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  • October 18, 2018 | Practice News
    Quick Takes on Illinois Supreme Court Opinions Issued Thursday, October 18

    The Illinois Supreme Court handed down seven opinions on Thursday, October 18. The court affirmed that the warrantless use of a drug-detection dog at a man’s apartment door violated his Fourth Amendment rights in People v. Bonilla, reversed the appellate court’s judgment vacating a man’s sentences and remanding for resentencing for a murder conviction in People v. Harris, upheld a circuit court’s decision to seal two motions filed by a defendant facing murder charges in People v. Zimmerman, and affirmed a defendant’s conviction for unlawful delivery of a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a church in People v. Newton. The supreme court also reversed a circuit court’s decision to dismiss eminent domain complaints against landowners in Ameren Transmission Company of Illinois v. Hutchings, considered the meaning of the phrase “unable to satisfy any judgment” in Cassidy v. China Vitamins, LLC, and affirmed a circuit court’s order dismissing claims against an insurance company in American Family Mutual Insurance Company v. Krop.

  • October 17, 2018 | Practice News
    Best Practice Tips: The Focused Law Firm

    Asked and Answered 

    By John W. Olmstead, MBA, Ph.D, CMC

    Q. I am part of a three-member management committee. We have a 25-attorney firm located in the greater Washington D.C. area. We specialize in governmental law. We are feeling that our committee and the firm spend a lot of time in meetings discussing management problems and strategies to no avail. Not much changes or gets implemented. I welcome your comments.

  • October 15, 2018 | Practice News
    Debts, Secret Tax Liens, and Other Estate Traps

    In October’s Illinois Bar Journal, Derek M. Johnson discusses the challenges a decedent’s estate may face if it owes federal income taxes, which may take priority over other claims and expenses, especially when the estate is insolvent. Understanding how and when to pay an estate’s taxes in relation to its other obligations is critical, Johnson advises. In his article, “Debts, Secret Tax Liens, and Other Estate Traps,” Johnson considers options and preventive measures when determining whether taxes are owed by decedents and their estates in probate.

  • October 10, 2018 | Practice News
    Best Practice Tips: Law Firm Merger as an Exit Strategy for Sole Owners

    Asked and Answered 

    By John W. Olmstead, MBA, Ph.D, CMC

    Q. I am the owner of a small general practice firm in Novato, Calif. I have three associates working in the firm, three legal assistants, and one office manager/bookkeeper. I started my practice 35 years ago right out of law school. I am 60 years old and wanting to retire within the next five years. None of my associates have the ability or the desire to take over the firm. I believe that my best option is to sell my practice to another practitioner or join another firm through a merger or other arrangement. I would appreciate your ideas regarding merging with another firm and how I would be compensated and receive payment for the goodwill value of my firm.

  • October 9, 2018 | Practice News
    PILI to Fund $309,000 in Public Interest Law Student Internship Grants in 2019

    PILI will grant $309,000 to fund 60 law student interns at 28 public interest law organizations across Illinois during the 2018-19 academic year and the summer of 2019.

    PILI’s Law Student Internship Program connects law students from across the country with public interest law agencies in Illinois and pays them for their work.

  • October 8, 2018 | Practice News
    False, Misleading, and Worth Your Attention

    In August, the American Bar Association’s House of Delegates approved changes to its Model Rules of Professional Conduct concerning advertising. In October’s Illinois Bar Journal, ISBA General Counsel Charles Northrup, in light of the ABA’s decision, revisits the fundamental principle set out in Illinois Rule of Professional Conduct (IRPC) 7.1 — that lawyers may not make false or misleading communications about themselves, their practices, or their services. Given the ABA’s recent action, Northrup suggests revisiting this fundamental principle is worthwhile.

  • October 3, 2018 | Practice News
    Spotlight on Pro Bono: Celebrate Pro Bono Week October 21-27

    By Michael G. Bergmann

    Coordinated by the American Bar Association’s Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service, Pro Bono Week is intended to inspire even greater pro bono participation by lawyers throughout the nation. This initiative provides an opportunity for legal organizations across the country to collaboratively commemorate the vitally important contributions of America’s lawyers and to recruit and train the many additional volunteers required to meet the growing demand. The Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service undertook this initiative to provide a format for showcasing the incredible difference that pro bono lawyers make to our nation, to our system of justice, to our communities and, most of all, to the clients they serve. For more information, visit www.celebrateprobono.org.

  • October 3, 2018 | Practice News
    Best Practice Tips: Small Law Firm Financial Performance Indicators

    Asked and Answered 

    By John W. Olmstead, MBA, Ph.D, CMC

    Q. I am the owner of an estate planning firm in Milwaukee, Wis. I have five associates and four paralegals working in the firm. More of my time is spent on managing the practice and marketing than on servicing clients. I am trying to develop financial goals for the firm, but I am clueless as to what financial indicators or ratios I should be looking at and what constitutes good or bad performance. Anything that you are willing to share would be appreciated.

  • October 3, 2018 | Practice News
    Lawyers’ Assistance Program Opens Kane/DuPage County Office

    In response to the growing need for Lawyers’ Assistance Program (LAP) services in the collar counties and beyond, the non-profit organization has opened an office in Kane County.

    People seeking assistance can schedule an appointment to meet with Dr. Diana Uchiyama, a licensed psychologist and lawyer.

    LAP is an organization that helps Illinois lawyers, judges, law students, and their families concerned about alcohol abuse, drug dependency, or stress-related issues like anxiety, burnout, depression, and many others. Services include individual and group therapy, assessments, education, peer support, and intervention.

  • October 1, 2018 | Practice News
    Illinois Supreme Court Updates Rules of Evidence

    The Illinois Supreme Court updated the Illinois Rules of Evidence on Sept. 28, including provisions that provide guidance for evidence derived from electronic sources.

    Amendments to Rules 803(6), 803(7), and 803(8) clarify that the burden of showing “lack of trustworthiness” is on the party-opponent.