Terrence Lavin prepares to accept gavel as president of state bar
Chicago attorney Terrence J. Lavin (left) will accept the gavel of office as 127th president of the Illinois State Bar Associatiom during the annual banquet Saturday, June 21, at The Abbey on Lake Geneva. He will succeed Loren S. Golden of Elgin.
Lavin ran unopposed for the office of third vice president in 2000. He has served on the ISBA Board of Governors and Assembly since 1994. A 1983 graduate of the Chicago-Kent College of Law, he has a journalism degree from the University of Illinois.
During his years in state bar leadership, Lavin has chaired ISBA Task Forces on Multidisciplinary Practice and the Allocation of Judges, as well as the Committee on Scope and Correlation.
The incoming president chairs the Committee on Personnel and the Committee on Budget and Audit. He is an ISBA representative on the American Bar Association House of Delegates.
A personal injury lawyer who has obtained several significant verdicts, he has served on the board of managers of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association and its Amicus Curiae and Publications Committees. He was editor of ITLA's 1990 Medical Malpractice Trial Notebook.
Lavin has been an adjunct professor of medical malpractice at Chicago-Kent, president of its alumni association, co-chair of its capital campaign and a member of its board of overseers.
Terry Lavin and his wife, Cynthia Sykes, have two teen-age daughters, Hilary and Chelsea.
Section council victorious in Capitol
Capping a three-month struggle, officers of the ISBA State and Local Taxation Section Council watched a touted legislative bill they opposed go under last month after a stunning turnaround.
At 6:45 p.m. Tuesday, May 20, section council vice chair John K. Norris saw Senate Bill 620 defeated on third reading in the Illinois House by an overwhelming margin of 77 nays to 26 yeas, with 12 state representatives voting "present" and three not voting.
Sponsored by Senate President Emil Jones Jr. and backed by Democrat leadership in both chambers, the measure would have eliminated commercial and industrial property taxes from challenges at the Property Tax Appeal Board (PTAB) level.
In its position statement, the State and Local Taxation Section Council charged that S.B. 620 would "unfairly and unnecessarily diminish the rights of small businesses and property owners in Cook County."
Without access to PTAB, owners would have to file appeals of their contested taxes in court, which would require filing fees and payment of tax bills in full first, and would cause a much longer delay in obtaining refunds.
The bill was introduced Feb. 18 and assigned to the Senate Executive Committee on Feb. 26. State and Local Taxation held a special meeting March 4 to discuss strategies that included a compromise bill.
Two days later, the bill came out of committee with an 8-5 "do pass" vote, and soon, assistant majority leader Ricky Hendon signed on as a co-sponsor. Despite intensive lobbying by the section council, S.B. 620 passed the Senate, 33 to 20, on March 20 and proceeded to the House.
Introduced by House majority leader Barbara Flynn Currie, the bill was assigned to the Revenue Committee, where it received a 6-3 "do pass" nod on April 10, the day that assistant majority leader Lou Lang became a co-sponsor.
During the next six weeks, Norris and past section council chairs Timothy E. Moran and Joanne P. Elliott made frequent trips to Springfield. They were assisted by lobbyists Daniel M. Pierce of the Illinois Property Tax Lawyers Association and Leo Smith of the Chicago Bar Association.
In addition, section council members Mark R. Davis and Thomas J. McNulty were the primary authors of a Civic Federation of Chicago amendment, introduced by Rep. Robert A. Biggins, that would have restored commercial and industrial property to the PTAB purview. The amendment was tabled by the rules committee.
After the lopsided House floor vote, Norris exultantly called it "a huge win for the little guy."
Unfortunately, the state budget was adopted with a million-dollar cut for PTAB on the assumption that the bill would pass. As a result, 20 employees were terminated this month.
Annual Meeting event highlights
Opening reception from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., sponsored by the ISBA Mutual Insurance Co.
Sports Night buffet dinner, games, rides and entertainment from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Friday, June 20
Law Office Management and Economics (Standing Committe on) breakfast symposium, 7:30 to 9:30 a.m.
Law Ed Series seminar, "Hot Topics for the General Practitioner," 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., by the General Practice, Solo and Small Firm Section.
Law Ed Series seminar, "Potpourri of Civil Practice, Tort and Insurance Law," 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., by the Civil Practice and Procedure, Tort Law and Insurance Law Sections.
Awards Luncheon at 12 noon for recipients of Board of Governors Awards, General Practice Tradition of Excellence Award, Young Lawyers of the Year, Law Student Public Service Award, and honors for publication work and community service.
Law Ed Series seminar, "Effective Legal Writing I: Clear and Direct Prose," 1 to 4 p.m.
Receptions: University of Illinois College of Law Alumni, 4:30 p.m.; Southern Illinois University School of Law Alumni, 5 p.m.; Fellows of the Illinois Bar Foundation, 5:30 p.m.
Young Lawyers Division cruise on Lake Geneva, 7 to 9 p.m. (open to all adults)
Saturday, June 21
Eighth annual networking breakfast for women attorneys and judges, 8 to 9:30 a.m., by the Committee on Minority and Women Participation, the Committee on Women and the Law, and the SIU School of Law.
Continental breakfast for families from 8 to 10 a.m.
ISBA Assembly meeting at 9 a.m.
Law Ed Series seminar, "How to Make a Living Practicing Family Law," 9 a.m. to 12 noon, by the Family Law Section.
Law Ed Series seminar, "Effective Legal Writing II: Informative and Persuasive Documents," 9 a.m. to 12 noon.
Loss Prevention and Professional Ethics Seminar, 9 to 10 a.m., sponsored by ISBA Mutual.
Annual reception at 6:30 p.m., followed at 7:30 p.m. by annual dinner and installation of Terrence J. Lavin of Chicago as ISBA president.
Sunday, June 22
Getaway Breakfast, 9 to 11 a.m., with prize drawings at 10:30 a.m.
Board lauds Loren Golden's tenure
The ISBA Board of Governors adopted the following resolution of appreciation for the accomplishments of President Loren Golden during its meeting on May 16 in Chicago.
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WHEREAS, the members of the Illinois State Bar Association look to their leaders to promote the profession of law and to represent their best interests in matters affecting the practice of law; and
WHEREAS, Loren Golden came to the job of president with a keen understanding of the issues confronting many practitioners, and with a determination to set in motion a means for addressing those issues; and
WHEREAS, he introduced and promoted the concept of Virtual Court Call to use available technology to assist lawyers and the courts in handling routine matters without costly travel and wasted time, and won the support of many practitioners and judges for the future implementation of such a system; and
WHEREAS, he recognized that the top concerns of the practicing bar are the economics of the practice and the image of the profession, and he designed an image advertising campaign addressing those concerns that aired on television stations in all areas of the state, urging consumers to choose ISBA lawyers for their legal needs; and
WHEREAS, President Golden commissioned a study of the health insurance market to determine all avenues available, including the possibility of ISBA forming its own company, to best serve the needs of ISBA members; and
WHEREAS, he energetically continued the battle against the unauthorized practice of law to deter those who unlawfully sell legal advice and services to an unsuspecting public; and
WHEREAS, he was an effective advocate for the legal profession in the media and in the legislature on the perennial issue of medical malpractice and the rights of injured parties to be fairly compensated; and
WHEREAS, throughout his year as president, he was a tireless spokesman for the ISBA at local bar events around the state, and before other civic and professional organizations; and
WHEREAS, Loren Golden was certainly one of the most "entertaining" presidents ever, sometimes arriving at bar events with his own piano in tow;
NOW, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Governors of the Illinois State Bar Association expresses its sincere appreciation to Loren Golden for his outstanding year as president, and also extends to Patricia Golden its gratitude for her gracious support and participation in the association.
Passion, passion (and did I mention passion?)
An open love letter to the members and staff of the ISBA from President Loren S. Golden:
Prior to my taking office as president, many of the past ISBA Presidents advised me that: the year will fly by (and it has), you will never accomplish all that you set out to accomplish (and I haven't), you will feel a certain relief mixed with melancholy as your year draws to a close (that's true) and you will feel an intense gratitude and loyalty to the ISBA (and that is absolutely true).
My year began with a passionate discussion about passion as the basis for all that we do as lawyers (if I am somewhat redundant, bear with me). To that end, I asked the members and staff of the ISBA to explore new horizons for the betterment of our members, the public and our system of justice.
Together we explored the virtual court call, the feasibility of forming an ISBA health insurance company. and the use of television as a means to educate the public that before they use "the lawyer in a box," they should instead hire an ISBA attorney who is committed to financial responsibility, continuing legal education and the dedication and passion (there I said it again) needed to represent clients with unequaled skill and the utmost respect.
As to the virtual court call, although we didn't accomplish all that we wanted to accomplish, I believe that we, the members and staff of the ISBA fairly and passionately awakened the consciousness of the lawyers, judges and justices as to the limitless possibilities that lay ahead through the use of new technologies.
I have received nothing but positive vibes (a musical term) from the various groups who allowed me to speak about the virtual court call. To all of you, I thank you for your kind thoughts and support on this exciting technology.
To that end, I shall continue on behalf of the ISBA to communicate with the lawyers, judges, justices of the Illinois Supreme Court, and the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts in the hope of implementing the virtual court call in the future.
Health insurance was perhaps the most important area that our committees explored. Although we didn't establish our own health insurance company, I believe that we reduced the issues to their very essence, thereby paving the way for future meaningful dialogue on this most important issue.
As to advising the public through television ads as to the efficacy and prudence to hire an ISBA attorney, I am hopeful that our members will address this issue at our annual meeting in June at The Abbey. I believe that this will ultimately be a positive benefit to our members and act as a further incentive to other attorneys to join the ISBA.
Finally, I wish to thank all of the ISBA members and staff for providing me all of your passion (whoops, I said it again). I will never be able to give back to the ISBA as much as I received during this wondrous year.
In the final analysis, it is passion that makes the ISBA lawyer uniquely qualified to represent the citizens of Illinois. Thank you all. I look forward to seeing all of you at future ISBA meetings, and if I am too passionate, please forgive me.
3 Assembly members to receive board awards
ISBA Board of Governors Awards will be presented this month to Franco A. Coladipietro of Amari & Locallo, Chicago, John T. Phipps of Champaign and Naomi H. Schuster of Palos Heights. All three serve on the ISBA Assembly.
The Board of Governors on May 16 approved the recommendation of the Committee on Scope and Correlation that they be honored Friday, June 20, during the Annual Meeting awards luncheon at The Abbey on Lake Geneva.
Coladipietro, who chairs the Young Lawyers Division Council, was nominated by board member Umberto S. Davi for his efforts over several years to generate funding for the Children's Assistance Program.
More than $60,000 has been raised to help furnish courthouse waiting rooms around the state, and provide toys and games, for children of witnesses and litigants. Proceeds from the annual YLD holiday party, which Coladipietro initiated in 1998, have been the primary source.
In addition to his ISBA involvement, Coladipietro is treasurer of the Justinian Society of Lawyers.
Phipps is newsletter co-editor and past chair of the General Practice, Solo and Small Firm Section Council, and he serves on the Committee on the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission.
As pointed out in the nomination letter from board members John E. Thies, Keith E. Fruehling and Michele M. Jochner, the major contribution that Phipps has made recently is his work toward development of a Supreme Court rule to permit the transfer or sale of a law practice.
"For many years, John has spoken passionately on the subject and has been instrumental in the association's progress to date on this very important issue," the nominators said. Last year, he chaired a Special Committee on Transfer of a Law Practice that drafted proposed Rule 1.17.