3. Finally, a trip that some say we can't do because nobody will go. We don't think that's true, but we are not quite sure where we are going to fit it in - maybe May 2006.
Our trusted travel adviser and friend, Walter Boden, has written the book on the place (Fodor's), literally supplying chapters and photos of a country that brings to the traveler things you've heard about from people who visited Europe in the '30s, '60s and '70s.
Romania/Transylvania: not a member of the European Economic Union, but extraordinarily friendly to U.S. travelers. This is a country begging for tourism, yet suffering the fact that everybody seems afraid to go. The reality is it is probably the safest spot that one could travel to these days.
Do it while you can. This will be a reach for all of us, but a destination you will never forget. We need reaction from ISBA members before we can take our planning any further.
This is in effect a survey to determine both the degree of interest and how we will then tailor these trips. We are thinking in terms of a maximum of 80 people each for Buenos Aires and Sicily - i.e., two partially loaded luxury buses, alternate excursion days in some instances, so that only one bus goes at a time, excellent accommodations at reasonable prices.
Materials will be supplied in advance with respect to local culture and reading lists, and perhaps programs will be presented with information that will further enhance the travel experience.
Our e-mail addresses are bob@downslaw.com and barb@downslaw.com. Our phone number is (312) 781-1963, and our address is 150 N. Wacker Drive, Suite 1870, Chicago 60606. Let us hear from you!
Franks invites bar to attend Israeli events
ISBA past president Herbert H. Franks of Marengo has invited interested Illinois lawyers and judges to join him on a trip to Israel that will include a meeting of the Israeli Bar Association from May 29 to June 3 in Eilat.
Franks, who has been elected Midwest regional vice president of the American Association of Jewish Lawyers and Jurists, plans to follow the bar meeting with a series of visits to judicial and governmental offices and other sites.
Among them are the Israeli Supreme Court, an Israeli State Department briefing, military bases, Haifa, the Lebanese border, and Tel Aviv nightlife.
For more information, contact Franks at Franks, Gerkin & McKenna by telephone, (815) 923-2107, or by e-mail, franklaw@mc.net.
Tuscany, Kilkenny, Black Forest are tour destinations
New details have been announced for three ISBA-sponsored fall travel opportunities that are being coordinated by Global Holidays. Call (800) 842-9023 for more information or to make early reservations.
Italian Riviera, Tuscany
Four time frames are offered for this tour, which includes visits to Monaco, Nice, Florence and Pisa. There will be two versions each of a pair of itineraries, with both Chicago and St. Louis departures.
From Sept. 10 to 18 or Sept. 24 to Oct. 2, arrival will be in Nice for four nights at San Remo on the Riviera followed by three nights in Montecatini, Tuscany. From Sept. 17 to 25 or Oct. 15 to 23, arrival will be in Bologna for four nights in Tuscany and three nights on the Riviera.
Optional excursion sites include Monte Carlo; Nice, St. Paul Devence and Grasse; Taste of Ancient Italy; Florence; and Splendor of Tuscany.
The price of $1,699 per person, double or triple occupancy, includes round-trip air fare on Northwest/KLM or similar carrier, seven nights in first class hotels, daily breakfast, airport and hotel transfers, scenic coach ride via Pisa between destinations, and professional guide service.
Kilkenny and Killarney
Two time frames are offered, with separate itineraries and departure cities. Highlights of both include optional tours of Dingle Peninsula, Muckross House, Blarney and Kinsale, Dublin, Waterford Crystal Factory, and Glendalough.
They are: Sept. 16 to 24, from Chicago to Shannon, with transfer to Killarney for four nights followed by three nights in Kilkenny; Oct. 7 to 15, from St. Louis to Shannon, with transfer to Kilkenny for four nights followed by three nights in Killarney.
The price of $1,699 per person, double or triple occupancy, includes round-trip air fare on Aer Lingus, Continental or Delta; seven nights in first class hotels, daily Irish breakfast, airport and hotel transfers, deluxe coach transportation, and experienced guides.
Other optional features are attendance at the Liam O'Connor Show or traditional Irish music and sing, and dinner at Edward Langton's, Irelands Pub of the Year.
Switzerland, Black Forest
Three time frames are offered, with Chicago departures of two itineraries and several optional tours.
From Sept. 23 to Oct. 1 or Oct. 7 to 15, with transfer from Zurich to Villars, for four nights in the lakes and mountains of Switzerland followed by three nights in the Black Forest of Germany.
From Oct. 8 to 16, with transfer from Zurich to Titisee for three nights in the Black Forest followed by four nights in Switzerland.
The price of $1,599 per person, double or triple occupancy, includes round-trip air fare on Northwest/KLM or Continental, seven nights in first class hotels, daily breakfast, airport and hotel transfers, scenic coach ride via Berne between destinations, and professional guide service.
Spring tours scheduled
Brochures on many other ISBA-sponsored travel programs during 2005 may be obtained in ISBA offices. Call Global Holidays at (800) 842-9023 for more information about the following.
Prices per person are based on double occupancy, with round-trip airfare, but do not include taxes and fees. Departures may be available from both Chicago and St. Louis.
China: Shanghai, Beijing, Xi'an, Yangtze River cruise (13 days and 11 nights, $2,799 to $3,199 plus $199 government taxes, security charges and fees) - Departures March 30, April 14, April 28, May 26, June 2, June 9, June 16.
Imperial Vienna, Austria (9 days and 7 nights, $1,599 plus $119 government taxes, security charges and fees) - Departures April 1, April 2, April 8, April 9, April 15, April 16, April 22, April 23.
A resolution that recognizes the 150th anniversary of Law Bulletin Publishing Co. was adopted in December by the ISBA Assembly and accepted by Bernard M. Judge, editor and publisher of the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin. The text follows.
* * *
Whereas, for almost as long as there has been a legal community in Chicago, it has been served by the legal publications of the Law Bulletin Publishing Co.; and
Whereas, on Oct. 27, 1854, the company's inaugural publication bearing the title "Daily Report of Suits, Judgments, Chattel Mortgages, Etc." made its debut; and
Whereas, in the intervening 150 years, that one-page publication has blossomed into a diversified print and electronic information company for data and news of the courts and other legal news, and for news in the real estate and financial fields, encompassing more than 50 print publications in five states and numerous electronic docket and public record products, including its flagship paper, the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, and its monthly magazine, Chicago Lawyer; and
Whereas, for most of that history, the company has been led by the Macfarland family, which today includes the company chairman, Lanning Macfarland Jr.; the chief executive officer, Lanning Macfarland III, and the president, Brewster Macfarland; and
Whereas, the Law Bulletin Publishing Co. is the oldest family-owned business in the City of Chicago, and the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin is the oldest courts newspaper in the country; and
Whereas, under the capable direction of Bernard M. Judge, editor and publisher, the company's legal publications continue in their long tradition of being the indispensable source of relevant and accurate reporting of news and information to the legal profession in the State of Illinois.
Therefore, be it resolved that the Illinois State Bar Association expresses its congratulations to the Law Bulletin Publishing Co., and to the Macfarland family and all of their employees, on reaching the singular milestone of a century and a half of service in filling the information needs of the legal profession in Illinois; and
Be it further resolved that the Illinois State Bar Association expresses its appreciation for the vital role the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin and Chicago Lawyer magazine play in supporting the legal profession in Illinois, an accomplishment worthy of celebration.
Illinois Supreme Court disciplinary orders: January
The following disciplinary orders were filed Jan. 14 by the Illinois Supreme Court. Summaries are provided by the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission.
ALAN J. BERNSTEIN, Chicago: Bernstein, who was licensed in 1981, was suspended for 90 days, with the last 60 days stayed pending completion of a one-year period of probation with conditions. He neglected a client's civil matter and failed to preserve the identity of $2,000 in client funds. The suspension is effective Feb. 4, 2005.
WYVONNIA FORD BRIDGEFORTH, Oak Park: Bridgeforth, who was licensed in 1987, was suspended for one year and until further order of the court. She neglected two civil matters, did not communicate with clients, and failed to cooperate with the disciplinary investigation. She was previously suspended for unrelated misconduct.
JOYCE SEABERRY BRITTON, Chicago: Britton, who was licensed in 1981, was disbarred. She charged excessive fees, neglected three client matters resulting in prejudice to each of her clients, engaged in dishonest conduct, failed to cooperate with the disciplinary investigation, and failed to appear at her hearing.
TROY LESLIE DAUGHERTY, Kansas City, Mo.: Daugherty was admitted in Illinois in 1985 and in Kansas in 1990. The Supreme Court of Kansas censured him for neglecting client matters. The Illinois Supreme Court imposed reciprocal discipline and censured him.
DONALD SIDNEY DOBKIN, Farmington Hills, Mich.: Dobkin was licensed in Illinois in 1977 and in Michigan in 1979. He was reprimanded by the Michigan Attorney Grievance Commission for failing to keep a client informed of the status of a case and not ensuring that an associate whom he supervised informed the client of the status of his case. The Illinois Supreme Court imposed reciprocal discipline and reprimanded him.
DAVID BENJAMIN FAIRLESS, Chicago: Fairless, who was licensed in 1987, was suspended for 18 months and until further order of the court. He was found guilty of possessing a controlled substance, methamphetamine. He was sentenced to a three-year period of probation, fined $1,000 and ordered to complete a drug treatment program.
CHERYL ANN HANDY, Savoy: Handy, who was licensed in 1993, was suspended for one year and until further order of the court. She made misrepresentations to the appellate court and misappropriated client funds in an immigration matter. She is currently suspended for unrelated misconduct.
THOMAS MURPHY HESTER, Chicago: Hester, who was licensed in 1991, was disbarred. While serving a suspension for prior misconduct, he engaged in the unauthorized practice of law by acting as an attorney in two real estate transactions. He failed to participate in the disciplinary proceedings.
CHARLES PAUL HORN, Crystal River, Fla.: Horn was licensed in Florida in 1983 and in Illinois in 1984. He was suspended for thirty days by the Supreme Court of Florida for misconduct involving his plea of guilty to committing misdemeanor traffic offenses and his failure to appear in court on an order to show cause. He also neglected one case and failed to return documents to a client. The Illinois Supreme Court imposed reciprocal discipline and suspended him for thirty days. The suspension is effective Feb. 4, 2005.
MICHAEL DANIEL JOHNSON, Chicago: Johnson, who was licensed to practice law in Illinois in 1981, was censured. He assisted a client in backdating a letter purporting to memorialize the date on which she discharged Johnson's co-counsel in a civil matter where the date could have impacted the fee that the co-counsel could claim. Johnson also pled guilty to a charge of disorderly conduct in an unrelated matter.
CARL WEHLING KUHN, Glen Ellyn: Kuhn, who was licensed in 1953, was disbarred. Although suspended for misconduct, he engaged in the unauthorized practice of law in five client matters. Further, he neglected two civil matters and made misrepresentations to impede the disciplinary investigation. He failed to appear at his hearing.
JOHN CHRISTOPHER LANDIS IV, Newark, Del.: Landis was licensed in Illinois in 1970 and in Delaware in 1978. The Supreme Court of Delaware suspended him for three years, imposed a three-year term of probation, and ordered that he be allowed to petition for reinstatement after the first six months of his suspension provided that he had complied with certain conditions. A random audit of his office bank accounts showed that he had routinely mishandled client funds and failed to file tax returns. The Illinois Supreme Court imposed reciprocal discipline and suspended him for three years under the terms and conditions of the Delaware order, and until he is reinstated in Delaware and until further order of the court. The suspension is effective Feb. 4, 2005.
STEVEN ROBERT LISS, La Jolla, Calif.: Liss was licensed in Illinois in 1986 and in California in 1987. The State Bar Court of the State Bar of California imposed a public reproval upon him. He did not diligently manage an adoption and two divorce matters. The Illinois Supreme Court imposed reciprocal discipline and censured him.
GERTRUDE GURNEY McCARTHY, Chicago: McCarthy, who was licensed in 1982, was suspended for 60 days. She made a statement of material fact to a court that she knew or should have known was false. The suspension is effective Feb. 4, 2005.
AFOME MBARA MPI, Peoria: Mpi, who was licensed in 1993, was disbarred on consent following a conviction in Switzerland for embezzling $507,000 from her employer, Caterpillar Inc. She submitted fraudulent invoices to the company for fictitious consulting expenses. She served an 18-month prison term.
KEVIN M. O'BRIEN, Chicago: O'Brien, who was licensed in 1980, was censured. He represented multiple clients with differing interests in a wrongful death claim without providing the clients with appropriate disclosures about his conflict of interest. He also advanced living expenses to one of those clients.
ERIC V. PUCHALA, Chicago: Puchala, who was licensed in 1997, was disbarred. He misappropriated client settlement funds and failed to cooperate with the disciplinary investigation. He failed to appear at his hearing.
JAMES A. RESKIN, Louisville, Ky.: Reskin was licensed in Illinois in 1982 and in Kentucky in 1992. The Supreme Court of Kentucky censured him for failing to pursue a case after he told a client that he would do so, and for not communicating with his client regarding the status of the case. The Illinois Supreme Court imposed reciprocal discipline and censured him.
JON MICHELLE GIBBS RICHARDSON, Oak Park: Richardson, who was licensed in 1983, was suspended for two years and until she makes certain restitution. Although suspended from the practice of law for professional misconduct, she engaged in the unauthorized practice of law by continuing to represent various clients in personal bankruptcy, domestic relations and other civil matters. The suspension is effective Feb. 4, 2005.
ROBERT LEO SHERRY, Milwaukee, Wis.: Sherry was licensed in Wisconsin in 1984 and in Illinois in 1985. The Supreme Court of Wisconsin suspended him for nine months for neglecting cases, failing to return documents and unearned fees, and failing to file tax returns. The Illinois Supreme Court imposed reciprocal discipline and suspend