R.F. WITTMEYER, LTD.
Personal Injury Law
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT: Hey Nonny Songwriter Contest – Fall 2025
STRIKING THE RIGHT CHORD AT THE FOURTH ANNUAL HEY NONNY SONGWRITING CONTEST
As the old saying goes, “Where words fail, music speaks.” That spirit was alive and well at the fourth annual Hey Nonny Songwriting Contest, a celebration of creativity, storytelling, and the local music scene.
This year marked the fourth year our firm proudly sponsored the contest, and it proved to be another unforgettable season. Dozens of talented songwriters shared original music, bringing fresh voices, styles, and energy to the stage throughout every round of competition.
No contest would be complete without prizes. The first-place winner received $1,000 and a featured performance spot at Hey Nonny, while second and third place winners took home $400 and $300 respectively. Finalists also received trophies to commemorate their achievement.
Finalists from the Preliminary Rounds:
- Round 1: Risa Kopp & her daughter (“Night Likes to Hold On”), The Black and Blue Hearts (“Heart Burn Blues”), Bruce Wilson II (“Sunset”), and Nick Stuart (“Witch Hazel and Wildflowers”)
- Round 2: Dave Barrett (“Dance With Me”), Brandon Reisdorf (“The Worst Way We Could Go”), Aaron Newsome (“Dead Animal Bar”), and Emily Barnes (“Comets”)
- Round 3: Val Leventhal (“Fine Red Wine”), Mike Flood (“Scared to Be Brave”), Aiden Burke (“Moments”), and Blue Rose (“Life Is Short”)
The competition built to an exciting final round where the top three performers were crowned.
2025 Winners:
- First Place: Emily Barnes – “Comets”
- Second Place: Brandon Reisdorf – “The Worst Way We Could Go”
- Third Place: Val Leventhal – “Fine Red Wine”
Each songwriter brought a unique voice and story to the stage. We left the event humming new favorites and were reminded why we continue supporting this contest year after year. The talent, creativity, and enthusiastic audience support inspire us to continue partnering with Hey Nonny and supporting the songwriting community.
We hope our involvement in the Hey Nonny Songwriting Contest motivates songwriters to continue creating, exploring new musical ideas, and sharing their art with the community.
A MESSAGE FROM OUR FOUNDER
Watching our team settle into the new “west wing” of our Arlington Heights office has been a reminder of how much our firm has grown over the years. When we first moved into our office space in 2017, we were a team of nine. Today, we are proud to have 37 dedicated professionals serving our clients.
That growth journey began in many ways through involvement in the Northwest Suburban Bar Association and later through coaching with Atticus Advantage. Those experiences reinforced the value of continuous improvement, a mindset that continues to shape how we operate our practice today.
When we first moved into our office, we relied heavily on paper files. Today, we are fully digital, streamlining workflows and improving efficiency through modern systems and technology. While systems matter, the true strength of our firm has always been our people.
Work should be meaningful, enjoyable, and rewarding. We are proud of the supportive culture our team has created while continuing to deliver exceptional care to our clients.
As highlighted throughout this newsletter, our recent firm picnic at Busse Woods reflected the strong relationships that extend beyond the office. Through events like these, along with our newsletters and social media, we hope our clients and community continue getting to know the people who make our firm special.
Most importantly, we remain deeply grateful to our past and present clients for trusting us with their personal injury matters. It is a responsibility and privilege we never take lightly.
Ron Wittmeyer, Managing Attorney
RFW FIRM FAMILY PICNIC
As summer began winding down, our team gathered together for the annual RFW Firm Family Picnic. Colleagues, spouses, children, grandchildren, parents, grandparents, and even a few dogs joined in the festivities at Grove 27 in Busse Woods.
We were especially excited to welcome members of our Kenosha office who traveled to Arlington Heights to celebrate with the team. With beautiful weather and plenty of activities, it was the perfect opportunity to relax, reconnect, and enjoy time together outside the office.
The potluck-style picnic gave everyone a chance to showcase their cooking skills, while the ice cream sundae bar quickly became a favorite attraction for kids and adults alike.
Of course, no picnic would be complete without a little friendly competition. Children enjoyed games like ladder ball and bozo buckets, while adults competed in a 12-team corn hole tournament. After several exciting rounds, Ron and Jen claimed the championship title against Larry and Lisa.
The afternoon also featured a water balloon toss and egg toss competition led by Ron with his trademark enthusiasm. Ann and Jen won the egg toss, while Lisa and Ralph took home the water balloon toss title.
Events like these remind us how fortunate we are to work alongside people we truly enjoy spending time with. The annual picnic continues to be one of the highlights of the year, and we are already looking forward to next summer’s celebration.
ATTORNEY SPOTLIGHT: Paula Candea
Attorney Paula Candea
For Paula, the pursuit of justice has always been deeply personal. Growing up in a family that immigrated from formerly communist Romania, she often heard stories from her parents about the injustices they endured during that time.
“From a young age, I cared deeply about fairness and felt a responsibility to confront injustice,” Paula shared. “We are blessed to live in a country that allows for remedies when wrongs occur.”
That passion led her to become a felony prosecutor, advocating for victims facing difficult circumstances and helping them seek justice. Today, she continues that mission by representing injured clients and standing up to powerful insurance companies.
“The setting may be different, but my mission is the same: to stand up for those who need it most,” she explained.
Outside the office, Paula values spending quality time with her family and maintaining balance in everyday life. Whether it’s enjoying an early morning coffee while reading, exercising, or attending her monthly book club, she believes taking care of herself helps her better care for others.
Inspired by the book There’s No Such Thing as Bad Weather by Linda Åkeson McGurk, Paula and her family embrace outdoor activities year-round and focus on being present in every moment, even when life gets messy.
When reflecting on what inspires her professionally, Paula points to truth-tellers — individuals who speak honestly and courageously even when doing so is difficult.
“Their courage has profoundly shaped how I see my role as an attorney,” she said. “Being a truth-teller does not mean being harsh or inflexible. It means approaching difficult conversations with humanity, strength, compassion, and respect.”
Paula is especially energized by the opportunity to continue sharpening her writing and litigation skills while learning alongside talented colleagues who inspire her to grow every day.