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  • May 18, 2016 | Practice News
    Best Practice: Should capital contributions be required for new equity partners?
    Asked and Answered By John W. Olmstead, MBA, Ph.D, CMC Q. I am the sole owner of a 25-attorney litigation boutique firm in Los Angeles. I am the only equity partner with nine non-equity partners and 15 associates. I am concerned that if I don't provide a path to equity partnership, some of my senior talent may gradually defect to other firms or split off to create their own firms. I also believe that providing a path to equity partner for deserving non-equity partners is the right thing to do. Therefore, I am planning on admitting two non-equity members this year. Should I require capital contributions?
  • May 17, 2016 | Practice News
    Department of Justice has 5 openings in Chicago for Assistant U.S. Attorney
    The Northern District of Illinois, Chicago Office is accepting applications for Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) openings in its Criminal Division in Chicago, Illinois. The applicant selected will represent the U.S. Government as an AUSA in a wide range of unique and complex cases. Required qualifications: Applicants must possess a J.D. degree, be an active member of the bar (any jurisdiction), and have at least 2 years post-J.D. experience. Preferred qualifications: Excellent academics, significant litigation experience, criminal law experience (for our Criminal Division), strong legal writing skills, and a demonstrated commitment to public service. United States citizenship is required.
  • May 16, 2016 | ISBA News | Member Services
    Congratulations to the winner of the Beats headphones from Go Next!
    Congratulations to David Saltiel for winning the Beats Studio Wireless Headphones from ISBA travel partner Go Next. Over 1,300 members participated in this contest. Don't forget to visit our Member Appreciation Month website for upcoming promotions.
  • May 13, 2016 | CLE
    CLE: Developments in Illinois Insurance Law: 2015 in Review and a Look Forward – Live Webcast
    Don’t miss this opportunity to keep apprised of all major Illinois insurance case law developments, as well as a look forward as we continue through 2016. Attorneys working in the insurance law arena who attend this online seminar on June 2, 2016 will gain a better understanding of automobile insurance developments, changes to commercial insurance coverage, the various forms of life and health insurance coverage, and recent developments with additional insureds. The seminar is presented by the ISBA Insurance Law Section and qualifies for 2.25 hours MCLE credit. Click here for more information and to register.
  • May 12, 2016 | Practice News
    ISBA Statehouse Review for May 12, 2016
    ISBA Director of Legislative Affairs Jim Covington reviews legislation in Springfield of interest to ISBA members. This week he covers IMDMA cleanup (House Bill 3898), Illinois Administrative Procedure Act (Senate Bill 323), Cannabis civil penalties (Senate Bill 2228), Limited Liability Company Act (House Bill 4361), Income shares and child support (House Bill 3982), Land Trust Beneficiary Rights Act (House Bill 4697) and Trust law (Senate Bill 2842). More information on each bill is available below the video.
    2 comments (Most recent June 3, 2016)
  • May 12, 2016 | Events
    Women’s Bar Association of Illinois to host 102nd Annual Installation Dinner
    The Women’s Bar Association of Illinois (WBAI) will kick off a new term of office on Wednesday, June 8, 2016, during its 102nd Annual Installation Dinner at the Chicago Hilton Towers, located at 720 S. Michigan Avenue. The event will feature keynote speaker Mary Cranston and presentation of the Myra Bradwell Woman of Achievement Award to Chief Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court Rita B. Garman.  The Annual Dinner serves as one of the largest annual celebrations within the Chicago legal community, with over 700 judges, attorneys, corporate supporters and prominent community leaders in attendance each year.  The cocktail reception begins at 5:00 p.m. with dinner to follow at 6:00 p.m. 
  • May 12, 2016
    No more suing prisoners for room and board?
    A bill that would prohibit Illinois from suing prison inmates to recover the cost of their incarceration passed the Senate last month. SB 2465 is sponsored by Senator Daniel Biss of Evanston. In October 2015, the Illinois Bar Journal reported on the practice of funding the government with fees and fines collected from criminals. Suing prisoners for their costs is even more unfair, according to some observers. Unlike fines, which are tied to the crime itself, fees for things like inmate room and board are designed to raise revenue. According to an article from the Brennan Center for Justice, the mean annual state corrections expenditure in 2010 was $28,323 per inmate. Find out more about the problem and the proposed legislation in the May IBJ.
    2 comments (Most recent May 12, 2016)
  • May 11, 2016 | Practice News
    DuPage County accepting applications for associate judge vacancy
    Authorization pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court Rule 39 has been received by the Chief Judge of the 18th Judicial Circuit to post a notice of vacancy for associate judge. The associate judge position is the result of the resignation of Associate Judge Jane Hird Mitton effective July 4, 2016. Applications are now being accepted for this vacancy which will be filled by vote of the Circuit judges of the 18th Judicial Circuit.
  • May 11, 2016 | Practice News
    Quick Takes for Your Practice: What you need to know about qualified domestic relations orders
    Attorney Kathleen Curtin discusses what you need to know about qualified domestic relations orders.
  • May 11, 2016 | Practice News
    Best Practice: What to do if you're losing clients
    Asked and Answered By John W. Olmstead, MBA, Ph.D, CMC Q. I am a member of our firm's executive committee. We are a 16-attorney business transactional firm in Seattle. Recently the firm has lost several key clients and we want to know what we can do determine why this happened and what we can do to improve client retention. I would appreciate your suggestions.