Byline: Eileen O. Daday Daily Herald correspondent
A lawyer and trusted confidant to many Northwest suburban municipal officials, has passed away.
Peter Rosenthal was a managing partner of the Chicago law firm Rosenthal, Murphey, Coblentz & Donahue, and the village attorney for Rosemont for 30 years. He died Monday of complications from cancer. He was 60.
As an attorney for Rosemont, Mr. Rosenthal handled legal matters arising from Rosemont's ownership and operation of the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, the Allstate Arena and the Rosemont Theatre.
Rosemont Mayor Bradley Stephens says his father, the late Mayor Donald E. Stephens, worked closely with Mr. Rosenthal in developing the Village of Rosemont into a business, convention and entertainment center.
'He put us on the map and helped this community succeed,' Stephens says. 'He was always there when we needed him. I can't tell you how many times during staff meetings, we'd say, 'Send it to Peter.'
'His was a calming voice of reason,' Stephens adds, 'who stayed above the fray.'
Mr. Rosenthal was recognized for his expertise in tax increment financing and economic development, as well as aspects of municipal and school affairs, including zoning, civil rights and home rule powers.
However, he still loved to litigate.
Richard Ramello, an attorney with the Rosemont law firm of Storino, Ramello & Durkin, was a co-counsel with Mr. Rosenthal in a recent trial where they successfully defended six Rosemont public safety officers, and the Village of Rosemont, in a multimillion dollar federal civil action trial.
'It was a monthlong trial, dealing with the medical and mental health issues of the plaintiff,' Ramello says. 'Peter handled the expert witness testimony, and was well versed in the subjects. He did an excellent job.'
Over the years, Mr. Rosenthal served many municipal clients, including the Village of Fox River Grove, where he was the longtime attorney.
'I depended on him totally,' said Steve Tasch, former Fox River Grove president. 'Peter was the ultimate lawyer. He knew our village better than anyone and he became part of our community.'
Ironically, while he built his reputation helping to shape many Northwest suburban communities, Mr. Rosenthal was a product of the city. The Hyde Park native was the son of two University of Chicago professors.
His father, Robert Rosenthal, was curator of Special Collections, while his mother, Jane, was a linguist studying the Aztec language and an English professor.
Mr. Rosenthal attended the University of Pennsylvania, earning his undergraduate degree in 1971 and his law degree in 1975 from the University of Michigan Law School.
At the time of his death, he lived in Hyde Park with his wife, Gracemary, and three children, Alexander, Matthew and Eleanor.
Visitation will be held 3-9 p.m. Saturday at Blake-Lamb Funeral Home, 4727 W. 103rd St. in Oak Lawn, before an 11 a.m. funeral service Monday at the Rockefeller Memorial Chapel at the University of Chicago.
