The ISBA Mutual Insurance Co. has signed on as a full partner of the Illinois State Bar Association in sponsorship of Fastcase, an online legal research service that is provided to members at no cost .

“If Fastcase helps one lawyer do a better job for a client by finding the key citation in a case, it will help avoid professional liability for client claims,” said ISBA Mutual President Jon W. DeMoss.

The state bar's malpractice insurance carrier will celebrate its 20th anniversary of successful growth and service to the bar in 2008, DeMoss told the ISBA Assembly on Dec. 9.

“We have had a wonderful creative partnership since the Assembly voted in 1988 to go forward with establishment of a risk retention initiative in a competitive environment,” he said.

ISBA Mutual is now second only to Lloyd's of London as a provider of liability insurance to lawyers in Illinois, DeMoss noted. During the past year it has seen an eight percent increase in both gross written premiums and the number of member insureds.

He revealed to the Assembly that another 10 percent dividend to policy holders will be paid in February. After five years of seven percent dividends, the return was increased to 10 percent a year ago.

Fastcase has rapidly become the primary research tool for solo practitioners and law firms of all sizes. The service more than repays the state bar dues investment, many members have discovered.

One research-savvy member, during an exchange of views on the ISBA list-serv, called Fastcase “a lifeboat” for the new lawyer starting out in practice, and a significant cost-saving device for seasoned practitioners.

The Illinois plan provides free, unlimited access to a state, federal and national library, framed statutes and codes, including Illinois Supreme and Appellate Court cases back to 1950.

Also available are Illinois Compiled Statutes, Illinois Administrative Code and Illinois court rules, all state supreme and appeals court opinions reported by commercial reporters from at least 1950, and statutes and codes of all 50 states.

The library contains U.S. Supreme Court cases back to 1754 and federal circuit cases back to 1924 for most circuits, as well as framed versions of the U.S. Code and the Code of Federal Regulations.