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  • May 7, 2013 | ISBA News | Member Services
    Illinois Lawyer Finder results for April 2013
    The Illinois State Bar Association's Lawyer Finder service connects consumers to Illinois lawyers - by phone Mondays through Fridays, and around the clock at illinoislawyerfinder.com.Here are the results for April 2013:683 phone referrals made by Lawyer Finder staffMost requested areas of law: Family (117), Employment Law (75), Personal Injury (78), Criminal Law (68), Real Estate (66), Civil Disputes (51)24,285 visits to IllinoisLawyerFinder.com (21,431 unique visitors)635 clicks to Find a Lawyer (from campaign landing pages only)898 unique calls to Find a LawyerTop 3 online topics: Employment Law, General/Find a Lawyer, DivorceWant to be part of the ISBA Lawyer Finder Service? Call (800) 252-8908 and ask for the Legal Department, or visit www.illinoislawyerfinder.comClients should call (800) 922-8757.
  • May 7, 2013 | ISBA News
    Jacksonville Detective receives Law Enforcement Award
    ISBA Executive Director Robert E. Craghead (left) presents Jacksonville Detective Brad Rogers with the ISBA’s Law Enforcement Award at a ceremony on May 1 at the Illinois State Police Training Academy in Springfield. Also pictured is Morgan County Circuit Judge Chris Reif, who nominated detective Rogers for the award.The ISBA’s Law Enforcement Award was created to recognize sworn law enforcement officers for conduct that promotes justice and to distinguish those individuals whose service to the public brings honor and respect to the entire criminal justice system.
  • May 6, 2013 | ISBA News
    Cornelius wins 3rd VP and full results 2013 ISBA election
    Here is the Tellers report for the 2013 ISBA election:CONTESTED RACES (winners in bold)Third Vice-President – 1 to be electedVincent F. Cornelius, Wheaton   2,016Carl R. Draper, Springfield           1,592Board of Governors – Cook County – 4 to be electedDeane Beth Brown, Chicago                  434   Al Durkin, Chicago                              599   Karen McNulty Enright, Chicago           731   Celia Gamrath, Chicago                       851   Mark L. Karno, Chicago                         416             Pamela J. Kuzniar, Chicago                    372   Pamela Sakowicz Menaker, Wilmette      464       Timothy E. Moran, Chicago                             439   J. Damian Ortiz, Chicago                       343David Sosin, Orland Park                     567   Board of Governors – Area 2 (Circuits 17, 19 and 22) – 1 to be electedCheri N. Greenlee, Rockford                  108Elizabeth M. Rochford, Lake Forest       150Mark W. Simons, Waukegan                    50
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  • May 3, 2013 | CLE
    CLE: Staying Out of Trouble: Avoiding Sexual Misconduct and Mismanagement of Client Money
    Don’t miss this opportunity on May 15th to update your knowledge on a number of key professional conduct areas, including: trust account requirements and complying with Rule 1.5 of the Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct; what to include on retainer agreements; avoiding sexual misconduct and knowing which conduct has been disciplined by the ARDC; how other states define sexual misconduct; and sexual harassment in the workplace. The program will be held in Chicago and via live webcast (for those unable to attend onsite).The program is presented by ISBA’s Standing Committee on the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commissionand qualifies for 2.75 hours MCLE credit, including 2.75 hours Professional Responsibility MCLE credit (subject to approval).Click here for more information and to register for the CHICAGO program.Click here for more information and to register for the LIVE WEBCAST.
  • May 3, 2013
    Cook County Bar Association Law Day 2013
    The ISBA helped sponsor the CCBA's Annual Law Day program and luncheon at John Marshall Law School on May 1. ISBA President-elect Paula H. Holderman was on hand to hand out prize money to essay winners Karsyn Terry (1st: $250), Iryna Motyashok (2nd: $150) and John Moreno (3rd: $100). The event was co-chaired by ISBA YLD Council member Kenya Jenkins-Wright and David Kadzai
  • May 2, 2013 | Practice News | ISBA News
    2 Minutes with the President: John Thies discusses access to justice with IBF President Debra Walker
    ISBA President John E. Thies asks Illinois Bar Foundation President Hon. Debra Walker how IBF is addressing the issue of access to justice in Illinois. They also discuss the IBF Lawyers Care Fund - how lawyers help take care of their own.
  • May 2, 2013 | ISBA News
    U.S. Marshal receives Law Enforcement Award from ISBA
    Darryl K. McPherson, a United States Marshal for the Northern District of Illinois, today received the 2013 Law Enforcement Award from the Illinois State Bar Association at a ceremony held at the E.M. Dirksen U.S. Courthouse, 219 S. Dearborn, in Chicago. ISBA President-elect Paula H. Holderman presented the award.The ISBA’s Law Enforcement Award was created to recognize sworn law enforcement officers for conduct that promotes justice and to distinguish those individuals whose service to the public brings honor and respect to the entire criminal justice system. It is given sparingly to recognize those who truly excel in the field of law enforcement.During his time at the helm of the U.S. Marshals Service for the Northern District of Illinois, Marshal McPherson has made a significant contribution to preventing and minimizing the impact of crime. He has also led the Marshals Service in getting involved in numerous community and charitable events that shed a favorable light on law enforcement.
  • May 2, 2013
    Illinois Supreme Court recognizes doctrine of equitable adoption
    If parents treat a child they have not legally adopted as their own, he can pursue an inheritance even in the absence of their express or implied contract to adopt him, the high court ruled a few weeks ago in DeHart v. DeHart.In allowing the plaintiff's case to proceed under the newly recognized equitable-adoption doctrine, probate lawyer Matthew R. Davison said the supreme court has opened the door for members of "modern families" to protect their rights whenever evidence shows it was the parents' intent not only to love and provide for a child but also to make that child a permanent part of their family. Find out more in the May IBJ.
  • May 2, 2013 | Practice News | Events
    Expungement Summit set for June 8 in Matteson - volunteers needed
    Cook County Circuit Clerk Dorothy Brown will host an Expungement Summit will be held on Saturday, June 8 at the New Faith Baptist Church International, 25 S. Central, Matteson. This is a full service expungement summit serving both adults and juveniles.Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. and doors close at 6 p.m. Call (312) 603-5200 for additional information or visit www.cookcountyclerkofcourt.org.Volunteer attorneys will be on site to help with expungement and sealing applications. Attorneys interested in volunteering must attend an MCLE training course on May 15 or May 22 from 3-5:30 p.m. at the County Building, 69 W. Washingon, 17th floor. RSVP for the training to mrnoel@cookcountycourt.comVolunteer attorneys will receive 2.5 General MCLE credits.
  • May 1, 2013 | Practice News
    Best Practice: How much capital does a law firm need?
    Asked and AnsweredBy John W. Olmstead, MBA, Ph.D, CMCQ. Our firm is a relatively new firm. Several of us left a large firm in Dallas and started the firm last year. We have 17 attorneys - 10 of us are partners. When we started the firm we each put in a little cash and obtained a line of credit which we have used extensively and we are at our limit. Is this a good practice? Should the partners contribute more capital? How much? I would appreciate your ideas.