2013 December Issue
Jennifer Shaw, Managing Partner, The Shaw Law Group, Edwardsville
By KATE GENO As a child and now as an adult, Jennifer Shaw has always felt a fundamental need to stand up for those that can’t defend themselves. At the University of Mississippi, a professor steered her toward law school and a career in law became her future. Her first job was with…
Read MoreJennifer Dickerson, Associate, Williams, Venker & Sanders, LLC, Belleville
By KATE GENO As an associate at the civil litigation firm of Williams, Venker & Sanders, LLC, Jennifer Dickerson feels privileged to advise and defend clients on a wide range of legal matters throughout Illinois and Missouri. She understands that lawsuits can be stressful and is dedicated to representing her clients aggressively and delivering…
Read MoreCherie Macdonald, Officer, Manager, Greensfelder, Hemker & Gale, P.C., Belleville
By KATE GENO When the economy started its downward spiral several years ago, Cherie Macdonald’s legal services were needed more than ever. As an officer and manager of the Creditors’ Rights and Bankruptcy Practice Group at Greensfelder, Hemker & Gale, P.C., Macdonald is positioned to help her clients through difficult financial situations. Macdonald works…
Read MoreDawn Sallerson, Partner, Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP, Belleville
By ALAN J. ORTBALS Dawn Sallerson grew up in a small town in Indiana. The daughter of a carpenter and a secretary, she was raised with a value of self-reliance — to do something; to be something; to take care of yourself. It was with that in mind, she said, that she decided pretty…
Read MoreDeborah Hawkins, Founder, Hawkins Law Office, P.C., Edwardsville
By DENNIS GRUBAUGH Attorney Deborah Hawkins enjoys a busy career and a mix of cases as the sole practitioner at Hawkins Law Office, P.C. in Edwardsville. Each day is different, a bit like adjusting to a new set of sheet music, which is appropriate given her music background and love of a well-orchestrated symphony. …
Read MoreThe people deserve a say in government
Let’s face it. Everyone knows that taxing districts have various obligations — police, fire, education, roads and bridges, parks and more. In order to pay for these goods and services property owners are taxed. Each year, taxing bodies levy taxes to capture the amount needed to operate. These taxes are paid by property owners…
Read MorePlanned fish plant lures wide interest
GRAFTON — A partnership of local businessmen hopes to launch a $3 million to $4 million Asian carp processing facility in February, promising an environmentally safe project they say could salvage the freshwater fishing industry. The effort by American Heartland Fish Products LLC is being keenly watched by cities across the United States, who,…
Read MoreChamber raps courts’ impact on work-comp reforms
Judicial activism is undermining legislative efforts to reform Illinois’ overly generous workers’ compensation system, says a recent report issued by the Illinois Chamber of Commerce. The 74-page report came out on Oct. 29 and a package of new, chamber-backed workers’ compensation reform bills was introduced in the Legislature on Nov. 7. The report cites…
Read MoreBig science project: SIUE moves to next phase
EDWARDSVILLE — Future scientists and others are taking advantage of the science that permeates the newest building on the SIUE campus, Bill Retzlaff says. And more moves are on the way. The associate dean of arts and sciences and chairman of the Department of Biological Sciences, Environmental Sciences Program said both faculty and students…
Read MoreCOUNTERPOINT: Fixing the National Economy
Tax increases are driving America’s lack of spending U.S. policymakers pursued deficit reduction twice in 2013. As economists have shown in dozens of papers, how a country goes about reducing deficits matters a lot in determining the economic impact. As Alberto Alesina of Harvard, Daniel Leigh of the International Monetary Fund, and Kevin Hassett…
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