News From The Firm
On September 2, all Quinn employees from our Peoria and Springfield offices gathered for a special luncheon at the Metamora Fields Country Club to honor partner Murv Pretorius for his 40 years with the firm. It was noted that when Murv started with the firm in 1971, the average home cost about $25,000 and the average income was $10,000! Murv has certainly seen some changes throughout his 40 years here.
Quinn is honored to retain superior long-term partners and employees and many were recognized, along with Murv, at the September 2 luncheon for their notable anniversaries with the firm during 2011: Regina Schertz and Kettie Sprenger for 35 years; Betty Holloway for 30 years; and Marsha Stoltz for 25 years. Jim Borland, Dave Collins, John Kamin, Sandy Jensen and Kim McCoskey celebrated 20-year anniversaries with the firm this year. Peter Jennetten, Mike Kraft, Donna Grover, Deb Johnson, Molly Schuler and Gina Steinsultz celebrated 15 years with the firm this year and Adam Chaddock and Matt Maddox have been with the firm 10 years.
On July 11th, Kevin Miller was installed as the newly elected President of the Peoria County Bar Association. The PCBA is a voluntary association with over 600 attorney members. Attending the installation ceremony to help celebrate were R. Michael "Mick" Henderson and Robert H. Jennetten, both retired members of the firm and both past-presidents of the PCBA themselves.
QJHP&C is pleased to announce the addition of Meaghan Brady to the Peoria office. Meaghan was born and raised in Peoria, Illinois. Her parents are Jerry and Sue Brady. Her father was recently appointed Peoria County State's Attorney and her mother is a school nurse. She has an older and a younger brother who have also returned to Peoria after graduating from college. Like several attorneys at the firm, she is a double Illini, as she graduated from the University of Illinois with a bachelor's degree in 2008 and a law degree in 2011. After enjoying her experience as a summer clerk at the firm in 2010, she knew that QJHP&C was where she wanted to practice law upon graduation. Her hobbies include attending Illinois sporting events and spending time with family and friends.
Adam Chaddock obtained summary judgment for our defendant, a car dealer who loaned a vehicle to a governmental entity to be used at a community event. One of the volunteers at the community event took the vehicle without permission after he had been drinking. An accident resulted. Plaintiff argued that Defendant was liable under theories of agency, respondeat superior, negligent entrustment and joint venture. Summary judgment for our defendant, the car dealer, was granted. Summary judgment was not granted for the governmental entity, who was represented by another firm.
Laura Petersen was the attorney presenter at ISMIE Mutual Insurance Company's "Preventing Medical Misadventures" Risk Rewards Partnership Program in East Peoria on October 4.
Matt Smith & Laura Petersen spoke at the Illinois Provider Trust/Illinois Risk Management Services Annual Meeting in Normal on October 5. Their presentation was entitled "Defending Advanced Practice Professionals & Collaborating/Supervising Physicians."
Jim Borland received summary judgment in a declaratory action involving underinsured motorist coverage and two potential insurers. Jim, with the assistance of associate Chris Galanos, successfully argued that our insurer client's "other insurance" provision applied, was unambiguous and not against public policy. The other policy was found to be collectible (even though said coverage was waived by the Plaintiff) and, thus, the insurer client's coverage was merely excess. Accordingly, since the other policy had a higher UIM limit, the insurer client was not obligated to provide any coverage to the Plaintiff in light of its excess nature.
Murv Pretorius and Laura Petersen recently tried a case in Peoria County. They defended a physician in a medical malpractice case where the plaintiffs alleged that the surgery was not indicated and that the physician performed the surgery incorrectly. The trial, which lasted a week and a half, involved testimony from several experts. The jury returned a verdict in favor of the defendants.
Jennifer Morris, an Associate attorney with Quinn Johnston, was excited to be part of the Eastlight Theatre production "Hairspray", performing in the role of LouAnn. Many of her co-workers attended one of her seven performances and she received rave reviews throughout the office for her singing and dancing talents.