HeplerBroom attorneys honored and elected

Jeff Hebrank, managing partner with HeplerBroom, has received the 2014 Distinguished Member Award from Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel (IDC).

The award is given to the member who has demonstrated years of commitment to advancing the IDC’s goals of ensuring the courts and legislators are always reminded of the importance of the jury system and that a fair and level playing field for all litigants that find themselves in a lawsuit is essential to our system of justice.

He is a past president and 10-year board member with the IDC.

Hebrank’s trial experience covers many areas of personal injury and bodily injury litigation with special emphasis in the areas of asbestos and toxic tort. He has been involved in litigation since graduating from St Louis University School of law in 1982. He has practiced principally in asbestos litigation since 1988 and has tried asbestos cases to verdict for several clients throughout the country.

He is currently on national trial teams for several of the firm’s clients.

Troy Bozarth, partner at HeplerBroom’s Edwardsville office, was installed as President Elect of the Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel (IDC) at the organization’s annual meeting on May 30 in Chicago.

Bozarth has served as a member of the IDC Executive Committee for the past three years and previously served as a member of the organization’s Board of Directors. Bozarth will become President of the IDC in June 2015.

Bozarth focuses his practice on trials involving complex commercial litigation matters including class actions, insurance defense, Jones act, maritime law, and antitrust law.
In addition to the IDC, he is a member of the American Bar Association, the Illinois State Bar Association, the Madison County Bar Association, The Bar Association of Central and Southern Districts of Illinois, the East St. Louis Bar Association, the Association of Defense Trial Attorneys, the Seventh Circuit Bar Association, and the Defense Research Institute.

Gerard T. Noce, partner in HeplerBroom’s St. Louis office, has been awarded the Ben Ely award from the Missouri Organization of Defense Lawyers.

This is the most prestigious award a defense attorney can win in Missouri.

MODL’s goal is to offer an avenue for defense lawyers of Missouri to communicate and organize, allowing an exchange of information that will enhance lawyer’s knowledge and improve their skills.

Noce focuses his practice on trials involving complex business litigation matters, including professional and general negligence, clergy misconduct, products liability and school law.

He is a past president of MODL, serving from 1999-2000. He served as a board member from 1990-2001. In addition to MODL, he is a member of American College of Trial Lawyers, International Association of Defense Trial Counsel, Defense Research Institute, American Board of Trial Advocates, the Missouri Bar, and Lawyers Association of St. Louis.

Patrick Stufflebeam, partner at HeplerBroom's Edwardsville office, was elected to a second three-year term on the Board of Directors for the Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel (IDC) at the organization’s annual meeting last month.

Stufflebeam focuses his practice on trials involving complex business litigation matters including toxic torts, premises liability, product liability, and commercial litigation.
In addition to the IDC, he is a member of Madison County Bar Association, and Defense Research Institute. He is licensed to practice law in Illinois, Missouri, and the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois.