Portera accepts appointments to Arlington Heights groups

SCHAUMBURG - Lavelle Law attorney Frank Portera has accepted two key appointments to serve the community in Arlington Heights. He was recently invited to serve on the board of directors for Gerry's Cafe, a planned coffee shop that will employ adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In addition, Portera has been appointed to serve on the Arlington Heights Zoning Board of Appeals.

Portera, a graduate of Marquette University and Marquette's Law School, devotes most of his practice at Lavelle Law to clients in the business, real estate and bankruptcy practice groups.

"The most rewarding part of my practice is gaining clients' trust through hard work and obtaining favorable results in forming, maintaining and growing their businesses," Portera said. "I hope to apply that same approach to Gerry's Cafe and the board of appeals."

Gerry's Cafe is in the midst of raising funds to open a coffee shop where all people with different abilities will be included and celebrated. The nonprofit organization has built a strong group of supporters in Arlington Heights who are working to meet the goals established by founders Natalie Griffin and Amy Philpot.

The Arlington Heights Zoning Board of Appeals reviews all requests for zoning variations for projects that are not already being reviewed by the community's plan commission.