40 YEARS OF SERVICE

Retiring: August R. Butera, EVP - General Counsel

Advocus expresses its deep appreciation and heartfelt wish for a long and happy retirement to Augie Butera, EVP - General Counsel, retiring in January 2026 after 40 years of service!

Augie is one of the main characters in the ATG-now-Advocus cast of characters who has been central to our success. His understanding of all matters related to real estate transactions, title insurance, and the search process gave him a solid base upon which he built his long and successful legal career. He grew to be a steady voice for our staff and agents, often guiding complex decisions—always with great intellect and fair-mindedness, a lawyer's lawyer.

Peter Birnbaum, our Executive Chairman (44-years of service, former President and CEO since 1991) recently reflected on of law school days as a Law Bulletin employee doing title searches and meeting Augie in the basement of the Cook County Recorder's office. A fortuitous next-meeting at a bar association event turned into a 40-year work relationship and deep friendship.

We will miss you, Augie! It's difficult to imagine this place without you, but like all great leaders, you have trained and mentored those who remain. You are leaving the Legal Department in good stead, poised to continue providing excellent service and stewardship. See Legal Department Promotions, below. Also retiring, Arden Miner, after 25 years, see our November write-up, here.

Augie Butera College
Click the image to see an enlarged version.

1 Augie's photo tribute for 40 years of service.
2 Hank Shulruff, Augie Butera, and Peter Birnbaum.
3 Lynne Crotty, Jill Cadwell, Mare Acosta, and Greg Miely. 
4 Augie's family was on hand to celebrate. Tim, daughter-in-law Tressa (married to Bryan) and grandson Sonny, Augie and his wife Katie, Bryan, and Tricia Butera.
5 Front Row: Greg Miely, Beth Faber, Arden Miner, Kelli Fogarty, Alisa Swerdlove.  Back Row: Nathan Smith, Andrew Thompson Lowell Krahn, Peter Birnbaum, Augie Butera, Hank Shulruff, Karen Courtney, and Ami Oseid.
6 Erika Guzman Viruegas, Arden Miner, Wendy Morales.
7 Lynn Hickey and David Anders.
8 Nick Jakubco, Augie Butera, Ami Oseid, Jerry Jakubco, and Kelli Fogarty.
9 Jerry Gorman, Susan McLane, Augie Butera, grandson Sonny, and Greg Miely.
10 Hank and Debbie Shulruff, Jerry Gorman, and George Stanton (illusionist).
11 Wendy Morales, JoAnne Nudelman, NaDonya Jackson.
12 Peter Birnbaum, and Augie Butera.
13 Renee Steele, and Katie Butera.
14 Jerry Gorman, Mary Beth McCarthy, and Bill Anaya.

[12-4-2025]

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