law. At KMA, Taisa supports the English language and business law curricula. As a proud Ukrainian American, she is grateful for the opportunity to help train young lawyers in skills that will be critical in the reconstruction of the country and anticipated foreign investment.
Taisa Markus '86
(3/22/23)
Taisa Markus retired from from White & Case LLP in 2022, where she had served as a partner in the Latin America Capital Markets Practice. Taisa, who is Ukrainian-American, is now Special Counsel for the Ukraine Project at the Vance Center for International Justice, a civil society group affiliated with the New York City Bar Association. Taisa also teaches a short business law course as an adjunct at the College and encourages other alums to apply.
Daniel Gregus '86
(11/15/21)
The Securities and Exchange Commission announced that Daniel R. Gregus has been named Director of the Chicago Regional Office, where he has served as acting co-director since June. Mr. Gregus is a 28-year veteran of the SEC and has held leadership roles in both the Division of Enforcement and the Division of Examinations. He has most recently served as the Associate Director of the National Clearance and Settlement Examination Program as well as the Associate Regional Director for the Broker-Dealer and Exchange Examination Program in the Chicago Regional Office.
Patricia Brown Holmes '86
(10/26/21)
Riley Safer Holmes & Cancila Managing Partner Patricia Brown Holmes has been honored as a “Managing Partner of the Year” by the Corporate Counsel’s annual Women, Influence and Power in Law Awards program. These awards honor general counsel, in-house leaders and law firm partners who have demonstrated a commitment to advancing the empowerment of women in law. In recognizing Judge Holmes, the WIPL selection committee noted her role in shaping RSHC’s culture and designing explicit policies that ensure accountability on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Under her leadership, the firm has been recognized by Chambers as “a true diversity and inclusion pioneer for the profession” and was recently noted in Law360’s Diversity Snapshot Report for having one of industry’s the most diverse equity partnerships.
Michelle Gilbert '86
(7/12/21)
The Chicago Bar Foundation has selected Michelle Gilbert, Legal and Policy Director, Lawyers' Committee for Better Housing, as the 2021 recipient of the Thomas H. Morsch Public Service Award, the premier public recognition for long-time legal aid and public interest law attorneys in the Chicago community.
Lindsay W. Wright '86
(8/28/20)
Lindsay W. Wright passed away on March 1, 2020.
Darryl Porter '86
(8/19/20)
iMedia Brands, Inc. has appointed Darryl Porter to its board of directors, effective August 11, 2020. Mr. Porter is a proven media executive with over 30 years of diversified business and creative experience in television, film and music. He is the CEO of Iconic Spectrum, a licensing company that specializes in monetizing African American icons like Miles Davis and George Duke across all forms of media.
Daniel Shirey '86
(7/22/20)
Daniel Shirey was installed as the President of the Detroit Bar Association in June 2020.
Jon Moyers '86
(10/15/19)
Jon M. Moyers has become a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, one of the premier legal associations in North America.
Roman Wuller '86
(7/14/19)
Roman Wuller will become Chair of Thompson Coburn LLP in July 2020. Currently head of the firm's litigation department, Wuller has been with the firm since 1986, and made Partner in 1996.
James "Rick" Biles '86
(2/16/19)
James Richard "Rick" Biles has retired as District Magistrate Judge for the 30th Judicial District of Kansas.
Michelle Gilbert '86
(4/21/18)
Michelle Gilbert, Supervisory Attorney with LAF (Legal Assistance Foundation), was selected to receive a 2018 United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois Award for Excellence in Pro Bono Service, for achieving a vanguard due process victory for Housing Choice Voucher participants.
Taisa Markus '86
(3/1/18)
Taisa Markus has joined White & Case LLP. She is a partner in the Firm's Capital Markets practice in New York. Her practice focuses on cross-border securities offerings, cross-border bank finance and M&A, restructurings and general securities law matters.
Jerry Krulewitch '86
(9/15/17)
Shedd Aquarium is thrilled to announce that University of Illinois graduate Jerry Krulewitch of McDonald’s has joined Shedd Aquarium’s Board of Trustees.
Susan Bursztynsky '86
(1/26/2017)
Susan (Frank) Bursztynsky has been named Executive Director of ADV & SAS, a domestic violence and sexual assault agency in Streator, Illinois. Prior to this position, she was President & CEO of Starved Rock Regional Center for Therapy & Child Development (formerly, Easter Seals of LaSalle & Bureau Counties). She had also served as Director of the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Family Violence Prevention Council and managing attorney with Prairie State Legal Services in Ottawa. Susan lives in Ottawa, Illinois, with her husband, Zenon. They have three daughters, including Jessica, who is a UIUC student.
Patricia Brown Holmes '86
(12/22/16)
Patricia Brown Holmes has been named Person of the Year by Chicago Lawyer Magazine. An excerpt from their website says, "Holmes, the second black woman to serve as president of The Chicago Bar Association and a founding member of the Black Woman Lawyers’ Association of Greater Chicago, is well-thought of throughout the legal community and South Side Chicago."