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  • July 11, 2017 | ISBA News
    ISBA Files Complaint to Enjoin IDFPR Prosecution of Lawyers

    On July 11, 2017, the Illinois State Bar Association filed a complaint in the Circuit Court of Cook County to enjoin the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (“IDFPR”) from prosecuting Illinois licensed lawyers for submitting information about property values in advocating on behalf of clients in real estate tax assessment proceedings.

    In April, the IDFPR initiated administrative prosecutions of two Illinois licensed lawyers, alleging that in separate proceedings each had engaged in the unlicensed practice of real estate appraisal. The lawyers had filed briefs with the Property Tax Appeals Board and the DuPage County Board of Review, respectively, advocating a reduction in the assessed value of their clients’ property. Neither lawyer purported to submit an appraisal or act as an appraiser. The IDFPR’s administrative complaints sought “cease and desist” orders against the two lawyers as well as civil penalties not to exceed $25,000 per violation. 

    "Arguments based on property valuation are common in many legal fields and have long been typical of real estate tax assessment practice," said Thomas McNulty of Neal, Gerber & Eisenberg LLP, who along with Steven Pflaum is representing the ISBA in this case. "The ISBA believes that making such arguments on behalf of clients clearly constitutes the practice of law, does not entail the submission of an appraisal, and is well beyond the authority of the IDFPR to regulate."

    10 comments (Most recent July 14, 2017)
  • July 11, 2017 | ISBA News
    Open a Firm with Practice HQ

    We recently launched our new member benefit, Practice HQ. Organized by the lifecycle of a law practice, this one-stop microsite houses together high-quality practice information in one place. 

    Starting a new law firm can be one of the most exciting endeavors you will ever undertake, but it can also be scary as you navigate the process and face the unknown. After all, you must take into consideration everything from software to practice management to client services. For members at the beginning of a firm's lifecycle, Practice HQ offers valuable tools on how to get your firm up and running.

  • July 7, 2017 | ISBA News | Member Services
    Lawyer Referral Service Makes Over 1,000 Referrals in June

    The Illinois State Bar Association’s Lawyer Finder Service provides referrals to local lawyers Mondays through Fridays.  The Service makes referrals in a number of areas of law.  For the month of June 2017, there were a total of 1,015 calls.  ISBA helped people in need of legal services find lawyers in 33 areas of law. 

    Here are the results for June 2017:

  • July 6, 2017 | ISBA News | Member Services
    Boost Your Practice IQ at Practice HQ

    Our new member benefit, Practice HQ, is now live! In partnership with Affinity Consulting, we've developed this "one-stop microsite" for practice management and technology information. This wealth of resources was designed to help you practice smarter by housing high-quality practice information in one place. Within Practice HQ you'll find:

  • July 6, 2017 | Member Services | ISBA News
    July Savings from Tickets at Work

    July is for Theme Parks
    Summer is officially here and that means it's time to explore the nation's best theme parks. So much is happening at Walt Disney World, like the new Pandora - The World of Avatar, and TicketsatWork.com is offering an extra day free! This month, when you buy a 4-Day Magic Your Way Ticket with Park Hopper Option you'll get an extra day free. And, calling all LEGO lovers: Experience all things LEGO, including the explosive LEGOLAND Knight Lights this July, with 30% savings on LEGOLAND Florida tickets. If you're heading out west, stop by Knott's Berry Farm for more theme park fun — and save over 45 percent on tickets!

  • June 29, 2017 | ISBA News
    ISBA Board Seeks Candidates: Board of Governors, Area VIII - 3rd and 20th Circuits

    The ISBA Board of Governors will fill at its July 21, 2017 meeting a vacant Board of Governors position in Area VIII. This vacancy was created by the election of Dennis Orsey to the position of third vice president.

    Any member who wishes to be considered as a candidate for this position should communicate via email to kweaver@isba.org by Thursday, July 13, 2017. A brief biographical statement should be submitted with the communication. If there are questions, please contact the Executive Department at 800.252.8908 or kweaver@isba.org.

    All candidates will be informed of the Board of Governors action following the July 21st meeting.

  • June 29, 2017 | People | ISBA News
    David B. Sosin Assumes Office of 2nd Vice President

    David B. Sosin, a founding partner at the law firm Sosin, Arnold & Schoenbeck, Ltd. in Orland Park, Illinois, took over the post of 2nd vice president for the Illinois State Bar Association, in accordance with the organization’s rules of succession.

    Sosin was installed as the ISBA’s 3rd Vice President in 2016 following a state-wide election and served in that capacity for the past year prior to his elevation to the office of 2nd Vice President. As is the ISBA’s tradition, Sosin will serve as 2nd Vice President for the next year before taking on the role of 1st Vice President for one year, and then serve as President of the Board of Governors in 2019.

    In his practice, Sosin served at Village Attorney for the Village of Crestwood, Illinois, for more than 20 years, and concentrates his practice in commercial real estate and land use law. In addition to Illinois, he holds a license to practice law in Indiana and Wisconsin.

    “I’m very much looking forward to taking on the responsibilities of 2nd Vice President, and continuing my service to the Illinois State Bar Association and its members,” Sosin said recently. “Along with my clients, serving the needs of fellow attorneys is a very important part of my career.”

    Sosin earned a B.S. in Finance from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, and a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law in 1972.

  • June 28, 2017 | ISBA News
    ISBA-IBF to Host President’s Reception Honoring Vincent Cornelius

    Join the Board of Governors of the Illinois State Bar Association and the Board of Directors of the Illinois Bar Foundation for the President's Reception honoring Vincent F. Cornelius, ISBA president in 2016-2017.

  • June 28, 2017 | ISBA News | Member Services
    Please Renew Your Membership by Friday

    Thank you for being an ISBA member. Bar association dues for 2017-2018 are due by Friday, June 30, 2017.

    We hope you remember that ISBA offers a wide range of services designed to help you be productive and efficient. ISBA provides a services package valued at over $1,300. We recently added new services and will be adding more in the coming year.

    Renew now to continue uninterrupted access to your current membership benefits and take advantage of the exciting new offerings coming soon.

    NEW AND UPCOMING BENEFITS

    • IllinoisLawyerFinder, our new public-facing member directory
    • PracticeHQ, our new law practice management and technology web portal
    • ISBA Central, our soon-to-launch online discussion groups and communities

    CURRENT BENEFITS

    • Free Online CLE ($349 Value)
    • Fastcase: Free Online Legal Research ($995 Value)
    • Daily case digests and legal news via E-Clips
    • IllinoisBarDocs
    • Liability insurance via ISBA Mutual

    You can renew online, by invoice, or phone at (800) 252-8908.

    We look forward to continuing to serve you!

  • June 27, 2017 | ISBA News
    Petitions Filed for Vacant Assembly Seats in Cook County

    The ISBA will soon fill two vacant Assembly seats in Cook County. One Cook County seat has a one-year term and the other has a two-year term. Both terms begin immediately – the two-year vacancy will be filled first. Assembly members must reside in their circuit or district.

    In accordance with paragraph 3.8(a) of the ISBA's Policy and Procedures on Association Elections, ISBA is notifying members that Khara Coleman of Oak Park and Jill O’Brien of Chicago have filed nominating petitions to be elected to the two ISBA Assembly vacancies from Cook County.

    Any eligible ISBA member in Cook County wishing to be considered for these vacancies must submit a nominating petition to ISBA Executive Department by email to kweaver@isba.org, as described in the Policy and Procedures on Association Elections. This nominating petition must be submitted no later than July 13, 2017. You are asked to also forward the original Nominating Petition to the attention of ISBA Executive Department, 424 South Second Street, Springfield, Illinois 62701.

    According to the Policy, if no other candidates file a nominating petition, Ms. Coleman and Ms. O’Brien will be declared elected. If other nominating petitions are filed, the Board of Governors shall fill the seat from the candidates nominated.