Judge Jack B. Schmetterer (1931-2021). Fiercely dedicated public servant. Judge. Mentor. Veteran. History, philosophy, Shakespeare, and current events junkie. Citizen. A Force. Born in Oak Park, Illinois. Yale University (1952). Yale Law School (1955). U.S. Attorney's Office (1963-1970) (Chief, Civil Division and First Assistant U.S. Attorney), First Assistant State's Attorney (1972-1974), and U.S. Bankruptcy Judge (1985-2021). Trustees for the Village of Northbrook and North Shore Mass Transit District. Led and supported a wide array of civic and community organizations. Prosecuted the first school desegregation case in the north. Field Observer for the 1968 Democratic National Convention. Prosecuted voter fraud, environmental violations, and civil rights cases against officers arising out of DNC violence. Revamped felony review and subpoena procedures to ensure thoroughness and fairness. Introduced new federal prosecutors to the words and admonition of Justice Robert Jackson that a prosecutor's ability to curtail life, liberty, and reputation demands the work be done with respect for constitutional safeguards and in the service of justice, not one's career. As a Bankruptcy Judge, had attorneys read Franz Kafka's The Trial, as a reminder of the need for transparency in the justice system. Honored by the Decalogue Society with its inaugural Ilana D. Rovner Lifetime Achievement Award (2018). Devoted husband to Joan (died 1998) and Barbara Friedman. Devoted father to Laura (Mark Thill), Mark (Sher Rainey), and Ken (Nancee Siegel). Grandfather of nine amazing grandchildren, and a great-grandson. He will be missed. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Just The Beginning - A Pipeline Organization, www.jtb.org. Graveside service (also live-streamed) Friday Dec 10, 1:00 PM at Shalom Memorial Park, 1700 W. Rand Road, Arlington Heights. For additional information and a link to view the service online, visit Shalom Memorial Funeral Home, www.shalom2.com, 847-255-3520.

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Published by Chicago Tribune from Dec. 8 to Dec. 9, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for Jack Schmetterer

6 Entries

Christophe' de' la' Mar Chapman, III, AHO, ISBC, ADOC, Ph.ESD

December 2, 2022

Honorable Jack B. Schmetterer was my judicial hero! Other than the Late Thurgood Marshall of the Supreme Court no other jurist has had such a life-changing impact on my life than Judge Schmetterer. As a pro se litigant, and a Judge Schmetterer protégé for 35 years, Judge Schmetterer found me to be the "best sole practitioner to ever come before the Federal Court." Judge Schmetterer's keen observation has opened countless doors for my family and me. The Government reported that I earn $42.50, per minute as a "Prolific Litigator" in litigation management, and liability mitigation without spending a single day in law school. As an empirical Legist, I will forever be an alumnus of "the Chicago Ways and Means School of Law," Jack B. Schmetterer Campus. His Courtroom was a laboratory for justice. He personally refused to allow me to be racially persecuted in a politically corrupted Chicago Courthouse. Judge Schmetterer coached me to greatness. I litigate at the top two percent where the government, banks, and insurance companies win 98 percent of their cases. Thanks to Judge Schmetterer, my gifted legal ability knows no defeat! As an Anointed Disciple of Christ, I Praise God for this life-changing Saint of a Man!
~ Christophe' de' la'mar Chapman, III, Hinsdale, Illinois

Lamar C. Chapman III

January 6, 2022

Another Soldier Has Gone Home! Judge Schmetterer was much more than a Federal Judge to me! He was a judicial guardian, for this "Prolific Pro Se Litigator." Judge Schmetterer grew me up in the Chicago Federal Court. It is my honor to have been tutored, disciplined, sanctioned, and finally acknowledged by Judge Schmetterer to be "The Best Sole Practitioner to Ever Come Before the Federal Court" by this distinguished Jurist and godly human being. Judge Schmetterer allowed me to learn the empirical practice of law in his courtroom. In 1978, I first appeared before Judge Schmetterer, representing myself as a stockholder for my company that had to file bankruptcy as a result of a default judgment, due to legal malpractice of corporate attorney. Legally overpowered by well-compensated creditor attorneys Judge Schmetterer leveled the playing field and refused to allow the resentful attorneys to have their way with me. I won my case and regained control of my company! Continuing to litigate to put my life back in order, I hung around Judge Schmetterer's courtroom and the Chicago Federal Court for the next forty-one uninterrupted years. I now earn $42.50 per minute as a "Prolific Litigator". Judge Schmetterer published in one of his numerous opinions that "I win because I have the lowest cost in the legal industry." Judge Schmetterer's word was like gold in any federal court. As a result of Judge Schmetterer's verified opinion regarding my learned legal ability, a headhunter for the world's largest fast-food hamburger chain asked me to interview for its Chief Legal Officer. Judge Schmetterer was god-sent! My life has been legally challenging. However, my blessings as a result of my personal scholastic intercourse with Judge Schmetterer are too numerous to name. I was before Judge Schmetterer when he put the lights out in his courtroom to be at his daughter Laura's side when she was giving birth to Judge Schmetterer's first grandchild. Reminding Judge Schmetterer of that day, Judge Schmetterer allowed me to have time from Court to be at my daughter's side after she was injured in a near-fatal auto accident! I will never forget Judge Schmetterer. When Law Professors and Federal Judges inquire about my "learned" legal skills, I proudly say, that I am an Alumnus of the Dirksen School of Law and tenured protege of the Most Honorable Jack B. Schmetterer. That will never change! God Bless the Schmetterer Family. May Judge Schmetterer Rest in Peace. Eternally Yours, Christophe' de la' Mar Chapman, III, AHO, ISBC, ADOC, OLLA, Ph. ESD

Barry Schiff , first cousin, son of Joseph and Lillian Schiff

December 19, 2021

My condolences to all.

Paul & Marilyn Kayman

December 9, 2021

Sending our deepest sympathy to the family of a great man and judge---

Richard G Larsen

December 9, 2021

Rest in peace to a a fine Bankruptcy judge who demanded the best of all, and whose impact on the court was immeasurable. My condolences to his family.
Richard G. Larsen

Sharon Oran Goodman

December 6, 2021

My condolences to the Schmetterer and Friedman families. May Jack´s memory be a blessing.

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