‘Bridge the Gap' is primer on skills for new lawyers

New Illinois attorneys have an opportunity to learn more about workings of the Illinois legal system from the experts, and how to enhance professional skills, during “Bridge the Gap,” an upcoming ISBA Law Ed Series seminar.

The ISBA Young Lawyers Division is sponsor of the timely, day-long seminar that will be conducted from 8:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 17, at the Chicago Athletic Association, 12 S. Michigan Ave.

This is the type of basic skills course that will be required of all attorneys who are admitted to the Illinois bar after Jan. 1, 2006, under the Illinois Supreme Court's new minimum continuing legal education (MCLE) standards.

YLD Council member Kimberly R. Lusk of Horwood, Marcus & Berk, Chicago, is program coordinator and moderator. The schedule of topics and distinguished presenters follows.

8:30 a.m. – Illinois Court System, with YLD Council member Kelley A. Gandurski, assistant corporate counsel in the Building and Law Use Litigation Division of the City of Chicago Law Department.

9:15 a.m. – Mentoring, with ISBA past president Leonard F. Amari of Amari & Locallo, Chicago.

10 a.m. – Professionalism, with YLD Council past chair Robert L. Gamrath III of Quarles & Brady, Chicago.

11 a.m. – Malpractice Prevention, with Jon W. DeMoss, president of the ISBA Mutual Insurance Co. and past president of the ISBA.

11:45 a.m. – Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission, with Warren Lupel of Weinberg Richmond, Chicago, a member of the Committee on the ARDC.

1:30 p.m. – Alternative Dispute Resolution, with Cook County Judge Allen S. Goldberg, a member of the ADR Section Council.

2:15 p.m. – Networking, with John L. Nisivaco of the Nisivaco Law Offices, Chicago, vice chair of the Tort Law Section Council.

3:15 p.m. – Legal Writing, with Michele M. Jochner, administrative assistant to Justice Mary Ann G. McMorrow of the Illinois Supreme Court and member of the ISBA Board of Governors.

4 p.m. – Pro Bono and Volunteerism, with Michael G. Bergmann of Chicago Volunteer Legal Services Foundation.

For registration details, call the CLE administrator at (800 252-8908.