The Illinois State Bar Association announces a new member benefit: LawPay merchant account - credit card processing for attorneys. Accepting credit and debit cards can attract clients, improve cash flow and reduce collections. Correctly safeguard and separate client funds into trust and operating accounts.  Members save up to 25% off credit card processing fees. And, to kick off this new benefit, today through Feb. 15, the $150 virtual terminal fee is waived for all ISBA members as well! Trust your transactions to the ISBA’s newest member marketplace provider, LawPay. Call (866) 376-0950 or visit www.lawpay.com/isba to learn more.

Chief Justice Thomas L. Kilbride and the Illinois Supreme Court announced Tuesday the appointment of Michael J. Tardy as Director of the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts. His appointment is effective immediately.Mr. Tardy, who has served with the Administrative Office for nearly 24 years, had been acting director since last September."He has been a longstanding, loyal and hardworking staff member for decades," said Chief Justice Kilbride. "Since he's taken over as the acting director, he has been masterful in working through the transition. "The Administrative Director, as the office also is called, is authorized by Article VI of the Illinois Constitution to assist the Chief Justice and the Supreme Court in fulfilling their administrative duties. The director prepares and presents agenda issues to the Court for discussion and deliberation to assure that the business of the judicial branch is timely and thoroughly managed."I am both grateful and very humbled by the opportunity that the Supreme Court of Illinois has afforded me," Mr. Tardy said. "I am, of course, honored by the appointment and very thankful for the privilege to serve the Chief Justice and Justices of the Supreme Court."I am thrilled by the challenge and commit my every resource to the work of the Court," said Mr. Tardy. "And I am very fortunate to have available to me the capable and competent staff of the AOIC in doing our work for the Court."

The Rules Committee of the Illinois Supreme Court will hear comments at a public hearing on Monday Jan. 23 on several proposals, including a requirement for a uniform mandatory disclosure statement in family law cases.Other proposed rules deal with plea discussions and agreements in which a judge participates; a new rule of evidence covering the inadvertent waiver of the attorney-client or work product privilege; and pro-posed amendments to rules 214 and 216 dealing with discovery.The hearing will begin at 10 a.m. at 160 N. LaSalle Street, Room C-500.The full text of the eight proposed rules and amendments are posted on the Supreme Court website at: http://state.il.us/court/SupremeCourt/Public_Hearings/Rules/default.asp. Those seeking to submit written comments on the proposals may send them to Marcia M. Meis, chief legal counsel for the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts, at mmeis@court.state.il.us. Those wishing to testify at the public hearing may also contact Ms. Meis.One of the proposals would create a new Supreme Court Rule that would require parties seeking division of marital assets in contested dissolution of marriages and civil unions to complete a detailed "Disclosure Statement" form to ensure uniformity of information disclosed in family law cases statewide. This statement and form would also be required in contested child custody cases.

ISBA President John G. Locallo cordially invites you to attend an open house of the newly remodeled ISBA Chicago Regional Office.Wednesday, Jan. 185–7 p.m.20 S. Clark Street, 9th Floor Please join us after work as we mix and mingle with colleagues over dessert and show off our new high-tech facilities, including updated CLE classrooms with improved audio-visual equipment and a state-of-the-art studio for online streaming.   ISBA members are welcome to invite other lawyers in their office to this event as well. Click here to view pictures of the renovated office.