Catholic Community Events in Illinois

Accomplished, experienced, adaptable, hard-working, Missouri and Illinois attorney with extensive experience in criminal, civil, commercial, construction, and class-action litigation in Missouri and Illinois state and federal courts, including cases in the following areas of law: criminal Law, felony drug possession, felony DUI, domestic abuse, violent felonies, personal injury, legal ethics/bar complaint defense, real estate law, construction law, and professional liability defense, including:  Lead criminal defense counsel in felony drug possession, assault battery do you I am a domestic abuse cases, primarily in St. Louis County, Franklin County and Jefferson County Missouri;  Corporate general counsel for large residential construction firm related to both transaction and litigation matters;  Defense of professionals, product manufactures and commercial developers in CGL, LPL, APL, MPL and EPL liability suits, both through direct-engagement and as ‘panel counsel’ for major liability insurance carriers; Lead trial counsel in both state and federal court;  Missouri and Illinois (ARDC and OCDC) licensure compliance and discipline defense counsel (Lead trial and dispute resolution counsel);  Prosecution of commercial banking claims and commercial loan related litigation; Lead Illinois trial and dispute resolution counsel.;  Defense of state-law based consumer fraud litigation vs. major corporate retailer (lead Missouri trial and dispute resolution counsel);  Prosecution of commercial litigation claims (nation-wide) on behalf of commercial equipment leasing firm;  Lead Missouri plaintiff’s trial counsel in multi-state consumer class action vs. Fortune 100 corporate firm;  Plaintiff’s counsel on behalf of St. Louis area residential construction developer in multiple litigation matters, including successful prosecution in E. Dist. Mo. of ‘high six-figure’ Federal Court copyright suit (Lead trial, mediation and dispute resolution counsel);  Securities fraud ‘aiding and abetting’ defense counsel on behalf of Illinois licensed professionals;  SEC enforcement defense counsel on behalf of Missouri-based accounting professionals;  Missouri and Illinois Insurance broker liability claims defense counsel; and  Insurance coverage litigation attorney and corporate-client consultant. Attorney Skills: Mr. Rolwes has:  Regularly worked as part of a team of professionals to develop optimal case strategy and achieve well-documented superior results on behalf of both individual clients and both large and small institutional clients, with a particular focus and representation of commercial and residential construction firm, including successful verdicts, favorable settlements, summary judgments, suit dismissals and favorable orders and opinions on appeal;  On behalf of institutional clients, vetted, retained and supervised non-firm litigation and tax law attorneys across multiple states related to client matters;  Tried, arbitrated and mediated complex cases in St. Louis and Chicago-area state and federal trial and appellate courts, as well as other surrounding jurisdictions;  Negotiated, drafted and finalized settlement agreements (both simple and complex) and transaction-related documents, on behalf of clients (both individuals and institutional), in numerous areas of the law, including dispute resolution agreements involving wide-array of commercial contract (construction, real estate, banking related, etc.) and tort claims (products, malpractice, professional liability, employment liability, insurance coverage related, etc.);  Performed risk assessment activities as it relates to the policies and procedures of construction industry client firms to ensure compliance with applicable standards of conduct; provided compliance reporting as requested, and other related compliance activities;  Consulted and aligned with senior leaders of client-firms to proactively support and provide compliance expertise relative to internal compliance initiatives on specific projects, including hands-on assistance with compliance activities arising out of internal audits, active oversight investigations and regulatory disciplinary proceedings;  Negotiated, drafted and finalized wide gamut of corporate, banking, finance, employment, commercial buy/sell, real estate, lease, license, franchise, construction, dispute resolution, litigation, mediation and arbitration related contracts on behalf of corporate banking and professional licensed firms and their ownership groups; and  Authored dozens of trial court briefs, numerous appellate briefs and nearly two-dozen published law related articles.

The Women's Law Society is a vibrant student organization at Loyola University Chicago, rooted in the institution's distinctive Jesuit Catholic mission of developing men and women for and with others. Located in Chicago, IL, this organization reflects Loyola's commitment to social justice, community engagement, and educational excellence. The society brings together law students who share a passion for advancing women's representation and leadership within the legal profession while contributing meaningfully to the Chicago community. At its core, the Women's Law Society embodies Loyola's values of cura personalis—care for the whole person—and a commitment to addressing systemic inequities. Members are encouraged to combine their legal education with active community service, mirroring the university's culture of social responsibility. Loyola students logged over 100,000 volunteer hours in Chicago in the most recent year, demonstrating the institution's deep commitment to local engagement and positive change. The organization serves as a supportive community for women law students navigating their academic and professional journeys. Through mentorship, peer support, and collaborative initiatives, the Women's Law Society creates spaces where members can develop their voices, share experiences, and build lasting professional relationships. This sense of community is particularly important in law school, where students benefit from belonging to a group that prioritizes both personal development and collective advocacy. By participating in the Women's Law Society at Loyola Chicago, students gain more than legal knowledge—they become part of a tradition of service and leadership. The organization connects members with opportunities to apply their skills to meaningful causes, whether through volunteer work, community partnerships, or advocacy initiatives. Ultimately, the Women's Law Society prepares its members not just to practice law, but to use their legal education as a tool for creating a more just and equitable world.

The Knights of Columbus Council #2782 at UIUC represents a vibrant student community rooted in Catholic tradition and fraternal brotherhood at the University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign in Champaign, IL. This student-led organization brings together individuals who share common values and a desire to make a positive impact on their campus and local community. Operating within the historic framework of the Knights of Columbus, a centuries-old fraternal order, Council #2782 maintains a commitment to fostering genuine relationships among its members while upholding principles of faith, unity, and charitable service. Students who join this organization in Champaign find themselves part of a supportive network that values personal growth, spiritual development, and mutual support. The council creates a space where members can engage in meaningful conversations, participate in community-centered activities, and build lasting friendships with peers who share their values and vision for service. What distinguishes Knights of Columbus Council #2782 is its dedication to blending traditional fraternal values with contemporary student life at UIUC. Members experience a unique combination of social connection, spiritual nourishment, and hands-on involvement in causes that matter to the broader Champaign community. Whether through organized service projects, social gatherings, or collaborative initiatives, the council demonstrates that student organizations can be vehicles for both personal enrichment and genuine community contribution.

Founded in 1934, the Catholic Lawyers Guild of Chicago represents a unique fusion of faith and legal profession, serving as a gathering place for attorneys committed to integrating their Catholic beliefs with their work in the law. As the second Catholic lawyers organization established in the nation, the Guild has played an influential role in inspiring the formation of more than eighty similar associations across the country. The organization's mission rests on three foundational pillars: Prayer, Service, and Celebration. Through retreats, days of recollection, and the historic Red Mass—a tradition dating back to 1245 A.D.—members in Chicago, Illinois find spiritual renewal and community support. The Guild's service tradition is deeply rooted in responding to community needs, from pioneering pro bono work with immigrants in the 1960s and 1970s to conducting hearings on sexual abuse and now partnering with Catholic Charities Legal Clinic. The celebration pillar honors lawyers who embody Christ's values in their professional lives, recognizing that law itself can be a pathway to fulfilling our duty to love God and neighbor. The Catholic Lawyers Guild of Chicago welcomes attorneys seeking a community where their faith and profession intersect, offering fellowship, intellectual growth, and opportunities to make a tangible difference in the lives of others. The organization's legacy demonstrates that the legal profession can serve as a powerful instrument for justice, compassion, and spiritual development.