Complete details will be announced soon, and representatives of Global Holidays will be present during the ISBA Annual Meeting next month. For more information, call (800) 842-9023.
The tentative price of $2,749 per person, double occupancy, will include round-trip air fare via Northwest Airlines, superior first class hotel accommodations for seven nights, sightseeing in each city, the four-day cruise, all meals, transfer services and baggage handling, group visa fee, an experienced tour manager and English-speaking guides.
The ISBA Board of Governors on April 19 approved participation by the Bar Publications Board in a LexisNexis project to compile and produce more than 20 volumes in a series of law practice publications written by prominent Illinois lawyers.
Subjects would include the top 11 areas of practice by firms of all sizes, as identified by American Bar Association research. Portions of the series would be available in print, on-line and on disk. ISBA members would receive discounts on co-sponsored titles.
GhostFill makes document control less haunting
By Alan Pearlman
The Electronic Lawyer
The vast majority of a law firm's time and effort is spent on recreating documents. You might say that most law firms are paper mills, in that they churn out reams of it daily throughout the world.
Naturally, any product that can help the firm to do it more efficiently and easier would be a boon to its productivity. Now a relatively new player has taken that market by storm, and I really like what they've done to the mundane task of document assembly and management.
GhostFill of Canada () has come up with a great new solution. Its most appealing feature is that it provides complete control of document production, Large volumes of documents can be produced quickly and accurately, and filed safely into logically structured locations.
The GhostFill Explorer Document, Template and Application Manager is designed to be the nerve center of all document automation requirements, as well as initiating all run-time and design-time processes. It facilitates no-fuss, built-in document and template management.
You can use the GhostFill Explorer to:
* Define "Applications," consisting of Templates, Documents, Clauses, Lists, Dialogs and Profiles to be stored in a user-specified hierarchy of folders on your intranet.
* Define document management protocols for each Application. Zip and ship the contents of this Application anywhere in the world, for instant importing in to an off-site GhostFill installation.
* Receive a (searchable) filtered tree-view of the above mentioned instances, so the guesswork is taken out of the old problem of locating a document in a hurry.
* Launch the document assembly process on a choice of platforms, and if desired, automatically assign the path, and optionally the name, of the resultant documents.
* Launch the Clause, List, Dialog, Fillpoint and Profile editors.
* Import any COM object that may exist in your Windows environment, and manage your customized automation servers.
* Cut copy and paste or bookmark your Application instances.
Release of the latest version, 4.1, has many new enhancements that allow you to fill, as well as create, a PDF graphical form by enhancing Adobe Acrobat and capturing the data from the dialogs or databases.
A user can automatically fill a PDF form so it can be viewed, edited or printed with the Acrobat Reader. (If you desire to design a form, of course you would need a full version of Acrobat.)
GhostFill also has designed improved dialogs that make it easy to gather required information, even to the extent of allowing the functionality to place logos or graphics on a dialog for corporate or law office branding, or a more professional appearance.
New filed types, formatting and validation options let you capture and validate input data before its use in a document, allowing you to know up front what you've got going on in the document.
You also have better enhancement of plug-ins to allow an increase in functionality and power to your documents. There is a new script plug-in which will enable the user to create pre-defined calculations or analysis for insertion into any template.
Another great plug-in is a grammar server that will support the automatic handling of references to gender-specific items and singular/plurals of any item throughout your entire template. The existing plug-ins for clauses, lists, databases, profiles and templates are enhanced for ease in automating any template.
One of the handiest and most often overlooked items in many other programs is the template storage itself.
When a document is generated from a template, GhostFill presents an option to name and save the resulting document before filling it in. This way, storage is made the first priority, and the new document has an identity and a location before you even begin creating it.
GhostFill enables you to set up a predefined storage location for documents generated from a template. This means that each time you run a template and save the resulting document, the default storage location will be the predefined option.
You can also let GhostFill automatically name your documents. When you save a document, you are presented with an auto-generate option. By default, this option will name your document, using the name of the template it is based on.
This option can be customized to include a counter in the file name that will use a number-increment convention. You can automatically add the typist's initials, or any other user-defined code, to the file name in either a prefix or a suffix, if required.
Similarly, a prompted-for item, such as a matter number, can be added to the file name. In this way document naming follows a specific convention, which is particularly valuable in large organizations.
GhostFill presents itself for use in two views: User and Developer. Before you begin using it, you must decide how you will be using it and consequently which view you will be working in.
If you are a User, GhostFill will be a tool to process documents generating documents by running GhostFill templates, filling in and editing Dialog answers, and saving assembled documents.
If you are a Developer, you will make use of the full functionality of GhostFill creating and editing templates, Clauses, Databases, Dialogs, Lists, Profiles and Scripts; working with the FillPoint Editor; managing Applications, Servers and Tasks.
I have been using GhostFill for a while now, and I confess that its powerful and dynamic structure has made the automation of my firm a true pleasure. It saves time and money, and makes document assembly more of a joy than a task!
GhostFill is a product of GhostFill Technologies Inc. For more information call (905) 844-6583 or visit www.ghostfill.com.
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Northbrook attorney Alan Pearlman serves on the ISBA Assembly, the Committee on Legal Technology and the Law Office Management and Economics (Standing Committe on) Council. Contact him at pearlman@lectrniclawr.com.
Phi Alpha Delta planning national centennial events
Chicago-area members of the Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity are planning events to be held later this year to commemorate the 100th anniversary of its founding.
Gearing up for the centennial, the Chicago alumni chapter has drafted the services of four past justices (presidents) to serve in the chairs during 2002.
Those elected during the February board meeting are former chapter leaders Benjamin P. Hyink, justice; Julie-April Montgomery, advocate; John K. Norris, clerk, and James A. Erwin, treasurer. Joining the executive committee as vice justice is Cook County Judge Donald D. Panarese Jr.
Officially, the 100th anniversary will be celebrated in August during the Phi Alpha Delta International Convention in Arizona. The Chicago chapter will hold a formal centennial dinner in November.
Other related events include a reception for law school graduates in September, a judicial reception in October at the Chicago-Kent College of Law, and a holiday dinner in December.
Hyink estimates there are about 6,000 Phi Alpha Delta alumni in the Chicago area, but only 200 are dues-paying members of the local alumni chapter. He hopes to be able to update a regional directory.
The establishment of Phi Alpha Delta may be traced to July 27, 1902, in South Haven, Mich. That was the last day of the final convention of the Lambda Epsilon Fraternity that preceded it in October 1898.
With initial letters representing "law" and "equity," Lambda Epsilon began with the Kent chapter at Kent College of Law, and expended in February 1999 with a Blackstone chapter at the Chicago College of Law.
When the two law schools merged into Chicago-Kent College of Law, the Kent chapter was absorbed by Blackstone and became known as the Grand chapter. A Joseph Story chapter was added in June 1899 at the Illinois College of Law.
Members of Lambda Epsilon's first chapters convened in December 1899 at the Sherman House in Chicago to adopt a constitution, elect officers and provide for biennial conventions.
By the time of the second convention in June 1901 in Lake County, a Melville Fuller chapter had been established at Northwestern University, and expansion into Indiana and Wisconsin was under consideration. Lambda Epsilon had 115 members.
Interest seemed to wane, however, and a special session called in April 1902 to consider constitutional amendments was unproductive. A groundswell for reorganization began as Daniel Webster chapter was chartered at the Chicago Law School.
The definitive meeting in July revealed a general spirit of dissatisfaction with Lambda Epsilon. A resolution to dissolve the fraternity was adopted unanimously.
A determined group of brothers met immediately in the bridal chamber of South Haven's Colonial Tavern to prepare articles of organization that were signed the following day, becoming the foundation of Phi Alpha Delta.
The first nine articles of a new constitution were drafted during the next month, and a meeting of about 50 members at large was held Nov. 8, 1902, in DeJonghe's Cafe on Monroe Street in Chicago.
There the fraternity name was chosen, and a constitution, ritual, fraternity rules and a comprehensive plan for a national council were adopted. Phi Alpha Delta embarked on what has become a century of fraternal bonds for member lawyers.
CARPLS gives Golden Gavel to Thomas Clancy on May 16
ISBA past president Thomas A. Clancy of Clancy & Stevens, Chicago, will be honored Thursday, May 16, by the Coordinated Advice and Referral Program for Legal Services (CARPLS) during its sixth annual Golden Gavel Awards reception.
The law firm of Sidley, Austin, Brown & Wood and the Exelon Corp. also will be honored at the event, which will begin at 5:30 p.m. with a reception and silent auction at Jenner & Block, One IBM Plaza, Chicago.
Lester E. Munson Jr., Chicago attorney and associate editor of Sports Illustrated, will be master of ceremonies for the award presentations at 6:45 p.m.
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Volunteers for the Lawyers Lending a Hand program of the DuPage County Bar Association, will meet with residents of Senior Home Sharing in Downers Grove for conversation and dessert at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, May 23. Call (630) 653-7779.
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The Kane County Bar Association and state's attorney's office will join in a blood drive from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, May 29, in the County Judicial Center, St. Charles. Call Vince at (630) 406-7538.
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Eugene Crane of Dannen, Crane, Heyman & Simon, Chicago, will speak to pro bono attorneys of Chicago Volunteer Legal Services Foundation at 12:15 p.m. Wednesday, May 29, in suite 900 at 100 S. LaSalle. His topic is "How the New Bankruptcy Laws Will Affect You."
Dates of bar-related golfing events follow. Send additional details to Stephen Anderson by facsimile, (312) 726-1422, or e-mail, sanderson@isba.org.
MAY 23 (Thursday) MUNDELEIN Lake County Bar Assn. Legal-Medical Committee 4th annual civil trial and appeals seminar (8:30 a.m.) and 12 noon golf outing; Steeplechase Golf Course; (847) 244-3143.
JUNE 3 (Monday) DANVILLE Vermilion County Bar Assn. golf outing; Danville Country Club; 12 noon buffet lunch, 1:15 p.m. shotgun start, 7 p.m. dinner.
JUNE 4 (Tuesday) ADDISON Justinian Society golf and bocce outing; 1 p.m. shotgun start, 6:30 reception and dinner; Oak Meadows Golf Club; Antonio Romanucci, (312) 458-1000.
JUNE 6 (Thursday) NAPERVILLE Chicago Volunteer Legal Services Foundation "First Annual Golf Fore Justice"; Tamarack Golf Club; 8:30 a.m. shotgun start, buffet luncheon, door prizes and awards; Daniel J. Arnett, (312) 332-8498 ($100).
JUNE 7 (Friday) OAK BROOK Illinois Trial Lawyers Assn. 47th annual golf outing, 30th annual convention banquet and installation officers; Oakbrook Hills Resort; (800) 252-8501.
JUNE 10 (Monday) BENSENVILLE Women's Bar Assn. annual No Threat, No Sweat golf outing; White Pines Golf Course; (312) 341-8530.
JUNE 10 (Monday) CHICAGO Chicago Bar Assn. golf outing; Ridge Country Club; Angie Crouther, (312) 554-2132.
JUNE 14 (Friday) BENSENVILLE Nordic Law Club Scholarship Fund 2nd annual Lutefisk Open benefit golf outing; White Pines Country Club; tee times from 10 a.m., reception and buffet dinner from 5:30 p.m.; Patricia Oakley, (708) 923-6760.
JUNE 21 (Friday) WILMINGTON Will County Bar Assn. golf outing; Cinder Ridge Country Club; 1 p.m. shotgun start, 7 p.m. dinner; (815) 726-0383.
JULY 11 (Thursday) GENEVA Kane County Bar Assn. golf outing; Mill Creek Golf Club; 11:30 a.m. lunch, 1 p.m. shotgun start, 5:30 p.m. reception and dinner; (630) 762-1915.
JULY 15 (Monday) WINFIELD DuPage County Bar Assn. golf outing with 1 p.m. shotgun start; Klein Creek Country Club; (630) 653-7779.
JULY 22 (Monday) ST. CHARLES Illinois Real Estate Lawyers Assn. golf outing; St. Charles Country Club; 11:30 a.m. lunch, 1 p.m. shotgun start, 6:30 p.m. reception and dinner; (847) 593-5750.
JULY 22 (Monday) ROCK ISLAND Rock Island County Bar Assn. golf outing; Pinnacle Country Club.
JULY 29 (Monday) WEST CHICAGO West Suburban Bar Assn. golf outing; St. Andrews Golf Club; 9:30 a.m. shotgun start, followed by grill cookout; (708) 366-1122.
AUGUST 2 (Friday) HIGHLAND PARK Workers' Compensation Lawyers Assn. golf outing; Highland Park Country Club; Karen Talty, (312) 832-9255.