Domestic battery. Public Act 93-809 requires a mandatory minimum sentence of 72 consecutive hours of imprisonment for a second or subsequent conviction of domestic battery. Public Act 93-810 doubles the fine for domestic battery and sexual assault and 811 amends the Civil No Contact Order Act to do a number of things. All take effect Jan. 1, 2005.
"The issue today may be the pledge, but what if the issue tomorrow is Second Amendment rights, civil rights, environmental protection, or a host of other issues members may hold dear?"
Rep. Judy Biggert (R-IL) on her reservations about a House-passed bill to prevent federal courts from striking "under God" from the Pledge of Allegiance
* * *
"...a commitment with no rings attached."
A definition of "palimony" offered by one of its most famous practitioners, Marvin Mitchelson, who died in September
* * *
"New lawyers are generally portrayed in the legal press as overworked to a point of exhaustion. This image is greatly exaggerated, even for large-firm lawyers."
From a study by the National Association for Law Placement Foundation and American Bar Foundation showing a mean work week of 49 hours for new lawyers
Editor
Behind the cue ball
An election is upon us, and the great debates may not be much help in swaying the ectoplasmic "undecided voter" toward a decision. The first encounter was not strictly forensic, lacking a requisite hypothesis that could be defended or attacked with logical pros and cons.
But the contentions of the adversaries about dealing with Iraq and North Korea were unequivocally stated, declared, articulated, intoned, asserted and proclaimed, again and again, until we longed for a different mode of expression. Cream pies at ten paces, exempli gratia.
Whether the candidates say what they mean, or mean what they say, little insight is provided of such essential traits as character and integrity. Political blather tends to conceal, rather than reveal, the possible existence of an emulative Abe Lincoln.
Speaking of Lincoln, and Justice James Knecht did just that during the Sept. 29 meeting of the Appellate Lawyers Association, Honest Abe may well have honed his talent for measuring an opponent's aptitude and fortitude while lining up a billiard shot.
The Brunswick people point proudly to Lincoln as "the first real American celebrity" who owned one of their tables. "It is quite possible that critical issues of national interest slavery, international relations and the Civil War were handled over the slate of a Brunswick table," they suggest.
Lincoln considered billiards "a health inspiring, scientific game, lending recreation to the otherwise fatigued mind." Knecht concurred, noting that the 16th president's attributes of "strength, reach, mental acuity and sense of symmetry" are consistent with what it takes to be competent at a pool table.
Knecht observed, appropriately at the onset of Billiard Awareness Month, that "if more politicians spent time in the poolrooms of America, they would be closer to, and have a greater appreciation of, their time and place and the people who would be voting for them."
His astute descriptions of how Bush and Kerry would posture before and during a game of pool were excrutiatingly accurate. Skip the debates. Grasp your pool cues, gentlemen, and show us which of you is made of the right stuff.
As Prof. Harold Hill, the shrewd "Music Man" who knew his territory, chanted: "I consider that the hours I spend with a cue in my hand are golden; Help you cultivate horse sense and a cool head and a keen eye." Rack 'em up!
Or would you, Rather, be a mule
The media of all shapes and sizes have had their fun kicking the prostrate Dan Rather for letting his biases control his judgment. He hoped that by reporting bogus memoranda about George W's military service, they might come true.
Rather's experts had shared their grave doubts in vain. Like the mule that Father Bing Crosby crooned about in "Going My Way," Dan showed "a stubborn streak."
The trouble with television's talking heads is that few have attended journalism schools, where the basics of fairness and accuracy become lifelong creeds. If Rather had earned his spurs at Chicago's City News Bureau, he would have learned: "If your mother says she loves you, check it out."
No more need be said here, but Jim Knecht managed to weave this episode into his scenario about Bush vs. Kerry at the pool table. He expected Rather to divulge the discovery that George W walked like an easterner before he learned how to swagger from a cowboy in Fort Worth.
Reviewing the ballot permutations
Whether or not the election of a president has any immediate impact on the domestic economy or international detente, a change in party control of the White House or the Congress implies consequences within the federal legal community.
When a candidate of the opposite party ousts an incumbent president, changes become imminent in the offices of every district attorney in the country. Strategies for vetting and nominating candidates for the federal bench are altered as well.
It seems likely that Barack Obama, an Illinois Democrat, will be elected to the Senate. If John Kerry is elected president, that would make senior Sen. Richard Durbin the guru of appointments to the U.S. attorneys' offices in Illinois and to vacancies on our federal courts.
If George Bush is re-elected, however, that honor and responsibility could fall to Rep. Philip Crane, a non-lawyer who holds seniority in the Illinois congressional delegation. If Crane loses and he is on the National GOP endangered list Henry Hyde would be senior Republican in the House.
Moreover, the forces at play in a presidential election can shift the majorities in the House and Senate. It's just one more variable in the federal justice equation that might intrigue us as the new year rolls around.
Sullivan recommends several resources for advice on managing law practices
By Paul Sullivan
Questions. I'm getting questions from readers indicating there is a genuine need among ISBA members for information about organizing and improving the management of law practices.
One reader, who fully agrees that many lawyers are totally unprepared for the business side of running a law practice, uses the management column as a regular resource in helping him manage his practice, but he also asked about additional resources.
A second reader asked the question specifically: "I am very interested in law office management. I have been looking for seminars to attend, books to buy, and the like. I would greatly appreciate any suggestions you might have."
Resources for law office management are available from a variety of sources. I can personally recommend three of them, because of my direct involvement, and a fourth with which I have some past experience.
The first resource is your membership through the ISBA. I suggest you join both the Law Office Management and Economics (Standing Committe on) and the Committee on Law Office Technology. Their newsletters provide lots of good information. In addition, watch the ISBA Bar News and its announcements of upcoming programs.
The second source is the Association of Legal Administrators. This is the organization composed of law office managers from literally all over the world. Its Web site, www.alanet.org, offers many resources including the new "Management Encyclopedia, various management publications, and educational opportunities, both online and in person.
An associate membership in ALA is open to practicing lawyers who perform the management functions of their firms, but even non-members are eligible to purchase products.
ALA also publishes "Legal Management" six times per year, and it is available to managing partners at no cost. This publication features articles from experts throughout the country on a variety of law office management topics.
The third source of very good free information is the Olmstead & Associates legal management consulting firm Web site, www.olmsteadassoc.com. John Olmstead is a member of the ISBA Law Office Management and Economics (Standing Committe on) Council. I should mention that I am an adjunct consultant with Olmstead & Associates, as well.
At the Law Office Management and Economics (Standing Committe on) breakfast symposium last June, each attendee received a "Guide to Law Firm Management Best Practices: Ideas for Managing your Practice." This publication is a complete management review checklist and a valuable resource to any lawyer looking for management information.
In addition, there is a very complete list of law office management Web sites that will give you further information about improving your performance.
Any reader of this column can receive a free copy by sending an e-mail to me at psullivan@qjhp.com with your mailing address. I'll forward your request to Dr. Olmstead.
Another great source is other bar associations. Close to home is the Wisconsin State Bar, which provides a complete library of videotapes, and of course, the American Bar Association, which has a rather extensive library of publications available for purchase.
To repeat an axiom you'll hear from me frequently: The practice of law is a business, and at some point, effective business management is as important as being a good lawyer if you want your practice to grow and succeed. The resources I've outlined will help you get there.
I invite readers to contact me at the address below with specific questions about law office management. Whether just starting out or in need of a tune-up, all lawyers need to focus on these issues.
I would like to remind you that I will answer all inquiries regarding any specific issues you have in your offices, and if your question has wide appeal, I'll even publish the response in this column.
* * *
Paul Sullivan is the office administrator at Quinn, Johnston, Henderson & Pretorius, with offices in Peoria and Springfield. He is a member of the ISBA Law Office Management and Economics (Standing Committe on) Council and the Association of Legal Administrators. Questions may be submitted to Sullivan at psullivan@qjhp.com.
The Lake County Bar Association and Prairie State Legal Services added four more names to its pantheon of pro bono honorees during a luncheon Sept. 28 in Waukegan. Keynote speaker was Cook County Public Guardian Patrick Murphy.
Murphy handed out award plaques to Michael T. Cavanaugh of Gurnee, Dwayne Douglas of Waukegan, James T. Magee of Round Lake and Jean A. Meier of Prairie State's Lake County office.
Cavanaugh, a solo practitioner, serves on the bar association's Legal Aid Committee and is a regular volunteer at evening advice clinics each month. He often provides additional representation to individuals who come to the clinic for assistance.
Douglas, a matrimonial lawyer, always handles at least one active pro bono marriage dissolution case that involves domestic violent, visitation and custody issues. Magee has served on the bankruptcy referral panel for several years and often takes on several pro bono cases at the same time.
Meier, a former immigration law attorney with corporate experience, is Prairie State's only Spanish-speaking intake attorney. She handles telephone calls two days a week and volunteers to interview additional clients during monthly clinics.
The Waukegan office has scheduled the kickoff reception for its annual Campaign for Legal Services at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 10, at a location to be determined. Call (847) 662-6925 for details.
Benefits are scheduled
The Lake County Bar Foundation will hold a benefit for its new Wayne B. Flanigan Memorial Scholarship from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 21, at McCormick's Restaurant in Lake Bluff. Call (847) 244-3143.
The scholarship is named for a bar association past president who died June 26. Wayne Flanigan's wife and daughters were present at the Sept. 28 luncheon where the announcement was made by President Bernard Wysocki.
* * *
"Through the Eyes of a Child," the annual DuPage Association of Women Lawyers benefit for its Child Friendly Courts Foundation, will take place Friday, Nov. 19, at the Brookfield Zoo. Proceeds help support a children's waiting room at the 18th Circuit Judicial Center in Wheaton.
The black-tie-optional event will begin at 6:30 p.m. with a reception via safari car to The Swamp. Dinner and dancing follow in the Discovery Center. Call ISBA Second Vice President Irene F. Bahr at (630) 462-1113 for reservations.
* * *
"You are not invited to the Cabrini Green Legal Aid Clinic annual fundraiser, but no one else is either," reads a recent mailing. The clinic has cancelled its fall benefit but plans to have one in 2005.
Meanwhile, ongoing contributors are being offered free slices of cheesecake at Eli's Cheesecake World. For details, call (312) 266-1345.
People on the move
Leslie Corbett, former associate director of the Chicago Bar Foundation, on Oct. 4 became executive director of the Illinois Equal Justice Foundation, a joint initiative of the Illinois State and Chicago Bar Associations.
She can be contacted at Suite 2018, 111 N. Wabash, Chicago, Ill. 60602; telephone (312) 499-4752, facsimile (312) 372-1962, e-mail lcorbett@iejf.org.
Succeeding Corbett at the CBF on Oct. 25 will be Dina R. Merrill, staff counsel of the American Bar Association Center for Pro Bono since June 2002.