Category: Class Notes

Tommy Leinenweber has joined the US Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois

Chris Haaff was named the 2026 Volunteer Captain of the Year for the Ironman Chattanooga triathlons.

Donna M. Davis has been chosen by the Office of the Illinois Attorney General to serve on its Charitable Advisory Council. In addition to serving as in-house counsel to the University of Illinois Foundation, Donna serves in a number of philanthropic and volunteer roles, including a current term as Board Chair for the Community Foundation of East Central Illinois.

Sam Limentato is the Senior Associate Director of the Anderson Center for Advocacy and Professionalism at the University of Illinois College of Law. He recently completed a term of three years on the board of Champaign County’s Crisis Nursery, an organization dedicated to the prevention of child abuse and neglect. He also completed a term as Chair of the Bench & Bar Committee of the Illinois State Bar Association.

Thomas Berghman was recently recognized on the Super Lawyers 2026 “Texas Rising Stars” directory based on his work as shareholder at Munsch Hardt Kopf & Harr, P.C.

Equip for Equality named Mike Turner as its 2026 Pro Bono Impact Award winner. Active in the organization for nearly two decades, Turner helped create Equip for Equality’s Parent Helpline to support children and families with disabilities across Illinois. His advocacy has helped individuals with disabilities facing significant barriers and inspired others to engage in meaningful pro bono service.

The Honorable Edward R. Duncan, Jr. passed away on September 8, 2026. In 1987, he was appointed Associate Judge in the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit in DuPage County; later appointed Circuit Judge, Duncan served DuPage County and the State of Illinois for over 20 years. 

F. Christopher Chrisbens passed away on July 31 at the age of 63. Throughout his distinguished career, he practiced with several respected law firms in Colorado, earning a reputation as a skilled attorney specializing in labor and employment law. A full obituary is available online.

Dave Merwin is in his seventh year as a court appointed attorney representing parents in neglect and abuse cases in Muskegon, Michigan.

Jim Kaucher ’83 was named the 2027 Best Lawyers “Lawyer of the Year” for Personal Injury Defense in Tucson, Arizona. Jim is a partner in Gust Rosenfeld, PLC, which has offices in Phoenix, Tucson, Flagstaff, and Wickenburg, Arizona. Jim is the Chair of the firm’s Health Care Law group which, for the second year in a row, has been ranked as the #1 health care law firm in Arizona by Ranking Arizona. He is the managing partner of the firm’s Tucson office, and Vice Chairman of the firm’s Executive Committee.