Category: Class Notes

Ronald Franklin Coplan, 88, of Valparaiso, Indiana, formerly of Morrison, Illinois, passed away Tuesday, November 18, 2025.

George C. Lackey, Lackey & Stevenson PC, Centralia, Illinois, has retired at the age of 89.

Mark Wanda has been named Senior Vice President, Legal & Chief Compliance Officer at Verastem, Inc.

Matt Gold joined MoloLamken LLP as Counsel. Matt joins from the U.S. Department of Justice, Antitrust Division, where he most recently served on the Google (ad tech) antitrust trial teams.

MoloLamken LLP’s founding partner, Steven Molo ‘82 is a University of Illinois College of Law alumnus.

Robert Kiepura has joined Raytheon as Director and Senior Counsel with the company’s Naval Power Strategic Business Unit. He was previously with the U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Division.

Abad Lopez was awarded the “2025 Latino Lawyer of the Year” by the Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois.

James Marvin retired from his position as Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer of JBT Marel Corporation in July 2025. He worked for JBT Marel Corporation and its predecessors for 22 years.

David Horwitch co-founded National Apartment Partners LLC, a private real estate investment firm focused on acquiring strategic value-add multifamily assets in growth markets with diverse economies throughout the southeast, south, and Midwest regions of the United States. Specifically, the company purchases multifamily assets at a discount, implements significant renovations to add value, and forces appreciation to maximize returns for its investors while providing residents with safe, affordable, and modern housing in strategic markets with strong population growth. National Apartment Partners LLC currently owns and operates over 3,000 rental units, mostly in Tennessee. He has also served as President of the Chicago Real Estate Council.

Jack Waaler passed away at age 91 in Urbana, IL, On August 2, 2025. He is surived by his wife Virginia, his 3 sons, and several grandchildren.

James T. McCollum practiced for 34 years in Rochester, NY, and was admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court in 1966. In 1995, he retired to Emerson, AR, and took a job in IT at Southern Arkansas University. He worked 11 years and earned two additional degrees before retiring in his 90s.