Executive Changes: WWR Promotes Monette Cope to Junior Partner, Hires Richard Sulkowski as Managing Attorney

Weltman, Weinberg & Reis Co., L.P.A. (WWR) is pleased to announce the recent promotion of Chicago attorney Monette W. Cope to Junior Partner and the hiring of Richard P. Sulkowski as Managing Attorney of its Chicago office.

In June 2008, Ms. Cope relocated from WWR’s Columbus office to Chicago.  Ms. Cope began her bankruptcy career in Chicago and has brought with her extensive experience in bankruptcy-related matters, particularly in Chapter 13 bankruptcies.  She focuses exclusively on all types of bankruptcy with the goal of continuing to build the Bankruptcy department of the Chicago office.  As a Junior Partner, Monette, together with Richard Sulkowski, will be responsible for ensuring the success of the Chicago office.  Since Monette relocated to Chicago last year, the bankruptcy department has already grown in terms of personnel and the number of matters handled.

Ms. Cope earned her B.A. cum laude in English from The Ohio State University (1979) and her J.D. from The Ohio State University Michael E. Moritz College of Law (1988).  She is a member of the Illinois and Chicago Bar Associations.  Ms. Cope is licensed in the state courts of Illinois and Ohio and is admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court (Northern District of IL, Central District of IL, Southern District of IL, Southern District of OH).  Ms. Cope is a member of the American Bankruptcy Institute.  She is a former member of the Credit Education Coalition (past President and Board Member) and previously served as Secretary for the Ohio Creditor’s Attorney Association.  She is also a former member of the Banking, Commercial and Bankruptcy Law committees of the Ohio State Bar Association.  Ms. Cope is looking forward to becoming even more active in Chicago’s bankruptcy community.

Richard P. Sulkowski will focus on collection services in the Chicago office.  Mr. Sulkowski has practiced in the collections/bankruptcy fields since 1982.  His career path has included working with a bankruptcy trustee, with a local collections/bankruptcy law firm and as in-house counsel for Fidelity National Financial, focused on the real estate area.  As Managing Attorney of the Chicago office, Mr. Sulkowski’s responsibilities will include working with Monette to build WWR’s client base in Chicago and relying on his background and experience to offer support and mentorship to the entire Chicago office staff.

Mr. Sulkowski earned his B.A. cum laude in Political Science with honors from Loyola University Chicago (1979) and his J.D. from the Loyola University Chicago School of Law (1982).  A member of the American and Chicago Bar Associations, Mr. Sulkowski is licensed in the state courts of Illinois.  He is admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court (Northern District of IL) and the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals.

"This is an exciting time for our firm," said Alan Weinberg, Managing Partner of WWR.  "During her time with WWR, Monette has been instrumental in growing our bankruptcy client base and is committed to staying on top of the issues that concern our clients.  We look forward to her continuing to offer exceptional customer service to our clients and seeking out clients that can benefit from our bankruptcy services. Richard brings with him a wealth of knowledge, experience and understanding about the collection industry.  As a firm, we are committed to growing our operations in the Chicago area with a team of talented people and look forward to offering our services to new and existing clients in greater Chicago and throughout Illinois."

Weltman, Weinberg & Reis Co., L.P.A., celebrating over 75 years of experience, provides comprehensive bankruptcy, collection, litigation and real estate default services to creditors throughout the United States and internationally, including major banks & financial institutions, mortgage lenders & servicers, commercial creditors, government entities, insurance companies, credit unions, service organizations, medical and utility companies.  Recognized as the largest creditors’ rights law firm in the United States, as ranked by Collections & Credit Risk magazine, WWR’s practice areas include bankruptcy, collection services, corporate & financial services, legal action recovery, litigation & defense, probate, real estate default (foreclosure, eviction, title & REO) and subrogation.  The firm has offices in Brooklyn Heights (OH), Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Detroit, Grove City (OH), Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.