Monday, Nov. 29, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. - Effective Legal Writing with Greg Colomb; UBS Tower Conference Center, Chicago.
Wednesday, Dec. 1, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. - Effective Legal Writing with Greg Colomb; Radisson Hotel, Bloomington.
Friday, Dec. 3, 8:50 a.m. to 4 p.m. - Hanging Out Your Shingle (Without Hanging Yourself) for New or Would-be Solo or Small Firm Lawyers (General Practice, Solo and Small Firm Section); ISBA Chicago Regional Office.
Friday, Dec. 3, 1 to 5 p.m. - Mediation Is Running on Time and on Track: Are You on Board?" (Bench and Bar and Alternative Dispute Resolution Sections); Chicago Athletic Association.
'Exhilarating but terrifying times for lawyers': Robinson
Futurist urges, be ready to deal with challenges
By Stephen Anderson
An onslaught of forces that impact the typical Illinois law practice bears witness to looming changes that will have to be understood and accommodated as matters of survival.
"These are exhilarating times if you love change," Florida attorney Charles F. Robinson believes, but he also is aware that "these are terrifying times if you have difficulty accepting and dealing with change."
Robinson is a certified elder law attorney and a pretty good cook - attributes that are demonstrated on his Web sites - but he is best known outside of Clearwater as a provocative futurist who abhors dogma and nostalgia.
He will open the ISBA Future of the Profession Conference at 8:30 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 9, in the Sheraton Chicago Hotel with "The Future Is Now," his takes, for better or for worse, on the long-term viability of law firms in changing environments.
Robinson notes that the precedent-oriented legal profession, which is "trained to look to the past to find the future," may be ill-prepared to deal with unprecedented change. "There is no attorney exception" to the need to enhance skills for effective competition in this century, he says.
The dire forces that Robinson itemizes are non-lawyer competition, diminished perception of the value of attorney services, technology displacement, a supply of lawyers that exceeds the demand, discontinuity (precedent has no value), and disintermediation (out with the middle person).
Coincidentally, those observations mirror several topics that will be discussed during breakout sessions at the ISBA conference and subsequently rated in importance for action by bar leadership.
President Ole Bly Pace III is convening the Future of the Profession Conference as a significant component of his stated focus on improving the economics of practicing law in Illinois.
He pledged in his inaugural remarks last June that the association will "look ahead to challenges to the profession and the justice system and to be ready for them, and not just react after they're already here."
Charlie Robinson concurs, predicting that by failing to change with the times, as many as six out of every 10 transactional lawyers are targeted for extinction and replacement by service providers who demonstrate "a passion for excellence."
He lists among "the first to perish" the law firm that continues to do business as it always has been done, and the lawyer who believes that problems will resolve themselves if overhead is reduced.
On the contrary, Robinson believes, "those lawyers willing to change with or ahead of the times will enjoy unprecedented practice opportunities in the years ahead."
It is essential for "legal innovators, visionaries and revolutionaries who understand the need for law practice reinvention" to share information and insights with fellow revolutionaries, he insists.
Sought as a keynoter for similar conferences across the country, Robinson offers to share his thoughts with lawyers, bar executives, law firm administrators, consultants, support staff and clients "who believe that good law firms and good lawyers are not good enough."
In addition to the invited conference participants, the 8:30 a.m. plenary session is open to ISBA Board and Assembly members, officers of section councils and committees, and other leaders of the Illinois bench and bar. Reserve seating by contacting Vicki Runkel at (800) 252-8908 or kweaver@isba.org.
Following Robinson's presentation, an informational talk on the implications of population redistribution and other societal changes will be given at 10 a.m. by Loyola University Prof. Kenneth M. Johnson, a specialist in U.S. demographic trends.
Johnson, who spoke at the ISBA Future of the Courts Conference in 2002, has documented a complex pattern of demographic change, fueled by natural increase and immigration, that produced the first population gain in Chicago in 50 years.
His research also identified a "rural rebound" of significant migration gains, particularly in areas that are rich in recreational and scenic amenities, which could affect both urban and rural areas if the trend continues.
A select group of 60 lawyers, representing a cross-section of statewide diversities, will break into 15-person discussion groups at three time periods during the day.
Their thematic deliberations will follow issues related to Competition from Outside the Profession; The Judiciary and the Practice of Law; New and Better Ways to Render Legal Services, and Public Perception of the Profession.
Reporters will compile their recommendations for presentation at the conference wrap-up session at 8:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 10. The 60 invited participants will vote up or down on as many as 50 recommendations for action by ISBA leadership.
Florida attorney and ISBA conference futurist Charlie Robinson (see story above) grants substantial space on one of his Web sites to his skills in preparing country cuisine.
Many of his recipes reveal an epicurean fondness for osmosing the essences of various wines into the tender, succulent fleshes of lamb, veal, poultry and seafood.
Chef Robinson's all-purpose method of smoking meat on a grate at high heat inside a cooker stipulates that the water be seasoned to one's taste with garlic, herbs, Worcester sauce and a wine of choice.
Grilled leg of lamb, boned and butterflied, turns out best after being marinaded in dry vermouth and wine vinegar and garnished with a hint of mint.
Osso buco, a time-honored recipe for braised veal shanks, calls for three to five hours of simmering in chicken stock braced with red wine, bay leaves, curry powder and chopped Italian tomatoes until the meat nearly falls off the bones.
Robinson's recipe for shrimp in a covered cooker specifies that they be marinaded and placed on a cedar plank that has been soaked under water for at least a half-hour so it won't burn. Marinade ingredients include ginger, garlic, soy sauce, olive oil and dry sherry.
For complete details, visit www.charlie-robinson.com and click on Respite Room.
MIDYEAR MEETING Law Ed Series SEMINARS
Debt Collection
Friday, Dec. 10
The Commercial, Banking and Bankruptcy Law Section will conduct the seminar, "Avoid the Pitfalls of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act," from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. Friday, Dec. 10.
Section council chair Karen A. White of Burke & White, Downers Grove, will open the program at 7:30 a.m. with a welcome and introductions.
At 7:35 a.m., the main topic will be discussed by Jeffrey T. Mitchell of Konicek & Dillon, Geneva. A question and answer period at 8:30 a.m. will conclude the seminar.
Program coordinators are Robert G. Markoff of Baker, Miller, Markoff & Krasny, Chicago, who also will act as moderator; Joseph P. Chamley of Evans, Froelich, Beth & Chamley, Champaign, and John Roska of the Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance Foundation, Champaign.
General Practice
Friday, Dec. 10
An "Update on Legal Developments for the General Practitioner" will be presented from 8:50 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 10, by the General Practice, Solo and Small Firm Section.
Section council chair Timothy E. Duggan of Stine, Greer & Duggan, Springfield, will welcome participants at 8:50 a.m. and the seminar will proceed as follows.
9 a.m. - Update on Collection and Enforcement of Judgments: Cook County Associate Judge Sanjay T. Tailor of Chicago; Cindy M. Johnson of Johnson & Associates, Chicago, and Robert G. Markoff of Baker, Miller, Markoff & Krasny, Chicago.
10 a.m. - Update on Family Law: Anne Phipps Martinkus of Erwin, Martinkus & Cole, Champaign.
10:30 a.m. - Update on Grandparent Visitation: Michael K. Goldberg of Goldberg & Frankenstein, Chicago.
11 a.m. - Update on Criminal Law: Michele M. Jochner, law clerk to Chief Justice Mary Ann G. McMorrow of the Illinois Supreme Court, Chicago.
11:45 a.m. - Luncheon period.
1:15 p.m. - Update on Real Estate Law: John G. O'Brien of Arlington Heights, member of the ISBA Board of Governors and chair of the Illinois Real Estate Lawyers Association.
1:45 a.m. - Update on Probate Law and Estate Planning: James F. Dunneback of Orland Park.
2:15 p.m. - Update on Traffic Law: Larry A. Davis of DesPlaines.
3 p.m. - Update on Employment Law Issues: Jill P. O'Brien of Laner, Muchin, Dombrow, Becker, Levin & Tominberg, Chicago.
3:30 p.m. - Update on Professional Responsibility and Attorney Discipline Topics: Wendy J. Muchman of the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission, Chicago.
4 p.m. - Update on Improving the Economics of Law Practice: Carl R. Draper of Feldman, Wasser, Draper & Benson, Springfield.
Moderators are Dawn R. Hallsten of Mateer & Associates, Rockford, and Cook County Judge Edna M. Turkington of Chicago. Program coordinators are assistant Cook County state's attorney Julie Ann Sebastian and Michele Jochner.
Family Law
Friday, Dec. 10
The Family Law Section will conduct a Family Law Update from 9 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. Friday, Dec. 10. The schedule of topics and speakers follows.
9 a.m. - Mental Health Professional and Confidentiality: What You Need to Know: Joseph T. Monahan of Monahan & Cohen, Chicago.
9:45 a.m. - Legislative Update: Adrienne W. Albrecht of Sacks, Albrecht & Gubbins, Kankakee.
11 a.m. - Protecting the Rights of Unmarried Couples Relationships; Making, Securing and Breaking the Whole Relationship: Richard A. Wilson of Chicago.
Discussion includes the scope and validity of oral and written agreements under state and federal law, prohibited marriages, remedies for enforcement or termination, and tax consequences.
12 noon - Luncheon period.
1 p.m. - Part but Not All; Ownership of Property: Linda L. Holder of Granite City.
Types of title, methods of obtaining and holding title, remedies and how to secure them, suite for partition and constructive trust, and tax consequences will be reviewed.
1:30 p.m. - Case Law Update: Enrico J. Mirabelli of Nadler, Pritikin & Mirabelli, Chicago, a member of the ISBA Board of Governors.
2:45 p.m. - Other Legal Rights and Remedies: Roger V. McCaffrey-Boss, Chicago.
Issues include necessity and purpose of types of powers of attorney for property and health care, living wills, wills and trusts, marital status of donor/grantor, and claims of undue influence by relatives and other third parties.
Program coordinators and moderators are Corri D. Fetman and Kelly C. Garland of Chicago Women at Law, and Roza Gossage of Belleville.
Estate Planning
Saturday, Dec. 11
Section council vice chair Deborah B. Cole of Hoogendoorn & Talbot, Chicago, is program coordinator and moderator of the Basic Estate Planning seminar from 8:30 to 11:45 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 11. The schedule follows.
8:30 a.m. - Ethical Considerations; Identifying the Client, Engagement Letters, Competency Issues: Richard P. Miller of Arlington Heights.
8:50 a.m. - The Estate Planner's Toolkit: Janet L. Grove of Armstrong & Grove, Mattoon.
She will discuss who needs a plan, what tools are available, choosing the right tools for the client, and when to call for help.
9:20 a.m. - Trust Drafting; Essential Elements of Revocable Living Trusts and Insurance Trusts: David A. Berek of McGuireWoods, Chicago.
10 a.m. - Will Drafting: Philip E. Koenig of Konecky, Koenig, Kutsunis & Weng, Rock Island.
10:35 a.m. - Ancillary Documents; Powers of Attorney for Health Care and Property: Paul A. Meints of Bloomington.
He will review essential elements of powers of attorney for use with trusts and will-based estate plans, and statutory versus non-statutory documents.
11:05 a.m. - Marketing Roundtable; Various Approaches, Tools and Techniques: Irene Clarke David of Barrington; Mary E. Faupel of Eureka; Michael C. Wiedel of Wiedel, Hudzik, Russ & Philipp, Downers Grove, and Deborah Cole.
Real Estate Law
Saturday, Dec. 11
The Real Estate Law Section will conduct the seminar, "Clearing Your Way to a Closing: An Introduction for General Practitioners on Trouble-shooting Issues in Residential Real Estate Transactions," from 8:45 a.m. to 12 noon Saturday, Dec. 11.
The program will provide working knowledge of fundamental issues and pitfalls, and a better understanding of critical elements of the purchase agreement, inspections, required documentation, title insurance and boundary surveys.
Myles L. Jacobs of Brumund & Jacobs, Joliet, and Michael L. English of Russell, English, Scoma & Beneke, Princeton, are program coordinators.
English will act as moderator and open the seminar at 8:45 a.m. with a welcome and introductions. The schedule follows.
8:50 a.m. - Purchase Agreements and Related Documents for Residential Real Estate Transactions: John G. O'Brien of Arlington Heights, member of the ISBA Board of Governors and chair of the Illinois Real Estate Lawyers Association.
He will focus on purchase agreement negotiations and a checklist of key concerns that include due diligence, contract amendments and extensions, letters of intend and earnest money.
9:40 a.m. - How to Resolve Title and Survey Issues in Residential Real Estate Transactions (speaker to be announced).
10:40 a.m. - Special Issues When Property Is Held in a Land Trust: David J. Lanciotti, vice president and counsel of Chicago Title Land Trust Co., Chicago.
11:10 a.m. - Preparation and Negotiations of the Closing Documents: Myles Jacobs. He will include mechanics of closing a transaction and preparation of a closing checklist.
Don't let court-mandated mediation leave you behind
An ISBA Law Ed Series seminar next month on court-mandated mediation procedures in the state and federal system will include an illuminating simulation with running commentary.
Titled "Mediation Is Running on Time and on Track: Are You on Board?" the seminar will be presented from 1 to 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 3, at the Chicago Athletic Association by the ISBA Alternative Dispute Resolution Section and the Bench and Bar Section.