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Asked and Answered
By John W. Olmstead, MBA, Ph.D, CMC
Q. I am a solo practitioner in Orlando, Florida with two secretaries and I am planning on merging my practice with another attorney in the same office location. He has three staff members. We have both been on our own for 20 years and have enjoyed our independence. We have decided that we want to setup an eat what you kill type of compensation system. We would appreciate your thoughts.
Illinois Supreme Court Justice Anne M. Burke announced today an application process for a vacancy in the Sixth Judicial Subcircuit of Cook County.
The vacancy was created by the resignation of Circuit Judge Robert Lopez Cepero, who served as a judge since 1994. Judge Cepero's resignation took effect January 6, 2016.
The Illinois Supreme Court has appointed Elizabeth A. Karkula as a Circuit Judge of Cook County, at Large. This appointment is effective Jan. 19, 2016 and terminates on Dec. 3, 2018. It was created by the death of the Hon. Jean Prendergast Rooney.
The Tenth Judicial Circuit judges have voted to select Alicia N. Washington as an associate judge of the Tenth Judicial Circuit.
Ms. Washington is a lifelong resident of Peoria. She received her undergraduate degree in 1995 from the University of Illinois in Champaign, Illinois, Master's Degree in 1997 from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois, and her Juris Doctor in 2001 from Michigan State University College of Law in Lansing, MI. Ms. Washington is currently an attorney with the Janssen Law Center. Prior to joining the Janssen Law Center, she worked as a staff attorney for Prairie State Legal Services, an organization that offers free legal services for low-income persons and senior citizens.
The swearing in for Ms. Washington will be held on Friday, January 29, 2016 at 3 p.m. at the Peoria County Courthouse. Supreme Court Justice Thomas L. Kilbride will preside.
ISBA Director of Legislative Affairs Jim Covington reviews legislation in Springfield of interest to ISBA members. This week he covers Perjury (House Bill 4400), New power of attorney section (House Bill 4327), Civil justice changes to bodily injury, death or property damage cases (House Bill 4426), Crime Victims Compensation Act (Senate Bill 2151), Civil justice changes (Senate Bill 2153) and Decriminalization of cannabis (House Bill 4357). More information on each bill is available below the video.
The following state and local bar associations have expressed unified and strong opposition to the American Bar Association’s Law Connect pilot program which was launched by the ABA in partnership with Rocket Lawyer on October 1, 2015. The ABA’s Law Connect Rocket Lawyer program provides online legal advice to small businesses operating in Pennsylvania, Illinois and California at a cost of $4.95 along with free advice for online follow-up questions.
In its October 1 press release announcing the program the ABA stated, “The new ABA service called Law Connect, will be an affordable way for small businesses in those states to get answers to fundamental legal questions. For $4.95 a small business owner or representative can ask a question online of an ABA-member lawyer as well as a follow-up question. Those interested in additional legal advice can discuss legal matters further in a lawyer-client relationship.” ABA President Paulette Brown stated, “ABA Law Connect is an exciting opportunity for the ABA and Rocket Lawyer to assist small businesses, connecting them with ABA members, and represents one of many efforts by the ABA to improve access to legal services.”
Asked and Answered
By John W. Olmstead, MBA, Ph.D, CMC
Q. I am the owner of a five attorney firm in Austin, Texas. My accounting/office manager has just advised me that she is resigning her position as a result of her husband's job being relocated. She is the best employee I have had the pleasure of working with and I am not sure where to start regarding finding her replacement. She will be hard to replace - not just her skills - but her manner, relationship with me and other members in the firm, clients, etc. She is truly a class act. I would appreciate any thoughts that you may have.
Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice Rita B. Garman (left) swore-in Springfield attorney Jennifer M. Ascher as a Sangamon County Associate Judge on Monday. Ms. Ascher was appointed to fill the vacancy created by the impending retirement of Associate Judge Steven H. Nardulli.
Ascher received her undergraduate degree in 1999 from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and her Juris Doctor in 2003 from Saint Louis University School of Law. She is currently a partner at Sorling Northrup, where she has practiced family law nearly exclusively for the past 12 years. During her tenure, she represented clients in Sangamon County and surrounding counties. She is a Springfield native where she resides with her family.
Ms. Ascher previously served as president of the Central Illinois Women’s Bar Association and the Sangamon County Bar Association.
The Judicial Council of the Seventh Circuit is seeking applicants for a bankruptcy judge position for the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. Applicants must also be willing to travel to other locations in the Seventh Circuit to handle cases as need arises. Interested applicants may obtain an application by accessing the Court of Appeals website at www.ca7.uscourts.gov. Persons interested in applying for this position should send their applications to:
United States Bankruptcy Judge Pamela Hollis of the Northern District of Illinois has applied to be reappointed by the United States Court of Appeals to a new 14-year term when her current term expires on January 26, 2017. A United States Bankruptcy Judge is a judicial officer of the United States District Court who exercises the authority of the district court with respect to any action, suit, or proceeding under Chapter 6 of Title 28 of the United States Code. 28 U.S.C. § 151.