Community Involvement is Important to These Lawyers

When they’re not involved in the courtroom or other legal processes, the attorneys at Franks Gerkin Ponitz Greeley find time to be an active part of the Marengo community.

“Being involved in the community is one thing that Mr. (Herb) Franks has always stressed with everyone at the firm,” said attorney and FGPG Law Partner Joseph Ponitz. “All of our attorneys are active in the community, from coaching children’s sports to serving on boards.”

Senior FGPG Law partner Jack Franks has represented the citizens of the 63rd District for more than 16 years as a member of the Illinois House of Representatives. Partner Steven Greely Jr. is chairman of the McHenry County Historic Preservation Commission, while attorney David Montenegro is on the board of directors for Turning Point of McHenry County where he is an advocate against domestic violence. In 2004, FGPG Law partner Peggy Gerkin established the charitable organization CASA of McHenry County and was a key board member for years.

Ponitz is a member of the Cosmopolitan Club of Boone County, and is a board member of the McHenry County Youth Services Bureau. A six-year cancer survivor, Ponitz has volunteered with Healing Pathways Cancer Research Foundation.

Ponitz was also member of the Boone County Law Explorers and coordinator of Illinois Adopt-A-Highway, where volunteers remove roadside litter.

“We have a 2-mile stretch in front of the office we do a couple of times a year,” Ponitz said.

FGPG Law also participates in the McHenry County Fair’s livestock auction and sponsors the Marengo County High School Band, the Marengo/Harvard Castle Challenge and Mozart Festival.

“I think it’s important to give back to the community,” Ponitz said. “It’s something that when I first joined the firm Herb was always involved in. It comes from the top down.”