2008 Program SpeakersAttorneys' Title Guaranty Fund, Inc. Staff:Peter J. Birnbaum, President and Chief Executive Officer, Chicago, Illinois | Mr. Birnbaum began his career at ATG in 1981 as a law student. He was a staff attorney and then vice president before being appointed ATG's president in 1991. His duties include the coordination of state and federal legislative efforts on topics such as lawyers'/brokers' roles in real estate transactions, seller disclosure, and RESPA. Mr. Birnbaum is a regular speaker and writer on real estate issues for the Illinois State Bar Association, American Bar Association, Illinois Association of Realtors, and National Association of Realtors and serves on various bar association, corporate, and philanthropic boards. Chicago-Kent College of Law, Chicago, Illinois, J.D. 1983; University of Iowa, Iowa City, B.A. 1979.Michael K. Brandt, Vice President - Claims and Legislation, Champaign, Illinois | Mr. Brandt oversees title insurance claims and legislative matters for ATG. In addition to his current responsibilities, Mr. Brandt has extensive experience in title underwriting. He started with ATG in 1984 after four years as a private practitioner in LaSalle-Peru, Illinois. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign College of Law, J.D. 1979 (Magna Cum Laude, Order of the Coif); B.A. 1975. August R. Butera, Senior Vice President and General Counsel, Chicago, Illinois | Mr. Butera is the manager of the ATG Legal Department, oversees the management of the ATG Escrow Department, and handles title insurance claims and litigation. He is also President of The Judicial Sales Corporation, a subsidiary of ATG and is on the Board of Directors of the Illinois Land Title Association. Mr. Butera has been part of the ATG legal staff since 1986 and has considerable background in title searching and closing problems. His experience includes eight years as an employee at the Cook County Recorder of Deeds. DePaul University, Chicago, J.D. 1985; B.S. 1982. Karen G. Courtney, Commercial Underwriting Attorney, Chicago, Illinois | Ms. Courtney joined the ATG Legal Department in 2005. She has experience in the practice areas of real estate, business counseling and litigation, intellectual property, and probate. She works with attorneys and lenders in underwriting all aspects of commercial real estate transactions. She is also a contributing author to the IICLE’s Commercial Real Estate. Prior to coming to ATG, Ms. Courtney served as a student law clerk to Arkansas Supreme Court Associate Justice Ray Thornton and practiced law as an associate attorney with the Law Offices of Smith, Rickert & Smith. She was also admitted to the Arkansas Bar in 2002. University of Arkansas at Little Rock, William H. Bowen School of Law, Little Rock, Arkansas, J.D. 2002; University of Central Arkansas, Conway, Arkansas, B.A. 1996. Marie Duhig, Closer Administrator, Oak Lawn, Illinois | Ms. Duhig joined ATG in 1998. Her responsibilities include facilitating the closing process, training independent and member closers, keeping closers informed of changes within both ATG and the industry through written correspondence and annual meetings, and communication with members, lenders, and realtors on closing and post closing matters. She previously worked as an ATG independent closer for 15 years. St. Norbert College, West DePere, Wisconsin, B.A. 1976. Jerry T. Gorman, Senior Vice President - Downstate Operations, Champaign, Illinois | Mr. Gorman oversees all aspects of ATG’s downstate operations and maintains involvement in underwriting, technology, and corporate legal matters. After five years in private practice, Mr. Gorman joined the ATG legal staff in 1982 and served as an underwriter until 1988. He is a member of the American Land Title Association Forms Committee. Indiana University, Bloomington, J.D. 1977 (Magna Cum Laude); University of Colorado, Boulder, B.A. 1974 (Phi Beta Kappa). Thomas G. Cullen, Managing Attorney - Wisconsin Operations, Madison, Wisconsin | Mr. Cullen is a Wisconsin real estate attorney with more than twenty years of legal experience, both in private practice and as in-house legal counsel for the Wisconsin REALTORS® Association. He has considerable practical experience in transactional, land use, and real estate development matters. He has taught real property law and was a registered lobbyist involved in real estate legislative issues. Marquette University Law School, Milwaukee, J.D. 1986; University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, B.S., cum laude, 1982. Mindy D. Karcher, Underwriter, Champaign, Illinois | Ms. Karcher became an ATG employee in 1996. She began as a quality assurance representative and through experience and training, was promoted to underwriter in the Legal - Underwriting Department in 2004. Her duties include assisting members, support staff, and closers with underwriting and legal questions. Lowell B. Krahn, Commercial Underwriting Attorney, Chicago, Illinois | Mr. Krahn has worked for ATG since 2002, first as a law clerk and then as an attorney for the Commercial Department since 2004. Lowell currently works with ATG member attorneys, lenders and non-ATG attorneys in underwriting all aspects of both large and small commercial transactions. He is a member of the Chicago Bar Association and is also a licensed attorney in the State of Florida. The John Marshall Law School, J.D., 2004; The John Marshall Law School, L.L.M., Real Estate Law, with honors, 2004; University of Colorado, B.A., with distinction, 2000. Gregory J. Miely, Senior Underwriting Attorney and Corporate Counsel, Champaign, Illinois | Mr. Miely has a broad base of knowledge concerning title insurance matters, closing problems, bankruptcy, foreclosure, and other areas of real estate law. His 20 years of experience at ATG include 15 as an ATG underwriting attorney and corporate counsel, plus five as a software developer. Prior to ATG, Greg was in private practice in Chicago. John Marshall Law School, Chicago, Illinois, J.D. 1981; Pennsylvania State University, College Park, B.S. 1976 (Delta Tau Kappa). Arden K. Miner, Senior Manager - Underwriting, Chicago, Illinois | Ms. Miner joined the ATG Legal Department in 2001. Her responsibilities include preparing underwriting guidelines and procedures, assisting members with title clearance and underwriting questions, and issuing commitments. In addition, she manages ATG's Escrow Department, where she oversees construction escrows, tax payments, and title indemnities. She is a member of the American Bar Association, the Illinois State Bar Association, and the Chicago Bar Association. Her accomplishments include a state teaching certificate from Northeastern University in Chicago (1988) and an M.B.A. from Keller Graduate School of Management, Chicago (1992). Thomas M. Cooley Law School, Lansing, Michigan, J.D. 1995; Loyola University of Chicago, Illinois, B.S. 1986. Henry L. Shulruff, Senior Vice President - Business Development, Chicago, Illinois | Mr. Shulruff is responsible for business development for both ATG’s core title insurance business as well as certain ATG subsidiaries. Additionally, he maintains supervisory responsibility for ATG’s mortgage subsidiary, Corporate Communications, and event planning departments. He also is active in ATG’s legislative efforts, and serves on several committees of various trade organizations and bar associations. He was instrumental in starting ATG’s Indiana and Wisconsin operations, which he oversees. Mr. Shulruff was an ATG law clerk for one year prior to being admitted to the bar in 1988. He is also past president of the National Association of Bar-Related Title Insurers (NABRTI) – 1999-2001. DePaul University, Chicago, J.D. 1988; University of Iowa, Iowa City, B.A. 1985. Tania M. S. Stori, Senior Underwriting Attorney, Champaign, Illinois | Ms. Stori handles legal and underwriting questions as well as closing problems for Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin. She is an editor of ATG's monthly newsletter the ATG Concept and its supplement, the ATG Underwriters' Bulletin, a co-author of ATG's underwriting guidelines and manuals, and a contributing author to the IICLE's Commercial Real Estate. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, College of Law, J.D. 1998; University of Chicago, M.A. 1994; Augustana College, Rock Island, Illinois, B.A. (summa cum laude) 1993. Christine Sparks, Claims Attorney and Manager, Hold Harmless Department, Chicago, Illinois | Ms. Sparks joined ATG in 2003. Her duties include investigating and resolving title insurance claims. In addition, she manages the Hold Harmless Department. Prior to joining ATG, Ms. Sparks was an associate at the law firm of Jump & Associates, P.C. She is a member of the American Bar Association, the Illinois State Bar Association, and the Chicago Bar Association. She is also a recipient of the Stanley W. Marion Real Estate Law Fellowship. John Marshall Law School, Chicago, Illinois, Master of Laws in Real Estate 2004; DePaul College of Law, Chicago, Illinois, J.D. 2002; Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Illinois, B.S. (with honors) 1999. Guest Speakers:David Andrews, David E. Andrews Law Office, SC, Plymouth, Wisconsin | Mr. Andrews' practice is primarily real estate and estate planning based, which includes all phases of real estate development, real estate purchase and sale, business planning, trust and estate administration, and personal income tax planning and preparation. He speaks frequently on wealth creation and retirement planning. David and his wife, Tamie, raised three children in his hometown of Plymouth. Hamline University School of Law, St. Paul, Minnesota, J.D. cum laude, 1978; University of Wisconsin-River Falls, 1970.Larry Bodine, Business Development Advisor, Larry Bodine Marketing, Glen Ellyn, Illinois | Mr. Bodine helps law firms generate revenue and obtain new business by creating business development strategies and coaching lawyers to develop their personal marketing plans. A well-known speaker on marketing topics, Mr. Bodine has made presentations for audiences that include the Legal Marketing Association, American Bar Association, North Carolina Bar Association, and Chicago Bar Association. He has launched several online ventures that are considered the top destinations online for information about law firm marketing. He is a cum laude graduate of both Seton Hall University Law School and Amherst College. David S. Dunn, Attorney at Law, Bloomington, Illinois | Mr. Dunn has practiced law since 1976 with his primary practice being real estate. He is a minority shareholder of FsboLocal.com, a by-owner advertising service founded in Bloomington, Illinois. With the rapid growth of FsboLocal.com in central Illinois, Mr. Dunn prepared an information/forms package for by-owner clients. With the success of his client package, he has earned a reputation as an attorney who serves by-owner clients particularly well. He is a member of the Illinois State Bar Association, the McLean County Bar Association, the Illinois Real Estate Lawyers Association, and Attorneys’ Title Guaranty Fund, Inc. where he serves as a board member. Mr. Dunn authored Chapter 26 of the IICLE’s 2005 supplement to Residential Real Estate, “Representing FSBO Clients” and Selling and Buying Homes Made Easy, a 2007 handbook that evolved from his client package. The John Marshall Law School, Chicago, Illinois, J.D., 1976; Illinois State University, Bloomington, Illinois, B.S. and M.S., 1971. William A. Ensing, Esq., Attorney at Law, Ensing Law Firm, Ltd., Lake Forest, Illinois | Mr. Ensing is considered one of the preeminent asset protection lawyers in the United States, concentrating his law practice in integrated and comprehensive estate and asset protection planning. His corporate slogan is "Orchestrating Peace of Mind in a Litigious Society - Comprehensive and Integrated Wealth Transfer and Wealth Protection Planning." He works with and maintains contacts in the foremost recognized haven jurisdictions worldwide. He lectures extensively across the United States and abroad before bar associations, financial planners, trust companies, accountants, law firms, physicians, hospitals, and pilot's groups. He has authored many asset protection planning articles in several prestigious publications, including The Business Journal, The Asset Protection Journal, and the American Bar Association's (ABA) compendium on asset protection planning. During his career, Mr. Ensing served as Chairman of the Chicago Bar Association Asset Protection Committee, was responsible for the Family Business Division of the Trust and Financial Services Department of the Northern Trust Company, Chicago, Illinois, and formed a number of offshore captive insurance companies for physicians and healthcare professionals. His memberships include the ABA, the Illinois and Chicago Bar Associations, WealthCouncil, the Offshore Institute, and the Sovereign Society. Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago Kent College of Law, J.D., 1985; Lake Forest College, Lake Forest, Illinois, B.A., Economics (with Dean's Honors), 1980. Michael H. Erde, Principal, Michael H. Erde & Associates, P.C., Chicago, Illinois | Mr. Erde has been an instructor and lecturer for many years on estates and trusts, elder law, and asset protection. He focuses his practice on estate planning, elder law, probate, guardianships, business and corporate law, and real estate leases. His credits include membership in the Chicago Bar Association, the Illinois State Bar, the Greater North Shore Estate Planning and Financial Planners Council; and the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys. Mr. Erde has also served as director of the Josselyn Center for Mental Health. John Marshall Law School, Chicago, Illinois, Master, Tax Credits, 1974; University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, J.D., 1968; Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, B.S., 1965. Vincent J. Guerrero, Anderson Group, S.C., Delafield, Wisconsin | Before joining Anderson Group, S.C., in 2004, Mr. Guerrero was a shareholder at a general practice firm in Lake Mills, Wisconsin. He currently focuses his practice on real estate, both commercial and residential, small business formation, and insurance defense. He is a licensed title agent with ATG. Mr. Guerrero also teaches a real estate course at Waukesha County Technical College in Pewaukee. University of Wisconsin - Madison, J.D. 1997; University of California, Irvine B.A. 1994. Samuel H. Levine, Partner - Litigation Group, Arnstein & Lehr, LLP, Chicago, Illinois | Mr. Levine has experience in a broad spectrum of activities in the area of real estate litigation, including mechanic's liens, bond claims and construction disputes, mortgage foreclosures, commercial landlord-tenant cases and title disputes. His clients include major financial institutions, developers and contractors. Mr. Levine has written and spoken extensively on a variety of topics relating to mechanics liens, mortgage foreclosure and other real estate topics. His publications include "Defense of Mortgage Foreclosures" in The Real Estate Litigation Practice Handbook, Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education (IICLE) and "The Residential Real Estate Disclosure Act" and "Perfecting Mechanics Liens - The Contractor's Duty After Matesa", Illinois Bar Journal. Mr. Levine has lectured on construction law, mechanic's liens, bankruptcy, and more. He has also been a featured panelist for the cable television program Landlords and Tenants as part of the "Illinois Law: Legal News You Can Use" series. Chicago-Kent College of Law, Chicago, Illinois, J.D., 1981; Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, B.A., 1978 (see full bio). Mitchell A. Lieberman, Parner and Attorney at Law, Noonan & Lieberman, Ltd., Chicago, Illinois | Mr. Lieberman has practiced law since 1986 in the practice areas of commercial litigation, bankruptcy litigation, lenders rights, lenders liability, real estate litigation, foreclosures, and civil appellate practice. A member of the Chicago and Illinois State Bar Associations, Mr. Lieberman is the co-author of the Illinois Mortgage Foreclosure Practice, Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education (2003), and the Real Estate Litigation Practice Handbook, Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education (2008). He is a faculty member at the Illinois Business Institute and Lorman Education Services, as well as a regular speaker on topics that bankruptcy, foreclosure, and lender rights issues. DePaul University, Chicago, Illinois, J.D., 1986; Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, B.A., 1983 Jerome P. Mercer, Cross, Jenks, Mercer and Maffei, Baraboo, Wisconsin | Attorney Mercer practices in the areas of real estate, business, and commercial law and banking law. He has practiced in Baraboo for over 25 years. He was born in Madison, Florida, and admitted to the Wisconsin bar in 1976. He is a member of the Sauk County Bar Association and the State Bar of Wisconsin. University of Wisconsin, M.A., 1970, J.D., 1975, Order of the Coif, Phi Beta Kappa, Phi Kappa Phi, Member - Wisconsin Law Review, 1974-1975; Florida State University, B.A., 1969. Gregory J. Moody, Partner and Managing Attorney, Codilis & Associates, P.C., Burr Ridge, Illinois | Mr. Moody is also a partner with the Missouri law firm of Codilis, Stawiarski and Moody, P.C. He concentrates his practice in mortgage foreclosure, creditor bankruptcy, and real estate litigation. A member of the Illinois State Bar Association, the Chicago Bar Association, and the DuPage County Bar Association, Mr. Moody was previously appointed to the ISBA's Real Estate Section Council. He is co-author of "Representing Parties Interested in Purchasing Properties at the Judicial Foreclosure Sales," ISBA Real Property Newsletter and is a contributing author to the Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education series on Mortgage Foreclosures. Additionally, he lectures frequently on mortgage foreclosure, bankruptcy, and related real estate topics. He has been admitted to the Bars of the state of Illinois, the United States District Court for the Northern, Central, and Southern Districts of Illinois, and the Northern District of Indiana. DePaul University, Chicago, Illinois, J.D., 1991 (Dean Scholar); Aquinas College, Grand Rapid, Michigan, B.S. and B.A., 1987. Brian D. Mooty, Attorney at Law, Kavanagh, Scully, Sudow, White and Frederick P.C., Peoria, Illinois | Mr. Mooty concentrates his practice in residential and commercial real estate law, representing both buyers and sellers of residential real estate, as well as local government law and public and affordable housing law. He also assists many clients with commercial real estate issues including sales and acquisitions, leasing, development, zoning, environmental problems and due diligence and also is legal counsel for several condominium and homeowners associations. Admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1986, Mr. Mooty has an extensive practice assisting landlords with issues related to tenants, evictions, and public and affordable housing. His firm is an agent of the Attorneys Title Guaranty Fund, Inc. (ATG). Mr. Mooty is a presenter at continuing legal education seminars and forums and the author of Chapter 8 on the Illinois Responsible Property Transfer Act in Environmental Law for Transactional Attorneys (2001) and a chapter on Easements and Licenses in the Residential Real Estate Handbook (2002), both published by the Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education. He is a member of and served on several committees of the Peoria County Bar Association, and is a member of the Illinois State Bar and American Bar Associations as well as the Illinois Real Estate Lawyers Association and the Housing and Development Law Institute. Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois, J.D., 1986 (with honors); Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, Illinois, B.A. Political Science, 1983. Jenny H. Park, Shareholder, Meyer Capel, A Professional Corporation, Champaign, Illinois | Ms. Park's practice includes all aspects of real estate law, including zoning and land use. Her experience includes speaking at land use and 1031 Starker Exchange seminars. She is a member of Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA), Indiana State Bar Association, and American Bar Association, as well as a member and Vice President of the Champaign County Bar Association. She is a Committee Member of the ISBA's Real Estate Law Section Council. Ms. Park is also licensed in Indiana. Indiana University School of Law, Indianapolis, Indiana, J.D., 2001; University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Illinois, B.S., 1993. Robert Ralis, Solo Practitioner, Chicago, Illinois | Mr. Ralis is a member of the bar of Illinois, Indiana, the U.S. Tax Court, the United States District Court for the Northern and Central District Courts of Illinois. Before starting his own practice, he was a Macon County Assistant State's Attorney; litigation associate at the firm Heyl, Royster, Voelker & Allen; Corporate Counsel for Film Packaging Corp. and Del Lago Films International. Mr. Ralis lectures regularly at the Chicago Bar Association Attorney Practice Seminars. Currently he is a solo practitioner in Chicago, where he concentrates in bankruptcy, probate litigation, corporate transactions, and real estate law. He is also Managing Partner for Michiana Park Partner, Inc., a real estate development firm. Southern Illinois University, J.D., 1979; University of Denver, B.A., 1976. David F. Rolewick, Managing Partner, Rolewick & Gutzke, Wheaton, Illinois | Mr. Rolewick’s practice focuses on corporations, commercial and shareholder litigation, estate planning, trusts and estates, mergers, acquisitions and divestitures, employment law, and civil practice. He is a prolific author and lecturer on a wide range of topics and has been active in many bar association committees including the DuPage County Estate Planning Council and Committee on Corporation Law. Memberships: American Bar Association, Illinois State Bar Association, and the DuPage County Bar Association. Loyola University, Chicago, Illinois, J.D., 1971; B.S., 1968 (Alpha Sigma Nu). David R. Schlueter, Partner, Garr & Schlueter, Ltd., Elk Grove Village, Illinois | Mr. Schlueter practices law and handles a variety of transactions in the Chicago metro area concentrating in residential and commercial real estate. He conducts seminars for lenders, housing partnerships, real estate investors, senior citizen groups, and title companies. Mr. Schlueter is a long-time member of Attorneys' Title Guaranty Fund, Inc., the Northwest Suburban Bar Association, and the Illinois State Bar Association. He enjoys serving as President of Pine Trail Camp, Inc., a Christian camping and conference center in Saugatuck, Michigan. Loyola University Chicago School of Law, Chicago, Illinois, J.D. 1986. Thomas G. Schober, Schober Schober & Mitchell, S.C., New Berlin, Wisconsin | Mr. Schober is a Certified Public Accountant as well as an attorney. His practice concentrates on business and taxation law, with extensive transactional experience in mergers and acquisitions. He has been admitted to practice before the US Court of Appeals Seventh District, US District Court for Wisconsin Eastern and Western Districts, and the US Tax Court. He is a member of the Waukesha County Bar Association, State Bar of Wisconsin, and American Bar Association. Marquette University, J.D. (Thomas More Scholarship) 1972; Marquette University, B.S. cum laude, 1970. Ralph Schumann, Attorney at Law, Elk Grove Village, Illinois | Mr. Schumann is a solo practitioner in Elk Grove Village, where he concentrates his practice in residential and commercial real estate, estate planning, and business law. He currently serves as President of the Illinois Real Estate Lawyers Association, as a member of the Multi-Board Residential Real Estate Contract Drafting Committee, as Chair of the Real Estate Committee of the Northwest Suburban Bar Association, and as a Member of the ISBA Real Estate Law Section Council. Mr. Schumann has been a panelist at numerous IICLE conferences on real estate issues, and has authored numerous articles on real estate issues. He has spoken at numerous bar association real estate programs. Chicago-Kent College of Law, Chicago, Illinois, J.D., 1983 (with honors). Walter R. Stewart, W.R. Stewart & Associates, S.C., Madison, Wisconsin | Mr. Stewart represents individuals in family law, real estate, debtor counseling, and estate planning matters. Additional areas of practice are Real Estate and Construction Law, Corporate and Partnership Law, Estate and Business Planning, Bankruptcy and Creditors Rights, Divorce, Probate, Corporate and Business Law. Mr. Stewart joined Attorneys' Title Guaranty Fund, Inc., when ATG commenced its Wisconsin operations and he serves on its Wisconsin Operations Committee. A member of the American Bar Association, Mr. Stewart has served on the Standing Committee on Lawyer Title Guaranty Funds since 1997. His membership in the State Bar of Wisconsin includes its sections on Real Property and Probate, Family Law, and Business Law, where he is also a member of the Committee on Nonprofit Organizations. He is a member of the Commercial Law League and the Dane County Bar Association. Mr. Stewart has presented in numerous scholarly and professional settings. He has taught courses on government at Beloit College and business law at Madison Area Technical College, at the University of Wisconsin Law School for its general practice course, and a seminar for the State Bar of Wisconsin. University of Wisconsin Law School, J.D., 1982; Beloit College, 1978.
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