MINUTES

            GENERAL PRACTICE, SOLO, AND SMALL FIRM SECTION COUNCIL

            August 23, 2003 MEETING

Stoney Creek, Galena

 

Members Present: Michele Jochner, Chair, Tim Duggan, Vice Chair, Dawn Hallsten, Secretary, Julie Ann Sebastian, Anne Martinkus, John Phipps, David B. Franks, Judge Edna Turkington-Viktora, Tom Hartzell, Terry Madsen, Patrick E. Ward, Jim Dunneback, Bernie Wysocki,  and Matt Maloney.   Michael Goldberg participated by telephone.

 

Members Absent: Dilene Bishop-Papp, James Buckmiller, Patrick Cleary, Walter Kilgus,

Patrick Kinnally, Donald Lobue, Brian McPheters

 

The meeting was called to order by Chair Michele Jochner at approximately 10:00 a.m. at the Stoney Creek Inn in Galena, Illinois. 

 

Roster review.  Chair Jochner asked members to notify Janet Sosin, ,  if the information in the roster marked as Exhibit A. required any corrections.

 

Minutes.  The minutes of the June 19, 2003 were approved as presented except for the correction moving Jim Dunneback from those absent to those present.  

 

Section Count.  Michele Jochner noted that the Section membership shows a decrease of five members since the last report and reminded members that a quality newsletter was key to section membership.

 

2003-2004 Section Subcommittees List.  Chair Jochner noted that Exhibit D. sets forth the 2003-2004 section subcommittee chairs and memberships to date.  Asked council members to let her or the subcommittee chair(s) know if they are interested in being included in a subcommittee or additional subcommittees.

 

Chair's Report - No formal report.

 

Subcommittee Reports.

Newsletter.  John Phipps and Edna Turkington-Viktora circulated the newsletter assignment chart and stressed that members are to notify Edna if there are any additions or changes to be made to it or to the upcoming assignments.  Some discussion ensued regarding the chart and some overdue assignments.  A reminder was given regarding the need for each member who hasn't already done so to sign and turn in the release form (Exhibit F.).                 

 

 

Professional Education - Julie Ann Sebastian reported that there were almost 80 attendees at the Annual Meeting “Hot Topics” seminar and that it was well received according to the evaluations, which are summarized in Exhibit III.B.1.  Michele and the subcommittee were complemented for the extensive coverage received by this Section since the June meeting including the photograph from the seminar.  The next seminar is “Administrative Agencies and Discrimination Claims: Causes of Action, Labor and Employment Law for the General Practitioner” on September 5th in Chicago and there are 50 registrations so far (Exhibit G).  Staff has asked Julie Ann to follow up on the releases from speakers.  Discussion ensued and it was agreed that Michele Jochner will talk to Janet Sosin about this and the council's consensus that this should be a staff responsibility.  Julie Ann reported about the other upcoming seminars: (1) “Mental Health Issues in Juvenile Court - Assessment, Treatment and Appropriate Service”, co-sponsoring with Child Law Section, scheduled for Oct. 3rd in Chicago and Oct. 17th in Bloomington (Exhibit H & handout dated 8/22/03); (2) the recently re-titled “Limited Liability Practice, UPL, and More: Emerging Ethics Issues” in Chicago on Nov. 14th (Exhibit I); and “Hanging Out Your Shingle Without Hanging Your Shingle Without Hanging Yourself” on December 5th in Chicago and May 14th, 2004 in Collinsville (Exhibit J).  All proposed programs for spring are due by October 15th, 2003 and council members' ideas are welcome.  A Program Proposal Cover Sheet was distributed (Exhibit III.B.4).  To date the following programs are under consideration: (1) a request from Law Office Economics Section to co-sponsor “Maximizing the Benefits of your Office Practice While Managing Your Personal Life”; (2) a repeat of the “Limited Liability Practice, UPL, and More: Emerging Ethics Issues” at the 2004 Annual Meeting; and (3) an update “hot topics” seminar for the Annual Meeting.  Tom Speedie has suggested we consider co-sponsoring a seminar on HIPAA.  The ISBA is sending out a memorandum to all Illinois lawyers welcoming their participation in the ISBA Law Ed programs (Exhibit III.B.5).  Some discussion ensued regarding additional possible seminar topics and some ideas included: alternatives to probate, instructions and pointers on the use of Power Point presentations for both speaking and practice, entity choices for organizing a small business, the recent family law changes including the UCCJEA, and arbitration.  The motion was made, seconded, and approved that we co-sponsor the “Maximizing the Benefits of your Office Practice While Managing Your Personal Life.”  Julie Ann also reported that the Administrative Law Section has requested we co-sponsor their two day seminar on Oct. 9 & 10, 2003 on evidence for administrative law practitioners.  A motion was made and seconded that we co-sponsor this seminar and the motion carried.  Julie Ann thanked all members who have served or have agreed to serve as speakers and moderators.  

 

Legislation - Bernie Wysocki reported that the members' packets included: a chart and a memo from staff regarding the status of the ISBA legislative package in June 2003 (Exhibit L) as well as the promised June 2, 2003 legislative update from Jim Covington.  Bernie circulated a 36-page report from Jim Covington regarding the current status of legislation and reported there was no new legislation for us to consider this summer and that there will be a November veto session.  If we as a council have any legislative proposals, they need to be passed on to Jim Covington.  Some discussion took place regarding John Phipps' suggestion that we look at a joint share child support system in which the court considers both parties' income. 

 

 

Cable Television Programs - Michele Jochner reported on her efforts in this area since our June meeting in which she agreed to inquire about our council participating in some of the bar sponsored cable television programs.   Given the short deadline following her inquiry, she put together some proposals for consideration.   Of the two programs initially approved, one was filmed on August 4th entitled “A Checklist of Your Family's Legal Health” (Exhibit N.)and the other is scheduled to be taped on September 8th and it is entitled “U.S. Supreme Court Decisions - The Impact of Recent Cases on Everyday Life” (Exhibit O).  Discussion ensued about how the filming process takes place.  Michele explained that she has several other ideas for programming we might submit and she directed the members attention to the topics listed on the agenda:  “Finding and Working With a Lawyer ” (Exhibit P), “Starting a Business” (Exhibit Q), “Consumer Rights” (Exhibit R.), “Navigating the Court System” (Exhibit S), Adoptions (handout), and Child Support (handout).  She also presented proposals for “Traffic Laws” (handout), and “Traffic Stops” (handout).  Michele encouraged members to let her know if they were willing to participate.  Other topics suggested during discussion were:  how to get tenants out, navigating the SDU child support system.  Downstate television programming was discussed and Tim Duggan agreed to talk with Dave Anderson.  It was mentioned that ISBA does statewide public service announcements.  Matt Maloney moved that we submit the new proposals that were included with the agenda and handouts and that we also explore alternate taping sites.  The motion was seconded by Judge Edna Turkington-Viktora.  Motion carried.

 

Publication - Tim Duggan distributed a packet for the updating of the “Attorney Fees” publication last done in 1999.  He explained the packet and the assignment enclosed within the packet for each council member.  Discussion ensued.  Julie Ann Sebastian agreed to send out an email explaining how to use the www.state.il.legislation website to check current session legislation.  Tim requested that we print out our search results and sent them to him along with the requested information.  Tim explained he would like the information by September 30, 2003 because the goal is to have this booklet available by 2004 Annual Meeting.  Michele thanked Tim for heading up this effort and organizing the assignments.  Additionally, Michele noted that the “Checklist” television program and the “Hanging Out Your Shingle” CLE program may also become the bases for publications. 

 

Membership/Mentorship - Michele Jochner distributed a Report of the August 1, 2003 Subcommittee on Mentoring that was written by Michael Goldberg.  Michele thanked the Michael and the rest of the subcommittee.   Jim Dunneback moved and Julie Ann Sebastian seconded that the council send this report to the special committee on mentorship with a copy to President Terry Lavin.  Motion carried.            

 

Unauthorized Practice of Law - Terry Madsen said he had no report.  However, he also noted that  he has not heard anything on this subject and he wondered if the ISBA had his name as our subcommittee chair.

 

Practice Transfer Committee - John Phipps reported that he is working on the third draft of their brief.

 

Ancillary Business Rule - John Phipps said the special committee had submitted their proposal with rule and he will check on its status.

 

Internet Liaison - John Phipps reported on the status of the GP home page and said the newsletters go online quickly and that council minutes have been updated.  Discussion ensued about links and some suggestions were made.

 

Other Business:

At the request of several members, Michele Jochner agreed to look into the reimbursement policy regarding overnight reimbursements that limits which night is reimbursed depending upon the meeting start time. 

 

Patrick Ward requested that we consider on the next agenda the Supreme Court regarding the storage of records vis-a-vis paper and electronic storage.

 

 

The council thanked Bernie Wysocki and his wife for the invitation to lunch following the meeting.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 12:15 p.m.        

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Dawn Hallsten, Secretary