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Richard J. Tarulis

Founding Member

Richard J. Tarulis is a founding member of the firm, and was a partner in the predecessor law firm of Brooks, Adams and Tarulis from 1990 – 2010. He concentrates his practice in estate planning, probate, litigation and local government law. He graduated from Northern Illinois University College of Law in 1987, and is licensed to practice law in state and federal courts. Before law school, Rick served in the U.S. Marine Corps for eight years.

Rick retired from politics after serving for many years as the Lisle Township Supervisor and in other elected positions with the Township, and as a Republican Precinct Committeeman for 24 years. He continues as a member of numerous civic and legal organizations. Rick and his wife Nancy were married in Okinawa, Japan. They live in Naperville and have two adult children and three grandchildren.

Practice Areas:  Business Law, Municipal LawReal EstateTaxation, Trusts & Estates

 

Full Biography
Experience
Brooks, Tarulis & Tibble, LLC – Partner 2010-present
Brooks, Adams and Tarulis – Partner 1996-2010
James, Brooks, Adams and Tarulis – Partner 1990-1996

Naperville, Illinois
Primarily practice local government law, including school, park and township law, real estate, and estate planning and probate, including special needs trusts.  Numerous trials and appeals.

 

Military Service
United States Marine Corps 1976-1983

Sergeant for 3 years; numerous awards and meritorious promotions; taught rifle safety and marksmanship classes as  secondary duty; Honorable discharge.

 

Law Licenses
Supreme Court of the State of Illinois 1987-present
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois 1987-present
Supreme Court of the United States 2007-present

 

Professional Associations
American Bar Association 1986-present
Illinois State Bar Association 1984-present
Illinois Association of School Attorneys 1989-1996
Illinois Township Attorneys Association 1990-present
DuPage County Bar Association
(Secretary, Probate Law Committee)
(Chairman, Local Government Committee)  
1987-present
1989-1993
1995-1996
Phi Alpha Delta International Law Fraternity 1984-present

 

Elected Office
Township Supervisor, Lisle Township 2012-2017
Township Clerk, Lisle Township 2002-2012
Township Trustee, Lisle Township 2000-2002
Republican Precinct Committeeman, Lisle Township 1994-2018

 

Community Service Positions
President, Township Officials of DuPage County 2007-2017
Treasurer, Citizens to Elect Grant Wehrli 2006-2018
Chairman, IL Rep. Mary Lou Cowlishaw Campaign Committee 2002-2009
Parliamentarian, Lisle Township Republican Organization 1996-2018
Treasurer, IL Rep. Mary Lou Cowlishaw Campaign Committee 1995-2009
Finance Committee, IL Senator Chris Lauzen 1993-2007
Extended member, DuPage County Board of Review 1990-1991
Treasurer, Naperville Veterans Memorial Committee 1989-2016
Local counsel, Cantigny War Museum 1988-2010

 

Education, Background & Experience

Juris Doctor
Northern Illinois University College of Law
DeKalb, Illinois

  • Member, Moot Court Society
  • Student Rep., Illinois State Bar Association
  • Treasurer, Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity
  • Volunteer Tax Preparer, IRS VITA Program
May, 1987
Bachelor of Science, Electronics Management
Southern Illinois University
Carbondale, Illinois  (extension at Yuma, Arizona)

December, 1983
Associate of Arts, Data Processing
Los Angeles Community College
Los Angeles, California  (extension at Okinawa, Japan)
October, 1979
American Bar Association 1986-present
Illinois State Bar Association

1984-present

Illinois Association of School Attorneys 1989-1996
Illinois Township Attorneys Association 1990-present
DuPage County Bar Association
(Secretary, Probate Law Committee)
(Chairman, Local Government Committee)
1987-present
1989-1993
1995-1996
Phi Alpha Delta International Law Fraternity 1984-present

Stevens v. Village of Oak Brook, 2013 IL App (2d) 120456

Allegis Realty Investors v. Naperville Township Road District, 223 Ill.2d 318, 307
Ill.Dec. 592, 860 N.E.2d 246 (Ill. 2006)

City of Warrenville v. John Lotus Novak and Naperville Community Unit School Dist.
203, 355 Ill.App.3d 714, 291 Ill.Dec. 751, 824 N.E.2d 327 (2nd Dist. 2005)

Allegis Realty Investors v. Naperville Township Road District, 356 Ill.App.3d 887, 292
Ill.Dec. 956, 827 N.E.2d 485 (2nd Dist. 2005)

Estate of Smida v. Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund, 353 Ill.App.3d 551, 289 Ill.Dec.
699, 820 N.E.2d 475 (2nd Dist. 2004)

Ceres One Corp. v. Naperville Township Road District, 343 Ill.App.3d 382, 278 Ill.Dec.
179, 797 N.E.2d 1097 (2nd Dist. 2003)

ABN Amro Services, Inc. v. Naperville Park District, 325 Ill.App.3d 7, 258 Ill.Dec. 463,
756 N.E.2d 445 (2nd Dist. 2001)

Board of Library Trustees of the Village of Westmont v. Cinco Construction,
276 Ill.App.3d 417, 213 Ill.Dec. 3, 658 N.E.2d 473 (1st Dist. 1995)

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County v. Department of Revenue, 266 Ill.App.3d
264, 203 Ill.Dec 566, 639 N.E.2d 1385 (2nd Dist. 1994)

“Special Needs Trusts”, numerous seminars from 2001 through present, at various organizations including: Western DuPage Special Recreation Assoc. (WDSRA), South East Association for Special Parks and Recreation (SEASPAR), North East DuPage Special Recreation Association (NEDSRA), Bolingbrook-Joliet SRA, Lincoln Way SRA, Tri-County SRA, PACT, Easter Seals, Little Friends, Open Door, FACES, Joliet Junior College, Will-Grundy Center for Independent Living, School Districts’ Special Needs PTA           

  • “Model IAPD General Use Ordinance”, IL Assn. of Park Districts Legal Symposium, 2010.
  • “SRA Building Policy – How to Get the Most Out of 2-Uncapped Cents”, IL Assn. of Park Districts Legal Symposium, 2008.
  • “Freedom of Information Act – the E-Mail Dilemma”, IL Assn. of Park Districts Legal Symposium, 1999.
  • “Criminal Background Checks for Employees and Volunteers”, IL Assn. of Park Districts Legal Symposium, 1997.
  • “Retaining and Using the Park District Attorney”, IL Park and Recreation Assn. Annual Conference, 1997.
  • “Park District Caselaw Update”, IL Park and Recreation Assn. Annual Conference, 1996.
  • “Overview of Illinois Highway Code”, Township Officials of Illinois Annual Conference, 1995.
  • “Real Property Taxation in DuPage County”, DuPage County Bar Assn. Tax Law Committee Seminar, 1995.
  • “Election Law”, Speer Financial, Inc., Referendum Planning Seminar, 1995.
  • “Park District Caselaw Update”, IL Park and Recreation Assn. Annual Conference, 1995.
  • “Open Meetings Act Update and Executive Session Procedures”, IL Assn. of Park Districts Legal Symposium, 1994.
  • “Illinois Freedom of Information Act”, Newly Elected Officials Seminar, DuPage Mayors and Managers Conference, 1993.
  • “Construction Surety Bonds”, IL Assn. of Park Districts Legal Symposium, 1992.
  • “Eminent Domain”, National Recreation and Park Assn. Congress, Baltimore, MD, 1991.

“Start working towards a solution to your legal needs.”

Brooks, Tarulis & Tibble, LLC
1733 Park Street, Suite 100
Naperville, Illinois 60563

630-355-2101 | info@napervillelaw.com | GET DIRECTIONS

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