Lincoln Library is site of mediation skills presentation

The fall schedule of ISBA Law Ed Series seminars comes to a close Friday, Nov. 18, with two presentations: a mediation skills program in Springfield and a government pension primer in Chicago.

“Mediation Skills for Advocates” will be conducted from 9 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Nov. 18 in the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library in the state capital. This seminar is sponsored by three ISBA sections: Alternative Dispute Resolution, Administrative Law, and Bench and Bar.

Program coordinator is retired judge Michael S. Jordan of Glenview, chair and newsletter editor of the ADR Section Council. Stanley N. Wasser of Feldman, Wasser, Draper & Benson, Springfield, the section council secretary, is the moderator.

Introductory remarks will be provided by Jordan and Wasser, along with James N. Karahalios of Chicago, chair and newsletter editor of the Bench and Bar Section Council, and Champ W. Davis of Davis McGrath, Chicago, a member of the ADR Section Council.

At 9:10 a.m., Robert E. Wells of Pessin, Baird & Wells, Belleville, past chair of the ADR Section Council, will explain how to Distinguish Litigation, Arbitration and Mediation.

At 9:30 a.m., Prof. Wenona Y. Whitfield of the Southern Illinois University School of Law, Carbondale, will discuss Qualities Needed in a Mediator: Styles of Mediation and Ethical Considerations.

At 9:50 a.m., Wells will review the question, When Is Mediation Appropriate? Type and Age of Case.

At 10:10 a.m., Lawyer's Preparation for Mediation: Prepare Submission, Prepare Client, Prepare Self will be outlined by ADR Section Council member Don C. Hammer of Hayes, Hammer, Miles & Cox, Bloomington, and Prof. Thomas D. Cavenagh of North Central College, Naperville.

At 10:55 a.m., Jordan will elaborate on the Format of Mediation, and at 11:15 a.m., Wells will cover Dynamics of Conflict Resolution.

At 11:35 a.m., Cook County Judge Allen S. Goldberg, a member of the ADR Section Council, will provide a Case and Rule Update. A question and answer period will conclude the program.

Seminar panel to air issues of police and fire pensions

“Police and Fire Pension Board Pri-mer,” a seminar presented by the ISBA Local Government Law Section, will be conducted from 12 noon to 1:25 p.m. Nov. 18, in the Chicago Regional Office, and will be available by teleconference.

Program coordinator is section council past chair Lynn E. Patton of Springfield, assistant Illinois attorney general and chief of the Opinions Bureau, who also is newsletter co-editor for the Committee on Government Lawyers.

The program will begin with introductions by moderator Robin L. Perry of Spring Grove, chair of the section council.

At 12:15 p.m., Scott Brandt of Springfield will discuss Police and Fire Pension Boards and the State: What the State Needs from You and What the State Can Do for You.

Acting chief administrator of the Public Pension Division of the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Brandt will review the functions and responsibilities of the department.

His presentation includes actuarial studies with regard to police and fire tax levies, tax implications, new legislation related to pension boards, and problems caused by recent legislation.

At 12:50 p.m., Richard J. Reimer, general counsel for the Illinois Public Funds Association in Hinsdale, will identify Police and Fire Pension Issues Posed by a Disability Application.

His remarks will cover the roles of the hearing officer and city attorney, duty versus non-duty disability, selection of doctors and issuance of disability certificates, workers' compensation implications (res judicata and pension payment set-offs), intervention by a municipality as a party, and pending legislative proposals.

The program is scheduled to conclude at 1:25 p.m. The $35 fee includes luncheon. Legal assistance attorneys may attend at no charge. Call the CLE registrar at (800) 252-8908.