Dearth joins Morris firm

John W. Hynds, John N. Rooks, Diane Yohnka Jorstad and David J. Bzdill announce that Christopher M. Dearth has joined the law firm of Hynds, Rooks, Yohnka and Bzdill as an associate attorney.

Dearth is the son of Mike and Terri Dearth of Coal City. Chris graduated from Coal City High School in 2003. He attended Eastern Illinois University from 2003 to 2007, graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Finance. Dearth earned his Juris Doctor Degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in May of 2011 and received his license to practice law in the State of Illinois on Nov. 10, 2011.

During law school, Dearth was a law clerk in Morris for Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Court Judges Robert Marsaglia and Lance Peterson. This position involved the drafting of legal memoranda and research assignments covering a wide range of legal subjects. Also, during law school Dearth was a practicing attorney under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 711 in the Grundy County State’s Attorney’s Office. In that position, he handled traffic and misdemeanor cases, including participation in bench and jury trials.

Chris Dearth is a fourth-generation Dearth family member whose family owns and operates a number of construction companies located in and around Grundy County.

The current Law Firm of Hynds, Rooks, Yohnka and Bzdill traces its roots back over 70 years to 1938 when William I. Hynds originated the firm in the office building it still occupies today at 105 W. Main Street, Morris.

John W. Hynds, William’s son, joined the firm in 1965, followed by John N. Rooks, who became associated with the firm in 1976 and was named a partner in 1980.

Diane Yohnka Jorstad joined the firm as an associate in 1984 and became a partner in 1987. David J. Bzdill was added to the firm as an associate in 1995 and was named a partner in 2001.

The firm continues its practice in the areas of estate planning, elder law, estate and trust administration, business planning, real estate, zoning and tax law.