Category: Class Notes

Judge Federico M. Rodriguez was recently elected 2nd Vice-President of the Illinois Latino Judges Association.

With the establishment by state law of the new NITA agency to operate Chicago area mass transit, Bill Coulson concludes in August a record 20 years of service on the Board of Directors of the Regional Transit Authority, NITA’s predecessor agency. Coulson was appointed four times to four year terms by the Cook County Board of Commissioners.

Leonard R. Rumery of Monticello lost his battle with ALS on Thursday, April 30, 2026, at the age of 78. Rumery earned a doctor of music and had a career in conducting concert choirs before deciding to pursue a career in law. He worked in private practice and as a public servant, being elected to two terms as a state’s attorney.

Paul Schmitt was named Deputy Assistant Attorney General at the Office of Legal Policy, U.S. Department of Justice.

Ryan Washburn has been promoted to Member at Bodman PLC. Washburn, a member of the firm’s Mergers & Acquisitions Practice Group, advises clients on a broad range of corporate matters including business formation and structuring, financing transactions, and commercial contracts.

Tron Fu has joined as a partner Kilpatrick’s Patent Litigation Team in their Chicago office. Mr. Fu previously practiced at Dickson Wright.

Terry L. Bruce of Olney passed away April 17, 2026, at Memorial Hospital, Springfield, Illinois, at age 82. From 1984 to 1992, Bruce served as U.S. Representative for the 19th Congressional District of Illinois.

William “Bill” Moore, 85, passed away on April 12, 2026. Bill first served as a corporate attorney for Trans Union, then a holding company for the Union Tank Car Company. He went on to serve as corporate counsel, senior vice president, secretary, and general counsel with Chicago-based Whitman Corporation (formerly IC Industries) before retiring from Whitman in 1999. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Barbara Matthys Moore, 3 children, and 8 grandchildren.

Dave Kanter (’84) retired after 42 years of practice. Dave primarily represented chemical companies and pharmaceutical manufacturers in product liability and toxic tort cases nationwide. He was a member of ABOTA – the American Board of Trial Advocates. He worked his first 29 years at the Wildman, Harrold firm and then spent 13 years at Swanson, Martin & Bell – both in Chicago.

George Michael Prall, 78, of Bloomington passed away on Tuesday, March 10, 2026 at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago.