Chicago, August 9, 2004 -- Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP partner E. Michael Kelly, a prominent trial lawyer and civic leader in the Chicago community, collapsed on the way to court the morning of August 9, 2004. He was pronounced dead at Northwestern Memorial Hospital shortly thereafter. He was 57.
Mike was a member of Hinshaw for 32 years and contributed significantly to the firm's direction as a member of its Management Committee and Executive Committee. During his tenure with the firm, he devoted a significant portion of his practice to the representation of physicians and hospitals in malpractice matters, with clients such as the Chicago Institute of Neurology and Neuroresearch Medical Group S.C., ISMIE Mutual Insurance Company and the Chicago Hospital Risk Pooling Program.
In recent years, Mike had broadened his practice to include the representation of government officials and municipalities. Of recent note, in 2003 Chief Criminal Judge Paul Biebel Jr. appointed him as a special state's attorney to represent Sheriff Michael Sheahan in the ongoing grand jury investigations into conditions at Cook County jail.
Mike's diverse client base also included The Chicago White Sox and Jerry Reinsdorf, the Public Defender of Cook County, the Chicago Police Department, Father Michael Pfleger of St. Sabina and the Cochran Montgomery law firm.
"Solutions were a specialty for Mike, whether the need was personal or commercial or for a colleague or a corporation," said Hinshaw senior partner Thomas Hamilton, who practiced with Mike throughout his career.
Donald L. Mrozek, chairman of Hinshaw and Mike's friend since high school on the South side of Chicago, remembered him as not only a great friend and partner, but unbelievably loyal. "He would do anything for a friend, and his clients. The fact that he was still practicing at the same law firm he started with is evidence of such loyalty and commitment. His significant contributions to the firm and clients will be greatly missed."
Mike was inducted into the prestigious American College of Trial Lawyers as a Fellow in 1991. He was a Founding Member of The Chicago Inn of Court, an organization devoted to promoting civility in the law, and served as its president from 1991 to 1992. In addition, he was a member of the American Bar Association, the American College of Trial Lawyers, the Chicago Bar Association, the Illinois Bar Association, the International Association of Defense Counsel and the Society of Trial Lawyers. Mike had been an Adjunct Professor at the John Marshall Law School since 1988. He received his bachelors degree from Michigan State University in 1969 and his law degree from Northwestern University School of Law in 1972. Earlier this year he was inducted into the Leo Catholic High School Hall of Fame.
In addition to maintaining an active trial practice and his firm management duties, Mike was a devoted family man. He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Sharyn; their three children Michelle, Brendan and Kristy; and six grandchildren.
Said daughter Kristy: "He was incredibly generous and kind – a truly exceptional mentor, lawyer, husband and father."
"Above all, he loved his family. They came first," said Mr. Mrozek.
Visitation and services for Mr. Kelly will be held on Thursday, August 12, at Old St. Patrick's Church in Chicago. Visitation will be held from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., followed by Mass at 7 p.m.
Charitable contributions in lieu of flowers can be sent to St. Martin de Porres House of Hope, Inc., 6423 S. Woodlawn Avenue, Chicago, IL 60637. Flowers can be sent to Old St. Patrick's Church, 700 W. Adams Street, Chicago, IL 60661.
Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP is a national law firm with approximately 500 lawyers in 24 offices coast-to-coast. The firm offers a full-service practice, with an emphasis in commercial and defense litigation, corporate, environmental, employment and construction law, as well as the representation of professionals in their liability matters. The firm provides services to a range of clients in financial services, construction, health care, not-for-profit, insurance, lawyers and law firms, manufacturing, real estate, transportation and other industries. Firm clients also include government agencies, municipalities and schools.
Hinshaw was founded in 1934. The firm is headquartered in Chicago, and maintains offices in 12 states: Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island and Wisconsin.