WRITING RESOURCE CENTER: STAFF BIOGRAPHIES

Lurene Contento, Director
Room 611
312-427-2737 Ext. 653
9Content@jmls.edu

Lurene is a licensed attorney who earned her J.D. magna cum laude from The John Marshall Law School. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English Literature from Loyola University, where she graduated summa cum laude. She has been advising in the Writing Resource Center since 2001 and began directing the Center in 2005. She also teaches Writing for the Practice of Law, a course designed to help students write under extreme time pressure, and SCALES Legal Writing, a course for conditionally admitted students.  Prior to teaching at The John Marshall Law School, Lurene worked in a general practice law firm, researching and writing on a wide range of legal topics. Lurene has presented and published legal writing tips for professionals and is a regular attendee at both local and international writing conferences. Lurene is dedicated to The John Marshall Law School and its students. She brings enthusiasm, experience, and empathy to the Writing Resource Center and welcomes students to use the Center for all their writing needs.

Alice Burke, Advisor
Room 613
312-427-2737 Ext. 588
ABurke@jmls.edu

Alice is a magna cum laude graduate of the Georgetown University Law Center. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree, magna cum laude, in English and History from Mississippi University for Women. Alice practiced management-side labor and employment law for twelve years -- first in private practice and then as a corporate attorney. She has litigated employment-related cases and counseled clients in a number of settings and has also developed and delivered employment-related training to a wide variety of audiences. During her years of practice, Alice has written countless position papers, briefs, memoranda, and other documents. She thinks that writing is one of the most important (and one of the best!) parts of practicing law. Alice enjoys sharing her experience and love of writing with The John Marshall Law School community.

Jeanne Lamar, Advisor
Room 602
312-427-2737 Ext. 577
6Lamar@jmls.edu

Jeanne received her J.D. cum laude from the University of Iowa College of Law. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and English from the University of Iowa, graduating magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa. As a member of the Illinois Bar and the Federal Trial Bar, Jeanne worked at a large Chicago firm where her litigation practice was concentrated in the areas of product liability, insurance defense, and coverage matters. Following thirteen years of private practice, Jeanne spent seven years working with non-profit organizations, writing government and private sector grants, assisting in strategic planning, and counseling clients on employment issues.

Caryn Suder, Advisor
Room 612
312-427-2737 Ext. 542
6Suder@jmls.edu

Caryn Suder earned her J.D. from Loyola University. She holds a bachelor’s degree in nursing, summa cum laude, also from Loyola University. After earning her law degree, she worked at a mid-sized firm where she concentrated in medical malpractice defense. She then worked in healthcare risk management, and wrote for and edited a variety of publications for a medical malpractice insurance carrier. Caryn has taught legal skills to both law students and paralegal students since 1998. She brings years of experience helping students of all levels improve their writing ability.