In his duties as lead attorney and owner of R. Connor & Associates in Chicago, Illinois, Robert Heist handles matters such as corporate litigation and general liability. As a philanthropist, attorney Robert Heist supports the Appalachia Service Project (ASP).In 1969, minister Glenn “Tex” Evans saw a need for connecting young volunteers to poverty-stricken areas of Kentucky. ASP focuses on upgrading the substandard housing so common in Appalachia, and currently serves the mountain regions of North Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.Since its founding, ASP has brought in almost 400,000 volunteers to repair homes while building friendships across cultural and economic differences. The group has improved almost 18,000 homes, carrying out a variety of tasks such as fixing roofs, stairs, and plumbing. Other jobs include shoring up foundations and constructing flood channels.ASP accepts volunteers with a range of work experience, matching assignments to skill levels. A typical week consists of devotions, meals, work, and evening entertainment. The project is open to anyone at least 14 years old, and 13-year-olds who have finished eighth grade. Volunteers may bring their own tools or use those provided by ASP.
Attorney Robert Heist studied criminal justice at the University of Illinois prior to receiving his JD from the John Marshall Law School in Chicago. He then continued on to complete his MBA at the Lake Forest Graduate School of Management as well as various corporate director programs at the Harvard Business School. In 2001 he founded the business law firm R. Conner & Associates, which he continues to oversee. Although Robert Heist is admitted to serve as an attorney before multiple Illinois courts as well as the Supreme Court of the United States, he still finds time to enjoy sailing.Because sailing is a fairly complicated endeavor, up-to-date skills can make the difference between an enjoyable afternoon sail, and a frustrating one. A review of your current skills to be sure you are prepared may include the following:1. Review steering with the sails. The unintended loss of your rudder can make the ability to steer your boat with the sails invaluable.
2. Practice setting a reaching, or outboard, lead. The jib sheet may lead you to a situation in which a reaching lead becomes necessary.
3. Practice hooking up to a mooring and also setting anchor, as free moorings may not always be reliable.
4. Review trimming sail to be sure you are comfortable slowing down when the wind comes up. Familiarize yourself with the tools at hand for sail trim.
5. Practice putting in a reef. It will make for a more comfortable experience for your onboard guests.
6. Review and practice how to furl your headsail, an important skill in keeping your boat upright.
7. Set up the whisker pole on a trial run before setting sail. It can be difficult, and so is more easily accomplished if practiced.
Over the course of his career as an attorney, Robert Heist has established himself as a skilled litigator in areas such as product liability, employment practices, and directors and officers liability. Since founding the Chicago, Illinois-based business law firm R. Connor and Associates in 2001, Robert Heist has expanded his operations as an attorney to include additional areas of law, including family law.In the state of Illinois, individuals interested in quickly initiating marital dissolution proceedings can begin by filing for a no-fault divorce. While divorce represents a legally complex, emotionally trying time for the parties involved, no-fault divorces are relatively straightforward, particularly for spouses who have been living apart for a minimum of six months and who both agree upon the divorce. If only one spouse wishes to pursue a no-fault divorce, then that individual must have lived separately from his or her spouse for at least two years.In certain scenarios, it may be more prudent for a spouse to state grounds for the divorce. Individuals should consult with a respected family law attorney in the state to determine whether a no-fault divorce is the better option. Legal professionals can also help spouses review the wide range of just causes for divorce, from felony convictions to knowingly exposing one’s spouse to a sexually transmitted disease. For more information regarding divorce in Illinois, please contact a family law professional.
Since 2001, Illinois-based attorney Robert Heist has served as the president and chief executive officer of R. Connor & Associates, P.C. There, he provides legal counsel for corporate entities with a focus on negotiations, commercial litigation, and other workplace issues. In addition to his responsibilities as an attorney, Robert Heist has served as a director and manager with the Hershey Trust Company/Milton Hershey Schools and as chair of the nominating and governance committee. In order to better serve these roles, Mr. Heist holds membership in organizations such as the National Association of Corporate Directors.The National Association of Corporate Directors works to empower and prepare directors to lead corporate boards in an effective and confident way. The organization offers a number of services to help boards achieve peak performance:- Evaluations consist of reviews of a board and member’s core competencies. Critical insight, feedback, and data is presented. At the conclusion of evaluations, experienced directors offer recommendations regarding skill-building activities and board composition.- Programs and consultation services cover a number of topics that boards can review together. Some topics include board effectiveness, dynamics, composition, culture, cyber risk, innovation, and strategic planning. - Benchmarking services help boards determine how they compare to their peers in governance. The benchmarks are for the purpose of strengthening the board, increasing sustainable profits, and driving shareholder value. Detailed reports are provided to the board that are specifically tailored to a company’s industry, size, and amount of yearly revenue.- Board recruitment services are provided to help boards determine the type of candidate they need for open positions and to find the right individual to fill those positions.
