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January 28 - February 3, 2007 |
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Professor Seng Honored With Gertz Award |
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Professor Michael P. Seng was recently honored with The 2006 Elmer Gertz Lawyer Award, annually offered by the Blind Service Association and the Illinois State Bar Association during their Lawyers of Vision Benefit.
Seng was honored during the December 2006 luncheon for his dedication to public service through his work with The John Marshall Law School Fair Housing Legal Clinic and his work with lawyers and law students in the Czech Republic.
Ted Gertz, president of the Blind Service Association and son of the late Elmer Gertz, explained the motivation behind the award to the attendees. "My father believed that everyone, regardless of ethnicity, race, social status or religion was entitled to quality representation… The inability to pay was not a valid reason for refusing to represent someone," he said.
"My family and I are honored that this award is going to Professor Seng, a person who has dedicated himself for all these years to those ideals my father so deeply believed in," he added.
During his keynote address, guest speaker Judge Michael Hyman commented, "Like Elmer Gertz, [Seng] has been an advocate for justice throughout his career… We need more lawyers today to view the law as a humanized instrument."
Seng humbly accepted the award, saying, "I really don't merit this award. I've done nothing out of the ordinary and nothing I haven't enjoyed doing." But, he added, "I try to tell all my students that every lawyer has the opportunity to do good… If this award inspires young lawyers to go out and do that, then it is well given, and in this spirit I accept."
Elmer Gertz was born in Chicago in 1906. His legal career lasted more than seven decades, and his focus varied from corporate cases to murders. He is best known, however, as a defender of civil liberties. He also taught a civil rights course at John Marshall. After his death in 2000, the award was created to honor those with similar dedication to protecting civil liberties.
Seng is the co-executive director of The John Marshall Law School Fair Housing Legal Support Center and Fair Housing Legal Clinic. He lectures nationally and publishes extensively on fair housing law. Seng also is the coordinator of The John Marshall Law School's Czech Program. He travels annually to the Czech Republic to lecture to Czech attorneys, and more than a dozen Czech students have completed a semester of study at John Marshall under the Czech Exchange Program initiated by Seng.
Prior to joining the John Marshall faculty, Seng served as a judicial law clerk, was in private practice and directed the legal services office in Cairo, Ill. Seng served as a Fulbright professor in Nigeria in 1983_84 and as a visiting professor in the Czech Republic in 1996. He is currently a Fulbright Senior Consultant working in the Czech Republic. He writes on civil rights issues. Seng joined the John Marshall faculty in 1976. He teaches Comparative Legal Systems, Constitutional Law, and Federal Courts.
Photo courtesy of James Warden
Ted Gertz (left), president of the Blind Service Association and John Marshall Professor Ralph Ruebner (right) congratulate Professor Michael Seng on receiving the 2006 Elmer Gertz Lawyer Award.
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Torture in Chad Topic of Amnesty Program |
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The Amnesty International chapter at The John Marshall Law School is hosting a discussion on the case of crimes against humanity leveled against Hissène Habré, former president of Chad, at a 6 p.m. program Saturday, Feb. 3, at the law school. Habré ruled the former French colony from 1982 until he wasdeposed in 1990 and fled to Senegal. His one party regime was marked by widespread atrocities. Human Rights Watch has been working for seven years with Habré's victims to bring him to trial. Guest speaker will be Souleymane Guengueng, a torture survivor and founder of the Chadian Association of Victims of Political Representation and Crime. He will outline the crimes committed during Habré's term in office, and the efforts to hold him accountable for these acts. There will also be a discussion on what actions the general public can take to support the association's efforts.
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Scholarships Assist Three Students at Fair Housing Legal Clinic |
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Fall 2006 scholarships enabled three students to pursue their interests in public interest law by covering tuition expenses for their time at the John Marshall Law School Fair Housing Legal Clinic.
Shama Patari, a January 2007 graduate, received the Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates Award for general clinic work; third-year student Belinda Wright received the Gordon McNown Scholarship for work on elderly issues; and third-year student Jeanne Goslin received the Thelma Borger Hilst Memorial Scholarship for general clinic work.
Patari completed four semesters at the Fair Housing Legal Clinic and handled cases dealing with lending discrimination and race-based discrimination by a homeowners association. In the discrimination case, Patari followed the case through the lower courts and helped prepare papers for a preliminary injunction expected in March 2007.
Patari is a resident of Schaumburg. She graduated from Hoffman Estates High School and the University of Illinois at Chicago where she majored in political science and economics.
Wright completed her second semester at the clinic. Her first project was researching issues of senior discrimination in retirement homes designed for seniors. She also has handled a case before the Illinois Human Rights Commission representing a 95-year-old man who was involuntarily committed. Wright also reviewed a case in which an elderly man was removed from his apartment after management alleged he was mentally ill.
Wright regularly meets with Lynne McNown, who set up the scholarship in memory of her father, in selecting cases for consideration. Wright said working on these cases gives her great satisfaction because senior citizens are very trusting and often don't realize their rights are being violated.
A resident of Wheaton, Wright graduated from Brigham Young University. She is a joint-degree student at John Marshall who will earn her J.D./LL.M. in taxation degree in January 2008.
Goslin is in her third semester at the fair housing legal clinic. She has dealt with a religious discrimination case that is now on appeal and has worked on a disability accommodation case and a discrimination in lending case.
Goslin, a graduate of the University of Missouri-Kansas City, lives in Vernon Hills with her two children.
The John Marshall Law School Fair Housing Legal Clinic represents persons who have been denied housing in violation of the federal, state and local fair housing laws. These laws prohibit housing providers from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status (families with children under 18), mental or physical disability, sexual orientation, marital status or source of income (including recipients of section 8 vouchers). The clinic represents clients in proceedings before the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the State of Illinois Human Rights Department, the City of Chicago Human Rights Commission and the Cook County Human Rights Commission, as well as in the federal and state courts.
Law students, who have completed a special course in fair housing law and who are supervised by clinical professors, represent the clinic's clients. The clinic maintains an average caseload of approximately 60 cases. As a prerequisite to working in the clinic, students complete a one-semester, two-credit-hour course on fair housing law. The clinic is partially funded by a grant from HUD.
John Marshall Law School students Shama Patari (left) and Jeanne Goslin (center) review a case with F. Willis Caruso, clinical professor and co-director of the Fair Housing Legal Clinic.
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Russian-Speaking Organization Formed at John Marshall |
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The John Marshall Law School Student Chapter of the American Association of Russian-Speaking Attorneys Midwest (AARSA Midwest), also known as the Russian-Speaking Organization (RSO), was founded by chapter President Aleksandra Fremderman, Vice President Zhenia Baranov, Treasurer Boris Vaynman, Alumni Relations Director Eugene Goryunov and Honorary Member Julia Bikbova.
The organization was formed to promote camaraderie among the student body and attorneys in the greater Chicagoland area. RSO is focused on providing John Marshall students the opportunity to gain information about the realities of working as an attorney in an increasingly international legal world. To further this purpose, RSO seeks to help students develop a solid network of contacts to assist them in their future practice by organizing informational lectures, meetings with international attorneys and social events.
On Nov. 7, 2006, RSO held its first panel discussion with five practitioners in diverse areas of practice and context. This panel provided John Marshall students an opportunity to meet Russian-speaking attorneys, gain information on how to better market themselves after graduation and important questions to ask.
Panelist Alex Pirogovsky, president of AARSA Midwest, is a partner at Ungaretti & Harris in the firm's Bankruptcy & Creditors' Rights Practice Group. His practice focuses on all aspects of bankruptcy and commercial litigation, including but not limited to, representation of individual and corporate debtors, Chapters 7 and 11 bankruptcy, trustees and secured and unsecured creditors. He suggested that law students and first-year associates start developing a name for themselves early on so that they can capitalize on that reputation.
Panelist Alex Sukhman represents plaintiffs in medical malpractice litigation at Kralovec, Jambois & Scwhartz (KJS). Sukhman suggested that first-year associates continue to grow in their network of attorneys from other areas of practice because those attorneys will be the best source of client referral.
Panelist Serge Biberman, partner at Enterprise Law Group, handles a wide range of securities and venture capital matters, acquisitions and divestitures and other business and financial transactions for emerging growth companies, entrepreneurs, financial institutions, established businesses and venture capitalists. His practice is both domestic and international in scope. Biberman spoke about diversification of abilities and encouraged students to try different types of matters within their area of expertise. He noted that employers are always looking for attorneys who have a broad range of knowledge and abilities because those are the attorneys who will be most beneficial to small- and mid-size firms.
Panelist Mark Polyakov, intellectual property attorney at Wood Phillips, specializes in patent prosecution and other related matters. Polyakov discussed relevant undergraduate backgrounds that would make students more marketable to intellectual property firms. He also explained that by taking the Patent Bar while in law school, students can dramatically increase their marketability and are more likely to be hired by small- and mid-size firms.
Panelist Gary Light, executive vice president of AARSA Midwest, is a sole practitioner specializing in both individual and corporate international law and immigration matters. He represents a number of Western companies and private investors in the former Soviet Union, as well as Russian and Ukrainian companies in their activities in the United States. Light explained that there are almost unlimited opportunities in the international legal arena and that students who are interested in dealing with international clients and possess solid foreign language abilities would have a substantial advantage. He pointed out that establishing and maintaining a solid network is the key to success, but also cautioned that students should approach their marketing scheme "creatively" by finding new ways to work with others and in the public eye and not be afraid to be different.
RSO President Fremderman said this first panel discussion was a success and offered an engaging atmosphere for information gathering Students from other area law schools attended the program and participated in the discussion.
Fremderman gave special thanks to Marilyn Criss, Student Affairs administrative assistant, for her assistance and to the faculty and student members who were instrumental in the program's success.
John Marshall student Aleksandra Fremderman (at podium, at right) introduces panelists (seated, from left) Gary Light, Alex Pirogovsky, Serge Biberman, Mark Polyakov and Alex Sukhman. 
John Marshall students Eugene Goryunov (left), Alexandra Fremderman (sixth from left), and Boris Vaynman (right) welcome guests (from second from left) Mark Polyakov, Gary Light, Alex Piragovsky, Serge Biberman, Zhenia Baranov and Alex Sukhman.
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Faculty Activity and Publications |
Adjunct Professor and Co-Executive Director F. Willis Caruso
Fair Housing Legal Support Center
Publications 
He was quoted in the Chicago Tribune on Jan. 26, 2007, for a story about housing code enforcement and the tensions the actions have raised among minority communities that believe they are being singled out.
Professor John D. Ingram
Publications 
His article, "Covenants Not To Compete" was cited recently in: Koenig v. CBIZ Benefits & Ins. Servs., 2006 U.S. Dist. Lexis 14094 (D. Neb.); 42 Am. Bus. L.J. 1; 27 Berkeley J. Emp. & Lab. L. 287; 27 Cardozo L. Rev. 1485; 6 Colum. Sci. & Tech. L. Rev. 3; and, 10 Stan. J. L. Bus. & Fin. 1.
Visiting Professor Robert G. Schwemm
Publications 
He was quoted in the Jan. 22, 2007, New York Times article "Fair Housing, Free Speech and Choosy Roommates" on a lawsuit against Roommates.com for discriminatory advertisements. Schwemm argued the discriminatory language may cause emotional distress.
Professor Mark E. Wojcik
Activities 
He served as program chair for a full-day program on January 3, 2007, at the Canadian Embassy in Washington, D.C. The program included special briefings on Canada and Mexico for the Association of American Law Schools Section on North American Cooperation, an AALS Section that Wojcik previously chaired. The Canadian embassy briefings included updates on U.S.-Canada relations, trade issues, and recent legal developments in Canada. The John Marshall Law School also received special recognition for having what appears to be the first Canadian Law Society in the United States.
As a member of the Legal Writing Institute's Golden Pen Committee, Wojcik also created (with the assistance of John Marshall's design team) a special program book for the seventh presentation of the Golden Pen Award on January 5, 2007. This year's awards were given to the California Supreme Court for rewriting its civil and criminal jury instructions in plain English. Professor Wojcik has been a member of the LWI Golden Pen Committee for more than seven years, helping to organize the program and award plaques.
Wojcik chaired a panel on January 6, 2007 on “New Voices in International Human Rights Scholarship” to present new scholarship in international human rights law. The panel was sponsored by the Association of American Law Schools (AALS) Section on International Human Rights Law, and Wojcik was also elected as the new chair of that section. The “New Voices Panel” will become a new annual panel at the AALS Annual Meetings, as a way of promoting new scholarship in international human rights law. Also on January 6, 2007, Wojcik co-chaired a Teaching Roundtable for the American Society of International Law’s Interest Group in Teaching International Law. The two-part program considered how international law professors can integrate the ASIL Centennial Resolution on the Laws of War and Occupation, and how professors in other subject matter areas can integrate international and foreign law materials into traditional law courses.
Wojcik is a co-chair of the ASIL Interest Group for Teaching International Law, which was recently recognized as one of the fastest-growing interest groups within the American Society of International Law.
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Dean's Activity |
Associate Dean Rory D. Smith
Activities 
He will receive the Excellence in Education Award during the Feb. 2 Public Service Forum Luncheon of the annual District of Illinois Convention of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., honoring Chicago and south suburban Chicago education notables. The program will be at Governors State University.
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Schedule of Events |
February 5
- Writing Resource Center Three P Workshop, Room 527, 3 p.m.
- Decanal Candidate Faculty Presentation, Room 1200, 12:15 p.m.
- Career Services Office Alumni IP Career Panel & Reception, Room 216, 12:30 p.m.
- Faculty Lunch with Decanal Candidate, Room 3East, 1:30 p.m.
- BEEP (Bar Essay Exam Program), Room 800, 5 p.m.
February 6
- Decanal Candidate Meeting with Center Directors. 11th Floor East Boardroom, 11:15 a.m.
- Insights I Program, Room 503, noon
- Decanal Candidate Meeting with Staff, Room 403, 2:45 p.m.
- Writing Resource Center Three P Workshop, Room 216, 4 p.m.
- Decanal Candidate Meeting with Students, Room 3East, 5 p.m.
February 7
- Deans' Meeting, Courtroom, 10 a.m.
- Career Services Office: Resume & Cover Letter Writing Workshop, Room 428, 12:30 p.m.
- International Business and Trade Law Information Session, Room 403, 12:45 p.m.
- BEEP (Bar Essay Exam Program), Room 800, 5 p.m.
- Career Services Office Life as a Litigation Attorney, Room 529, 5 p.m.
February 8
- Admissions Open House, Room 200 and 201, 5:30 p.m.
February 10
- BEEP (Bar Essay Exam Program), Room 409, 10 a.m.
- Insights I Program, Room 503, 1 p.m.
February 12
- Writing Resource Center First Memo Workshop, IRAC, Room 528, noon
- Writing Resource Center Passive Voice Workshop, Room 527, noon
- Exam Taking Program, Room 200, noon
- Faculty Meeting, Room 1200, 12:15 p.m.
- Career Services Office 3L Book Camp Job Training, Room 1103, 12:30 p.m.
- BEEP (Bar Essay Exam Program), Room 800, 5 p.m.
February 13
- Insights I Program, Room 503, noon
- Faculty Meeting, Room 1200, 12:15 p.m.
- Writing Resource Center First Memo Workshop, IRAC, Room 1200B, 4 p.m.
- Writing Resource Center Passive Voice Workshop, Room 216, 4 p.m.
- Career Services Office Evening Student Orientation Part I, Room 1103, 5 p.m.
February 14
- Deans' Meeting, Room 1101, 10 a.m.
- Careers in International Business Law, Room 200, 12:30 p.m.
- Career Services Office Headhunter Kate Patterson speaks to IP Students, Room 1200A, 12:30 p.m.
- Board of Trustees Meeting, Courtroom, 3 p.m.
- Career Services Office Diversity Program, Room 529, 4:30 p.m.
- BEEP (Bar Essay Exam Program), Room 800, 5 p.m.
February 16
- The True Cost of Promises Made to Illinois Public Sector Employees: An Interactive Workshop to Develop Solutions to be Presented to the State Legislature, Room 1200, 9 a.m.
February 17
- BEEP (Bar Essay Exam Program), Room 409, 10 a.m.
- Insights I Program, Room 503, 1 p.m.
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Editor's Note
In the Loop is published by The John Marshall Law School, Chicago, Copyright 2007
Editor: Assistant Dean John M. McNamara; Contributors: Marilyn Thomas, Director, Public Relations and Advertising; Andrea Koklys, Assistant Director, Public Relations and Advertising
All information to be included in In the Loop must be placed in the INTHELOOP folder on the H drive of the law school's computer network by 12 p.m. each Wednesday. When the volume of submissions exceeds the available space in the printed version of In the Loop, additonal material will appear only in the online version of the Newsletter, which can be found on the law school's website at www.jmls.edu. 
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