I am so sad to hear of the passing of my friend, mentor, and most respected colleague, Judge Gino L. DiVito. It was my privilege during the mid 1980s to be a second chair, then first chair assistant state's attorney prosecutor in Judge DiVito‘s courtroom at 26th and California. During that period of time, I tried 10 cases to successful jury Verdict before Judge DiVito and had an opportunity to subsequently conduct a postmortem with him over my performance. He was the consummate teacher, and the education I received by practicing in front of him truly formed the development of my career thereafter. I was proud to be a member of his trial advocacy team teaching class for Loyola University Law School. I continue to use the lessons I learned from him in my Teaching of Trial Ad at Chicago-Kent.
He was not only an ASA’s ASA, but also a judge's judge. In the 90s, I worked closely with him in promoting the ranks of Italian American lawyers on the bench in Cook County. Through his work, his teaching, his writings, and his commitment to lawyers and the judiciary, he was a tireless source of improvements to the practice. He was unselfish in his commitment of time, energy, and wisdom to those of us who were so fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with and to learn from him.
My condolences to his family, especially his wife and his lovely daughters, and all of my friends in the profession, from the state attorney’s office, in law enforcement, and on the bench, who I’m sure share my grief.
- James J. Morici, Jr.